Method and system for delivering and metering liquid sterilant

Method and system for conveying and metering liquid fungicide

<p>1. . .Conveying panel</p><p>2. . .Front panel</p><p>3. . .Service panel</p><p>4. . .Side panel</p><p>5. . .cover</p><p>6. . .Spring lock</p><p>7. . .Pocket handle</p><p>8. . .Dashboard</p><p>9. . .container</p><p>10. . .Container holder</p><p>11. . .Container bracket assembly</p><p>12. . .Guardrail</p><p>13. . .Bar code</p><p>14. . .ratchet</p><p>15. . .Electromagnetic switch</p><p>16. . .Bearing</p><p>17. . .track</p><p>18. . .Tip</p><p>19. . .gap</p><p>20. . .Accumulator</p><p>twenty one. . .blade</p><p>twenty two. . .Sharp iron assembly</p><p>twenty three. . .Pivot axis</p><p>25. . .Link group</p><p>26. . .Ledge</p><p>27. . .cover</p><p>28. . .seal</p><p>29. . .Container sensor</p><p>30. . .Height sensor</p><p>31. . .Open mechanism</p><p>32. . .Separation agency</p><p>33. . .Second piercing device</p><p>34. . .Second container</p><p>36. . .Out of container</p><p>40. . .point</p><p>71. . .No. 1 valve</p><p>72. . .Valve 2</p><p>73. . .No. 3 valve</p><p>74. . .No. 4 valve</p><p>85. . .Distribution tube</p><p>87. . .Strainer</p><p>90. . .Measuring tube</p><p>100. . .Clear tube</p><p>105. . .Syringe</p><p>110. . .sprayer</p><p>115. . .Sterilization chamber</p><p>120. . .Flow sensor</p>

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container transport system, with the system in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container conveying system, which is in an open position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container holding a liquid fungicide,

Figure 4 is a detailed side view of a container holding system in an open position suitable for transporting a container.

Figure 5 is an external side view of a release mechanism of a container transport system.

Figure 6 is a detailed side view of the release mechanism in operation.

Figure 7 is a detailed side view of one of the container transport systems, the system being in the open position and containing a container.

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of a sharp iron assembly.

Figure 9 is a simplified diagram of a metering system.

Fig. 10 is a detailed side view of one of a metering system.

FIG. 11 is a table showing a specific embodiment of a method of a metering system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for transporting and metering a liquid, and more particularly to a system and method for transporting and metering a liquid biocide from a container into a spray system. The vapor or gas generated by the spray system is generally used for sterilization and / or disinfection.

Background of the invention

To disinfect certain components or devices, especially in the medical field, the components or devices can be placed in a chamber that evaporates a liquid germicide. To ensure effective disinfection, the liquid biocide must be accurately metered and the measured quantity can be copied into the evaporation chamber.

A conventional method for metering liquid germicides into an evaporation chamber involves extracting a predetermined dose of liquid germicides from a sealed cell. A box holds a group of cells to extract a dose from each cell. A dispensing device pierces each cell individually, and pneumatic pressure pushes the liquid fungicide out of the pierced cells.

This method presents a number of problems. First, because the volume of individual or multiple cells limits the amount of one fungicide that is drawn into the cell, the use of a cell box provides little flexibility. Furthermore, in a multi-stage or flow-through sterilization cycle that may require a large amount of liquid fungicide, it requires multiple cassettes, making this method not only inflexible, but also uneconomical and impractical. Finally, liquid biocides (such as hydrogen peroxide) are easily degraded into gases or vapors. When this degradation occurs, unless the cell can be vented, the gas or vapor can tear the cartridge cell. However, after a long period of time, the exhaust reduces the concentration of the germicide.

In another conventional method, a liquid biocide is pumped from a storage tank into an evaporation chamber. The key to this method is the proper dosing of liquid fungicides to achieve effective disinfection. There are many control mechanisms in place to measure the proper dose of liquid biocide, such as directly controlling the volume of the pump, controlling the rate of rotation or distribution time by continuous flow, fixing the output pump, and monitoring storage when liquid is pumped from the storage tank Tank weight loss.

