WO2025078155A1 - Cleaning basket for cleaning personal protective equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning basket (116) for cleaning personal protective equipment (170). The cleaning basket (116) can be reversibly introduced into a cleaning chamber (114) of a cleaning device (112). The cleaning basket (116) has at least one receiving device (176) in a basket frame (172) for receiving at least one part of the personal protective equipment (170) to be cleaned. The cleaning basket (116) also has at least one mechanical cleaning unit (184) having a cleaning shaft (186), wherein the cleaning shaft (186) extends at least partially through the basket frame (172). The cleaning shaft (186) is designed to drive at least one mechanical cleaning element (188) for rotating mechanical cleaning of the part of the personal protective equipment (170) to be cleaned. The cleaning shaft (186) has at least one shaft coupling (192), which has at least one coupling geometry (194), wherein the coupling geometry (194) is designed to couple to a drive geometry (156) of a drive device (154) of the cleaning device (112) when the cleaning basket (116) is introduced into the cleaning chamber (114), for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft (186).

Description

Cleaning basket for cleaning personal protective equipment

Technical field

The invention relates to a cleaning basket, a cleaning device and a cleaning system for cleaning personal protective equipment, as well as a corresponding method and use. Such devices and methods can generally be used to clean respiratory masks, as well as additional parts of personal protective equipment such as breathing apparatus or components thereof, respiratory masks and other parts of personal protective equipment for rescue services such as fire departments, technical aid organizations or paramedics, breathing apparatus for divers or generally persons in hostile or critical work environments, as well as for armed forces and security forces such as police officers. The proposed devices and methods can also be used for breathing apparatus in the medical field, for example breathing masks for oxygen supply and operations. Other areas of application are also conceivable.

Technical background

A variety of cleaning devices, also referred to as cleaning appliances, are known from the prior art that can clean and/or disinfect items to be cleaned. Examples include cleaning devices described, for example, in DE 10 2004 056 052 A1 or DE 10 2017 202 055 A1.

In particular, cleaning devices are known in which, in addition to the cleaning effect of the cleaning fluid used, a mechanical action is also exerted on the items to be cleaned. For example, DE 10 2020 210 272 A1 describes a cleaning device A device for cleaning items to be cleaned is described. This device comprises a cleaning chamber for stationary reception of a cleaning basket with the items to be cleaned received therein. The cleaning device further comprises an application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned. The cleaning device further comprises a plurality of movable cleaning elements which are arranged to be movable relative to the cleaning basket. These are designed to remain in the cleaning chamber during the application of the cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned, to be set in motion by the cleaning fluid, and to exert a mechanical cleaning effect on the items to be cleaned during the application of the cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned.

JP 2002065564 A describes a dishwasher with cord-shaped washing tools that can be deformed by the flowing wash water. A material is used that can exert a stronger physical force on the dishes than the physical force exerted on them by the wash water. A large number of washing tools are mounted in free contact with the dishes near a plurality of injection nozzles. The soils on the dishes are thus washed by the physical washing force created by the contact between the washing tools and the dishes.

KR 101296291 Bl describes a conveyor dishwasher for washing food trays. This involves rotating a rotating tube under water pressure when a pump is actuated to spray wash water through a nozzle of a spray tube to wash the food tray with brushes on a support rod that rotates while the food trays are being washed. The rotating tube and the spray tube are rotated by the driving force of the water pressure, and the support rod is mounted perpendicular to the spray tube.

JP 2022150101 A describes a conveyor-type dishwasher comprising a conveyor mechanism and a brush mechanism. The conveyor mechanism conveys a pair of plates by juxtaposing them in an inclined position in which the upper surfaces of the pair of plates face each other. The brush mechanism is provided at a conveying passage of the plates through the conveyor mechanism and includes an upper brush that comes into contact with the upper surfaces of the pair of plates and a lower brush that comes into contact with the lower surfaces of the pair of plates. US 20120284938 A1 describes a dishwasher that uses the scrubbing power of brushes to clean dishes. The dishes are held from above by a rack of parallel bars, allowing an upper oscillating brush to move through the rack and clean the outside of the dishes. The plate is held below by the axis of the lower rotating brush, allowing the brush to rotate to clean the inside of the plate. The dishwasher also consists of a rotating rack that holds the dishes in place at the beginning and during the washing cycle. The rotating rack consists of bars that support the dishes, a water slot that directs the wash water into the wash chamber, and a movable cover that regulates the flow of wash liquid into the corresponding chambers.

DE 25 36411 A1 describes a dishwasher for cleaning ring-shaped objects, in particular cake rings. The machine contains one or more rotatable support rollers on which the ring-shaped objects can be hung loosely and arranged parallel to the roller axis.

Particular challenges arise when cleaning items that are part of personal protective equipment, for example those used by rescue, security, or armed forces. For example, breathing devices such as respirators or demand valves are usually part of personal protective equipment. A wide variety of breathing devices for different purposes are known from the state of the art. For example, rescue workers and fire departments use respirators with filters to remove harmful components from the air they breathe. In many cases, as an alternative to or in addition to a filter, a demand valve is used to ventilate the user with a breathing gas, such as compressed air.

Personal protective equipment must generally be cleaned, sanitized, dried, inspected, and, if necessary, repaired and packaged after each use. Cleaning is intended to remove all contamination resulting from use or storage, so that the breathing apparatus can be made available in a macroscopically clean and hygienic condition, for example, for the next steps in reprocessing. Since breathing apparatus and its components are generally safety-relevant devices, several requirements must be observed when cleaning these devices.

In many cases, respiratory equipment, such as breathing masks and their accessories, is either cleaned by hand or washed in modified washing machines using protective bags and/or adapters. For example, EP 0 935 687 Bl generally discloses a washing machine having a tub with a drum. A shell of the drum has a curved structure directed toward the interior of the drum, with holes arranged at the corners of the edge contours of the curvature directed toward the exterior of the drum.

EP 1 088 928 A1 discloses a holding system for respiratory masks in a laundry treatment machine. The holding system comprises a support bracket that is arranged to rotate in a drum of the laundry treatment machine and to which the respiratory masks can be connected.

DE 200 03 743 U1 and DE 298 22 172 U1 each disclose devices for treating protective suits. These use coat hangers that incorporate flexible air outlet nozzles. The coat hangers are each attached to a pivoting device. Cleaning breathing apparatus is generally impossible or difficult using the devices shown.

DE 10 2007 009 936 A1 discloses a cleaning device for compressed air breathing apparatus. This device has a receiving chamber enclosed by a protective grille and rotating nozzle holders. The nozzle holders are located outside the protective grille.

DE 10 2007 012 768 B4 discloses a method and device for cleaning demand valves. The items to be cleaned are placed on holders of a rotating element and immersed several times in a liquid bath containing cleaning fluid, disinfectant fluid, and rinsing fluid. The demand valves are first pressurized with compressed air to create a seal between the valve and hose connection and then immersed in the liquid bath. A disadvantage of such immersion methods, however, is that complex holders with corresponding actuators are required to ensure the removal of cleaning fluid from the various cavities after cleaning through appropriate movements.

DE 10020 835 A1 describes a device for treating respiratory masks. A receptacle for fitting respiratory masks is provided, in which the respiratory masks are coupled to the receptacle via the breathing apparatus connection. Furthermore, it is described that a collection device for collecting treatment agents and a pump for supplying the treatment agents are provided in a cabin of the device. US 3,881,503 A discloses a device for washing and decontaminating anesthesia equipment. A nozzle system is provided through which high-pressure water jets can be sprayed onto the items to be cleaned.

WO 2011/144518 A2 describes a cleaning device for cleaning breathing apparatus. The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber for accommodating at least one breathing apparatus and at least one fluid device for supplying the breathing apparatus with at least one cleaning fluid. The cleaning device further comprises at least one pressurization device with at least one pressure connection. The pressure connection is connectable to at least one gas-conducting element of the breathing apparatus. The pressurization device is configured to supply the gas-conducting element with compressed gas.

In particular, cleaning devices that describe the cleaning of respiratory masks are also known from the prior art. For example, DE 10 2005 033 618 B3 discloses a device for cleaning respiratory masks. The device comprises a closable housing and at least one receptacle arranged in a carrier for at least one respiratory mask. Furthermore, a nozzle arrangement and a brush arrangement are provided, wherein movement of the respiratory masks causes the respiratory masks to be brushed. However, the disclosed device does not allow for individual assignment and cleaning of mask accessories. Furthermore, the cleaning of gas-conducting elements, such as demand valves, is not possible with the disclosed device. DE 200 03 744 U1 also discloses a device for cleaning, disinfecting, and drying respiratory masks, which has a support frame with an associated nozzle system and individual treatment stations. This device is also fundamentally unsuitable for cleaning gas-conducting elements and accessories.

DE 11 74 169 B describes a device for cleaning respiratory masks. A rotatably mounted tubular frame is provided in a housing, on which the masks to be cleaned are clamped. The rotating frame moves the respiratory masks through a bath of cleaning fluid in a tub.

DE 10 2018 204 763 A1 describes a method for cleaning breathing apparatus. This comprises a pre-cleaning step in which at least one breathing mask is clamped onto a holder having at least one curved sealing surface. At least one sealing lip of the breathing mask rests on the curved sealing surface and closes off at least one interior space of the breathing mask.

Despite the advantages offered by the devices for cleaning personal protective equipment described above, a number of technical challenges remain, particularly when cleaning respiratory masks. These challenges are primarily due to the fact that, especially in the case of respiratory masks for firefighters, contamination in the form of combustion residues such as soot often accumulates on the respiratory masks. However, soot cannot usually be dissolved and removed by water, cleaning chemicals, or the mechanical action of water jets alone. This is particularly due to the fact that, due to the hydrophobic properties of soot, neither high washing pressure, nor the use of cleaning chemicals, nor cleaning at elevated temperatures can achieve a sufficient cleaning effect. Therefore, cleaning devices that use spray nozzles usually have insufficient cleaning performance. This challenge is exacerbated by the fact that both the type and concentration of cleaning chemicals and the temperature during cleaning are usually specified by the manufacturers of personal protective equipment, so that cleaning under more stringent conditions is strictly limited due to possible harmful effects on personal protective equipment.

To increase the cleaning effect, an additional mechanical action would be conceivable, as is known from dishwashing technology and partly also from the area of cleaning personal protective equipment. However, cleaning devices from the area of dishwashing technology that provide additional mechanical action on the dishes are in many cases unsuitable for cleaning personal protective equipment, and in particular for cleaning respiratory masks, as these generally require a solid, non-deformable, and rigid geometry of the objects to be cleaned. Furthermore, there is a risk that respiratory masks in particular will be mechanically damaged by high mechanical stress, such as during treatment in a cleaning drum, with or without brushes. Furthermore, there is a risk of contamination spread, in which toxic contaminants on the outside of the respiratory mask could penetrate into the interior of the mask. Further disadvantages of the known cleaning devices with mechanical action include high water consumption, insufficient rinsing options, and a lack of Adaptation to the complex geometry of the respiratory masks and thus, in many cases, insufficient cleaning effect.

These challenges mean that even today, personal protective equipment, and especially respiratory masks, are often still cleaned manually, for example, in a dip tank. However, this manual cleaning naturally requires a high level of labor and, at the same time, poses a potential health risk to cleaning personnel, such as fire department equipment operators, because combustion residues and fine dust, which are particularly common in firefighting environments, are often toxic and even carcinogenic.

Object of the invention

It would therefore be desirable to provide devices and methods for cleaning personal protective equipment that address the challenges mentioned above and at least largely avoid the disadvantages of known devices and methods. In particular, the goal is to enable thorough removal of combustion residues from respirators while simultaneously protecting the respirators, allowing for flexible adaptation to the specific requirements of the situation, and providing a geometry that prevents contamination from being carried inside the respirator, while still being safe, easy to operate, and reliable.

General description of the invention

This object is addressed by a cleaning basket, a cleaning device, and a cleaning system for cleaning personal protective equipment, as well as a corresponding method and use, having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments, which can be implemented individually or in any combination, are presented in the dependent claims.

In the following, the terms "have", "have", "comprise" or "include" or any grammatical variations thereof are used in a non-exclusive manner. Accordingly, these terms can refer both to situations in which, apart from the features introduced by these terms, no further features are present, or to situations in which one or more further features are present. For example, the expression "A has B", "A has B", "A comprises B" or "A includes B" can refer both to the situation in which, apart from B, no further element is present in A (i.e. a situation in which A consists exclusively of B), as well as the situation in which, in addition to B, one or more further elements are present in A, for example element C, elements C and D or even further elements.

It should also be noted that the terms "at least one" and "one or more," as well as grammatical variations of these terms, when used in connection with one or more elements or features and intended to express that the element or feature may be provided singly or multiple times, are generally used only once, for example when the feature or element is first introduced. When the feature or element is subsequently mentioned again, the corresponding term "at least one" or "one or more" is generally no longer used, without limiting the possibility that the feature or element may be provided singly or multiple times.

Furthermore, the terms “preferably”, “in particular”, “for example” or similar terms are used below in connection with optional features, without limiting alternative embodiments. Features introduced by these terms are optional features, and these features are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims and in particular of the independent claims. Thus, as those skilled in the art will recognize, the invention can also be carried out using other embodiments. Similarly, features introduced by “in an embodiment of the invention” or by “in an embodiment of the invention” are understood as optional features, without limiting alternative embodiments or the scope of protection of the independent claims. Furthermore, these introductory expressions are intended to leave untouched all possibilities of combining the features introduced thereby with other features, be they optional or non-optional.

In a first aspect of the invention, a cleaning basket for cleaning personal protective equipment is proposed. The cleaning basket can be reversibly inserted into a cleaning chamber of a cleaning device. The cleaning basket has at least one basket frame. The cleaning basket has at least one receiving device in the basket frame for receiving at least one part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned, in particular a respiratory mask. The cleaning basket further has at least one mechanical cleaning device. The mechanical cleaning device has at least one cleaning shaft which extends at least partially through the basket frame. The cleaning shaft is designed to drive at least one mechanical cleaning element for the rotating mechanical cleaning of the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned. The cleaning shaft is rotatably mounted in the basket frame by means of at least one bearing, in particular by means of at least two bearings. The cleaning shaft has at least one shaft coupling. The shaft coupling has at least one coupling geometry, in particular a coupling contour, which is designed to couple to a drive geometry, in particular to a drive contour, of a drive device of the cleaning device when the cleaning basket is introduced into the cleaning chamber for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft.

In a further aspect of the invention, a cleaning device for cleaning personal protective equipment is proposed. The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber for the stationary, reversible accommodation of at least one cleaning basket according to the present invention, for example according to the embodiment described above and/or according to one or more of the versions described in more detail below. Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the personal protective equipment in the cleaning chamber. Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises at least one drive device with at least one drive geometry, in particular a drive contour. The drive geometry, in particular the drive contour, is designed to couple, in particular automatically, to the coupling geometry, in particular to the coupling contour, of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket when the cleaning basket is introduced into the cleaning chamber for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft of the cleaning basket.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a cleaning system for cleaning personal protective equipment is proposed. The cleaning system comprises at least one cleaning device according to the present invention, for example according to the embodiment described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below. The cleaning system further comprises at least one cleaning basket according to the present invention, for example according to the embodiment described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below. The cleaning basket is stationary and can be reversibly introduced into the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device. The drive geometry, in particular the drive contour, of the drive device of the cleaning device and the The dome geometry, in particular the dome contour, of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket are designed to couple to each other when the cleaning basket is introduced into the cleaning chamber for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft of the cleaning basket.

These aspects of the present invention, which interact, are described together below. In particular, the definitions and options of the individual aspects are also transferable to other aspects of the present invention.

The term "personal protective equipment," as used here, is a broad term that should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to clothing, devices, or other items used for self-protection during activities that are potentially hazardous to health. In particular, these can be items that are subject to Regulation (EU) 2016/425 in Europe. In particular, these can be items selected from the group consisting of: respiratory masks; lung demand valves; breathing air regulators; safety goggles; gloves; safety shoes; protective clothing; helmets; breathing gas cylinders. The at least one item of personal protective equipment that is cleaned using the cleaning basket, the cleaning device, and the cleaning system is also referred to below as "cleaning item."

