Basket for holding objects for a machine for treating objects and corresponding treatment method

Abstract

Basket (10) for holding objects (G) having both a frame (11) which develops in a longitudinal direction (DL) and comprises a front wall (15) and a rear wall (16) disposed parallel to each other in said longitudinal direction (DL), and also having a hydraulic distribution circuit (20) provided with at least one washing impeller (21) rotating around a central vertical axis (AC.) The basket (10) comprises one or several first magnetic element (25) disposed on a support element (26) positioned closer to said rear wall (16), in said longitudinal direction (DL).

Description

[0001] “BASKET FOR HOLDING OBJECTS FOR A MACHINE FOR TREATING OBJECTS AND CORRESPONDING TREATMENT METHOD”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a basket for holding objects such as medical, surgical or laboratory instruments, and / or pharmaceutical industry instruments, and a corresponding treatment machine, in particular for washing and thermal disinfecting such objects. The present invention also concerns a method for treating such objects in this machine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Baskets for holding objects, such as medical instruments for hospital wards, operating rooms, laboratory and / or pharmaceutical industry instruments which are inserted into a treatment machine configured to wash and thermal disinfect such objects, are known. In general, the baskets comprise a parallelepiped frame defined by perimeter uprights and crosspieces and by a plurality of connection elements, such as rods or bars, which are connected to each other and to the uprights and / or crosspieces so as to define one or more planes for positioning the objects to be treated.

[0004] Each basket has a hydraulic distribution circuit comprising one or more rotating washing impellers that are usually associated at the lower part with the respective positioning planes, where possible. The impellers are vertically aligned with each other, so that the respective axes of rotation are disposed in a same vertical direction.

[0005] Different types of baskets are used in relation to the type of objects to be treated, for example having a different number of positioning planes and / or impellers.

[0006] The hydraulic distribution circuit also comprises an inlet collector fluidically connected to each impeller. The inlet collector can be connected to a hydraulic feed circuit of the machine to feed the treatment liquid.

[0007] Each impeller comprises at its ends a magnetic element able to be detected, during use, by a first assembly of magnetic detection sensors of the machine, by means of which it is possible to determine the rotation speed of each impeller. This first assembly of sensors is connected to a control unit that controls the impellers’ rotation speed, by means of which it is possible to select a different treatment cycle to be used.

[0008] In addition, each basket can comprise respective recognition means able to be identified and recognized by the treatment machine for the correct selection of the treatment cycle. The recognition means can be defined by an RFID tag. In this case, the machine comprises a reading device capable of acquiring information from the RFID tag concerning the type of basket and instruments to be treated.

[0009] This solution, although very valid, has the disadvantage of having high production costs, considering that each basket has to be equipped with an RFID tag.

[0010] Alternatively, the recognition means can be defined by a series of magnetic recognition elements disposed vertically aligned with each other and attached to a rod disposed on a lateral wall of the basket, substantially in correspondence with its centerline. The number and arrangement of the magnetic elements identifies the type of basket, and with it also the type of objects to be treated.

[0011] In this case, the machine also comprises, on a lateral wall thereof, a second assembly of magnetic detection sensors, which are vertically aligned with each other and able to detect the magnetic elements.

[0012] In particular, the recognition of the basket occurs only when the basket is fully inserted into the machine, since the magnetic elements are disposed in such a way as to be aligned horizontally and vertically with respect to the second assembly of magnetic detection sensors only when the basket is positioned entirely in the machine.

[0013] This solution, although valid, still has the disadvantage of having two different assemblies of magnetic detection sensors, thus leading to an increase in production costs.

[0014] There is therefore the need to perfect a basket for holding objects for a machine for treating objects that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art. Some examples of baskets for holding objects that can be used in treatment machines and methods are disclosed for example in documents EP1743566A2, US577I909A and US20I5 / 216608AI.

[0015] To do this, it is necessary to resolve the technical problem of providing a basket for holding objects that allows a rapid and effective recognition by the treatment machine, without the aid of expensive reading devices or multiple assemblies of detection sensors.

[0016] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a basket for holding objects for a machine for treating objects that is easy to produce and leads to economic savings.

[0017] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a basket for holding objects for a machine for treating objects in which the corresponding treatment method is simple and effective. The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0020] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a basket according to the present invention for holding objects comprises both a frame which develops in a longitudinal direction and comprises a front wall and a rear wall, parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, and two opposing lateral walls parallel to the latter, and also comprises a hydraulic distribution circuit provided with at least one washing impeller rotating around a central vertical axis and fluidically connected to an inlet collector.

