GB2526075A - Macerators - Google Patents

Abstract

A macerator has inner walls with channels 25, which may be proximate an interior base and outlet 12 of the macerator, which may help channel slurry to an outlet 12.

Description

Macerators The present invention relates to macerators. In particular, the present invention concerns macerators of the type used for maceration of waste products, for example, disposable pulp products, such as bed pans and urinals, and incontinence pads, in a hospital or other healthcare environment.

Macerators process solid waste products by reducing the solid product to a slurry in water, which can then be more readily disposed of through conventional drainage conduits. Clinical waste typically disposed of by maceration includes pulp fibre trays and containers contaminated by bodily waste or fluids. The macerator includes a chamber in which the solid product is shredded and mixed with water and an outlet through which the slurry produced passes to waste. A rinse step rinses the macerator chamber clean for the next cycle.

The outlet is typically provided in a base or pulveriser head of the macerator chamber (Figures 1 and 2). The base 10 is typically formed with a generally frusto-conical shape to allow slurry to fall under gravity towards an annular gallery 11 formed around an outer edge of the base. The base of the gallery inclines towards the outlet 12. The frusto-conical base has a central aperture 13 through which the output shaft of a motor passes and engages and rotationally drives an impeller (omitted for clarity) which sits at the bottom of the chamber. The chamber is formed generally conically with a wall 14 which is thereby inclined towards the base 10 of the chamber and has an annular lower rim 16.

The impeller (not shown) is generally conical in form and includes a paddle on its upper surface to aid movement of products to be macerated around the macerator chamber.

The lower rim of the impeller is associated with or formed with a cutter ring 15. Cutter ring 15 and annular rim 16 both include apertures or notches 17,18 respectively. Thus, in use, cutter ring 15 rotates with impeller, notches 17,18 cooperate to divide products introduced into the cavity into a slurry.

The radial dimensions of notches 17,18 and the relative axial position of the impeller with respect to rim 16 define the maximum particle size which can be passed from the chamber to annular gallery 11 and thus to outlet 12.

Whilst such constructions are very effective, there can be larger particles passing through the slots and this can have an impact on flow within the gallery. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a macerator construction which overcomes this problem.

In its broadest sense, the present invention provides a macerator having a macerator chamber having a macerator head having a base formed with an annular gallery for receipt of macerated material and an outlet for removal of macerated material from the gallery. The gallery has an inner wall and an outer wall and is formed with a plurality of channels formed in the outer wall.

Preferably, there are at least 3 channels, more preferably at least 4 channels, even more preferably about 6 channels.

Preferably, the channels are spaced uniformly about the outer wall.

Preferably, the channels are longitudinal channels.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a conventional macerator pulveriser head; Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the pulveriser head of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through an embodiment of a pulverised head in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the pulveriser head of Figure 3.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a conventional macerator base as described above. Figures 3 and 4 show corresponding views of a base in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Where components are identical, we will not describe the features further and the same reference numerals are used.

In the macerator base 20 of the present invention, gallery 21 is formed around a generally frusto-conically shaped base portion 22 and inclines towards an outlet 12.

As is conventionally preferred, outlet 12 is orientated axially away from the base or floor of the macerator base 20. The macerator includes a cutter ring 15 as described above, having a plurality of apertures 18 formed therein. Gallery 21 has inner 23 and outer 24 walls. In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of channels 25 are formed in the outer wall 24. Each channel 25 runs perpendicularly from the base of gallery 21 to a point above the point at which notches 17 in rim 16 are formed. As shown, in preferred embodiments, channels 25 include a curved or tapering lower portion to form a guided path along which slurried material can more easily flow.

In the embodiment shown, channels 25 are closed at an upper edge thereof to prevent seepage of slurry by virtue of rim 16 of wall 14 being radially enlarged so as to contact outer wall 24 above the position of notches 17. In alternative embodiments (not shown), channels 25 are formed with a closed upper edge. In yet further embodiments (not shown), rim 16 is spaced from macerator base 20 in a similar manner to the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, but outer wall 24 of the base is formed with a frusto-conical upper rim to define a frusto-conical space between base 20 and wall 14. Slurry entering that space is able to flow back into gallery 21 and to outlet 12.

In preferred embodiments of macerators of the type described above and having typical dimensions, there are at least 3 channels 25 formed in base 20 of the macerator.

In the preferred embodiment shown, there are 6 such channels, uniformly spaced about the circumference of outer wall 24. Alternative embodiments have any suitable number of channels.

Claims (4)

1. Claims 1 A macerator having a macerator chamber having a macerator head having a base formed with an annular gallery for receipt of macerated material and an outlet for removal of macerated material from the gallery; wherein the gallery has an inner wall and an outer wall and is formed with a plurality of channels formed in the outer wall.
2. 2 A macerator as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least 3 channels, preferably at least 4 channels, more preferably about 6 channels.
3. 3 A macerator as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the channels are spaced uniformly about the outer wall.
4. 4 A macerator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the channels are longitudinal channels.A macerator substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying Figures 3 and 4.