The term “cleaning,” as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a process in which items to be cleaned, in this case in particular one or more items of personal protective equipment, are freed from adhering macroscopic or microscopic contaminants and/or in which such contaminants are at least partially removed. In particular, at least one cleaning fluid should be used for this cleaning, as explained in more detail below. In addition, a disinfecting effect can optionally be exerted.

The term "cleaning basket," as used herein, also referred to as "rinsing basket," is a broad term to which its ordinary and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a receiving device, in particular a portable receiving device, in which items to be cleaned, here in particular one or more items of personal protective equipment, can be received, introduced into a cleaning device, for example a dishwasher, and subsequently removed from the cleaning device in a cleaned state.

The cleaning basket can be reversibly inserted into a cleaning chamber of a cleaning device. Accordingly, the cleaning basket is either designed separately from a cleaning device described in more detail below, or is connected to the cleaning device in such a way that the connection enables at least one position of the cleaning basket inside the cleaning chamber and at least one position of the cleaning basket outside the cleaning chamber. The cleaning basket can, for example, as explained in more detail below, have at least one roller, for example a roller base, by means of which the cleaning basket can be rolled into the cleaning chamber. Alternatively, the cleaning basket can also be designed with a smooth base, for example a plastic base, by means of which the cleaning basket can be pushed into the cleaning chamber. Various other designs are conceivable.

For example, the cleaning basket can be attached to a rail system of the cleaning device and pushed into a cleaning chamber of the cleaning device via this rail system. After cleaning, it can be pulled or pushed out of the cleaning chamber again. Furthermore, cleaning baskets can also be used for temporary storage of cleaning items. The cleaning basket can, in particular, have a plurality of openings so that liquid can drain downwards.

The cleaning basket, as explained above, has at least one basket frame. The term "basket frame" as used herein is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a base of the cleaning basket, which provides mechanical support to the cleaning basket and which, for example, defines a bottom surface of the cleaning basket. For example, the cleaning basket can be designed as a rectangular cleaning basket, with a rectangular base surface, in particular with one or more openings for the drainage of cleaning fluid. The base surface can For example, it can be formed by a basket base, which can be rectangular, for example. Furthermore, the cleaning basket can have side walls on one, two, three, or four sides of the basket base, which side walls extend upwards from the basket base at right angles, for example. The basket frame, for example with the basket base and the one or more side walls, can be made of a plastic material, for example, as is known from the field of washing baskets for dishwashers. Alternatively or additionally, however, a wire material, for example, can also be used. Various designs are possible.

As further explained above, the cleaning basket in the basket frame has at least one receiving device for receiving at least one piece of personal protective equipment to be cleaned, in particular a respiratory mask. The term “receiving device,” as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device of basically any design which, considered on its own or in combination with one or more other elements or devices, is configured to receive and/or hold at least one piece of personal protective equipment, for example with a specific orientation and/or in a specific position. In this way, the receiving device can in particular be configured to hold the piece of personal protective equipment within the cleaning chamber at a specific location and/or in a specific orientation. Examples of corresponding receiving devices are mentioned below.

As explained above, the cleaning basket further comprises at least one mechanical cleaning device. The term “mechanical cleaning device,” as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any device which is designed to act mechanically on items to be cleaned in such a way that a cleaning effect within the meaning of the above definition is achieved. As will be explained further below, the mechanical cleaning device can in particular comprise at least one mechanical active element, hereinafter also referred to as “mechanical cleaning element,” which is designed to act mechanically on the items to be cleaned. In particular, it can This can be a movable mechanical active element, in particular a periodically movable mechanical active element, for example a rotating or oscillating mechanical active element. The at least one mechanical active element, in particular the movable mechanical active element, can in particular be configured to exert at least one action on the item to be cleaned, selected from the group consisting of: brushing; wiping; rubbing; and polishing.

As explained above, the mechanical cleaning device has at least one cleaning shaft. The term "cleaning shaft," as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a mechanical shaft that is configured to achieve a cleaning action on items to be cleaned, directly or indirectly, in particular by means of at least one mechanical active element driven directly or indirectly by the mechanical shaft. The term "shaft," also referred to as "mechanical shaft," as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a rotating or rotatable, elongated machine element configured to transmit rotary movements, torques, or rotations. The cleaning shaft can, in particular, be designed entirely or partially as a rod or other elongated element, in particular with a circular and/or polygonal cross-section. The cleaning shaft can, in particular, as explained below, be connected to the basket frame via at least one, in particular at least two, pivot bearings, also generally referred to as bearings. The cleaning shaft can, in particular, be capable of being subjected to torsional stress for transmitting torque.

The cleaning shaft extends at least partially through the basket frame. This implies that the cleaning shaft enters the basket frame at least on one side, in particular on an end face, for example on a side wall or in a side wall, and extends over a distance through the basket frame. In particular, the cleaning shaft can extend essentially horizontally through the basket frame, for example essentially parallel to a basket base of the basket frame, wherein, for example, a deviation of no more than 20°, in particular of no more than 10° and in particular of no more than 5° from a parallel extension to the basket base and/or to the horizontal direction can be acceptable. As explained above, the cleaning shaft is configured to drive at least one mechanical cleaning element for the rotating mechanical cleaning of the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned. This at least one mechanical cleaning element can be permanently connected to the cleaning shaft or can also be connectable to the cleaning shaft, as explained in more detail below, in particular reversibly. As explained above, the term "mechanical cleaning element," as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a mechanical active element of basically any design, which is configured to act mechanically on the item to be cleaned and thereby exert a cleaning effect within the meaning of the above definition. In particular, this can be a movable mechanical active element, in particular a periodically movable mechanical active element, for example a rotating or oscillating mechanical active element. The at least one mechanical active element, in particular the movable mechanical active element, can in particular be configured to exert at least one action on the item to be cleaned. As will be explained in more detail below, the at least one mechanical cleaning element can, for example, comprise at least one soft and/or flexible and/or deformable element, for example at least one strip, at least one thread, at least one bristle, or corresponding bundles of the aforementioned elements, which can be set in rotation by the cleaning shaft and thereby come into periodic or permanent contact with at least one surface of the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned, in particular the respiratory mask. Thus, the cleaning shaft can in particular be designed and positioned and aligned in the cleaning basket in such a way that the at least one mechanical cleaning element, which is set in rotation by the cleaning shaft, has a mechanical cleaning effect on the at least one part of the personal protective equipment held by the at least one holding device. For this purpose, a distance between the cleaning shaft and the holding device can be selected accordingly, either fixed or adjustable.

As stated above, the cleaning shaft is rotatably mounted in the basket frame by means of at least one bearing. The term "bearing" as used herein is a broad term to which its ordinary and customary meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted Meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a machine element or a combination of machine elements, in particular at least one guide element, which are designed to guide at least one movable component. In particular, the at least one bearing can be at least one plain bearing. However, other bearings are also fundamentally possible as an alternative or in addition, for example at least one rolling bearing. The at least one bearing can in particular be and/or comprise at least one rotary bearing or radial bearing. In particular, the at least one bearing can have at least one plain bearing designed as a rotary bearing. The at least one bearing can completely or partially enclose at least one section of the cleaning shaft on the circumference.

As further explained above, the cleaning shaft has at least one shaft coupling, which in turn has at least one coupling geometry. The coupling geometry is configured to couple to a drive geometry of a drive device of the cleaning device when the cleaning basket is introduced into the cleaning chamber for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft.

The term “shaft coupling,” as used here, is a broad term that should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a machine element of any design or combination of machine elements that are configured for the rigid, elastic, movable, or detachable connection of at least two shafts. Thus, the at least one shaft coupling can be configured in particular to couple the cleaning shaft to at least one shaft of the drive device in such a way that a torque, an angular momentum, or a rotation can be transmitted from the shaft of the drive device to the cleaning shaft. The shaft coupling can in particular have at least one positive and/or at least one non-positive connection. The shaft coupling can in particular be configured as a detachable shaft coupling.

The terms "coupling geometry" and "drive geometry" as used herein are broad terms to which their usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The terms are not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The terms can, without limitation, refer in particular to an external or internal geometry or shape of an element, here the shaft coupling or the drive device, which has at least a positive Coupling of at least one further element acting on the element from the outside for the purpose of force transmission and/or torque transmission is possible. In particular, the coupling geometry can have a coupling contour with at least one rotationally symmetrical polygonal outer cross-section and/or inner cross-section, which can, for example, be rotationally symmetrical to an axis of the cleaning shaft and which enables coupling to a corresponding drive contour of the drive device, for example in the form of a corresponding inner cross-section and/or outer cross-section of the drive contour, in particular in the form of a corresponding rotationally symmetrical polygonal inner cross-section and/or outer cross-section, for the purpose of torque transmission. The coupling contour and/or the drive contour can, for example, have at least one polygonal connecting piece and/or a shaft end with a polygonal outer cross-section and/or at least one sleeve which has a polygonal inner cross-section and is designed to receive the connecting piece or the shaft end and to connect to it in a form-fitting manner. Examples are given in more detail below. However, other types of coupling geometries and/or drive geometries are also conceivable in principle, for example, if the coupling geometry and/or the drive geometry has at least one gear element, whereby the gear elements can be positively coupled to one another. For example, the coupling geometry and/or the drive geometry can have a spur gear and/or a claw coupling.

The term "drive device," as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any device configured to mechanically act on at least one driven element in such a way that it is set into at least one movement, for example, a rotational movement. Accordingly, the drive device can in particular be configured to set the cleaning shaft in rotation when a shaft coupling is coupled to the drive geometry. In particular, the drive device can have at least one motor, for example, at least one electric motor. Furthermore, the drive device can in particular have at least one gear, for example, at least one gear with at least one drive chain and/or at least one deflection gear, in order to transmit a rotation of at least one axis of the motor directly or indirectly, with a gear ratio of 1:1 or another gear ratio, to the drive geometry and via the same to the cleaning shaft. The dome geometry and the drive geometry are designed to automatically couple to one another when the cleaning basket is inserted into the cleaning chamber. For example, the two elements can be designed to be reversibly insertable into one another, so that, for example, the dome geometry can be fully or partially inserted linearly into the drive geometry for coupling, or vice versa. Mixed forms are also possible. Accordingly, for uncoupling, the dome geometry can be pulled out of the drive geometry, or vice versa. During insertion, for example, a positive connection can occur between the dome geometry and drive geometry, so that a torque can be transferred from the drive geometry to the dome geometry and thus from the drive device to the cleaning shaft. Accordingly, the cleaning basket can be inserted linearly into the cleaning chamber and in the process cause the dome geometry to be inserted into the drive geometry and/or vice versa, whereby, for example, a reversible, rotationally fixed positive connection is established between the contours.

The term "cleaning device," as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device designed to free items to be cleaned of adhering macroscopic or even microscopic contaminants or to at least partially remove such contaminants. In addition, a disinfecting effect can optionally be exerted. The cleaning device can, as explained in more detail below, be designed in particular as a dishwasher, for example as a dishwasher for personal protective equipment. The dishwasher can be designed in particular as a single-chamber dishwasher, in particular as a commercial single-chamber dishwasher with a multi-circuit washing system, as a front-loading door dishwasher, or as a hood-type dishwasher, in particular as a pass-through dishwasher. However, dishwashers with water exchange, in particular so-called single-circuit systems, can also be used in principle. Other types of cleaning devices can also be used as an alternative or in addition to dishwashers.

The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber for the stationary, reversible accommodation of at least one cleaning basket. The term "cleaning chamber" as used herein is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a completely or partially closed chamber within which the cleaning process can be carried out completely or partially. The cleaning chamber can in particular have at least one housing which completely or partially encloses the cleaning chamber. In particular, the cleaning device can have precisely such a cleaning chamber, i.e. be designed as a single-chamber cleaning device. The cleaning chamber can, for example, have at least one opening for loading the cleaning chamber with the items to be cleaned. For example, this can be an opening with a flap arranged on a front side of the cleaning chamber and/or a top side of the cleaning chamber. Alternatively, hoods for closing off the cleaning chamber are also possible, for example in the context of so-called hood-type dishwashers or pass-through dishwashers. Other designs are also possible in principle.

The cleaning chamber is designed for the stationary, reversible accommodation of at least one cleaning basket. For this purpose, the cleaning chamber can, for example, have at least one basket receptacle, for example at least one rail into which the cleaning basket can be inserted, and/or at least one holding device or transport device by means of which the basket can be transported into the cleaning chamber, out of the cleaning chamber, or through the cleaning chamber. The accommodation is reversible, i.e. in such a way that the cleaning basket can be introduced into the cleaning chamber and removed from the cleaning chamber again, preferably without the need for tools. Accordingly, the basket receptacle of the cleaning device can, for example, have at least one rail and/or at least one other type of guide element by means of which the cleaning basket can be introduced into the cleaning chamber and removed from the cleaning chamber again.

The cleaning device is, as explained above, designed such that the cleaning basket is held in a stationary manner in the cleaning chamber during cleaning, in particular during a process described in more detail below, in which it is exposed to at least one cleaning fluid. This can mean, in particular, that the cleaning basket is held on or in at least one basket holder during cleaning and is not, for example, transported, moved, pivoted, rotated, lifted, immersed or moved or transported in a similar manner during cleaning. For example, the cleaning basket can remain stationary during the process in which it is exposed to the at least one cleaning fluid. For example, the cleaning chamber can be designed as a single A chamber can be designed in which the at least one cleaning basket can be received, for example in a basket receptacle, wherein the reception takes place in such a way, in particular by a corresponding design of the basket receptacle, that the cleaning basket remains stationary and stationary during cleaning, in particular during exposure to the cleaning fluid, i.e., for example, is not moved translationally and/or rotationally. In particular, for example, a basket base of the cleaning basket can remain in a horizontal position during cleaning. A vibrating movement of the cleaning basket, for example to improve a cleaning effect, can, however, in principle be possible, provided that a central position of the cleaning basket in the cleaning chamber remains unchanged during cleaning. It remains unaffected that the cleaning basket can be removed manually or automatically from the cleaning chamber or the corresponding cleaning zone after exposure, wherein, for example, further cleaning and/or another type of treatment of the protective equipment to be cleaned can then take place.

The cleaning device further comprises at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the personal protective equipment in the cleaning basket. The term “application device,” as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any device by means of which the items to be cleaned, here at least one part of the personal protective equipment, can be applied with the cleaning fluid, in particular with at least one cleaning liquid, within the cleaning chamber and in particular in the cleaning basket.

“Impingement” can generally be understood as any contact of the item to be cleaned with the cleaning fluid. This can take place in particular in the form of direct impingement, for example by spraying, dripping, irradiating or a combination of the aforementioned and/or other direct impingement methods, in which the pre-cleaning fluid directly impinges on the item to be cleaned, for example the breathing apparatus and/or the breathing mask, preferably with a pulse greater than zero. The cleaning basket can in particular be designed and/or positioned in the cleaning chamber in such a way that the cleaning fluid can immediately run off or drip off the personal protective equipment after impingement, for example into at least one tank of the cleaning device arranged below the cleaning basket. Impingement can take place in a simple operation by the cleaning fluid is only applied to the items to be cleaned once. Alternatively or additionally, however, cleaning can also take place in circulation mode by applying cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned several times. Such circulation operations and circulation circuits are known, for example, from conventional dishwashers or washing machines. Circulation operation can, for example, take place using at least one circulation pump, by means of which cleaning fluid that has already been applied to the items to be cleaned is collected and used again for application. A combination of simple operation and circulation operation is also possible, for example by applying at least one washing fluid in circulation mode in at least one washing step, followed by at least one rinsing step, also referred to as final rinse step, in which application of at least one rinsing fluid, also referred to as final rinse fluid, takes place in simple operation.