Like the conventional cassette method, these methods also have the difficulty of degrading the liquid fungicide over time. As explained above, liquid biocides can degrade into gases and vapors over time. The bubbles generated by the degrading germicide in the gaseous state will destroy the effectiveness, efficiency, and accuracy of any of these control mechanisms. For example, if a stroke pump is allowed to remain idle for a long period of time, air bubbles can cause a "vapor lock" in it. In addition, under a fixed pressure or vacuum, by controlling the distribution time period, one of the control mechanisms for measuring the liquid fungicide is to push or suck the liquid and air bubbles into the sprayer in an uneven manner, which results Significantly reduces efficiency and effectiveness. As a final example, the formation of gases and vapors would disrupt the effectiveness of a control mechanism that monitors the weight loss of a liquid storage tank. When this system remains idle for a long period of time, the weight loss of the storage tank measured by balancing will not calculate the bubbles formed in the distribution line, which are initially distributed into the sprayer.

In addition to the problems caused by the degradation of liquid germicides into gases and vapors, the methods used to control liquid germicides face additional problems if they rely on high injection rates and high pressures. That is, in order to avoid the above-mentioned degradation problem, the conventional control mechanism uses a high injection rate and high pressure to dispense the liquid fungicide as soon as possible. However, these high injection rates and high pressures put an extra strain on the device and often cause system leakage. In addition, due to related substances, compatibility problems may occur when trying to reduce leakage by constructing equipment with a material that can withstand the high pressure.

There is a need for a system and method for metering and transporting a liquid sterilant container into a system that measures the liquid sterilant from a storage tank into a spray system. This procedure must be accurate and reproducible to measure the dose. There is also a need for a metering system and method that can deliver a fixed and over-measured liquid germicide into the spray chamber at a reduced rate to avoid system leakage and material compatibility issues. To achieve this goal, this system must be combined with a flow sensor.

Summary of invention

According to the present invention there is provided a system and method for conveying and metering a liquid, such as a liquid biocide, from a container into a spray system.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the delivery system includes a reservoir for receiving liquid from a container. The delivery system includes a sensor to determine a pre-defined specification of one of the reservoirs, such as the height of the liquid in the reservoir. The delivery system also includes a second sensor to determine one of the container's pre-defined specifications, such as whether the liquid in the container can be used. A transport mechanism can be used for loading the container into a carrier, which can be opened by an operator after being released by a release mechanism. A second conveying mechanism may be used for conveying the liquid in the container into the reservoir, and a locking mechanism for fixing the container in the second conveying mechanism during the liquid conveying into the reservoir.

The method used by the delivery system may include the steps of determining whether the liquid in the reservoir meets a pre-defined specification, and then generating a signal prompting the container to be loaded into the container delivery system. The delivery system can then determine whether the liquid in the container meets a second pre-defined specification, and if it meets the specification, then release the container delivery system to accept the container into the container delivery system. Once the container is loaded into the container transport system, the containers are sequentially locked to secure the container in the container transport system. When the container is in place, the liquid is then introduced from the container into the reservoir.

In a specific embodiment of the metering system, the present invention may include a reservoir for transferring liquid to a metering tube that transfers a metered volume of liquid to a sprayer. The metering system uses multiple valves that control the direction and flow of the fluid in the system. In addition, the metering system includes a transfer system for transferring liquid from the reservoir to the metering tube at a first flow rate, and a second transfer system for transferring liquid from the metering tube to the second flow rate A sprayer in which the second flow rate is slower than the first flow rate.

The method used by this metering system may include the steps of emptying the sprayer and the metering tube, and then conveying the liquid from the reservoir into the metering tube at a first flow rate. The metering system can then transfer the liquid from the metering tube into the sprayer at a second flow rate, where the second flow rate is slower than the first flow rate. The metering system maintains a low-speed, controlled flow, has achieved effective spraying of liquid bactericides, and provides accurate detection of air / liquid interfaces.

Schematic illustration

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container transport system, with the system in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container conveying system, which is in an open position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container holding a liquid fungicide,

Figure 4 is a detailed side view of a container holding system in an open position suitable for transporting a container.

Figure 5 is an external side view of a release mechanism of a container transport system.

Figure 6 is a detailed side view of the release mechanism in operation.

Figure 7 is a detailed side view of one of the container transport systems, the system being in the open position and containing a container.

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of a sharp iron assembly.

Figure 9 is a simplified diagram of a metering system.

Fig. 10 is a detailed side view of one of a metering system.

