A METHOD FOR STEAM DISINFECTION OF THE WASHING TANK OF AN AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER AND AN AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER FOR UTILIZING THE METHOD

Abstract: A method for steam disinfection of the washing tank (2) and the hot water tank (4) of a dishwasher, as well as of the pipe connections (10, 26) between these tanks. The novel feature is that the steam required for the disinfection is produced by the heating element (22) located inside the hot water tank (4) upon this tank, by the end of the washing process, being drained to a suitable level (24). The steam is led by pipe connections (26) in the top of the tank to the washing tank (2) for disinfection thereof. Water is not supplied to the hot water tank during the disinfection process, as the top of the inlet pipe to the circulation pump (6) defines a certain minimum water level (24), by which there is enough water left for the production of the steam as required for the disinfection process, whereby dryboiling of the heating element (22) is prevented. Further, a dishwasher and a hot water tank for the use of the method are disclosed.

Description: A Method for Steam Disinfection of the Washing Tank of an Automatic Dishwasher and an Automatic Dishwasher for Utili¬ zing the Method. The present invention concerns a method for steam disin¬ fection of the washing tank of an automatic dishwasher, and an automatic dishwasher for utilizing the method. In the following it shall be noted that when the term automatic dishwasher is used there is meant dishwashers of the kind used in institutions for washing surgical equipment, laboratory equipment, clinical equipment, bedpans etc., where the hygienic requirements are high due to the danger of in¬ fection. For hygienic considerations there is generally basic re- quirements for the arrangement of such washing machines such as an independent warm water tank. In order to prevent bacte¬ rial contamination the warm water tank may only be connected to a pure water supply (warm and/or cold) via an air gap, since bacteria cannot pass through this. Furthermore, the washing tank of these washing machines is disinfected with steam and thereby also the objects staying m the machine after the end of the washing process. The steam is supplied either from an external steam source or from an independently built-in steam source in the dishwasher. Such automatic dishwashers are also provided with a flushing pump for provi¬ ding the necessary flushing pressure for the washing process, since the pressure from the pure water supply cannot be uti¬ lized because of the previously mentioned air gap. An example of a such dishwasher is indicated in EP 0 093 846 Bl, where the dishwasher comprises a warm water tank, the supply pipe of which has an air gap and a partly open sur¬ face. The warm water tank does not have an internal heating coil but is supplied with warm and cold water from external sources. After the termination of the washing process the dishwasher perfoms a disinfection of the washing tank by me¬ ans of steam which is either produced in an independent steam generating unit somewhere else in the machine or is supplied through pipe connections from and external source of steam. An automatic dishwasher with internal warm water tank and an independent steam generating unit is known from EP 0 055 926 Bl . The indicated dishwashers do not perform disinfection of the warm water tank and the pipe connections between this and the washing tank, which makes these washing machines unsuita¬ ble for performing a subsequent chilling flush necessary for the objects in the washing machine to be handled manually im¬ mediately after the end of the washing process . The reason for this is explained in detail below. It has appeared that formation of bacteria often occurs inside the warm water tank and in the pipe system between this and the washing tank of the washing machine, since the temperature range within which the warm water tank operates at the washing process (40°C - 65°C) makes it possible for e.g. legionella bacteria to survive, since these are only killed at a higher temperature. It is true that the bacteria in the washing tank are killed at the steam disinfection, but at the performing of a subsequent chilling flush there may be supplied bacteriae from the warm water tank to the washing tank with the chilling flush water and thereby to the items washed in the machine when using the above mentioned dishwasher. The solution to the bacteria problem in the warm water tank may consist in either omitting the chilling flush, which will lower the capacity of the machine, since the washed ob- jects have to be cooled down by the air before they can be handled manually. Alternatively the working temperature of warm water tank and thereby of the washing process may be elevated in general, so that the temperature of the warm wa- ter tank exceeds the survival temperature of the abovementio- ned