The application device can in particular comprise at least one nozzle system with at least one nozzle, for example at least one nozzle arm, for example at least one fixedly or rotatably mounted nozzle arm. For example, at least one nozzle arm, for example a fixedly or rotatably mounted nozzle arm, can be arranged below the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber, and at least one nozzle arm, for example a fixedly or rotatably mounted nozzle arm, can be arranged above the items to be cleaned. In this case, separate nozzle arms for washing fluid and rinsing fluid can be provided, for example, above and below the items to be cleaned. Furthermore, the application device can comprise at least one pump and at least one line system for supplying cleaning fluid to the nozzle system. In this case, for example, a nozzle system and a line system for applying cleaning fluid from at least one tank, for example at least one wash tank, can be provided, as well as at least one pump, for example at least one wash pump. Furthermore, at least one nozzle system and at least one line system for supplying cleaning fluid from at least one optional rinse tank can be provided, which is designed separately from the wash tank, for example, and in which rinse fluid can be prepared separately from the wash tank, as well as at least one rinse pump. By providing at least one rinse tank designed separately from the wash tank, the cleaning device can be designed for commercial purposes, in that by separately preparing the rinse fluid during a wash step, the heating time is used simultaneously with the wash step, thus saving program runtime. For example, the rinse tank can be designed as a boiler and/or can have a continuous flow heater. Alternatively, however, as always explained above, single-circuit systems are also possible, in which at least A washing step and at least one rinsing step are carried out consecutively using the same components, with, for example, a change of cleaning fluids taking place between the washing step and the rinsing step in at least one treatment tank. Accordingly, these cleaning devices are also referred to as "water change systems," despite the fact that non-aqueous cleaning fluids can be used in addition to aqueous ones.

The term "cleaning fluid," as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a fluid, and in particular a liquid, which, upon contact with the item to be cleaned, can exert a cleaning effect. In particular, the cleaning fluid can comprise an aqueous fluid, for example water and/or water with one or more additives, for example with one or more cleaning concentrates and/or rinse aids and/or disinfectants. The cleaning device can be configured to use a single cleaning fluid or to employ a combination of several cleaning fluids. If several cleaning fluids are provided, the item to be cleaned can be exposed to the different cleaning fluids simultaneously or sequentially. Thus, in particular, as explained above, the item to be cleaned can remain stationary within the cleaning chamber and be exposed to the various cleaning fluids one after the other.

Without limiting further possible embodiments, reference is made below to a cleaning device in the form of a so-called "programmable automatic device", in which the items to be cleaned remain stationary in a single cleaning chamber during the cleaning process and are subjected to at least one cleaning program with several program steps, wherein in at least one of these program steps, exposure to the at least one cleaning fluid takes place. The cleaning device can, for example, be set up to carry out at least one cleaning program by means of the exposure device, for example controlled by at least one controller of the cleaning device, in which the items to be cleaned, for example the at least one cleaning basket with the items to be cleaned, are held stationary in the cleaning chamber and are successively exposed to cleaning fluid in different ways in one or more cleaning steps of the cleaning program, for example first in at least one washing step with the at least one washing fluid and in at least one rinsing step with the at least a rinse fluid. Furthermore, at least one drying step can be provided, which, for example, can be carried out after the application of the cleaning fluid in one cleaning chamber when the items to be cleaned are held stationary. Accordingly, the cleaning device can be designed, in particular, as a programmable automatic device.

The cleaning device can, in particular, comprise at least one tank. The term "tank," as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a completely or partially closed container designed to hold at least one cleaning fluid, in particular at least one liquid. As explained above, the at least one tank can, for example, comprise at least one wash tank. This at least one wash tank can, for example, be arranged in a floor of the cleaning chamber or can also be fluidically connected to a floor of the cleaning chamber so that cleaning fluid can flow from the cleaning chamber into the wash tank. For example, the wash tank can be separated from the cleaning chamber by at least one sieve. In addition to the at least one wash tank, the at least one tank can also comprise one or more further tanks. For example, the at least one tank can comprise at least one rinsing tank, which can, for example, be designed separately from the wash tank. In the at least one rinse tank, for example, at least one rinse fluid, also referred to as a final rinse fluid, can be prepared, for example, by adjusting its temperature, while a washing step is still taking place in the cleaning chamber. The rinse tank can, for example, comprise at least one boiler. Alternatively, however, water exchange systems are also conceivable, as explained above.

The term “system,” as used herein, is a broad term to which it should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term may, without limitation, refer in particular to an assembly of at least two components configured to cooperate to fulfill at least one common purpose and/or at least one common function. Accordingly, the term “cleaning system,” as used herein, is also a broad term to which it should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. appropriate meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a system within the meaning of the above definition, which serves the purpose of cleaning within the meaning of the above definition of at least one item to be cleaned and which is set up for such cleaning. The cleaning system comprises as components at least the cleaning device according to the present invention, for example according to one or more of the embodiments described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below, and at least one cleaning basket according to the present invention, for example according to one or more of the embodiments described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below.

The at least one mechanical cleaning element discussed above can be permanently connected to the cleaning shaft or can also be designed separately from the cleaning shaft and connectable thereto. Accordingly, the at least one cleaning element can be an integral part of the cleaning basket or can also be designed as a separate element. Thus, the mechanical cleaning device can in particular further comprise at least one mechanical cleaning element, wherein the mechanical cleaning element is connectable to the cleaning shaft. The term "connectable" can encompass the situation in which the at least one mechanical cleaning element is already connected to the cleaning shaft, either permanently or detachably, as well as the situation in which the at least one mechanical cleaning element is designed separately from the cleaning shaft and can be connected thereto, for example via one or more connecting elements which can be arranged on the cleaning shaft and/or on the mechanical cleaning element and which can interact to establish a fixed or detachable connection. In particular, the mechanical cleaning element can be detachably connectable to the cleaning shaft, for example by means of one or more corresponding connecting elements on the at least one mechanical cleaning element and/or on the cleaning shaft.

The mechanical cleaning element can, in particular, comprise at least one movable mechanical cleaning element, which has at least one end connectable to the cleaning shaft and at least one freely movable end. The term "movable" can, in particular, refer to the fact that the mechanical cleaning element can change its shape, in particular in that the freely movable end can perform at least one relative movement relative to the fixed end connectable to the cleaning shaft. The mechanical cleaning element can in particular comprise at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a brush; a strip element, in particular a bundle of strips; a thread element, in particular a bundle of thread elements; a bristle, in particular a bundle of bristles; a wire, in particular a bundle of wires; a fiber, in particular a bundle of fibers; a cloth, in particular a bundle of cloths. Combinations of different types of cleaning elements are also possible, for example a combination of at least one brush with at least one bundle of strips, threads or bristles.

The at least one mechanical cleaning element can in particular be designed to be completely or partially flexible and/or deformable, which can be achieved through an appropriate choice of material and/or an appropriate shape. Thus, the at least one mechanical cleaning element can in particular be at least partially made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of: a plastic material, in particular a plastic material selected from the group consisting of an elastomer material, such as an ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) or a polyurethane, and a thermoplastic material, in particular a polyamide; a natural fiber material, in particular viscose, sisal; animal hair, in particular horsehair; human hair; animal skin. Combinations of the aforementioned materials and/or other materials are also conceivable. The at least one mechanical cleaning element can in particular be at least partially designed in a manner selected from the group consisting of: a textile; a woven fabric; a nonwoven; a flat material; an extrudate; a foamed, porous material. Combinations of the aforementioned embodiments and/or other embodiments are also possible.

The mechanical cleaning device can in particular have at least one cleaning element holder, which is designed to connect the mechanical cleaning element to the cleaning shaft, in particular detachably. In this case, a force-locking and/or a form-locking connection can be made. The cleaning element holder can in particular have at least one holder selected from the group consisting of: a slide-in rail; a plug-in connection; a pin; a clamp; a ball-lock system; a threaded connection; a tongue-and-groove connection; and a bayonet lock. In particular, the cleaning element holder can have at least one rail running axially to the cleaning shaft, wherein the mechanical cleaning element is inserted into the cleaning element holder parallel to the cleaning shaft. can be inserted. The cleaning element holder can in particular have at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a disc that can be pushed onto the cleaning shaft; a roller that can be pushed onto the cleaning shaft.

For example, the cleaning element holder can have a disc that can be pushed onto the cleaning shaft. A main plane of the disc pushed onto the cleaning shaft can enclose an angle with a main extension axis of the cleaning shaft. The main plane of the disc can in particular relate to a base surface of the disc or a plane parallel to a base surface of the disc. The angle of the main plane of the disc to the main extension axis of the cleaning shaft can in particular relate to the smaller intersection angle that arises from an intersection of the main plane of the disc with a straight line defined by the main extension axis of the cleaning shaft. The angle α can assume values in the range 0° < α < 60°.

For example, the cleaning shaft can have several slide-on discs that function as cleaning element holders. One or more of the discs can be arranged at an angle, i.e., with their main plane at an angle other than 90° to the main axis of extension of the cleaning shaft. The inclination is, for example, 10° to 30°, preferably 20°. This then results, for example, in a lateral movement around the circumference of the disc of ± 30 mm from the center position during one rotation of the disc. The cleaning shaft can, in particular, have a combination of discs arranged at an angle and those mounted at right angles. For example, the cleaning shaft can be equipped with 12 discs arranged at an angle and two discs mounted at right angles. The discs can, in particular, be arranged on the cleaning shaft in a torsionally rigid manner, for example, by having receiving bores designed as a polygon, e.g., a hexagon socket. Other torsionally rigid fastenings are also conceivable, such as fixation by at least one screw, at least one groove and associated tongue or lug, etc.

One or more receptacles for the mechanical cleaning elements can be arranged on a periphery of the discs of the cleaning element holder. The receptacles can be designed as at least one, preferably as several, receptacle pockets on the periphery of the discs. The mechanical cleaning elements can be held with their fixed ends in the receptacle pockets. For example, a clamp holder can be provided. Other fastening options for the mechanical cleaning elements on the periphery of the discs are also possible. The mechanical cleaning elements can be designed as strip-shaped elements. Preferably, each as a bundle of two or more strips in each receiving pocket. Other bristle configurations, for example, with round bristle heads, are also possible in principle, in combination with and/or as an alternative to the strips. In particular, several bundles of mechanical cleaning elements can be arranged around the circumference of the discs of the cleaning element holder. The distribution of the bundles of mechanical cleaning elements is, in principle, possible in any desired manner, for example, six bundles of mechanical cleaning elements evenly distributed around the circumference of the disc.

The length of the mechanical cleaning elements can be designed such that, when the cleaning shaft rotates, the mechanical cleaning elements come into contact with a surface of the personal protective equipment held in the cleaning basket. By adjusting the rotational speed and/or rotational speed of the cleaning shaft, the freely movable end of the mechanical cleaning elements can move to the surface of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned using centrifugal force.

The inclined position of the discs can enable an oscillating movement around the disc circumference and consequently also of the cleaning elements attached to the disc circumference. Accordingly, the mechanical cleaning elements attached to the inclined disc can cover an area of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned that is larger than the disc itself or the mechanical cleaning elements attached to it. Furthermore, the rotating movement of the disc can result in a lateral movement of the mechanical cleaning elements on the surface of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned. This can further improve the accessibility of laterally recessed surfaces of the personal protective equipment, e.g., the sides of respiratory masks, using the mechanical cleaning elements. In addition to the improved mechanical action, the number of mechanical cleaning elements required to clean the same area on the personal protective equipment can also be reduced. Furthermore, the inclined position of the discs enables a smaller and more compact design of the cleaning basket. This reduces the mass of the rotating elements, making the cleaning shaft easier to handle. In addition, the accessibility of the cleaning basket can be improved when loading it with the personal protective equipment to be cleaned.

The mechanical cleaning device can in particular comprise a plurality of mechanical cleaning elements which are distributed along a circumference of the cleaning shaft. These mechanical cleaning elements can, in particular, extend radially in different spatial directions. In general, for example, at least one configuration can be present, selected from the group consisting of: at least three mechanical cleaning elements are provided at an angular spacing of 120°; four mechanical cleaning elements are provided at an angular spacing of 90°; and six cleaning elements are provided at an angular spacing of 60°.

The mechanical cleaning device can, in particular, comprise at least one strip, in particular at least one brush strip. The at least one strip can, in particular, be connectable to the cleaning shaft in such a way that the strip is axially aligned with the cleaning shaft. For example, as explained above, the at least one rail can extend along the cleaning shaft, for example in at least one cleaning element holder connected or connectable to the cleaning shaft, wherein the at least one strip can be inserted into the rail.

The cleaning shaft can extend substantially horizontally through the basket frame, exactly parallel or with the angular tolerances listed above. In particular, the cleaning shaft can extend substantially over the entire clear cross-section of the basket frame, for example from a first side wall of the basket frame to an opposite second side wall. The side wall of the basket frame can comprise any lateral boundary of the basket frame, for example a front side, a rear side and/or a side part of the basket frame. For example, bearings can be located on opposite side walls of the basket frame. The cleaning shaft can extend from a first side wall of the basket frame to an opposite second side wall of the basket frame.

As stated above, the cleaning basket has at least one bearing. In particular, the at least one bearing for supporting the cleaning shaft in the basket frame can comprise at least one plain bearing. The plain bearing can, in particular, be made at least partially of at least one plastic material.

The cleaning basket may further comprise at least one locking element, which is configured to be opened to remove the cleaning shaft from the cleaning basket and which is configured to be closed to retain the cleaning shaft in the cleaning basket. The locking element may, in particular, be spring-loaded. The at least one bearing for supporting the cleaning shaft in the basket frame can, in particular, have at least one drive-side bearing and at least one end-face bearing. The drive-side bearing can be arranged on a side of the cleaning shaft facing the drive device, and the end-face bearing on an opposite side of the cleaning shaft. In particular, the drive-side bearing and the end-face bearing can be arranged on opposite sides, in particular side walls, of the basket frame. The cleaning shaft can extend from the drive-side bearing beyond the basket frame, for example, to couple there to the drive geometry of the drive device. Accordingly, the shaft coupling can, in particular, be arranged in the part of the cleaning shaft protruding from the basket frame, which part extends, for example, from the drive-side bearing. The end-face bearing can, for example, be configured to receive one end of the cleaning shaft. The end-face bearing can, in particular, have an abutment for the cleaning shaft. In particular, the end-face bearing can have a spring-loaded abutment for the cleaning shaft. The front bearing can in particular have at least one opening mechanism by means of which the cleaning shaft can be removed from the front bearing when the opening mechanism is open.

The cleaning device can, in particular, have at least one door, for example, at least one front door. The cleaning system can be dimensioned such that the door, for example, the front door, acts on the cleaning basket in the closed state in such a way that the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket is pressed against the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device. For example, the door can act on the cleaning basket in such a way that the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket remains coupled to the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device while the cleaning chamber is closed, and the coupling is not separated.

The cleaning shaft can be designed to be pivotable for removal from the basket frame. Thus, at least one joint and/or at least one pivotable bearing can be provided. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the bearings can be opened so that the cleaning shaft can be pivoted for removal from the basket frame.

The cleaning shaft may have a fluid guide arranged inside the cleaning shaft. The cleaning shaft may further have at least one nozzle fluidically connected to the fluid guide. For example, the cleaning shaft is designed as a hollow shaft. designed. In the cleaning device, at least one rotary feed can also be provided, which is designed to feed fluid, for example cleaning fluid, to the cleaning shaft via a corresponding feed opening into the fluid guide, for example into the interior of the hollow shaft. The rotary feed can be fixedly or detachably connected to a piping system of the application device. The at least one nozzle can be arranged or formed on the circumference of the cleaning shaft, for example at least one opening fluidically connected to the fluid guide. The supplied fluid can then exit through the nozzle. In this way, in particular, a cleaning effect when cleaning personal protective equipment can be further improved. Alternatively or additionally, a gas, e.g. air, can also be guided via the fluid guide. For example, the cleaning shaft can have a further feed opening for gas. The gas can exit via the aforementioned nozzles and/or via separate gas nozzles. In this way, in particular, a drying effect on the personal protective equipment to be cleaned can be improved. The inlet openings of the cleaning shaft can be equipped with elements that prevent an undesirable reversal of the flow direction of the fed fluids, for example, with one or more non-return valves. The fluid inlets can also be used to clean and dry the mechanical cleaning elements during basic cleaning of the cleaning device, e.g., at the end of the working day.

