Abstract A closed system, i.e., apparatus for automatically decontaminating various articles, including hollow bags and tubing, by washing and disinfecting them with a liquid chemical disinfectant, using the same tub for both washing and disinfection. The articles are automatically agitated in the washing and disinfecting liquids to loosen dirt and assure complete wetting of their inside and outside surface by the disinfectant. Containers are provided for mounting the hollow articles for agitation and spinning from the same shaft, preferably in baskets provided for this purpose, and for holding them in positions which will assure their thorough washing, disinfecting and emptying. A unique storage and transfer system is employed for the disinfectant supply and this includes a novel diverter or transfer valve for connecting to the tub drainage system. The apparatus preferably uses a disinfectant supply which has a relatively long life and is used over and over again in successive decontaminating cycles and has a use cycle timing device for rendering the apparatus inoperative at the end of a given use cycle for the disinfectant. A device is provided for again rendering the apparatus operative after a new supply of disinfectant is substituted for the old. Various other timing and control features are provided.
A washing device for hollow articles which comprises: a tub adapted to hold a supply of washing liquid; a drive shaft entering the bottom of said tub; a foraminous basket for drivably mounting from said shaft a plurality of hollow articles having generally tubular open end portions; automatic oscillating means drivably connected to a motor for rotating said shaft back and forth, first in one direction and then in the other, to agitate said articles in the washing liquid held in said tub; drain means for removing liquid from said tub; means connected to said motor for spinning said shaft relatively rapidly in one direction to complete the removal of the liquid from said articles when the washing liquid is removed from said tub; and a contoured wall in said basket extending from a point adjacent the outer periphery of said basket to a point adjacent said shaft for holding the articles in relatively fixed positions wherein the liquid is forced into the articles during the aforesaid oscillation and removed therefrom by centrifugal force during said spinning.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A washing device for hollow articles which comprises: a tub adapted to hold a supply of washing liquid; a drive shaft entering the bottom of said tub; a foraminous basket for drivably mounting from said shaft a plurality of hollow articles having generally tubular open end portions; automatic oscillating means drivably connected to a motor for rotating said shaft back and forth, first in one direction and then in the other, to agitate said articles in the washing liquid held in said tub; drain means for removing liquid from said tub; means connected to said motor for spinning said shaft relatively rapidly in one direction to complete the removal of the liquid from said articles when the washing liquid is removed from said tub; and a contoured wall in said basket extending from a point adjacent the outer periphery of said basket to a point adjacent said shaft for holding the articles in relatively fixed positions wherein the liquid is forced into the articles during the aforesaid oscillation and removed therefrom by centrifugal force during said spinning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A washing device according to claim 1, wherein said wall extends radially outwardly and obliquely away from the radii of said shaft in an angular direction opposite to the direction in which said shaft is spun.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A washing device according to claim 2, wherein said wall is curved in the form of a lobe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A washing device according to claim 3, wherein said holding means comprises two lobes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A washing device according to claim 2, wherein said holding means is a foraminous retaining wall extending substantially parallel to said shaft and being spirally curved in a plane perpendicular to said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A washing device according to claim 5, wherein said holding means is two concentric spirally curved retaining walls.