WASHING AND SANITIZING APPARATUS FOR CARTS SUCH AS HOSPITAL CARTS

• US 3,736,948 A
• Filed: 07/28/1971
• Issued: 06/05/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bert Crosswhite
• Original Assignee: Bert Crosswhite
• Inventors: Crosswhite, Bert
• Primary Examiner(s): Bleutge, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US05/166,832
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 134/45,95,123,200,152
• US Class Current: 134/95.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 3/04 for exteriors of land vehicles B60S3/002, B60S3/004 take precedence; specially adapted for railway vehicles B60S3/006

Abstract

A washing apparatus especially adapted for washing and sanitizing containers such as hospital carts. The apparatus includes a washing chamber having selectively closable door openings on opposite sides thereof adapted for receiving and dishcarging carts to be washed. A track is provided on the floor of the chamber between the door openings for guiding carts through the chamber. A washing mechanism is provided within the washing chamber, adapted to receive washing and sanitizing fluid from a remote source and to direct a spray of such fluid upon the carts. The washing mechanism is suspended from the ceiling of the washing chamber and includes a first nozzle boom that normally extends vertically down along the outside of a cart positioned within the chamber, and a second nozzle boom that normally extends horizontally above the cart. A washingfluid operated cylinder is provided for selectively moving or pivoting the second nozzle boom downwardly into the interior of the cart, whereby it assumes a vertical position generally opposite the first nozzle boom. A motor is provided for selectively rotating the washing mechanism with respect to the cart during a washing cycle with the force of the spray delivered against the outer surface of the cart by the first nozzle boom being offset by the oppositely directed force of the spray delivered against the inside of thecart by the second nozzle boom. A timer control is provided for automatically controlling the delivery of fluids to the washing mechanism during a washing operation and a blower is provided in a separate drying chamber for circulating hot air around the sanitized cart to dry it.

Claims

1. Washing apparatus adapted for sanitizing delivery carts comprising:

a washing chamber adapted to receive a cart to be washed, first nozzle means suspended within the chamber for directing a spray of washing fluid against the exterior surfaces of a cart positioned within said chamber, second nozzle means suspended within said chamber for directing a spray of washing fluid against the interior surfaces of a cart positioned within said chamber a supply of washing fluid which may be selectively connected to said first and second nozzle means, power means connected to both nozzle means for selectively moving said nozzle means in a circumferential path with respect to said cart and washing fluid operated means connected to said second nozzle means for positioning said second nozzle means within the interior of said cart when washing fluid is supplied to said washing apparatus.

2. A washing apparatus as described in claim 1 and a valve in the fluid circuit of said second nozzle means positioned upstream of the washing fluid operated means which valve may be operated to control movement of the second nozzle means from a normally horizontal position into a vertical position.

3. Washing apparatus as described in claim 1 further including means connecting said second nozzle means for movement by said power means, with said second nozzle means being oriented, when positioned within the interior of said cart, to direct a spray in a direction opposite to the spray from said first nozzle means so that the spray force exerted on the cart by said first and second nozzle means are substantially balanced as the nozzle means are moved in unison by said power means.

4. Washing apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said washing chamber comprises a walled enclosure of generally cubical form having door openings on two opposite sides thereof adapted to respectively receive and discharge carts and closing means for selectively closing said door openings.

5. Washing apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said washing chamber includes retaining means on the floor of said chamber for aligning the carts with respect to the door openings, and wherein said closing means comprise doors movably suspended within said washing chamber.

6. Washing apparatus as described in claim 1 further including valve means adapted to be connected to said fluid supply and to a detergent supply;

conduit means connecting said valve means to said first nozzle means, and timer means for controlling said valve means in a predetermined sequence to selectively deliver a mixture of fluid and detergent to said first nozzle means.

7. Apparatus for simultaneously washing the inside and outside of carts comprising a washing chamber adapted to receive a cart, a pair of doors each one of which is mounted in an opening in opposite sides of the chamber, washing means in the chamber comprising, a first boom vertically mounted in said chamber for directing washing fluid against the exterior surfaces of the cart, a second boom normally extending at right angles tO the first boom for directing washing fluid against the interior surfaces of a cart, means for connecting both of said booms to a source of washing fluid, power means for moving said booms in a circular path with respect to the cart, semicircular track means provided in the top of the washing chamber adjacent said openings, doors for each opening operatively connected to said track means, linkage connection means between said doors so that they open and close simultaneously, and power means for controlling operation of said doors.