As explained above, the dome geometry can be configured in various ways that enable coupling to the drive geometry of the drive device. Thus, the dome geometry can, in particular, have a dome contour, wherein the dome contour can have at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a polygonal outer contour, in particular an outer hexagon and/or an outer square; a polygonal inner contour, in particular an inner hexagon and/or an inner square. Other configurations are also possible, in particular polygonal outer contours and/or inner contours.

Further possible embodiments relate to the receiving device. For example, the receiving device can be configured to receive at least one respiratory mask. In particular, the receiving device can have at least one holder for receiving at least one respiratory mask. With regard to possible embodiments of the holder for receiving the at least one respiratory mask, reference can be made, for example, to DE 10 2018 204 763 A1 discussed above. The holders described there can also be integrated into the cleaning basket within the scope of the present invention. In particular, the at least one holder can have at least one have a curved sealing surface. The holder can, in particular, be designed such that the respiratory mask can be clamped onto the holder such that at least one sealing lip of the respiratory mask rests on the curved sealing surface and closes off an interior of the respiratory mask. The sealing surface can, in particular, be a continuous sealing surface which, together with the sealing lip of the respiratory mask, is designed to completely close off the interior of the respiratory mask. In this way, for example, the spread of contamination from an outer surface of the respiratory mask into the interior of the respiratory mask can be prevented.

The basket frame can, in particular, have at least one holder receptacle into which the holder can be reversibly inserted. The holder can be removable from the holder receptacle for clamping the respiratory mask to be cleaned and, in particular, can then be inserted into the holder receptacle with the clamped respiratory mask in place for cleaning the respiratory mask. The holder receptacle can, in particular, have at least one opening, and the holder can, in particular, have at least one rod and/or rail that can be inserted into the opening.

The holder receptacle can have at least one spring bearing for resiliently receiving the at least one holder. The holder receptacle can be adjustable in at least one position and/or orientation in order to change a position and/or orientation of the holder, in particular a position and/or orientation of the respiratory mask mounted on the holder, relative to the cleaning shaft. Alternatively or additionally, the holder receptacle can be designed to be movable in order to pivot the holder about at least one axis, in particular an axis selected from the group consisting of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.

Alternatively or in addition to the at least one curved sealing surface, the holder may comprise one or more further elements. As also described in DE 10 2018 204 763 A1, the holder may in particular further comprise at least one fastening section for attaching at least one fixation of the respiratory mask to the holder.

The holder can generally be designed to be movable and/or adjustable, for example, adjustable in a position and/or orientation, in particular relative to the cleaning shaft and/or relative to the mechanical cleaning device. In particular, the holder can have at least one spring bearing for resiliently receiving the at least one respiratory mask. In this way, the respiratory mask can For example, it can be resiliently mounted in the cleaning basket so that it can give way when pressure is applied by the mechanical cleaning device.

As already explained, the holder can, in particular, be adjustable. For example, the at least one holder can be configured to be adjustable with respect to at least one position and/or with respect to at least one orientation in order to change at least one position and/or orientation of the respiratory protection mask relative to the cleaning shaft.

Furthermore, the holder can be designed to be movable, alternatively or in addition to an adjustable configuration. In particular, the holder can be configured to pivot the respiratory mask about at least one axis, in particular an axis selected from the group consisting of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. In this way, for example, during the cleaning process, the orientation of the respiratory mask in the cleaning chamber can be changed, for example continuously, for example by rotating and/or pivoting the respiratory mask about at least one axis, for example periodically. In particular, the cleaning basket can be configured to be coupled to the drive device of the cleaning device in such a way that a movement about the at least one axis, in particular a pivoting movement, in particular a periodic pivoting movement, can be driven by the drive device of the cleaning device. Thus, the drive device can, for example, perform a dual function by, on the one hand, driving the at least one cleaning shaft and, on the other hand, optionally also driving at least one movement of the respiratory mask about the at least one axis, for example a rotational movement and/or a pivoting movement, for example at least one periodic pivoting movement. For example, in addition to the drive geometry, the drive device can comprise at least one further coupling via which the movement can be transmitted to the holder with the respiratory mask. Alternatively or additionally, the drive geometry can also drive both movements, for example the rotational movement of the cleaning shaft and the movement of the holder with the respiratory mask on at least one axis. Furthermore, the cleaning basket can also have at least one crank drive which is designed to transmit a movement of the cleaning shaft into a pivoting movement of the holder, in particular a periodic pivoting movement. In this way, the cleaning shaft can be driven via the drive geometry, wherein the movement of the cleaning shaft can then also be transmitted via the crank drive, for example, to the holder with the respiratory mask. Other possibilities for transmitting the movement from the cleaning shaft to the holder are also conceivable. As explained above, the basket frame can, in particular, have a rectangular basic cross-section. The basket frame can, for example, be smooth on its underside, for example to slide on a rail, such as a rail of the cleaning device, in order to push the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber and/or out of the cleaning chamber. Alternatively or additionally, however, the basket frame can also have one or more rollers. Thus, the basket frame can, in particular, have rollers on its underside for moving the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber.

Alternatively or in addition to the at least one holder for the at least one respiratory mask, the cleaning basket can have one or more additional receptacles for parts of the personal protective equipment. In particular, the cleaning basket can further have at least one receptacle for lung demand valves. This receptacle can be configured, for example, as described in WO 2011/144518 A2, so that reference can be made to this document as an example with regard to the design of this receptacle. In particular, the cleaning basket can have at least one pressurization device for pressurizing the lung demand valves during cleaning. The pressurized gas source for pressurizing can, for example, be a pressure accumulator integrated into the cleaning basket and/or a pressure accumulator integrated into the cleaning device and/or an external pressurized gas source, which can be connected, for example, via at least one pressurized gas connection to the cleaning device, the cleaning basket, or directly to the receptacle for lung demand valves. The cleaning device can, in particular, be configured to pressurize at least one lung demand valve connected to the pressurized gas connection while the items to be cleaned are being pressurized with cleaning fluid.

Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning basket can further comprise at least one holder for receiving at least one piece of personal protective equipment, selected from the group consisting of: a compressed air breathing apparatus; a breathing gas cylinder; and a helmet. The holder can in particular be configured to rotate the piece of personal protective equipment about at least one axis during cleaning. One or more further holders, for example one or more holders for small parts, are conceivable. In particular, at least one small parts basket can be provided in the cleaning basket, in which small parts and accessories of the personal protective equipment can be held captively during cleaning, for example by designing this small parts basket so that it can be closed via at least one flap. As explained above, the drive device can in particular have at least one drive, in particular an electromechanical force converter, in particular at least one motor. Furthermore, the drive device can have at least one gear. In particular, however, the drive device can have at least one drive shaft which extends at least partially into the cleaning chamber. If the drive device has a motor, the drive shaft can be directly the motor shaft or, alternatively, a drive shaft which is formed separately from the motor shaft and is connected to the motor shaft via at least one power transmission and/or torque transmission, and/or via at least one gear.

The drive shaft extending into the cleaning chamber can, in particular, have at least one drive geometry. For example, as explained above, this can be at least one outer contour and/or at least one inner contour of the drive shaft, for example a polygonal outer contour and/or inner contour.

The drive device can be formed entirely within the cleaning chamber. Alternatively, however, the drive device can also be formed partially outside the cleaning chamber, for example in order to protect part of the drive device from moisture and heat in the cleaning chamber. In particular, the at least one drive of the drive device, in particular the at least one motor, can be arranged outside the cleaning chamber, for example behind a rear wall of the cleaning chamber. For example, the cleaning device can be designed as a front loader, with loading from a front side, and the drive can be arranged on the rear side of a rear wall of the cleaning chamber opposite the front side. However, other configurations are also possible.

In particular, if the drive of the drive device is arranged outside the cleaning chamber, the drive shaft can extend through at least one wall of the cleaning chamber, for example, the above-mentioned rear wall of the cleaning chamber. In order to then seal the drive shaft from the wall of the cleaning chamber, the drive device can further comprise at least one rotary seal, in particular at least one shaft seal. The rotary seal can seal the drive shaft from the wall of the cleaning chamber. The rotary seal can be made, for example, from at least one elastomer material. As explained above, the drive device can, in particular, further comprise at least one drive connected to the drive shaft. The drive can, in particular, comprise at least one electromechanical converter configured to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, in particular rotational energy. In particular, the drive can comprise at least one motor, in particular at least one electric motor.

The drive of the drive device can be connected to the drive shaft, in particular, via at least one gear. This gear can be a component of the drive device and, in particular, as explained above, can be arranged outside the cleaning chamber. The gear can, for example, comprise at least one gear transmission. Alternatively or additionally, at least one drive chain can also be provided. Thus, the gear can, in particular, comprise at least one gear transmission with at least one power transmission via at least one drive chain.

As explained above, the drive, especially the electric motor, can be located outside the cleaning chamber. This allows the use of unprotected motors without the need for complex insulation against moisture and heat. This also significantly simplifies electrical contact and wiring.

As further explained above, the cleaning device can in particular have at least one rail for inserting the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber. The at least one rail can, for example, be provided on at least one side wall of the cleaning chamber. For example, rails for inserting the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber and for removing the cleaning basket from the cleaning chamber can be provided on both sides of both side walls. A front flap can also, for example, serve entirely or partially as a support surface and/or as a guide surface or rail via which the cleaning basket can be inserted into the cleaning chamber.

As already mentioned above, the cleaning device can be designed, in particular, as a single-chamber dishwasher. In particular, the cleaning device can comprise at least one automatic program machine, as explained in more detail below. As already mentioned, the cleaning device can be selected, in particular, from the group consisting of: a dishwasher with a multi-circuit rinsing system, comprising at least two cleaning tanks for preparing cleaning fluid; a dishwasher with water change, comprising a single cleaning tank. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning device can be selected in particular from the group consisting of: a front-door dishwasher with a pivoting front door, in particular a front flap; a front-door dishwasher with a vertically displaceable front door; a hood-type dishwasher with at least one vertically movable side wall, in particular a side wall enclosing or closing the cleaning chamber on at least two sides.

The cleaning device can further comprise at least one controller. The term "controller," as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can refer, without limitation, in particular to a single-part or multi-part device of the cleaning device, which is configured to completely or partially control and/or regulate the operation of the cleaning device. In particular, the controller can be configured to change, in particular to control and/or regulate, one or more operating parameters of the cleaning device, for example at least one temperature, at least one pressure, at least one heating output, at least one pump output, at least one valve position, or even a combination of two or more operating parameters. The controller can in particular comprise at least one data processing device, for example at least one processor. The controller can in particular be configured for programming, for example to control or execute at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device.

Accordingly, the control device can be implemented partly by hardware and/or, alternatively or additionally, completely or partly by software. Furthermore, the control device can comprise at least one volatile and/or non-volatile data memory. Furthermore, the control device can comprise at least one interface, for example a human-machine interface for inputting commands and/or outputting information, and/or a wireless or wired interface for the unidirectional or bidirectional exchange of data and/or commands between the cleaning device and at least one further device. The control device can in particular comprise at least one computer and/or at least one processor. The control device can in particular be a central or decentralized machine control device of the cleaning device. The control device can also be provided with at least one sensor of the Cleaning device and, for example, process one or more sensor signals using programming.

The term "processor," as used herein, is also a broad term to which its ordinary and common meaning should be given, as understood by one skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term may, without limitation, refer in particular to any logical circuit configured to perform basic operations of a computer or system and/or to a device configured to perform calculations or logical operations. In particular, the processor may be configured to implement basic instructions that control a computer or computer system. For example, the processor may comprise at least one component selected from the group consisting of: an arithmetic logic unit (ALU); a floating-point unit (FPU), such as a mathematical coprocessor or a numerical coprocessor; a plurality of registers, in particular registers configured to supply operands to the ALU and to store results of operations; a memory, in particular a data memory, such as an LI and/or L2 cache data memory. In particular, the processor can have a single core or multiple cores. In particular, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU) or comprise such a central processing unit. Additionally or alternatively, the processor can be a microprocessor or comprise a microprocessor, so that, in particular, the components of the processor can be comprised in a single integrated circuit chip. Alternatively or additionally, however, the processor can also comprise one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and/or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or similar components. The processor can in particular be configured, in particular by software programming, to carry out one or more evaluation operations.

The term "cleaning program" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a sequence of treatment steps, wherein at least one of the treatment steps includes applying the at least one cleaning fluid to the item to be cleaned. For example, the at least one cleaning program can, as explained above, comprise at least one Program steps may include a washing step; a final rinse step, also referred to as a post-rinse step; a drying step; and a disinfection step. Other process steps may also be included.

The at least one controller can be configured, in particular, to control the at least one cleaning program. The controller can, for example, control one or more valves and/or one or more pumps and/or one or more heating devices to control the cleaning program.

The control system can generally be configured to execute at least one cleaning program with at least two program steps. In the at least two program steps, the personal protective equipment in the cleaning chamber can be cleaned in different ways. For example, the at least two program steps of the at least one cleaning program can differ with respect to the type of cleaning fluid and/or the duration of exposure and/or other parameters. For example, the at least two program steps can comprise at least one wash step and at least one rinsing step.

If the cleaning device has at least one controller, this at least one controller can also be configured to control the drive device described above. For example, the controller can generate corresponding control commands and/or control signals for at least one motor control of the drive of the drive device, so that, for example, actuation of the drive can be part of at least one program step of the cleaning program. In general, for example, the controller can be configured to control the drive device in at least one of the program steps such that the at least one mechanical cleaning element of a cleaning basket introduced into the cleaning chamber is driven for rotating mechanical cleaning of the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned. For example, in the at least one washing step of the cleaning program, the drive device can be controlled such that mechanical cleaning of the items to be cleaned takes place by means of the mechanical cleaning device, whereas, for example, in a subsequent rinsing step, the drive device is not controlled. Further examples are explained in more detail below.

If the cleaning device has at least one control and the control is set up to control the drive device, the control can also be set up in such a way that at least one change of direction of a rotation direction is provided is. The controller can control the drive device in such a way that the mechanical cleaning element is driven to at least one rotation in one direction of rotation during at least a first time period and wherein the mechanical cleaning element is driven to at least one rotation in an opposite direction of rotation during at least a second time period. For example, alternating directions of rotation of the mechanical cleaning element can be provided in at least one program step of the cleaning program. A change in the direction of rotation can occur, for example, by reversing the polarity of the electric motor, which in turn can be brought about, for example, by a corresponding control command or a corresponding control signal from the controller to a motor controller.

The at least one controller can also be configured to control at least one rotational speed of the drive device, for example, the motor. Thus, the controller can, in particular, be configured to actuate the drive device such that the at least one mechanical cleaning element of a cleaning basket introduced into the cleaning chamber rotates at a rotational speed of 10 revolutions/min to 150 revolutions/min, in particular 30 revolutions/min to 100 revolutions/min, and in particular 60 revolutions/min. Such rotational speeds are well suited for gentle mechanical cleaning. However, other rotational speeds are also conceivable in principle.

As explained above, the cleaning system can in particular be configured such that the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket are configured to be separated from one another without tools for the purpose of removing the cleaning basket from the cleaning chamber. This tool-free removal can in particular be achieved by automatically decoupling the coupling geometry from the drive geometry when the cleaning basket is pulled out of the cleaning chamber. Thus, as explained above, the coupling geometry and the drive geometry can in particular be configured to form a rotationally fixed plug-in connection with one another, in particular with an axial plug-in direction which can, for example, be aligned parallel to the axis of the cleaning shaft and/or parallel to an insertion direction of the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber.

The drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket can be designed in particular to form a connection based on the key-lock principle. In general, the drive geometry of the drive mechanism of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket can be configured to form a rotationally fixed plug-in connection.

As already explained above, the cleaning system can in particular be designed such that the cleaning device has at least one guide for inserting the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber.

This at least one guide can in particular have at least one guide rail. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one rail can also have at least one roller, in particular at least one roller conveyor. The drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket can in particular be designed to automatically couple to one another when the cleaning basket is pushed into the cleaning chamber. The guide can be aligned accordingly to enable this coupling. This can be achieved, for example, by the above-mentioned plug-in connection, which can be parallel to a pushing direction of the guide, in particular a guide rail. Automatic decoupling of the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device from the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket when the cleaning basket is removed from the cleaning chamber can also be facilitated by the guide, for example by the plug-in connection being automatically released.