[0021] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the basket comprises at least a first magnetic element disposed on a support element positioned closer to the rear wall on one of the lateral walls in a space comprised between the circumferential projection of the at least one impeller and a lateral comer which delimits the rear wall. This arrangement facilitates the recognition and makes it more effective when the basket is inserted into the machine, that is, before the basket is completely inserted into a treatment chamber of the machine.

[0022] The at least one impeller comprises at least a second magnetic element disposed in a respective unconstrained terminal end of the impeller, wherein the at least a first magnetic element is disposed in such a way as to not overlap with the at least a second magnetic element with reference to the longitudinal direction.

[0023] The distribution circuit comprises two or more impellers parallel to each other along the central axis and each fluidically connected to the inlet collector. The number of the impellers identifies a different type of basket chosen in relation to the type of objects to be treated.

[0024] The basket comprises two or more first magnetic elements aligned in a positioning direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the number and arrangement of the first magnetic elements are chosen so as to identify the different types of basket.

[0025] The present invention also concerns a machine for treating medical, surgical or laboratory objects, comprising a treatment chamber delimited by two opposing and parallel main lateral walls, by an upper wall and a lower wall, and by a front and rear aperture with which a front and rear closing member are associated, respectively.

[0026] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the chamber comprises a basket for holding objects as disclosed above, with the rear wall facing toward the rear aperture. Moreover, the machine comprises an assembly of magnetic detection sensors disposed on one of the main lateral walls and configured to detect both the at least a first magnetic element, before the basket is completely inserted into the chamber, in order to recognize the type of basket, and also at least a second magnetic element located in a respective terminal end of the at least one impeller, in order to control, during use, its rotation speed. In this way, with a single assembly of magnetic detection sensors it is possible to perform the two aforementioned operations of recognizing the type of basket and controlling the speed of the impeller. This has the advantage of reducing production costs, even significantly.

[0027] The magnetic detection sensors are aligned with each other in a detection direction and disposed in such a way that, when the basket is inserted into the chamber, the at least a first magnetic element is aligned horizontally with at least one of the magnetic detection sensors and the positioning direction is parallel to the detection direction. In addition, the machine comprises a hydraulic feed circuit having at least one main impeller for performing the treatment of the objects, and one or more dispensing devices configured to be fluidically connected to the inlet collector in order to dispense a treatment liquid, thus activating the at least one impeller for washing the basket when it is housed in the chamber. In particular, the magnetic detection sensors are connected to a control unit configured to receive the detection data from the magnetic detection sensors, to recognize the type of basket and, in relation thereto, to control and adjust the rotation speed of the at least one impeller, increasing or reducing the flow rate dispensed by the one or more dispensing devices.

[0028] The present invention also concerns a method for treating medical, surgical or laboratory objects disposed in a basket for holding objects as disclosed above, which is housed in a treatment machine as disclosed above.

[0029] The method comprises an insertion step in which the basket is progressively inserted into the chamber with the rear wall facing toward the rear aperture.

[0030] Moreover, the method also comprises a recognition step in which the assembly of magnetic detection sensors detects the at least a first magnetic element, before the basket is completely inserted into the chamber, in order to recognize the type of basket, and a treatment step in which the basket is completely inserted into the chamber and during the treatment of the objects the magnetic detection sensors detect at least a second magnetic element, located at an unconstrained end of the at least one impeller, in order to control its rotation speed.

[0031] Moreover, a control unit connected to the magnetic detection sensors receives the detection data from the latter, and in the recognition step it identifies the type of basket and in the treatment step it controls and adjusts the rotation speed of the at least one impeller, increasing or reducing the flow rate dispensed by the one or more dispensing devices, thus optimizing the treatment of the objects.

[0032] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0034] - fig. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a basket for holding objects according to the present invention; - fig. 2 is a schematic lateral view of the basket of fig. 1;

[0035] - fig. 3 is a schematic top view of the basket of fig. 1 ;

[0036] - fig. 4 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a machine for treating objects according to the present invention with the basket of fig. 1 inside it; - fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a hydraulic circuit of the treatment machine with the basket of fig. 1 inside it;

[0037] - figs, from 6 to 8 are lateral views of a sequence of inserting the basket into a machine for treating objects according to the present invention.

[0038] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0039] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0040] With reference to fig. 1, a basket 10 according to the present invention is designed and usable for transporting objects G.

[0041] The objects G can be medical, surgical or laboratory instruments and / or pharmaceutical industry instruments, or suchlike. Possibly, the objects G can be positioned in trays or containers, which are disposed on the basket 10.