type of bacteria. Thus it will be without any risk to perfom a chilling flush after termination of the steam disin¬ fection, but a general elevation of the working temperature will result in a considerable increase in the energy consump- tion of the washing process, which renders this solution unwanted. Another solution could be that after performing the washing process the warm water tank is disinfected by supply¬ ing steam from a special internal or external steam source before it is filled up again, whereafter the chilling flush is performed with clean water supplied to the washing tank via the warm water tank. This procedure will be able to solve the problem, but should the occasion arise the establishment of a special steam producing unit is required, combined with control system, valves etc. for the washing machine, which hereby is made more expensive. In FR 1.565.407 there is disclosed a system for improving a dishwasher for hospital equipment, instruments etc, and comprising a warm water tank with internal heating element, where the warm water tank is connected directly to the pure water supply, so that the supply pressure is used as a flush water pressure. The heating element produces steam for disin¬ fecting the washing tank and the warm water tank together with the pipe connections inbetween. However, a such device is outdated, viz. the previously mentioned hygienic require¬ ments, and furthermore today there is required a greater flush water pressure than possible with a normal pure water supply. The invention indicate a method for performing steam dis¬ infection in a simple way of the washing tank, warm water tank, and pipe connections between these of a dishwasher in a simple way after the termination of the washing process in the dishwasher, so that a chilling flush may be performed without any danger of bacterial infection of the washing tank. The method is based on the realization that the mainly empty tank space of the warm water tank after the ending of the washing process and in combination of a built-in heating element may be utilized for generating steam, which by a pipe with a mouth at the top of the tank is led to the washing tank for disfecting the latter, in that the suction pipe of the bilge pump define a minimum water level by which there is sufficient water left in the warm water tank for the steam production necessary for the disinfection process . Thus by the method according to the invention the warm water tank has two functions, namely a function as warm water tank with a heating function and a function as steam generator for the production of steam for disinfecting the warm water tank and the pipe connections between this and the washing tank before a chilling flush is performed. An automatic dishwasher for use when performing the met- hod of the kind indicated in the preamble of claim 1 is cha¬ racterized by comprising a warm water tank with a not emptia- ble and permanently wet well in which there is provided a heating element for a full or partial heating of the water for the washing process, which heating element also has the function of generating steam from the water left in the well, which water is led to washing tank of the washing machine via one or more pipes connected to the top of the warm water tank. With the purpose of achieving disinfection also of the flush pipe connections between the warm water tank and the washing tank the steam pipes are connected with the flush pi¬ pe of the washing machine through pipe connections with check valves . The advantage of this design is that by the method accor¬ ding to the invention there is achieved disinfection of the warm water tank and the pipe connections between this and the washing tank of the washing machine, and that chilling flushing is performed from a newly disinfected tank and pipe connections, whereby bacterial growth is hindered. The check valves prevent the supply of flush water to the steam pipe system during the washing process. Furthermore, the warm wa¬ ter tank with the integrated steam generator will be much less costly to produce since there is only need for one tank comprising one heating element with attached electric instal¬ lations aε compared to two before. In a specially preferred embodiment the flush pipe system is provided with a draining device for draining the pump hou¬ sing and the flush pipe connections after finishing the washing, so that pipe connections as well as pump housing are open for the passage of steam. Hereby there is also achieved the advantage that also the pump housing is disinfected in connection with the steam disinfection before a possible chilling flushing. For ensuring a sufficient steam flow throught the pump housing the steam pipe in the top of the warm water tank may be provided with a controlable shut-off valve, so that the steam flow is guided through the pump housing and the flush pipes by closing the steam pipe. The warm water tank with integrated steam