The cleaning system can further be configured such that at least one element selected from the group consisting of the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket has at least one driver. Furthermore, at least one element selected from the group consisting of the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket can be spring-loaded, particularly in an axial direction. This enables a soft coupling and facilitates trouble-free, automatic coupling.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for cleaning personal protective equipment, in particular respiratory masks, is proposed. The method comprises the steps described below. The described steps can, in particular, be carried out in the order stated. However, a different order is also possible in principle. Furthermore, it is possible for two or more of the method steps to be carried out simultaneously or in an overlapping manner. Furthermore, it is possible for one or more of the method steps to be carried out once or repeatedly. The method may comprise further method steps which are not shown.

The method comprises the following steps: a. Providing at least one cleaning system according to the present invention, for example according to one or more of the configurations described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below; b. Inserting at least one part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned, in particular at least one respiratory mask, into the receiving device of the cleaning basket; c. Inserting the cleaning basket with the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned into the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device, wherein the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket is coupled to the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device, in particular automatically; d. Applying at least one cleaning fluid to the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned by means of the application device while the cleaning basket is stationary in the cleaning chamber; and e. Rotating the cleaning shaft of the cleaning basket by means of the drive device of the cleaning device with the cleaning basket held stationary in the cleaning chamber, wherein at least one mechanical cleaning element of the cleaning basket rotates to exert a mechanical cleaning effect on the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned.

For possible definitions and options of the procedure, reference can be made to the above description of the cleaning basket, the cleaning device and the cleaning system.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of at least one device selected from the group consisting of the cleaning basket according to the present invention, the cleaning device according to the present invention and The cleaning system according to the present invention is proposed. With regard to possible configurations of the cleaning basket, the cleaning device, and the cleaning system, reference can be made to the above configurations and/or to the embodiments described in more detail below. The proposed use of the device is for cleaning at least one part of the personal protective equipment selected from the group consisting of: a respiratory mask; a lung demand valve; a compressed air breathing apparatus; a breathing gas cylinder; and a protective helmet.

The proposed cleaning basket, the proposed cleaning device, the proposed cleaning system, the proposed method, and the proposed use have numerous advantages over known devices and methods of a similar nature. In particular, the devices and methods proposed herein address the disadvantages and challenges of known devices and methods of a similar nature, as outlined above.

In particular, the present invention allows for targeted mechanical action on the surfaces to be cleaned of personal protective equipment, in particular respiratory masks. For example, a fixed and defined positioning of the at least one mechanical cleaning device, the at least one cleaning shaft, and the at least one mechanical cleaning element relative to the item to be cleaned, for example, relative to the clamping positions of the respiratory masks, as well as the achieved forced drive of the at least one mechanical cleaning element, allows for targeted mechanical action on the surfaces to be cleaned. This significantly improves the cleaning effect, and soot or other combustion residues, for example, can be completely removed without damaging the material.

Furthermore, manual cleaning can be avoided. This significantly reduces the workload compared to conventional methods and results in considerable time savings. For example, a time saving of approximately 8 minutes can be achieved for a respirator compared to manual cleaning. The danger to cleaning personnel from toxic fire residues on the respirators during cleaning can also be at least largely avoided. Furthermore, as also described in DE 10 2019 204 763 A1, the present invention can at least largely prevent the spread of contamination into the interior of the respirators by means of appropriate holders for the respirators. The invention can in principle be integrated into known dishwashers that are already used for cleaning personal protective equipment. In particular, the invention can be used in program dishwashers with a stationary cleaning process. Such dishwashers are already equipped with a washing system that can function as a loading device or as part thereof and that can have, for example, fixed nozzles, one or more spray arms that each rotate about a transverse axis or spray arms that rotate about their longitudinal axis, or combinations thereof. The dishwasher can be designed as a dishwasher with a dual-circuit system, in particular with at least one tank and additionally with at least one boiler, or alternatively as a water-exchange dishwasher.

The present invention enables a mechanical action in addition to the mechanical cleaning effect provided by the cleaning fluid. At least one mechanical cleaning element designed in various ways can be used. For example, rotating flexible elements can be used as the mechanical cleaning element. Flexible elements such as strip-shaped textile cloths made of viscose or brush-like elements can be used, which can, for example, act directly on the surface of the item to be cleaned. The at least one mechanical cleaning element makes it possible to achieve a combination of dissolving the contaminants by the cleaning fluid and simultaneous or subsequent mechanical removal by the at least one mechanical cleaning element, whereby contamination and/or deposits can be completely removed, in particular. The at least one mechanical cleaning element is forcibly moved by the drive device, so that a complete and targeted attack on the contamination can be achieved.

The items to be cleaned, in particular the respiratory masks, can be placed in the cleaning basket in a conventional manner. In this regard, reference can be made, for example, to the options described in DE 102019204 763 A1. However, other ways of holding the items are also possible in principle.

In the cleaning basket, the above-described mechanical cleaning device with the at least one cleaning shaft can be configured in various ways. For example, the at least one cleaning shaft with one or more replaceable mechanical cleaning elements can be mounted on the basket frame. This cleaning shaft can be driven, for example, by a motor on the rear wall of the cleaning chamber. The motor can preferably be arranged outside the cleaning chamber, and the The drive shaft can be guided into the interior of the cleaning chamber, for example, by means of a sealed rotary union. The drive shaft can be guided into the interior of the cleaning chamber, for example, by means of a sealed rotary union. There, the drive shaft can be equipped with a shaft coupling and/or a detachable driver, by means of which the rotary movement can be transmitted to the cleaning shaft with the at least one mechanical cleaning element. The driver can, for example, be a spring-loaded sleeve with an internal hexagon or internal square, which corresponds to an external hexagon or external square on the shaft. In this way, a coupling geometry on the cleaning shaft and a drive geometry on the drive shaft can be easily realized. Other designs are, however, also possible.

The coupling between the drive shaft and the cleaning shaft can in particular be designed such that the cleaning basket for holding the items to be cleaned can be easily removed from the cleaning chamber and reinserted, preferably without tools, and the coupling automatically re-engages. Removing the cleaning basket, for example pulling the cleaning basket out of the cleaning chamber, may be necessary to make it easier to place the items to be cleaned, in particular the respiratory masks, in the cleaning basket and/or to make it possible to use a different type of cleaning basket. For example, the cleaning system can generally comprise further components in addition to the components described above, for example one or more cleaning baskets designed in a different way.

The cleaning shaft can, in particular, extend substantially across the entire structural depth of the cleaning basket, for example, the basket frame. The cleaning shaft can, in particular, have a rod-shaped base element, for example, a cylindrical, in particular circular-cylindrical rod, for example a rod made of solid stainless steel or a tubular component. In general, the cleaning shaft can therefore be made entirely or partially of at least one metallic material, in particular of stainless steel. The cleaning shaft can be made of solid material or can also be completely or partially hollow, in particular tubular.

On the at least one cleaning shaft, which functions as the base element, one or more cleaning element holders can be provided, either permanently mounted or detachably mounted. Thus, various cleaning element holders can be provided, which can be designed as receptacles for one or more mechanical cleaning elements. The at least one cleaning element holder can, for example, comprise one or more individual plastic discs, which can be attached multiple times at different positions along the length of the cleaning shaft. A single cylindrical body, for example made of solid plastic material, into which the various receptacles are incorporated is also possible. Welded versions made of sheet metal and/or round material are also possible, as are combinations of the aforementioned different materials and manufacturing techniques.

The cleaning shaft can, for example, be rotatably mounted in the cleaning basket at both ends. Plain bearings, for example, made of plastic, are preferably used as bearings. The coupling geometry can be provided at one end of the cleaning shaft; together with the drive geometry of the drive device, this coupling can form a detachable coupling between the drive device and the cleaning shaft. The coupling geometry can absorb the rotary motion of the drive and transmit it to the cleaning shaft. For example, the coupling geometry can comprise an external square.

The at least one cleaning shaft with the one or more mechanical cleaning elements can be accommodated in the cleaning basket, in particular in the basket frame, in such a way that it can be separated from the cleaning basket, in particular from the basket frame, without tools. This can be done, for example, by mounting the cleaning shaft on one side, for example at the front of the cleaning basket facing the operating personnel, in a half-shell, and at the second bearing point by means of a completely enclosed bearing, in which the cleaning shaft can, for example, be easily displaced axially. Both bearings can be plain bearings, for example plastic plain bearings, whereby the cleaning shaft can, for example, be made entirely or partially of stainless steel. To remove the cleaning shaft, it can, for example, first be lifted on the side with the partially open bearing, then pulled axially out of the second bearing, and finally removed completely. To fix the cleaning shaft in the partially open bearing shell, a spring element can be provided, for example, which can be manually unlocked for removal and which can, for example, automatically engage in a locked position when the cleaning shaft is reinserted. This design can offer particular advantages when loading the cleaning basket, especially the holder, with respiratory masks, as well as when unloading. As explained above, the control system can, in particular, regulate a rotational speed. For example, the speed of the cleaning shaft can be factory-set to a value of 60 rpm and can then be adjusted to the mechanical cleaning elements actually used and the program sequence. The rotational speed can be constant or change during the program. The direction of rotation of the cleaning shaft can reverse once or several times during the program sequence. By changing the rotational speed and/or the direction of rotation, changes in the cleaning effect and/or changes in the target areas can be achieved by the at least one mechanical cleaning element, for example by spreading it closer or further away from the axis of rotation due to different centrifugal forces. In general, the control system can therefore be set up, for example, to control a cleaning program of the cleaning device in such a way that the cleaning shaft rotates at different speeds for at least two time periods. Furthermore, the control system can generally also be set such that after the end of a cleaning program, the cleaning shaft remains in a defined position, for example in a defined angular position, for example for easier handling.

The attachment of the at least one mechanical cleaning element to the cleaning shaft and the arrangement and/or shape of the at least one cleaning element can be designed in various ways. In one variant, for example, several mechanical cleaning elements can be provided in the form of strip-like textile elements, which can be attached, for example, in at least one pot-like receptacle and can thus form a bundle of cleaning elements. The strip-like elements can, for example, be textile-like and consist, for example, entirely or partially of viscose fleece. Alternatively or additionally, a complete or partial design of the at least one mechanical cleaning element is also possible from foam, for example from EPDM foam. Again alternatively or additionally, a complete or partial design of the at least one mechanical cleaning element is also possible from bristles, for example in the form of plastic bristles or natural bristles. Other designs are also possible.

The cleaning element holder can, for example, have at least one sleeve in which several mechanical cleaning elements are fixed. The at least one sleeve can, for example, have a cup shape at one end and a pin shape at the other end. By means of the at least one sleeve, the mechanical cleaning elements can then be fixed directly or indirectly to the cleaning shaft, in particular detachably. For example, at least one sleeve with a pot-shaped receptacle for mechanical cleaning elements can be provided, which fastens the mechanical cleaning elements to the cleaning shaft, for example with a detachable connection, for example a connection that can be released without tools. For example, the at least one cleaning element holder, in particular the sleeve, in particular the pot-shaped receptacle, can comprise a pin with a circumferential groove on its rear side. This pin can, for example, be inserted directly or indirectly into a bore on the cleaning shaft, for example on an extension on the cleaning shaft. The extension can, for example, also have a groove on its circumference, at least in part. For example, the pin can be fixed in the bore by means of at least one spring-loaded clip. Other detachable fastenings are also possible, as explained above, for example a ball-lock system, a threaded connection or a bayonet lock.

In particular for maintenance work and/or cleaning work and/or for changing the type of item to be cleaned, it can be advantageous if the at least one mechanical cleaning element can be replaced easily and quickly and can be removed from the cleaning shaft for this purpose.

Multiple cleaning element holders and/or multiple mechanical cleaning elements can be attached distributed along the length of the cleaning shaft, for example, at regular or irregular intervals along an axis of the cleaning shaft. For example, multiple bundles of mechanical cleaning elements can be attached to the cleaning shaft. In particular, this allows the axial position of the mechanical cleaning elements to be adjusted to the position of the items to be cleaned. For example, the placement of the cleaning elements can correspond to the positions of the respiratory masks to be cleaned in the cleaning basket.

As explained above, multiple mechanical cleaning elements can also be placed along the circumference of the cleaning shaft. For example, three mechanical cleaning elements can be placed in a uniform distribution of 3 x 120°, or four mechanical cleaning elements can be placed in a distribution of 4 x 90°. Alternatively, the cleaning elements can also be placed in a uniform distribution of 6 x 60°. A uniform arrangement increases the mechanical effect per revolution of the cleaning shaft.

As stated above, the mechanical cleaning elements can in particular also comprise one or more bristles. The bristles can, for example, be made entirely or partially of They can be made of synthetic material, for example polyamide, in particular PA6, or entirely or partially of natural material, such as sisal or horsehair. The bristles can, for example, be grouped in a circular bundle in a sleeve, for example a pot-like holder, and can be attached to the cleaning shaft, for example, analogously to the above description.

If several mechanical cleaning elements are provided that are combined, for example in at least one common cleaning element holder, for example by means of a sleeve or a cup-shaped holder, these combined mechanical cleaning elements can each form at least one bundle. In general, the mechanical cleaning elements, for example the strip-shaped elements or the bristles, can be referred to as "trimming."

As further explained above, the at least one mechanical cleaning element can also comprise at least one brush. For example, the at least one mechanical cleaning element can also comprise at least one strip-shaped brush, alternatively or in addition to the possibilities mentioned above. This strip-shaped brush can, for example, be fastened to the cleaning shaft, in particular detachably. For example, the at least one strip-shaped brush can extend axially over at least one usable region of the cleaning shaft. For example, the at least one strip-shaped brush can extend over the entire usable length of the cleaning basket, in particular of the basket frame. If strip-shaped brushes are provided, two, three, four or more of these strip-shaped brushes can be attached distributed along the circumference of the cleaning shaft, for example detachably, for example rotationally symmetrically and/or with an equidistant angular spacing.

The at least one brush, in particular the at least one strip-shaped brush, can have different types of bristles, i.e. different types of mechanical cleaning elements. Here, too, synthetic bristles can be used, for example, bristles made of plastic material, or natural bristles, for example, bristles made of sisal and/or bristles made of horsehair. Other bristles are also possible. In addition, the at least one brush can fundamentally have different shapes. For example, all the bristles of a brush can be of the same length, or bristles of different lengths can be provided, for example, to provide a curved or stepped brush surface. Thus, the brush surface can be adapted, for example, to the shape and/or distribution of the item to be cleaned. For example, at least one brush can have at least one concavely curved surface. in a sectional plane parallel to the axis of the cleaning shaft, so that, for example, the concavely curved surface can simulate at least one curved surface of a respiratory mask and thus ensure a uniform mechanical action on the curved surface of the respiratory mask.

The mechanical cleaning elements, particularly the strip-shaped cleaning elements, can be attached to the cleaning shaft in such a way that they can be removed without the use of tools. For example, the strips with the trim can be inserted into grooves on the cleaning shaft and secured against slipping out, for example, with a spring pin.

The invention offers a high degree of flexibility with regard to the type, material, and shape of the items to be cleaned. For example, depending on the type and/or shape of the items to be cleaned, different cleaning elements can be fitted to the cleaning shaft, in particular with respect to at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of material, shape, size, and trim length. Accordingly, the cleaning system can comprise a plurality of different types of mechanical cleaning elements, which can be optionally mounted on the cleaning shaft. Combinations of different variants of mechanical cleaning elements are also possible.

An efficient cleaning program can be carried out using the proposed cleaning basket, the proposed cleaning device, and the proposed cleaning system. For example, the method for cleaning personal protective equipment can comprise the following program sequence with the following work steps: i. The at least one piece of personal protective equipment to be cleaned is picked up in the receiving device of the cleaning basket, and the cleaning basket with the at least one piece of personal protective equipment to be cleaned is inserted into the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device. The coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket is coupled to the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device. This step can comprise several substeps:

• For example, in a partial step, a door of the cleaning device, for example a front door of the dishwasher, can be opened and the cleaning basket can be removed from the cleaning chamber, for example pulled forwards out of the cleaning chamber. • Furthermore, the items to be cleaned can be placed in the receiving device of the basket frame of the cleaning basket. For example, several respiratory masks can be clamped onto the holders, for example holders that at least partially have the shape of a human head or face, such as plastic holders, analogous to, for example, DE 102019204 763 A1. These holders can then be placed in the cleaning basket.