[0042] The basket 10 can be inserted into a machine 100 for treating objects G, in accordance with the present invention, configured to perform several washing cycles in relation to the type of baskets 10 and, therefore, the objects G contained therein.

[0043] Before describing the machine 100 in detail, we will first describe a basket 10 for holding objects G. The basket 10 comprises a frame 11 developing in a longitudinal direction D.

[0044] The frame is defined by perimeter uprights 12 and crosspieces 13, and by a plurality of connection elements, such as rods or bars, which are connected to each other and disposed in such a way as to define one or more planes PP for positioning the objects G, which are parallel to each other.

[0045] According to preferred embodiments, the frame 11 has a parallelepiped structure.

[0046] The frame 11 comprises a front wall 15 and a rear wall 16 disposed parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction DL, and two opposing lateral walls 17, 19 which are parallel to the longitudinal direction D. There are, respectively, a first lateral wall 17 and a second lateral wall 19.

[0047] The basket 10 also comprises a hydraulic distribution circuit 20 provided with at least one washing impeller 21 rotating around a vertical central axis AC and fluidically connected to an inlet collector 22 for feeding a treatment liquid, when the basket 10 is housed in the machine 100.

[0048] The impeller 21 is pivoted to a support arm 23 connected to the inlet collector 22.

[0049] The inlet collector 22 can be disposed vertically on one of the two lateral walls 17, 19, facing outward. For example, the inlet collector 22 is disposed on the first lateral wall 17.

[0050] Alternatively, according to other embodiments not shown in the drawings, the inlet collector 22 can be disposed in correspondence with a lower wall of the basket 10. According to preferred embodiments, the basket 10 can be provided with two or more impellers 21, parallel to each other along the central axis AC and each fluidically connected to the inlet collector 22. Each impeller 21 and the respective arm 23 can be associated at the lower part with the respective positioning plane PP, where possible. Furthermore, the impellers 21 can be disposed in such a way as to have a respective axis of rotation aligned with the central axis AC.

[0051] We must clarify that the number of impellers 21 identifies a different type of basket 10 and is chosen in relation to the type of objects G to be treated present therein. The basket 10 comprises one or more first magnetic recognition elements 25 disposed on a support element 26 which is positioned closer to the rear wall 16, in the longitudinal direction D. The support element 26 can be a rod or an oblong bar. In particular, the support element 26 is disposed on one of the lateral walls 17, 19 in a space comprised between the circumferential projection of the at least one impeller 21 and a lateral comer 16a, 16b which delimits the rear wall 16. This arrangement facilitates the recognition and makes it more effective when the basket 10 is inserted into the machine 100, that is, before the basket 10 is completely inserted into a treatment chamber 101 of the machine 100.

[0052] For example, the first magnetic elements 25 are disposed on the first lateral wall 17, close to the lateral comer 16a of the rear wall 16.

[0053] The first magnetic elements 25 are aligned in a positioning direction DP, transverse to the longitudinal direction DL. Preferably, the positioning direction DP is vertical, and it is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction DL.

[0054] The first magnetic elements 25 are able to be recognized by the machine 100 in order to identify the type of basket 10, and with it also the objects G present therein.

[0055] Furthermore, the number and arrangement of the first magnetic elements 25 identify the type of basket 10 and, therefore, the objects G to be treated. Several combinations of magnetic elements 25 can be created in the positioning direction DP, each identifying a type of basket 10.

[0056] For example, there may be six magnetic elements 25, which identify a first type of basket 10. Alternatively, there may be four magnetic elements 25, which identify a second type of basket 10. Or there may be three magnetic elements 25 disposed in an alternating manner, which identify a third type of basket 10, and so on.

[0057] Moreover, each impeller 21 comprises at least a second magnetic element 30 disposed in a respective unconstrained terminal end 31a, 31b of the impeller 21 itself. We must clarify that the first magnetic elements 25 are disposed in such a way as to not overlap spatially with the second magnetic element 30, with reference to the longitudinal direction DL.

[0058] For example, each impeller 21 can be provided with two second magnetic elements 30, each disposed in a corresponding terminal end 31a, 31b.

[0059] The treatment machine 100 comprises the treatment chamber 101 delimited by two opposing and parallel main lateral walls 102, 103, by an upper wall 104 and a lower wall 105, and by a front aperture 106 and a rear aperture 107 with which a front 108 and rear 109 closing member are associated, respectively.

[0060] The front 108 and rear 109 closing members can be of a known type or one that will be created in the future, and they hermetically close the chamber 101 (figs, from 6 to 8).