FIG. 11 is a table showing a specific embodiment of a method of a metering system.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a container conveying system, and FIG. 3 shows a container that can be loaded into the system of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Figure 1 generally shows a container delivery system, which is in a closed position. In the embodiment shown, the system includes a container transport system and a metering system, both of which are enclosed in a structure. The metering system (described in further detail below) is installed behind the transport panel 1. A spray chamber can be enclosed in the front panel 2 so that it is above the container transport system. Through an access through a service panel 3 or side panel 4, maintenance, repair, or other services can be achieved. The external parts of the container transport system include a lid 5, a snap lock 6, a pocket handle 7, and an instrument panel 8.

FIG. 2 shows this same embodiment, which is in the open position. A container 9 (shown in FIG. 3) contains a liquid (such as a liquid disinfectant, liquid disinfectant, or any liquid disinfectant). Once an operator pulls the instrument panel 8 out by pulling the pocket handle 7, Without the system configuration, the container can be loaded into the opened container holder 10. A container bracket assembly 11 includes a cover 5, a container bracket 10, and a guard rail 12, a spring lock 6, a pocket handle 7, and an instrument panel 8. When the system is turned on, the assembly is pivoted at an angle so that the lid 5 can be opened and a container 9 can be placed inside for transportation.

However, in the preferred embodiment, if it is determined that the liquid in the container 9 to be loaded into the system cannot be accepted, the operator will not be able to turn on the delivery system. The determination of whether the liquid in the container 9 is acceptable can be achieved by, for example, scanning a barcode 13 attached to the container 9. As shown in FIG. 3, the barcode 13 may contain digitized information, which details the relevant information of the liquid fungicide stored in a specific container. Each container 9 has a unique barcode 13 to prevent misuse of a container. As shown in an example, the operator can use a mobile barcode reader which is placed on or near the container transport system to scan the barcode 13 on the container to be loaded.

Referring to FIG. 4, a chain mechanism includes a ratchet wheel 14 and is controlled by an electromagnetic switch 15. If it is determined that the liquid in the container 9 cannot be accepted, the delivery system is prevented from being opened. If it is determined that the liquid contained in the container is usable, an electromagnetic switch 15 is activated to release the ratchet wheel 14.

2 and 5 are side views of the chain mechanism. A bearing 16 is rigidly connected to the guardrail 12, and the container bracket 10 rests in a horizontal tray 17. As shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the ratchet wheel 14 is provided with a tip 18 to prevent lateral movement of the bearing 16, and thus lateral movement of the container holder 10. Therefore, once the ratchet wheel 14 is moved by the electromagnetic switch 15 being released, the bearing 16 is still held by the tip 18 of the ratchet wheel. To overcome this situation, the user must push the container holder 10 into the construction direction with the pocket handle 7. This movement caused by the user creates a gap 19 which allows the tip 18 of the ratchet wheel 14 to leave the bearing 16. Once a gap 19 has been created to move the bearing 16 by the user, the ratchet 14 is pivoted upward to release the bearing 16 to move the bearing laterally in the track 17.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, and the bearing 16 can be freely moved laterally in the track, the container bracket assembly 11 includes a container bracket 10, an instrument panel 8, a reservoir 20, a blade 21, and a pointed iron assembly. 22. Pocket handle 7, cover 5, and spring lock 6 pivoted about a pivot shaft 23. At the same time, as the bearing 16 moves horizontally in the track, the entire container carrier assembly 11 moves laterally. The trailing end of the track 17 terminates the lateral movement of the bearing 16 and thus prevents further lateral and pivotal movement of the container bracket assembly 11. As shown in FIG. 7, when the bearing 16 stops on the track 17, the latch 24 on a link set 25 rotates around the point 40 and rests on the wall frame 26 to lock the container bracket assembly. In place. Preferably, when the container 9 is transported or not transported, or the lid 5 is lifted, the link set 25 maintains the container tray 10 in the open position. In another specific embodiment, the container bracket 10 can also operate without the need to lock it in the open position by the link group 25.

Referring back to FIG. 4, since the container bracket 10 is fully opened, the user uses one hand to open the snap lock 6 and lift the lid 5 upward, insert the container 9 into the container bracket 10 with the lid 27 facing down, and use a spring lock 6 Close the cover 5. This configuration is shown in FIG. 7, where the container 9 has been inserted into the container holder 10. The container 9 is not pierced at this point, and the seal 28 above the lid 27 is intended to be pierced. To pierce the seal 28, the operator must close the container bracket 10 by depressing the link set 25 to release the container bracket 10, and then push the container bracket assembly 11 inward. This locked movement will force the container to move vertically down above the tip iron assembly 22. A blade on a sharp iron assembly 22 will pierce the seal 28 of the container 9. Only when the ratchet 14 is locked on the bearing 16 can the pierce 28 of the container 9 be pierced. The container holder assembly 11 is locked in the closed position so that the container 9 cannot be retracted during or after the seal 28 is pierced by the sharp iron assembly 22.