• To make it easier to load the cleaning basket, the cleaning shaft with the mechanical cleaning elements and/or the fittings can be unlocked, folded upwards out of the front bearing half-shell and fixed in this position.

• The holders with the respiratory masks attached can then be positioned in the cleaning basket, for example.

• The cleaning shaft can then be released from its upper position and brought into a horizontal storage position, which can also be referred to as the functional position.

• The cleaning basket can then be retracted into the cleaning chamber. The end of the cleaning shaft on the cleaning basket can center itself on a carrier on the rear wall of the cleaning chamber and engage there for power transmission and/or transmission of the rotary motion.

• The cleaning chamber can then be closed, for example by closing a door of the cleaning chamber. The door of the cleaning chamber can, for example, be designed in such a way that it presses on the cleaning basket and holds the basket in its position. For example, the door of the cleaning chamber can generally be designed in such a way that it exerts pressure on the cleaning basket, such that the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket remains coupled to the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device when the door is closed. ii. The part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned is then subjected to at least one cleaning fluid by means of the application device, with the cleaning basket held stationary in the cleaning chamber. Furthermore, the cleaning shaft of the cleaning basket is rotated by means of the drive device of the cleaning device with the cleaning basket held stationary in the cleaning chamber, with at least one mechanical cleaning element of the cleaning basket rotatingly exerting a mechanical cleaning effect on the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned. For example, after a When the cleaning device and/or a program is started, a cleaning program can be carried out with the following steps:

• Program start;

• 20 s wash without rotation with max. 50 °C and max. 1% cleaning chemical;

• 30 - 60 s rotation left;

• 10 s without rotation;

• 30 - 60 s rotation right;

• Rinse;

• End of program, with the cleaning shaft remaining in a defined end position. iii. Finally, the items to be cleaned can be removed from the cleaning chamber. To do this, the cleaning chamber can be opened, for example, by folding back the front door. The cleaning basket with the items to be cleaned can then be removed from the cleaning chamber, for example, by being extended out of the cleaning chamber. There, the items to be cleaned can be removed from the cleaning basket. For example, the cleaning shaft can be unlocked and folded upwards. The items to be cleaned can then be removed.

The at least one cleaning shaft can be equipped with mechanical cleaning elements as follows, for example for cleaning respiratory masks:

- 3 x strip brushes offset 120°

- 2 x 9 pots with viscose cloth

1 x 9 round brushes (6 x PA6 and 3 x horsehair, each between two PA brushes)

The control system of the cleaning device can further be configured to perform at least one self-cleaning program with an empty cleaning chamber, either automatically or at the user's request. For example, at the end of a workday, a self-cleaning program can be performed with the cleaning device empty to remove any remaining contamination from all internal parts and the cleaning elements of the cleaning device and/or the cleaning basket.

Alternatively or additionally, one or more mechanical cleaning elements can be subjected to special cleaning and/or decontamination. For this purpose, they can, for example, be separated from the cleaning shaft and cleaned separately. be washed, for example, in a washing machine or other type of cleaning device.

After a specified number of cleaning cycles, the mechanical cleaning elements, especially the filaments, can be inspected. This allows, for example, checking whether the mechanical cleaning elements, such as the rags, are severely damaged and/or worn. These can then be replaced accordingly. Replacement can be performed by replacing the entire cleaning shaft or by individually replacing one or more mechanical cleaning elements directly on the cleaning shaft, for example, using a tool-free quick-change system.

To further improve the cleaning performance of the described cleaning system, the following additional features can be implemented on the cleaning device and/or the cleaning basket and/or the holders for the respiratory masks. For example, the holders for the cleaning items and/or for the respiratory masks can be spring-mounted in the cleaning basket. This results in additional relative movement between the mechanical cleaning elements and the respiratory masks during the cleaning process.

Alternatively or additionally, the holders for the cleaning items and/or for the respiratory masks can be designed to be movable, for example, around a vertical axis, in particular for pivoting the cleaning items, and/or around at least one horizontal axis, in particular for pitching the cleaning items. A correspondingly movable mounting in the cleaning basket is possible. Furthermore, the holders can be forced to move during the cleaning program. This results in changing angles of attack between the mechanical cleaning elements and the surface of the respiratory masks. The forced movement is achieved, for example, by means of a crank drive, based on the movement of the cleaning shaft.

Alternatively or additionally, the mounting and/or positioning of the cleaning basket brackets can be adjustable. This allows for individual fine adjustments. For example, the angle relative to the vertical can be variable, for example, within an angle range of ±20°.

The cleaning basket for holding the items to be cleaned can be designed in such a way that three respiratory masks each can be placed on the right and left of the basket on a middle level. are accommodated in the cleaning basket. The cleaning shaft with the mechanical cleaning elements can, for example, be located approximately in the middle of the respiratory masks, or slightly above them, so that the viewing window of the respiratory masks can be easily reached by the mechanical cleaning elements. Alternative designs are also conceivable. For example, designs would also be possible in which two rows of respiratory masks are arranged one above the other on the right and left in the cleaning basket, which are then positioned in approximately the same radial alignment to the cleaning shaft with the mechanical cleaning elements. This increases the cleaning capacity of the cleaning system. A different number of respiratory masks is also possible in principle.

Additionally, it is possible to create a space for lung demand valves, for example, at the bottom of the cleaning basket, for example, for six to twelve lung demand valves. As explained above, a pressurization system can be provided here. This allows, for example, the lung demand valves to be pressurized with compressed air at the same time as the cleaning fluid is applied. For this purpose, air lines can be provided on the bottom of the cleaning basket, particularly outside the rotation radius of the mechanical cleaning elements.

Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning basket can have one or more holders on or in which other components of the personal protective equipment can be held and cleaned, such as compressed air breathing apparatus, breathing air cylinders, or helmets. If necessary, these holders can also be designed so that the items being cleaned are set in relative motion to the cleaning elements on the cleaning shaft. For example, breathing air cylinders can be held vertically and rotated around their axis during cleaning.

In summary, without limiting further possible embodiments, the following embodiments are proposed:

Embodiment 1: Cleaning basket for cleaning personal protective equipment, wherein the cleaning basket can be reversibly introduced into a cleaning chamber of a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning basket has at least one basket frame, wherein the cleaning basket has in the basket frame at least one receiving device for receiving at least one part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned, in particular a respiratory mask, wherein the cleaning basket further has at least one mechanical cleaning device, wherein the mechanical cleaning device at least one cleaning shaft, wherein the cleaning shaft extends at least partially through the basket frame, wherein the cleaning shaft is configured to drive at least one mechanical cleaning element for the rotating mechanical cleaning of the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning shaft is rotatably mounted in the basket frame by means of at least one bearing, wherein the cleaning shaft has at least one shaft coupling, wherein the shaft coupling has at least one dome geometry, in particular a dome contour, wherein the dome geometry, in particular the dome contour, is configured to couple to a drive geometry, in particular a drive contour, of a drive device of the cleaning device when the cleaning basket is introduced into the cleaning chamber for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 2: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the mechanical cleaning device further comprises at least one mechanical cleaning element, wherein the mechanical cleaning element is connectable to the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 3: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the mechanical cleaning element is detachably connectable to the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 4: Cleaning basket according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the mechanical cleaning element comprises a movable mechanical cleaning element which has at least one end connectable to the cleaning shaft and at least one freely movable end.

Embodiment 5: Cleaning basket according to one of the three preceding embodiments, wherein the mechanical cleaning element comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a brush; a strip element, in particular a bundle of strips; a thread element, in particular a bundle of thread elements; a bristle, in particular a bundle of bristles; a wire, in particular a bundle of wires; a fiber, in particular a bundle of fibers; a cloth, in particular a bundle of cloths.

Embodiment 6: Cleaning basket according to one of the four preceding embodiments, wherein the mechanical cleaning element is at least partially made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of: a plastic material, in particular a plastic material selected from the group consisting of an elastomer material, for example an EPDM or a polyurethane, and a thermoplastic material, in particular a polyamide; a natural fiber material, for example viscose, sisal; animal hair, in particular horsehair; human hair; animal skin.

Embodiment 7: Cleaning basket according to one of the five preceding embodiments, wherein the mechanical cleaning element is at least partially configured in a manner selected from the group consisting of: a textile; a woven fabric; a nonwoven; a sheet material; an extrudate; a foamed, porous material.

Embodiment 8: Cleaning basket according to one of the six preceding embodiments, wherein the mechanical cleaning device has at least one cleaning element holder, wherein the cleaning element holder is configured to connect the mechanical cleaning element to the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 9: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the cleaning element holder has at least one holder selected from the group consisting of: a slide-in rail; a plug-in connection; a pin; a clamp; a ball-lock system; a threaded connection; a tongue-and-groove connection; and a bayonet lock.

Embodiment 10: Cleaning basket according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning element holder has at least one rail extending axially to the cleaning shaft, wherein the mechanical cleaning element can be inserted into the cleaning element holder parallel to the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 11: Cleaning basket according to one of the three preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning element holder has at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a disc that can be pushed onto the cleaning shaft; a roller that can be pushed onto the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 12: Cleaning basket according to one of the four preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning element holder has a disc that can be pushed onto the cleaning shaft, wherein a main plane of the disc pushed onto the cleaning shaft encloses an angle with a main extension axis of the cleaning shaft. Embodiment 13: Cleaning basket according to one of the eleven preceding embodiments, wherein the mechanical cleaning device has a plurality of mechanical cleaning elements which are distributed along a circumference of the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 14: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the mechanical cleaning elements extend radially in different spatial directions.

Embodiment 15: Cleaning basket according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein a configuration is present selected from the group consisting of: at least three mechanical cleaning elements are provided at an angular distance of 120°; four mechanical cleaning elements are provided at an angular distance of 90°.

Embodiment 16: Cleaning basket according to one of the twelve preceding embodiments, wherein the mechanical cleaning device has at least one strip, in particular a brush strip, wherein the strip can be connected to the cleaning shaft in such a way that the strip is aligned axially with the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 17: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning shaft extends substantially horizontally through the basket frame.

Embodiment 18: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning shaft extends substantially over the entire clear cross-section of the basket frame.

Embodiment 19: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning shaft extends from a first side wall of the basket frame to an opposite second side wall of the basket frame.

Embodiment 20: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one bearing for supporting the cleaning shaft in the basket frame comprises at least one plain bearing. Embodiment 21: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the sliding bearing is at least partially made of at least one plastic material.

Embodiment 22: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning basket further comprises at least one locking element, wherein the locking element can be opened in order to remove the cleaning shaft from the cleaning basket and wherein the locking element can be closed in order to hold the cleaning shaft in the cleaning basket.

Embodiment 23: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the locking element is spring-loaded.

Embodiment 24: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one bearing for supporting the cleaning shaft in the basket frame has at least one drive-side bearing and at least one end-side bearing.

Embodiment 25: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the drive-side bearing and the front-side bearing are arranged on opposite sides of the basket frame.

Embodiment 26: Cleaning basket according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning shaft extends from the drive-side bearing beyond the basket frame, wherein the shaft coupling is arranged in a part of the cleaning shaft protruding from the basket frame.

Embodiment 27: Cleaning basket according to one of the three preceding embodiments, wherein the end bearing is arranged to receive one end of the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 28: Cleaning basket according to one of the four preceding embodiments, wherein the front bearing has an abutment for the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 29: Cleaning basket according to one of the five preceding embodiments, wherein the front bearing has a spring-loaded abutment for the cleaning shaft. Embodiment 30: Cleaning basket according to one of the six preceding embodiments, wherein the front-side bearing has at least one opening mechanism by means of which the cleaning shaft can be removed from the front-side bearing when the opening mechanism is open.

Embodiment 31: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning shaft is pivotable for removal from the basket frame.

Embodiment 32: Cleaning basket according to a preceding embodiment, wherein the cleaning shaft has at least one fluid guide arranged in the interior of the cleaning shaft, wherein the cleaning shaft further has at least one nozzle fluidically connected to the fluid guide.

Embodiment 33: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dome geometry has at least one dome contour, wherein the dome contour has at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a polygonal outer contour, in particular an outer hexagon and/or an outer square; a polygonal inner contour, in particular an inner hexagon and/or an inner square.

Embodiment 34: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the receiving device has at least one holder for receiving at least one respiratory mask, wherein the holder has at least one curved sealing surface.

Embodiment 35: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the holder is designed such that the respiratory mask can be clamped onto the holder such that at least one sealing lip of the respiratory mask rests on the curved sealing surface and closes off an interior of the respiratory mask.

Embodiment 36: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the sealing surface is a continuous sealing surface which is designed to completely close off the interior of the respiratory mask together with the sealing lip.

Embodiment 37: Cleaning basket according to one of the three preceding embodiments, wherein the basket frame has at least one holder receptacle into which the The holder can be used reversibly, whereby the holder for clamping the respirator mask can be removed from the holder.

Embodiment 38: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the holder receptacle has at least one opening, wherein the holder has at least one rod and/or rail, wherein the rod and/or rail can be inserted into the opening.

Embodiment 39: Cleaning basket according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the holder receptacle has at least one spring bearing for resiliently receiving the at least one holder.

Embodiment 40: Cleaning basket according to one of the three preceding embodiments, wherein the holder receptacle is adjustable in at least one position and/or orientation in order to change a position and/or orientation of the holder relative to the cleaning shaft.

Embodiment 41: Cleaning basket according to one of the four preceding embodiments, wherein the holder receptacle is designed to be movable in order to pivot the holder about at least one axis, in particular an axis selected from the group consisting of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.

Embodiment 42: Cleaning basket according to one of the eight preceding embodiments, wherein the holder further comprises at least one fastening section for fastening at least one fixation of the respiratory mask to the holder.

Embodiment 43: Cleaning basket according to one of the nine preceding embodiments, wherein the holder has at least one spring bearing for resiliently receiving the at least one respiratory mask.

Embodiment 44: Cleaning basket according to one of the ten preceding embodiments, wherein the holder is adjustable in at least one position and/or orientation in order to change a position and/or orientation of the respirator relative to the cleaning shaft. Embodiment 45: Cleaning basket according to one of the eleven preceding embodiments, wherein the holder is designed to be movable in order to pivot the respiratory mask about at least one axis, in particular an axis selected from the group consisting of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.

Embodiment 46: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the cleaning basket is configured to couple to the drive device of the cleaning device in such a way that a movement about the axis, in particular a pivoting movement, in particular a periodic pivoting movement, can be driven by the drive device of the cleaning device.

Embodiment 47: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning basket has a crank drive, wherein the crank drive is configured to transmit a movement of the cleaning shaft into a pivoting movement of the holder, in particular a periodic pivoting movement.

Embodiment 48: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the basket frame has a rectangular basic cross-section.

Embodiment 49: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the basket frame has rollers on an underside for moving the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 50: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning basket further comprises at least one receptacle for lung demand valves.

Embodiment 51: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the cleaning basket has at least one pressurization device for applying pressure to the lung demand valves during cleaning.

Embodiment 52: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning basket further comprises at least one holder for receiving at least one part of the personal protective equipment selected from the group consisting of: a compressed air breathing apparatus; a breathing air cylinder; a helmet. Embodiment 53: Cleaning basket according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the holder is configured to rotate the piece of personal protective equipment about at least one axis during cleaning.

Embodiment 54: Cleaning device for cleaning personal protective equipment, comprising at least one cleaning chamber for the stationary, reversible accommodation of at least one cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the personal protective equipment, further comprising at least one drive device with at least one drive geometry, in particular a drive contour, wherein the drive geometry, in particular the drive contour, is designed to couple to the dome geometry, in particular the dome contour, of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket when the cleaning basket is introduced into the cleaning chamber for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft of the cleaning basket.

Embodiment 55: Cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the drive device has at least one drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft extends at least partially into the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 56: Cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the drive shaft has the drive geometry.