[0061] The basket 10 is housed in the chamber 101, with the rear wall 16 facing toward the rear aperture 107. The machine 100 comprises an assembly of magnetic detection sensors 110 disposed on one of the main lateral walls 102, 103 and configured to detect both one or more first magnetic elements 25, before the basket 10 is completely inserted into the chamber 101, thus recognizing the type of basket 10, and also the at least second magnetic element 30 disposed in the respective terminal end 31a, 31b of each impeller 21.

[0062] In particular, the magnetic detection sensors 110 are aligned with each other in a detection direction DR and disposed in such a way that, when the basket 10 is inserted into the chamber 101 , the first magnetic elements 25 present on the support element 26 are aligned horizontally with the magnetic detection sensors 110, and the positioning direction DP is parallel to the detection direction DR.

[0063] The machine 100 comprises a hydraulic feed circuit 115 for feeding a treatment liquid.

[0064] The feed circuit 115 comprises at least one main impeller 116 to perform the treatment of the objects G, in combination with the impellers 21 of the basket 10, and one or more dispensing devices 117 configured to be fluidically connected to the inlet collector 22 in order to dispense the treatment liquid and drive the impellers 21.

[0065] Advantageously, the machine 100 can comprise two main impellers 116, one rotatably associated with the upper wall 104 and the other rotatably associated with the lower wall 105.

[0066] The feed circuit 115 comprises, along a first segment 119 thereof, at least a first pumping member 120 for pumping the treatment liquid toward the main impellers 116.

[0067] The feed circuit 115 comprises, along a second segment 121 thereof, at least a second pumping member 122 for pumping the treatment liquid toward the dispensing devices 117 which, once connected to the inlet collector 22, are able to pump the treatment liquid toward the impellers 21, thus activating them.

[0068] The machine 100 also comprises a control unit 125 connected to the magnetic detection sensors 110 and at least to the two pumping members 120, 122.

[0069] Furthermore, the control unit 25 comprises, or is connected to, a speed control device 126 connected at least to the second pumping member 122.

[0070] The control unit 125 is configured to receive the detection data from the magnetic detection sensors 110, thus identifying the type of basket 10, and to control and adjust the rotation speed of the impellers 21, increasing or reducing the dispensing flow rate of the treatment liquid dispensed by the dispensing devices 117.

[0071] Specifically, the control unit 125, by means of the speed control device 126, is able to control the operation of the second pumping member 122 in order to modify the flow rate dispensed by the dispensing devices 117, thus modifying and adjusting the speed of the impellers 21 in relation to the type of basket 10 and the objects G present therein.

[0072] Furthermore, the feed circuit 115 can comprise one or more non-retum valves 126 disposed along the second segment 121, between the second pumping member

[0073] 122 and the dispensing devices 117.

[0074] On the bottom of the chamber 101 there can be a filtering device 127 for filtering the treatment liquid used to treat the objects G, which is connected to the feed circuit 115. The operation of the machine 100 described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.

[0075] An initial preparation step in which the chamber 101 is open for the insertion of the basket 10 on which the objects G to be treated are disposed. In particular, the front closing member 108 is open, while the rear closing member 109 can be closed.

[0076] Subsequently, in an insertion step, the basket 10 is progressively inserted into the chamber 101 with the rear wall 16 facing toward the rear aperture 107, that is, toward the rear closing member 109.

[0077] A recognition step then follows, in which the assembly of magnetic detection sensors 110 detects the first magnetic elements 25 before the basket 10 is completely inserted into the chamber 101, in order to recognize the type of basket 10. In particular, the control unit 125 receives the detection data from the magnetic detection sensors 110 and identifies the type of basket 10. Subsequently, the basket 10 is completely inserted into the chamber 10 and the dispensing devices 117 are fluidically connected to the inlet collector 22 of the basket 10.

[0078] The treatment step then commences, in which, by means of the first 120 and second 122 pumping member, the treatment liquid is pumped toward the main impellers 116 and the dispensing devices 117, respectively, thus driving the basket’s impellers 21.

[0079] In this step, the magnetic detection sensors 110 detect the second magnetic elements 30 so as to control the impellers’ rotation speed, for the purposes of a correct treatment of the objects G.

[0080] The control unit 125 receives the detection data from the magnetic detection sensors 110 and, by means of the speed control device 126, controls and adjusts the rotation speed of the impellers 21, increasing or reducing the flow rate of the treatment liquid dispensed by the dispensing devices 117, thus optimizing the treatment of the objects G. In order to do this, the speed control device 126 acts on the second pumping member 122.

[0081] This has the advantage of reducing, even significantly, water consumption during the treatment of the objects G.

