Device for opening/closing a door of a washing machine, particularly for washing equipment used in the field of pharmaceutical research and/or pharmaceutical production, and machine comprising said device

• US 10,641,023 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Iwt S.R.L. (Tecniplast S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Iwt S.R.L. (Tecniplast S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Cosolo, Maurizio
• Primary Examiner(s): Roersma, Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US16/119,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20190071909A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• Field of Search: 49158-160, 49176-180, 49188-189, 49260, 49319-321
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/031 Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/035 Devices for use in keeping domestic animals, e.g. fittings in housings or dog beds
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 13/00 Accessories or details of general applicability for machines or apparatus for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/04 Cleaning involving contact with liquid
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/0621 Details, e.g. suspension or supporting guides E05D15/0604, E05D15/08 - E05D15/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/58 with both swinging and sliding movements
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/002 controlled by automatically acting means for powered-operated mechanisms E05F15/70
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1091 with a gas spring E05F1/1292 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/312 for washing machines or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass

Abstract

A washing machine adapted for washing equipment used in the field of pharmaceutical research and/or pharmaceutical production is described, which includes an inner compartment and a front wall having a door allowing access to the inner compartment and a device for opening/closing the door, the device for opening/closing the door includes components for imparting a lateral rotational-translational motion to the door relative to the front wall, thereby effecting the opening/closing action.

Claims

1. A washing machine adapted for washing equipment used in the field of pharmaceutical research and/or pharmaceutical production, comprising:

an inner compartment and a front wall comprising a door allowing access to the inner compartment through an access opening, the door having a front face and an opposing back face that extend between a first side and an opposing second side, the door covering the access opening when the door is in a closed position and at least partially uncovering the access opening when the door is in an open position;

a device for opening/closing the door, the device for opening/closing the door comprising a system configured for imparting a lateral rotational-translational motion to the door relative to the front wall, thereby effecting an opening/closing action, the system for imparting a lateral rotational-translational motion being configured to rotate the first side of the door so that the first side is moved outward away from the front wall as the door is moved from the closed position to the open position, and is configured to translate the second side of the door laterally relative to the front wall as the door is moved from the closed position to the open position; and

a handle for use in automated opening and closing of the door, the handle having a first portion hingedly coupled to the front wall and a second portion that is hingedly coupled to the first side of the door, the first portion being spaced apart from the second portion.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising an automated system for opening/closing the door, the automated system being connected to the handle.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the system configured for imparting a rotational-translational motion to the door comprises:

the handle, the handle is U-shaped and comprises a central part forming the second portion and ends forming the first portion, the ends hinged to the front wall via a first hinge arranged in a laterally cantilevered position relative to the door;

a second hinge providing a connection between the first side of the door and the central part of the handle;

a third hinge arranged at an upper end of the door on the second side, the third hinge sliding in a horizontal guide parallel to the front wall of the machine and situated on an upper part of the door;

wherein rotation of the handle about the first hinge causes the rotational-translational motion for opening/closing the door.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the second hinge comprises fasteners shaped as tube sections, fixedly connected to the handle and hingedly connected to the door.

5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the automated system for opening/closing the door comprises a pneumatic cylinder connected to the handle via a fourth hinge and to the machine via a fifth hinge.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the pneumatic cylinder is positioned above the inner compartment of the machine.

7. A device for opening/closing a door of a washing machine adapted for washing equipment used in the field of pharmaceutical research and/or pharmaceutical production, the washing machine comprising the inner compartment and the front wall comprising the door, the device comprising the system configured for imparting a lateral rotational-translational motion to the door, as claimed in claim 1.

8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the door is between the handle and the access opening when the door is in the closed position.

9. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the handle is U-shaped.

10. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic cylinder coupled to the handle.

11. A washing machine adapted for washing equipment used in the field of pharmaceutical research and/or pharmaceutical production, comprising:

an inner compartment and a front wall comprising a door allowing access to the inner compartment through an access opening, the door having a front face and an opposing back face that extend between a first side and an opposing second side, the door covering the access opening when the door is in a closed position and at least partially uncovering the access opening when the door is in an open position; and

a device for opening/closing the door comprising a system configured for imparting a lateral rotational-translational motion to the door relative to the front wall, the system comprising;

a handle having a first portion hingedly coupled to the front wall and a second portion that is hingedly coupled to the first side of the door, the first portion being spaced apart from the second portion; and

a hinge that hingedly couples the second side of the door to a guide disposed on the front wall, the hinge sliding laterally along the guide as the door is moved from the closed position to the open position.

12. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the door is between the handle and the access opening when the door is in the closed position.

13. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the handle is U-shaped.

14. The washing machine according to claim 11, further comprising a pneumatic cylinder coupled to the handle.