Embodiment 57: Cleaning device according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the drive shaft extends through at least one wall of the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 58: Cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the drive shaft extends through the rear wall of the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 59: Cleaning device according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the drive device further comprises at least one rotary seal, in particular at least one shaft seal, wherein the rotary seal seals the drive shaft against the wall of the cleaning chamber. Embodiment 60: Cleaning device according to one of the five preceding embodiments, wherein the drive device further comprises at least one drive connected to the drive shaft.

Embodiment 61: Cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the drive has at least one motor, in particular at least one electric motor.

Embodiment 62: Cleaning device according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the drive is connected to the drive shaft via at least one gear, in particular via at least one gear arranged outside the cleaning chamber, in particular a gear transmission, in particular a gear transmission with at least one power transmission via at least one drive chain.

Embodiment 63: Cleaning device according to one of the three preceding embodiments, wherein the drive is arranged outside the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 64: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device has at least one rail for inserting the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 65: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device is designed as a single-chamber dishwasher.

Embodiment 66: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device is selected from the group consisting of: a dishwasher with a multi-circuit rinsing system, comprising at least two cleaning tanks for preparing cleaning fluid; a dishwasher with water exchange, comprising a single cleaning tank.

Embodiment 67: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device is selected from the group consisting of: a front-door dishwasher with a pivoting front door; a front-door dishwasher with a vertically displaceable front door; a- Hood dishwasher with at least one vertically movable side wall, in particular a side wall enclosing or closing the cleaning chamber on at least two sides.

Embodiment 68: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device further comprises at least one controller, wherein the controller is configured to carry out at least one cleaning program with at least two program steps, wherein in the at least two program steps the personal protective equipment in the cleaning chamber is cleaned in different ways.

Embodiment 69: Cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the program steps comprise at least one washing step and at least one rinsing step.

Embodiment 70: Cleaning device according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to control the drive device.

Embodiment 71: Cleaning device according to one of the three preceding embodiments, wherein the controller in at least one of the program steps controls the drive device such that the at least one mechanical cleaning element of a cleaning basket introduced into the cleaning chamber is driven for rotating mechanical cleaning of the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned.

Embodiment 72: Cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the control is configured such that at least one change of direction of a rotation direction is provided, wherein the mechanical cleaning element is driven to at least one rotation in one rotation direction during at least a first time period and wherein the mechanical cleaning element is driven to at least one rotation in an opposite rotation direction during at least a second time period.

Embodiment 73: Cleaning device according to one of the five preceding embodiments, wherein the control is configured to control the drive device in such a way that the at least one mechanical cleaning element of a cleaning basket introduced into the cleaning chamber rotates at a speed of 10 revolutions/min to 150 revolutions/min, in particular 30 revolutions/min to 100 revolutions/min and in particular 60 revolutions/min.

Embodiment 74: Cleaning system for cleaning personal protective equipment, comprising at least one cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device, further comprising at least one cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning basket, wherein the cleaning basket can be introduced into the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device in a stationary and reversible manner and wherein the drive geometry, in particular the drive contour, of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry, in particular the coupling contour, of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket are configured to couple to one another when the cleaning basket is introduced into the cleaning chamber for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft of the cleaning basket.

Embodiment 75: Cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket are configured to be separated from one another without tools for the purpose of removing the cleaning basket from the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 76: Cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning system, wherein the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket are configured to form a rotationally fixed plug-in connection with one another.

Embodiment 77: Cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning system, wherein the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket are configured to form a connection with one another according to the key-lock principle.

Embodiment 78: Cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning system, wherein the cleaning device has at least one guide for inserting the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber, in particular at least one guide rail, wherein the drive geometry of the drive device The direction of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket are designed to automatically couple to each other when the cleaning basket is inserted into the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 79: Cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning system, wherein at least one element selected from the group consisting of the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket has at least one driver.

Embodiment 80: Cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning system, wherein at least one element selected from the group consisting of the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device and the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket is spring-mounted, in particular in an axial direction.

Embodiment 81: A method for cleaning personal protective equipment, comprising: a. Providing at least one cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning system; b. Placing at least one piece of personal protective equipment to be cleaned into the receiving device of the cleaning basket; c. Placing the cleaning basket with the piece of personal protective equipment to be cleaned into the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device, wherein the coupling geometry of the shaft coupling of the cleaning basket is coupled to the drive geometry of the drive device of the cleaning device; d. Applying at least one cleaning fluid to the piece of personal protective equipment to be cleaned by means of the application device while the cleaning basket is stationary in the cleaning chamber; and e. Rotating the cleaning shaft of the cleaning basket by means of the drive device of the cleaning device while the cleaning basket is stationary in the cleaning chamber, wherein at least one mechanical cleaning element of the cleaning basket rotates to exert a mechanical cleaning effect on the piece of personal protective equipment to be cleaned. Embodiment 82: Use of at least one device selected from the group consisting of the cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning basket, the cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device and the cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning system, for cleaning at least one part of the personal protective equipment selected from the group consisting of: a breathing mask; a lung demand valve; a compressed air breathing apparatus; a breathing gas cylinder; a protective helmet.

Short description of the characters

Further details and features will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, particularly in conjunction with the subclaims. The respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are illustrated schematically in the figures. The same reference numerals in the individual figures designate identical or functionally identical elements, or elements that correspond to one another in terms of their functions.

In detail:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a cleaning system for cleaning personal protective equipment in a sectional view;

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a cleaning basket for cleaning personal protective equipment in a perspective view;

Figures 3 and 4 are side views of an embodiment of a cleaning basket for cleaning personal protective equipment;

Figures 5 and 6 show side views of embodiments of a mechanical cleaning device;

Figure 7 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for cleaning personal protective equipment; Figures 8 and 9 show another embodiment of a cleaning basket for cleaning personal protective equipment; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a cleaning shaft.

Description of the embodiments

Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning system 110 for cleaning personal protective equipment (not shown in Figure 1) in a sectional view. The cleaning system 110 comprises at least one cleaning device 112 according to the present invention, for example according to the configuration described herein and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail above. The cleaning device 112 is configured as a single-chamber dishwasher in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. In particular, the cleaning device 112 can comprise at least one automatic program machine, as will be explained in more detail below.

The cleaning device 112 comprises at least one cleaning chamber 114 for the stationary, reversible accommodation of at least one cleaning basket 116 according to the present invention, for example according to one of the embodiments described above and/or according to one or more of the following embodiments described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 6. For a detailed description of the cleaning basket 116, reference is therefore made to the description of Figures 2 to 6. For the purpose of receiving the cleaning basket 116 in the cleaning chamber 114, the cleaning device 112 can have at least one basket receptacle, for example at least one rail 117, into which the cleaning basket 116 can be inserted. Alternatively and/or additionally, however, at least one holding device or transport device can also be provided, by means of which the basket 116 can be transported into the cleaning chamber 114, out of the cleaning chamber 114, or through the cleaning chamber 114.

The cleaning chamber 114 can be opened, for example, by a door 118, for example again a flap, a pivoting door, or a sliding door, and/or by another opening device. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the cleaning device 112 is designed as a front-door dishwasher with a pivoting front door 120, in particular a front flap. Alternatively, however, other configurations are also possible. designs are possible, such as a front-door dishwasher with a vertically movable front door or a hood-type dishwasher with at least one vertically movable side wall, in particular a side wall enclosing or closing the cleaning chamber 114 on at least two sides.

Furthermore, the cleaning device 112 comprises at least one application device 122 for applying at least one cleaning fluid 124 to the personal protective equipment in the cleaning chamber 114. For example, the application device 122 can comprise at least one nozzle system 126 with at least one nozzle 128, for example at least one nozzle arm 130, for example at least one fixedly or rotatably mounted nozzle arm. As shown in Figure 1, in the cleaning chamber 114, at least one nozzle arm 130, for example a fixedly or rotatably mounted nozzle arm, can be arranged below the items to be cleaned, and at least one nozzle arm 130, for example a fixedly or rotatably mounted nozzle arm, can be arranged above the items to be cleaned. In this case, separate nozzle arms 130 for washing fluid 132 and rinsing fluid 134 can be provided, for example, above and below the items to be cleaned.

Furthermore, the application device 122 can comprise at least one pump 136 and at least one line system 138 for supplying cleaning fluid 124 to the nozzle system 126. In this case, for example, a nozzle system 126 and a line system 138 for applying cleaning fluid 124 from at least one tank 140, for example at least one wash tank 142, can be provided, as well as at least one pump 136, for example at least one wash pump 144. Furthermore, at least one nozzle system 126 and at least one line system 138 for applying cleaning fluid 124 from at least one optional rinse tank 146 can be provided, which is designed separately from the wash tank 142, for example, and in which rinse fluid 134 can be processed separately from the wash tank 142, as well as at least one rinse pump 148. By providing at least one rinse tank designed separately from the wash tank 142 146 is provided, the cleaning device 112 can be designed for commercial purposes in that, by separately preparing the rinse fluid 134 during a wash step, the heating time is used simultaneously with the wash step, thus saving program runtime. For example, the rinse tank 146 can be designed as a boiler and/or can have a continuous-flow heater. One or more heating elements 150 can be provided in the wash tank 142 and/or the rinse tank 146 to heat the cleaning fluid 124 stored therein. Thus, the cleaning device 112 can be configured, in particular, as a dishwasher with a multi-circuit rinsing system, comprising at least two cleaning tanks 142, 146 for processing cleaning fluid 124. Alternatively, however, single-circuit systems are also possible, in which at least one washing step and at least one rinsing step are carried out successively using the same components, with the cleaning fluids being changed, for example, between the washing step and the rinsing step in at least one processing tank. Accordingly, these cleaning devices 112 are also referred to as "water change systems," notwithstanding the fact that non-aqueous cleaning fluids 124 can also be used in addition to aqueous ones.

As shown in Figure 1, the wash tank 142 can be arranged in a floor area of the cleaning chamber 114, in particular such that the wash fluid 132 can flow back into the wash tank 142 and/or drip off after the personal protective equipment has been exposed. Thus, cleaning in the cleaning device 112 can take place in circulation mode. Circulation mode can be achieved, for example, by means of at least one circulation pump 152, by means of which the cleaning fluid 124, in particular the wash fluid 132, with which the items to be cleaned have already been exposed, is collected and reused for exposure.

Furthermore, the cleaning device 112 comprises at least one drive device 154 with at least one drive geometry 156. The drive geometry 156 is configured to couple, in particular automatically, to a coupling geometry of a shaft coupling of the cleaning basket 116 when the cleaning basket 116 is introduced into the cleaning chamber 114 for the purpose of driving a cleaning shaft of the cleaning basket 116.

The drive device 154 can have at least one drive shaft 158, which extends at least partially into the cleaning chamber 114. The drive device 154 can further have at least one drive 160 connected to the drive shaft 158. The drive 160 can in particular have at least one electromechanical converter, which is designed to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, in particular into rotational energy. In particular, the drive 160 can have at least one motor, in particular at least one electric motor. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the drive 160, in particular the electric motor, is arranged outside the cleaning chamber 114. In this way, even un- Protected motors can be used without the need for complex insulation against moisture and heat. This also significantly simplifies electrical contact and wiring.

The drive device 154 can therefore be partially configured outside the cleaning chamber 114, for example, to protect part of the drive device 154 from moisture and heat in the cleaning chamber 114. The drive 160, in particular the motor, can be arranged, for example, behind a rear wall 162 of the cleaning chamber 114. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, the cleaning device 112 can be configured, for example, as a front loader, with loading from a front side, and the drive 160 can be arranged on the rear side of a rear wall 162 of the cleaning chamber 114 opposite the front side. However, other configurations are also possible. The drive shaft 158 of the drive device 154 can, in particular, extend through at least one wall of the cleaning chamber 114, here, for example, through the rear wall 162 of the cleaning chamber 114. In order to then seal the drive shaft 158 against the wall of the cleaning chamber 114, the drive device 154 can, in particular, further comprise at least one rotary seal 164, in particular at least one shaft seal. The rotary seal 164 can seal the drive shaft 158 against the wall of the cleaning chamber 114, here, for example, against the rear wall 162 of the cleaning chamber 114. The rotary seal 164 can, for example, be made of at least one elastomer material.

Furthermore, the drive 160 of the drive device 154 can be connected to the drive shaft 158 via at least one gear 166. This gear 166 can be a component of the drive device 154 and can, in particular, as shown in Figure 1, be arranged outside the cleaning chamber 114. The gear 166 can, for example, have at least one gear transmission. Alternatively or additionally, at least one drive chain can also be provided. Thus, the gear 166 can, in particular, have at least one gear transmission with at least one power transmission via at least one drive chain.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the drive shaft 158 projecting into the cleaning chamber 114 has at least one drive geometry 156. For example, this can be at least one outer contour and/or at least one inner contour of the drive shaft 158, for example a polygonal outer contour and/or inner contour. The cleaning device 112 can further comprise at least one controller 168. As indicated by arrows in Figure 1, the controller 168 can, for example, control one or more valves 169 and/or one or more pumps 136 and/or one or more heating devices 150 in order to control a cleaning program. The at least one controller 168 can therefore be configured in particular to control the at least one cleaning program. For example, the controller 168 can generally be configured to carry out at least one cleaning program with at least two program steps. In the at least two program steps, the personal protective equipment in the cleaning chamber 114 can be cleaned in different ways. For example, the at least two program steps of the at least one cleaning program can differ with regard to the type of cleaning fluid 124 and/or the duration of exposure and/or other parameters. For example, the at least two program steps can have at least one washing step and at least one rinsing step.

Furthermore, the controller 168 can also be configured to control the drive device 154. For example, the controller 168 can generate corresponding control commands and/or control signals for at least one motor control of the drive 160 of the drive device 154, so that, for example, actuation of the drive 160 can be part of at least one program step of the cleaning program. In general, for example, the controller 168 can be configured to control the drive device 154 in at least one of the program steps such that at least one mechanical cleaning element of a cleaning basket 116 introduced into the cleaning chamber 114 is driven for the rotating mechanical cleaning of the part of the personal protective equipment to be cleaned. For example, in the at least one washing step of the cleaning program, the drive device 154 can be controlled such that mechanical cleaning of the items to be cleaned takes place by means of the mechanical cleaning device, whereas, for example, the drive device 154 is not controlled in a subsequent rinsing step. Furthermore, the controller 168 can be configured to control the drive device 154 in such a way that at least one change of direction of rotation is provided and/or that at least one rotational speed of the drive device 154, for example of the motor, is controlled.

The cleaning system 110 further comprises at least one cleaning basket 116 according to the present invention. The cleaning basket 116 is stationary and can be reversibly inserted into the cleaning chamber 114 of the cleaning device 112. The drive geometry The geometry 156 of the drive device 154 of the cleaning device 112 and a coupling geometry of a shaft coupling of the cleaning basket 116 are configured to couple to one another when the cleaning basket 116 is introduced into the cleaning chamber 114 for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft of the cleaning basket 116. Embodiments of the cleaning basket 116 of the cleaning system 110 are illustrated in the following Figures 2 to 6.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning basket 116 for cleaning personal protective equipment 170 in a perspective view. Figure 2 illustrates respiratory masks as an example of the protective equipment 170 to be cleaned. Alternatively or additionally, however, other protective equipment 170, such as demand valves and/or breathing gas cylinders, can also be accommodated in the cleaning basket 116.

The cleaning basket 116 can be reversibly inserted into the cleaning chamber 114 of the cleaning device 112. The cleaning basket 116 has at least one basket frame 172. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, the basket frame 172 has a rectangular basic cross-section. Furthermore, the basket frame 172 can have one or more rollers 174. Thus, the basket frame 172 can have rollers 174, in particular on its underside, for inserting the cleaning basket 116 into the cleaning chamber 114. Alternatively, the basket frame 172 can also be smooth on its underside, for example to slide on a rail, for example a rail 117 of the cleaning device 112, in order to push the cleaning basket 116 into the cleaning chamber 114 and/or out of the cleaning chamber 114. The cleaning basket 116 may further comprise a handle 175 with which the cleaning basket 116 can be pushed into or out of the cleaning chamber 114.