When the seal 28 is pierced by the blade 21, the contents of the container 9 are guided by gravity into the reservoir 20. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the reservoir 20 is greater than the volume of the container 9. One of the significant advantages of this system is that the container is manually loaded by gravity. In addition, the system uses a door-type closing mechanism to pierce the seal on the container. These two characteristics make this design more reliable than the use of pneumatic or electromagnetic switches to drive the container up and down to open the seal.

Once the container holder 10 is closed, two sensors detect the container 9 and the liquid in the container 9. A container sensor 29 as shown in FIG. 4 detects the liquid flowing out of the container 9 to determine that the blade 21 pierces the seal 28. The height sensor 30 detects the liquid flowing into the reservoir 20 and detects the liquid when the liquid is at a low height. If the accumulator is at a low altitude mark, the height sensor 30 indicates to an operator that the system needs to load a new container through a display.

In a preferred embodiment, the pointed iron assembly 22 includes an opening mechanism as shown in FIG. 8. The opening mechanism 31 is firmly attached to the top of the sharp iron assembly 22. The opening mechanism 31 includes two members placed vertically and a separation mechanism 32 between the two members, connecting the two members. One of the components is a blade 21, which serves as a first piercing device, and can be placed at an angle with the vertical axis of the sharp iron assembly; the second component is a second piercing device 33 for an opening mechanism. When the container is lowered above the pointed iron assembly as the container bracket assembly 11 is closed, the seal 28 of the container 9 is pierced by the blade 21 of the pointed iron assembly and the second piercing device 33. The blade 21 generates a first opening in the seal 28 and the second piercing device 33 generates a second opening. As the container 9 is forced to move further downward, the separating mechanism 32 cuts a slit between the first opening and the second opening in the seal 28. As the container 9 is forced to move further down into position, the separation mechanism 32 widens the slit. This procedure allows the opening mechanism of the tip iron assembly 22 to create a sufficient opening in the closure 28 of the container 9 so that any liquid contained therein can be more easily guided by gravity into the reservoir 20.

The container conveying system is designed to reliably determine whether the liquid germicide in the container 9 and the reservoir 20 is usable, and to notify the user of the determination result. If it is determined that the liquid fungicide in the reservoir 20 is unusable, the user can remove the liquid fungicide to the outflow container 36 as shown in FIG. 9 and described below.

Once a container 9 is loaded into the container delivery system and the liquid sterilant is directed to a reservoir, a metering system then dispenses the liquid sterilant to the nebulizer, if necessary. Figure 9 shows a simplified diagram of a metering system, and Figure 10 shows a side view of a metering system. The metering system is designed so that it can reliably deliver a predetermined amount of a liquid germicidal agent (such as hydrogen peroxide) to a sprayer for disinfection of medical components and devices.

In a specific embodiment, when a germicidal agent needs to be sprayed, a software-controlled metering system is used to deliver a quantity of liquid germicidal agent (such as liquid hydrogen peroxide). The software will open or close the four valves together to vacuum the interior of the chamber to drive a predetermined amount of liquid hydrogen peroxide from the metering tube to the sprayer. In FIG. 9, 71 is designated as valve 1, 72 is designated as valve 2, 73 is designated as valve 3, and 74 is designated as valve 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, one embodiment of a metering system includes a metering tube 90 that can dispense a liquid germicide from a reservoir 20 into the metering tube. As described above, the height sensor 30 of the reservoir 20 can provide the height of the liquid sterilant in the reservoir 20. A small-diameter (e.g., 1/4 inch) distribution tube 85 leads from the bottom of the reservoir 20 to a No. 1 valve 71. In a preferred embodiment, a strainer 87 is located between the reservoir 20 and the distribution pipe 85 (or in the reservoir 20) to prevent any solid particles from passing through the metering pipe 90. The No. 1 valve 71 is connected To the metering tube 90, a second valve (No. 3 valve 73) connected to an air source is also connected to the metering tube 90. The volume of the metering tube 90 is fixed, and the metering tube is additionally connected to two valves (No. 2 valve 72 and No. 4 valve 74). A purge tube 100 extends from the No. 4 valve 74 to allow the removal of unusable liquid biocides. An injection tube 105 extends from the No. 2 valve 72 into a sprayer 110 to allow liquid sterilant to be injected into the sprayer 110. The sprayer is fluidly connected to a sterilization chamber 115, which may be in a vacuum.