generator ac¬ cording to the invention may further be utilized as an inde¬ pendent unit in connection with other disinfecting washing machines . The invention is described in more detail below with re¬ ference to the drawing, where: Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a dishwasher with warm water tank and integrated steam generator according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows the same as fig. 1, but where the flush wa¬ ter system i provided with a draining device, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dishwasher according to claim 1. Fig. 1 shows a dishwasher comprising a washing tank 2, a warm water tank 4, and a flush water pump 6 with an intake connected with the tank through a pipe connection 8. The pump 6 is connected to flushing nozzles 12 in the washing tank 2 through flush pipe 10. The warm water tank 4 is supplied with pure water through a pipe 14, which by a not shown air gap is connected to a supply 16 of warm and cold water. The pipe 14 has a branch 18 connected to the washing tank 2 for ventila¬ ting the latter. The peculiar feature of the warm water tank 4 is that it comprises a bottom well 20 in which the pipe 14 is led down to a level close to its bottom. In the well 20 there is also provided a heating element 22 for heating up fresh water supplied to the tank to the preferred washing temperature, and for the generation of steam. The intake pipe 8 of the pump is connected in such a way to the warm water tank 4 that it only can be emptied to the level at the line 24, which means that the volume of the tank down to the level at the line 24 is adjusted to the water vo- lume used at the whole washing process in the dishwasher, since the flushing water is not recirculated in the washing process in this type of dishwashers. A pipe 26 is connected to the top of the tank for conduc- ting steam to the washing tank 2 for disinfecting the latter. The function of the warm water tank is that the tank 4 is filled with fresh water from the supply 16 for warm and cold water through the pipe 14. The heating element 22 is activa¬ ted, if necessary, whereby the water is heated to the desired temperature. The heated water is supplied to the flushing nozzles 12 in the washing tank 2 of the dishwasher by the pump 6, the pipe 8, and the flush pipe connection 10, and the flush water is discharged directly to the drain 28 of the dishwasher. At the finish of the washing process the water level in the tank 4 is lowered to the level 24, which is de¬ fined by the upper edge of the pipe 8. Steam disinfection of the washing tank 2 of the dishwasher hereby takes place by heating element 22 heating a minimum quantity of water, i.e. the portion of water left in the well 20, so that steam is generated and spread in the tank space 30 and herefrom to the washing tank 2 of the dishwasher through the pipe connection 26 in the top of the warm water tank 4, whereby the latter and the washing tank 2 is disinfected with steam. No water is supplied to the warm water tank during the disinfecting process, since the upper edge of the intake to the feed pipe 8 for the flush water pump 6 defines a certain minimum water level 24 at which there is enough water left in the well 20 for the steam production required for the disin¬ fection process. By the extending the pipe 14 to a level clo- se to the bottom of the well 20 there is created a trap pre¬ venting steam to escape through the pipe 14. By the steam disinfection process there is performed disinfection of the the washing tank 2 as well as the warm water tank 4 by using the warm water tank according to the invention, whereby pos¬ sible bacteriae in it are killed. Fresh water is filled into the warm water tank after ending disinfection of the washing tank and the warm water tank. The water is heated partly by the residual heat in the tank walls and partly by means of the heating element 22. In certain cases there may be perfor¬ med a chilling flush in the dishwasher, which now may be per¬ formed with completely germ-free water from the the disinfec- ted warm water tank in accordance with the Swedish recommen¬ dation for hygiene, Spri no. 742 01. As appearing from Fig. 1 the steam pipe 26 may be provi¬ ded with a branch 32 furnished with a check valve 34, so that the greater part of the flush pipes 10 and the flush nozzles 12 are supplied with steam and are thereby also disinfected. In a specially preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 2 the flush pipe 10 is provided at the lowest point with a drain pipe 36 connected to the drain 28 from the washing tank 2. The drain pipe 36 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 38 the activation of which results in opening the pipe con¬ nection 36, so that the pump 6 and pipe connections 8,10 are emptied into the drain 28. Hereby the pipe connections and the pump housing are open for the passage of steam from the tank space 30 of the warm water tank, which results in