[0082] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the basket 10, to the machine 100 and to the method as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0083] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of baskets for holding objects for machines for treating objects, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0084] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Basket (10) for holding objects (G) having both a frame (11) which develops in a longitudinal direction (DL) and comprises a front (15) and rear (16) wall parallel to each other, and two opposing lateral walls (17, 19) parallel to said longitudinal direction (DL), and having also a hydraulic distribution circuit (20) provided with at least one washing impeller (21) rotating around a central vertical axis (AC) and fluidically connected to an inlet collector (22), characterized in that it comprises at least a first magnetic element (25) disposed on a support element (26) positioned closer to said rear wall (16) on one of said lateral walls (17, 19) in a space comprised between the circumferential projection of said at least one impeller (21) and a lateral comer (16a, 16b) which delimits said rear wall (16).

2. Basket (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said at least one impeller (21) comprises at least a second magnetic element (30) disposed in a respective unconstrained terminal end (31a, 31b) of said impeller (21), wherein said at least a first magnetic element (25) is disposed in such a way as to not overlap with said at least a second magnetic element (30) with reference to said longitudinal direction (DL).

3. Basket (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said distribution circuit (20) comprises two or more impellers (21) parallel to each other along said central axis (AC) and each fluidically connected to said inlet collector (22), wherein the number of said impellers (21) identifies a different type of basket (10) chosen in relation to the type of objects (G) to be treated.

4. Basket (10) as in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises two or more first magnetic elements (25) aligned in a positioning direction (DP) transverse to said longitudinal direction (DL).

5. Basket (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the number and arrangement of the first magnetic elements (25) are chosen to identify the different types of basket (10).

6. Machine (100) for treating medical, surgical or laboratory objects (G), comprising a treatment chamber (101) delimited by two opposing and parallel main lateral walls (102, 103), by an upper wall (104) and a lower wall (105), and by a front (106) and rear (107) aperture with which a front (108) and rear (109) closing member are associated, respectively, characterized in that it comprises insaid treatment chamber (101) a basket (10) for holding objects (G) as in any claim hereinbefore, with said rear wall (16) facing toward said rear aperture (109), and in that it comprises an assembly of magnetic detection sensors (110) disposed on one of said main lateral walls (102, 103) and configured to detect both said at least a first magnetic element (25), before said basket (10) is completely inserted into said chamber (101), in order to recognize the type of basket (10), and also at least a second magnetic element (30) located in a respective terminal end (31a, 31b) of said at least one impeller (21), in order to control, during use, its rotation speed.

7. Machine (100) as in claim 6, characterized in that said magnetic detection sensors (110) are aligned with each other in a detection direction (DR) and disposed in such a way that, when said basket (10) is inserted into said chamber (101), said at least a first magnetic element (25) is aligned horizontally with at least one of said magnetic detection sensors (110) and said positioning direction (DP) is parallel to said detection direction (PR).

8. Machine (100) as in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a hydraulic feed circuit (115) having at least one main impeller (116) for performing the treatment of said objects (G), and one or more dispensing devices (117) configured to be fluidically connected to said inlet collector (22) in order to dispense a treatment liquid, thus activating said at least one impeller (21) of said basket (10) when it is housed in said chamber (101), wherein said magnetic detection sensors (110) are connected to a control unit (125) configured to receive the detection data from said magnetic detection sensors (110), to recognize the type of basket (10) and, in relation thereto, to control and adjust the rotation speed of said at least one impeller (21), increasing or reducing the flow rate dispensed by said one or more dispensing devices (117).

9. Method for treating medical, surgical or laboratory objects (G) disposed in a basket (10) for holding objects (G) as in any claim from 1 to 5, which is housed in a treatment machine (100) as in any claim from 6 to 8, said method comprising an insertion step in which said basket (10) is progressively inserted into said chamber (101) with said rear wall (16) facing toward said rear aperture (107), a recognition step in which said assembly of magnetic detection sensors (110) detects said at least a first magnetic element (25), before said basket (10) is completely inserted into said chamber (101), in order to recognize the type of basket (10), and atreatment step in which said basket (10) is completely inserted into said chamber (101) and during the treatment of said objects (G) said magnetic detection sensors (110) detect at least a second magnetic element (30), located at an unconstrained end of said at least one impeller (21), in order to control its rotation speed.

10. Method as in claim 9, characterized in that a control unit (125), connected to said magnetic detection sensors (110), receives the detection data from the latter and in said recognition step identifies the type of basket (10) and in said treatment step controls and adjusts the rotation speed of said at least one impeller (21) increasing, or reducing, the flow rate dispensed by said one or more dispensing devices (117), thus optimizing the treatment of the objects (G).

Images