As shown in FIG. 9, the container transport system provides a second container 34 to house the container 9, a reservoir 20, and a metering system. In the event of a leak or an overflow in the container delivery system, the second container 34 will keep the spilled liquid in a closed system.

FIG. 11 shows a chart showing different states of the metering method used by a specific embodiment of the metering system. In state 1, the system is idle and all four valves (ie, No. 1 valve 71, No. 2 valve 72, No. 3 valve 73, and No. 4 valve 74) are closed. In state 2, when the second valve 72 is opened, the metering tube 90 is withdrawn. In state 3, the metering tube 90 is filled with the liquid germicidal agent from the reservoir 20 by closing the second valve 72 and opening the first valve 71. Then in state 4, by first closing valve 1 71, opening valve 2 72, and then delaying for a short time, opening valve 3 73 to inject the liquid fungicide into the sprayer 110. In state 5, after the measured liquid germicidal agent is injected into the sprayer 110, a flow sensor 120 senses the air in the injection tube following the No. 2 valve 72 and prompts to close the No. 3 valve 73 to complete the measurement at this location program. Then close No. 2 valve 72 and prepare for the next injection. State 6 indicates the plan for clearing the liquid biocide in the reservoir 20 by opening valve 1 71 and valve 4 74 when it is determined to be unusable. Unacceptable liquid germicides pass through the purge tube 100 and are guided by gravity from the reservoir 20 into the first-stage outlet container 36.

In the above specific embodiment, the size and diameter of the injection tube 105 are smaller than those of the No. 1 valve 71 and the distribution tube 85. For example, the No. 1 valve 71 and the distribution tube 85 may have a 1/4 inch diameter to allow the liquid sterilant to fill the metering tube 90 more quickly. In this example, the No. 2 valve 72 and the injection tube 105 may have a diameter of 1/16 inch. Smaller diameters will allow slower flow. By allowing the sprayer to maintain heat during the spray state, the slower flow into the spray chamber maximizes the effect of the spray. The slower flow also improves the precise sensing of the air / liquid interface in the syringe 105.

After these states, a vacuum can be applied to the sterilization chamber 115. In states 2 and 3, a vacuum can be applied to the sterilization chamber 115, while the liquid sterilant is withdrawn from the metering and injection tube, and the metering tube is filled. During states 4 and 5 of the liquid germicidal injection, the vacuum in the disinfection chamber 115 can be turned off. During state 6, the vacuum on the disinfection chamber 115 can be turned on or off. When the metering system is idle, the vacuum in state 1 can be closed forever. By using the vacuum available in the disinfection chamber to drive the liquid sterilant into the sprayer, there is no need to use any pump to transfer the liquid into the sprayer.

Although the above description has been shown, described, and pointed out the basic novel characteristics of the present invention as it is applied to different specific embodiments, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make different omissions and substitutions of the form and detailed structure of the display device And change without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example: Although the invention has been described for use in a sterilization system, it should be understood that a system and method of conveying and metering can be applied to other systems in which the efficiency and effectiveness of improving the distribution of a fixed volume of liquid into a container is satisfactory .

Explanation of main component symbols

1. . .Conveying panel

2. . .Front panel

3. . .Service panel

4. . .Side panel

5. . .cover

6. . .Spring lock

7. . .Pocket handle

8. . .Dashboard

9. . .container

10. . .Container holder

11. . .Container bracket assembly

12. . .Guardrail

13. . .Bar code

14. . .ratchet

15. . .Electromagnetic switch

16. . .Bearing

17. . .track

18. . .Tip

19. . .gap

20. . .Accumulator

twenty one. . .blade

twenty two. . .Sharp iron assembly

twenty three. . .Pivot axis

25. . .Link group

26. . .Ledge

27. . .cover

28. . .seal

29. . .Container sensor

30. . .Height sensor

31. . .Open mechanism

32. . .Separation agency

33. . .Second piercing device

34. . .Second container

36. . .Out of container

40. . .point

71. . .No. 1 valve

72. . .Valve 2

73. . .No. 3 valve

74. . .No. 4 valve

85. . .Distribution tube

87. . .Strainer

90. . .Measuring tube

100. . .Clear tube

105. . .Syringe

110. . .sprayer

115. . .Sterilization chamber

120. . .Flow sensor