that by this embodiment of the washing machine according to the invention there is achieved a complete steam disinfection of both warm water tank 4, washing tank 2 , draining pipe 8, flush water pump 6, flush pipe 10, and flushing nozzles 12 in the washing tank. For ensuring a flow of steam through the pipe connections 8,10 and the flushing nozzles 12, there may be provided an electromagnetic valve 40 (Fig. 2) on the steam pipe connecti- on 26, which temporarily closes the steam flow through the steam pipe 26, which by continuing steam generation in the tank 4 will force the steam flow through the flush water pump 6 and the pipe connections 8,10 together with the flushing nozzles 12. The electromagnetic valve 40 is coupled to the remaining control system of the washing machine for control¬ ling the washing and disinfecting process. In a further, not shown embodiment, the warm water tank may be furnished with level sensors and a control system so that during the steam generation there is supplied water to the well 20 through the pipe 14 in order to maintain the wa¬ ter level designated by the line 24. By the dishwasher according to the invention it is im¬ plied that the dishwasher may comprise essential automatic control system for controlling and regulating the washing process as well as the steam disinfection, and also that the dishwasher naturally comprise means for the dosing of additi¬ ves required for the washing and disinfecting process.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS: 1. A method for steam disinfection of a washing tank (2) in a washing machine of the kind used for washing surgical equipment, laboratory equipment, clinical equipment, bedpans and the like, and comprising an independent warm water tank (4) supplied with pure water via an air gap, a flush pump (6) with feed pipe (8) , which flush pump (6) is connected through flush pipe (10) to flushing nozzles (12) in a washing tank (2) , characteri zed in that the steam required for the disinfection is generated by a heating element (22) situated inside the warm water tank (4) subsequently to the draining of the tank to a suitable level (24) by the flush pump (6) through the pipe (8) at the end of the washing process, and which steam is supplied through the pipe connection (26) in top of the warm water tank (4) and the pipe connection (8) to the washing tank (2) as well as the flush pump (6) , flush pi¬ pe and flushing nozzles (12) for disinfection. 2. A disinfecting dishwasher for utilization of the met- hod according to claim 1, comprising a washing tank (2) , a warm water tank (4) supplied with pure water via an air gap, a flush pump (6) connected through flush pipe (10) to flushing nozzles (12) in the washing tank (2) , characte ¬ ri zed in that the warm water tank (4) has a not emptiable and permanently wet well (20) in which there is situated a heating element (22) for heating water for the washing pro¬ cess and for steam generation, which steam is conducted by pipes (8,26) to the washing tank (9) of the washing machine, where at least one of the pipes (8,26) is connected to the top of the tank. 3. A disinfecting dishwasher according to claim 2, cha ¬ racteri zed in that it comprises a pipe (14) extending down into the well (20) for filling up with water. 4. A disinfecting dishwasher according to claim 2 or 3, characteri zed in that the steam pipes (26) are con¬ nected to the flush pipe (10) of the washing machine through a pipe connection (32) with a check valve (34) . 5. A disinfecting dishwasher according to any of the claims 2 - 4, characteri zed in that the flush pipe system (10) is provided with a draining device (36,38) for emptying the pump (6) and the flush pipe system (10) , whereby the pipe connections (10) and the pump are open for the pas¬ sage of steam. 6. A disinfecting dishwasher according to any of the claims 2 - 5, characteri zed in that the steam pipe (26) is furnished with a controlable shut-off valve. 7. A warm water tank (4) with built-in steam generator for disinfecting the washing tanks (2) of washing machines, especially disinfecting dishwashers, characteri zed in that the warm water tank (4) has a not emptiable and perma¬ nently wet well (20) in which there is situated a heating element (22) for heating the water for the washing process and for steam generation, which steam is conducted by pipes (26) connected to the tank top to the washing tank (2) of the washing machine. 8. A warm water tank according to claim 7, characte ¬ ri zed in that it comprises a pipe (14) extending down in¬ to the well (20) for filling up with water.

Inventors: KRISTENSEN HANS SOENDERBY, NIELSEN ULRICH HEIN BOE, KRISTENSEN, HANS, SOENDERBY, NIELSEN, ULRICH, HEIN, BOE
Applicants: KEN MASKINFABRIK A S, KRISTENSEN HANS SOENDERBY, NIELSEN ULRICH HEIN BOE, KEN MASKINFABRIK A/S, KRISTENSEN, HANS, SOENDERBY, NIELSEN, ULRICH, HEIN, BOE
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A47L15
IPC codes: A47L15, A61G9, A61L2