The cleaning basket 116 has, in the basket frame 172, at least one receiving device 176 for receiving at least one part of the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned, in particular a respiratory mask 178. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2, the receiving device 176 can be configured, in particular, to receive at least one respiratory mask 178. In particular, the receiving device 176 can have at least one holder 180 for receiving at least one respiratory mask 178. With regard to possible embodiments of the holder 180 for receiving the at least one respiratory mask 178, reference can be made, for example, to DE 10 2018 204 763 A1 discussed above. The holders described therein can also be integrated into the cleaning basket 116 within the scope of the present invention. In particular, the at least one holder 180 can have at least one curved Sealing surface 182. The holder 180 can, in particular, be designed such that the respiratory mask 178 can be clamped onto the holder 180 such that at least one sealing lip of the respiratory mask 178 rests on the curved sealing surface 182 and closes off an interior of the respiratory mask 178. The sealing surface 182 can, in particular, be a continuous sealing surface which, together with the sealing lip of the respiratory mask 178, is designed to completely close off the interior of the respiratory mask 178. In this way, for example, the spread of contamination from an outer surface of the respiratory mask 178 into the interior of the respiratory mask 178 can be prevented.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the basket frame 172 further comprises at least one holder receptacle 183 into which the holder 180 can be reversibly inserted. The holder 180 can be removed from the holder receptacle 183 for clamping the respiratory mask 178 to be cleaned and, in particular, can then be inserted into the holder receptacle 183 with the clamped respiratory mask 178 for cleaning the respiratory mask 178. As shown in Figure 2, the holder receptacle 183 can, in particular, have at least one opening, and the holder 180 can, in particular, have at least one rod and/or rail that can be inserted into the opening.

The cleaning basket 116 further comprises at least one mechanical cleaning device 184. The mechanical cleaning device 184 comprises at least one cleaning shaft 186, which extends at least partially through the basket frame 172. The cleaning shaft 186 is configured to drive at least one mechanical cleaning element 188 for the rotating mechanical cleaning of the part of the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned. The cleaning shaft 186 is rotatably mounted in the basket frame 172 by means of at least one bearing 190, in particular by means of at least two bearings. The cleaning shaft 186 comprises at least one shaft coupling 192. The shaft coupling 192 comprises at least one coupling geometry 194, which is configured to couple to a drive geometry 156 of a drive device 154 of the cleaning device 112 when the cleaning basket 116 is introduced into the cleaning chamber 114 for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft 186.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 shows the at least one mechanical cleaning element 188 in a state connected to the cleaning shaft 186. Thus, the mechanical cleaning element 188 can generally be an integral part of the cleaning basket 116 or can also be designed as a separate element. The mechanical cleaning The cleaning device 184 can therefore in particular comprise at least one mechanical cleaning element 188, wherein the mechanical cleaning element 188 is connectable to the cleaning shaft 186. In particular, the mechanical cleaning element 188 can be detachably connected to the cleaning shaft 186, for example by means of one or more corresponding connecting elements on the at least one mechanical cleaning element 188 and/or on the cleaning shaft 186, as will be explained in more detail below.

The mechanical cleaning element 188 can in particular comprise at least one movable mechanical cleaning element 196, which has at least one end 198 connectable to the cleaning shaft 186 and at least one freely movable end 200. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, the mechanical cleaning device 184 comprises a combination of several mechanical cleaning elements 188. Thus, the mechanical cleaning element 188 can be designed as at least one brush 202, for example a cup brush. In addition, the cleaning element 188 can be designed as a brush strip 204. The mechanical cleaning device 184 can in particular have several mechanical cleaning elements 188, which are distributed along a circumference of the cleaning shaft 186. These mechanical cleaning elements 188 can in particular extend radially in different spatial directions. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the three brush strips 204 can be provided at an angular spacing of 120°. In addition, the further mechanical cleaning elements 188, in particular the brushes 202, can be arranged offset from the other cleaning elements 188, in particular from the brush strips 204.

Furthermore, the mechanical cleaning device 184 can have at least one cleaning element holder 206, which is designed to connect the mechanical cleaning element 188 to the cleaning shaft 186, in particular detachably. In this case, a force-fitting and/or a form-fitting connection can be made. As shown in Figure 2, the cleaning element holder 206 can have at least one rail 208 running axially to the cleaning shaft 186, wherein the mechanical cleaning element 188 can be inserted into the cleaning element holder 206 parallel to the cleaning shaft 186. The cleaning element holder 206 can therefore in particular have at least one insertion rail. For example, the mechanical cleaning device 184, as explained above, can comprise at least one brush strip 204. The brush strip 204 can in particular be connectable to the cleaning shaft 186 such that the brush strip 204 is aligned axially to the cleaning shaft 186, for example in- in which the at least one rail 208 extends along the cleaning shaft 186, for example in at least one cleaning element holder 206 connected or connectable to the cleaning shaft 186, wherein the at least one brush strip 204 can be inserted into the rail 208.

The cleaning basket 116 can further comprise at least one fixing element 210, which is configured to fix the cleaning basket 116 in the cleaning chamber 114, in particular in its fully inserted position or its functional position. The fixing element 210 can, in particular, be spring-loaded.

Figures 3 and 4 show a further exemplary embodiment of a cleaning basket 116 for cleaning personal protective equipment 170 in side views. The embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 largely corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figure 2. For a detailed description of the cleaning basket 116, reference is therefore made to the description of Figure 2. In the views of Figures 3 and 4, the cleaning basket 116 is inserted into the cleaning chamber 114 of the cleaning device 112, but has not yet been pushed into the functional position. In this position, the cleaning shaft 186 is not yet coupled to the drive device 154 by means of the shaft coupling 192.

As explained above, the coupling geometry 194 is configured to couple to the drive geometry 156 of the drive device 154 of the cleaning device 112 when the cleaning basket 116 is introduced into the cleaning chamber 114 for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft 186. The drive geometry 156 of the drive device 154 of the cleaning device 112 and the coupling geometry 194 of the shaft coupling 192 of the cleaning basket 116 can, in particular, be configured to form a connection with one another according to the key-lock principle. In general, the drive geometry 156 of the drive device 154 of the cleaning device 112 and the coupling geometry 194 of the shaft coupling 192 of the cleaning basket 116 can therefore be configured to form a rotationally fixed plug-in connection with one another. For example, the coupling geometry 194 can have a polygonal outer contour 211, in particular an outer hexagon and/or an outer square. The drive geometry 156 can correspondingly have a matching polygonal inner contour 212, in particular an inner hexagon and/or an inner square. As shown in Figure 3, the coupling geometry 194 of the shaft coupling 192 of the cleaning basket 116 can be spring-loaded, in particular in an axial direction. In this way, a soft coupling can be enabled and a trouble-free, automatic coupling after inserting the cleaning basket 116 into the cleaning chamber 114.

Furthermore, Figures 3 and 4 show that the at least one bearing 190 for supporting the cleaning shaft 186 in the basket frame 172 can have at least one drive-side bearing 214 and at least one end-face bearing 216. The drive-side bearing 214 can be arranged on a side of the cleaning shaft 186 facing the drive device 154, and the end-face bearing 216 on an opposite side of the cleaning shaft 186. In particular, the drive-side bearing 214 and the end-face bearing 216 can be arranged on opposite sides, in particular side walls, of the basket frame 172. The cleaning shaft 186 can extend from the drive-side bearing 214 beyond the basket frame 172, for example, in order to couple there to the drive geometry 156 of the drive device 154. Accordingly, the shaft coupling 192 can be arranged in particular in the part of the cleaning shaft 186 that protrudes from the basket frame 172 and extends, for example, from the drive-side bearing 214. The end-face bearing 216 can, for example, be configured to receive one end of the cleaning shaft 186. The end-face bearing 216 can, in particular, have an abutment for the cleaning shaft 186. In particular, the end-face bearing 216 can have a spring-loaded abutment for the cleaning shaft 186. The end-face bearing 216 can, in particular, have at least one opening mechanism, by means of which the cleaning shaft 186 can be removed from the end-face bearing 216 when the opening mechanism is open.

This is shown in Figure 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the cleaning shaft 186 can be designed to be pivotable for removal from the basket frame 172. In particular, at least one joint and/or at least one pivotable bearing 218 can be provided. In this case, in particular, the drive-side bearing 214 can be designed as a pivotable bearing 218. The bearing 190, in particular the front-end bearing 216, can thus be opened so that the cleaning shaft 186 can be pivoted for removal from the basket frame 172. For example, the cleaning shaft 186 can be pivoted over an angular range of 10° to 30° relative to a horizontal starting position. In addition, the cleaning basket 116 can also have a support frame 219, which is configured to support the cleaning shaft 186 in a pivoted-out position.

Figures 5 and 6 show side views of further embodiments of the mechanical cleaning device 184. In particular, Figures 5 and 6 show possible embodiments of the cleaning element holder 206 for connecting the mechanical Cleaning element 188 with the cleaning shaft 186. The embodiments of the cleaning element holder 206 shown in Figures 5 and 6 can be realized in one of the embodiments of the cleaning basket 116 shown in Figures 2 to 4.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 5, the cleaning element holder 206 can have at least one sleeve 220 in which a plurality of mechanical cleaning elements 188 are fixed. The at least one sleeve 220 can, for example, have a pot shape. By means of the at least one sleeve 220, the mechanical cleaning elements 188 can then be fixed directly or indirectly to the cleaning shaft 186, in particular releasably. The mechanical cleaning elements 188 can, as shown in Figure 5, comprise at least one strip element 222, in particular a bundle of strips. For example, the strip elements 222 can be designed as strip-shaped textile rags made of viscose. The mechanical cleaning elements 188, in particular the strip elements 222, can be fastened in the sleeve 220 by a fastening 223, for example by a screw.

Furthermore, a pin 226 with a circumferential groove 228 can be provided, for example, on a rear side of the at least one pot-shaped receptacle 224 for mechanical cleaning elements. By means of the pin 226, the mechanical cleaning elements 188 can be fastened to the cleaning shaft 186 with a detachable connection, for example with a connection that can be released without tools. Thus, the at least one cleaning element holder 206, in particular the sleeve 220, in particular the pot-shaped receptacle 224, can be inserted, for example with the pin 226, directly or indirectly on the cleaning shaft 186, for example into a bore 230. The bore 230 can, for example, also have, at least partially, a groove 234 on its circumference. Thus, the pin 226 can be fixed in the bore 230, in particular by means of at least one resilient clamp 236.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the cleaning element holder 206. In this embodiment, the mechanical cleaning element 188 is designed as a strip-shaped brush, also referred to as a brush strip 204. The mechanical cleaning elements 188, in particular the strip-shaped cleaning elements 204, can be attached to the cleaning shaft 186 in such a way that they can be removed without the use of tools. The brush strip 204 can, in particular, have a strip 238 with brushes 240 as a trim. The strips 238 with the trim can, as shown in Figure 6, be inserted into grooves 242 on the cleaning shaft 186 and secured against slipping out, for example, with a spring pin 244. - n -

Figure 7 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for cleaning personal protective equipment 170, in particular respiratory masks 178. The method comprises the steps described below. The described steps can in particular be carried out in the order stated. However, a different order is also possible in principle. Furthermore, it is possible for two or more of the method steps to be carried out in an overlapping manner or simultaneously. Furthermore, it is possible for one or more of the method steps to be carried out once or repeatedly. The method can comprise further method steps which are not shown.

The method comprises the following steps: a. (identified by reference numeral 246) providing at least one cleaning system 110 according to the present invention, for example according to the above-described embodiment according to Figure 1 and/or according to another of the embodiments described in more detail herein; b. (identified by reference numeral 248) introducing at least one part of the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned, in particular at least one respiratory mask 178, into the receiving device 176 of the cleaning basket 116; c. (identified by reference numeral 250) introducing the cleaning basket 116 with the part of the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned into the cleaning chamber 114 of the cleaning device 112, wherein the coupling geometry 194 of the shaft coupling 192 of the cleaning basket 116 is coupled to the drive geometry 156 of the drive device 154 of the cleaning device 112, in particular automatically; d. (identified by reference numeral 252) applying at least one cleaning fluid 124 to the part of the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned by means of the application device 122 while the cleaning basket 116 is held stationary in the cleaning chamber 114; and e. (identified by reference numeral 254) rotating the cleaning shaft 186 of the cleaning basket 116 by means of the drive device 154 of the cleaning device 112 while the cleaning basket 116 is held stationary in the cleaning chamber 114, wherein at least one mechanical cleaning element 188 of the cleaning basket 116 rotationally exerts a mechanical cleaning effect on the part of the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned. Figures 8 and 9 show a further embodiment of a cleaning basket 116 for cleaning personal protective equipment 170. In particular, Figure 8 shows a side view of the cleaning basket 116, while Figure 9 shows a sectional view through the cleaning shaft 186. In the example shown in Figures 8 and 9, the cleaning element holder 206 has a disk 256 that can be pushed onto the cleaning shaft 186. As can be seen in Figure 8, a main plane of the disk 256 pushed onto the cleaning shaft 186 can enclose an angle with a main extension axis of the cleaning shaft 186. For example, the cleaning shaft 186 can have a plurality of push-on disks 256 that function as a cleaning element holder 206. One or more of the disks 256 can be arranged obliquely, i.e. with their main plane at an angle other than 90° to the main extension axis of the cleaning shaft 186. The inclination is, for example, 10° to 30°, preferably 20°. This then results, for example, in a lateral movement on the circumference of the disc of ± 30 mm from the central position with one rotation of the disc 256. The cleaning shaft 186 can, in particular, have a combination of inclined and perpendicularly mounted discs 256. For example, the cleaning shaft 186 can be equipped with 12 inclined and 2 perpendicularly mounted discs 256. The discs 256 can, in particular, be arranged in a torsionally rigid manner on the cleaning shaft 186, for example by designing receiving bores 258 as a polygon, e.g., as a hexagon socket. Other torsionally rigid fastenings are also conceivable, such as fixation by at least one screw, at least one groove and associated tongue or lug, etc.

As shown in Figure 9, one or more receiving options for the mechanical cleaning elements 188, 196 can be arranged on a circumference of the discs 256 of the cleaning element holder 206. The receiving options can be designed as at least one, preferably as a plurality of receiving pockets 260 on the circumference of the discs 256. The mechanical cleaning elements 188 can be held with the fixed end 198 in the receiving pockets 260. For example, a clamp holder 262 can be provided. Other fastening options for the mechanical cleaning elements 188 on the circumference of the discs 256 are also possible. The mechanical cleaning elements 188, 196 can, as shown in Figure 9, be designed as strip-shaped elements, preferably as a bundle of two or more strips in each receiving pocket 260. Other bristles, for example with the round bristle heads shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6, are also possible in principle, in combination and/or as an alternative to the strips. On the circumference of the discs 256 of the cleaning element holder 206, in particular, several bundles of mechanical cleaning cleaning elements 188. The distribution of the bundles of mechanical cleaning elements 188 is in principle possible as desired, for example six bundles of mechanical cleaning elements 188, which are evenly distributed over the circumference of the disk 256.

A length of the mechanical cleaning elements 188 can be designed such that, upon rotation of the cleaning shaft 186, the mechanical cleaning elements 188 come into contact with a surface of the personal protective equipment 170 accommodated in the cleaning basket 116. By adjusting the rotational speed and/or rotational speed of the cleaning shaft 186, the freely movable end 200 of the mechanical cleaning elements 188 can move to the surface of the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned by means of centrifugal force.

The inclined position of the discs 256 can enable an oscillating movement on the disc circumference and consequently also of the cleaning elements 188 attached to the circumference of the discs 256. Accordingly, the mechanical cleaning elements 188 attached to the inclined disc 256 can cover an area on the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned that is larger than the disc itself or the mechanical cleaning elements 188 attached to it. Furthermore, during the rotational movement of the disc 256, a lateral movement of the mechanical cleaning elements 188 can occur on the surface of the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned. Thus, in particular, the accessibility of laterally recessed surfaces of the personal protective equipment 170, e.g., side surfaces on respiratory masks 178, can be further improved by the mechanical cleaning elements 188. In addition to the improved mechanical action, the number of mechanical cleaning elements 188 required to clean the same area on the personal protective equipment 170 can also be reduced. Furthermore, the inclined position of the discs 256 enables a smaller and more compact design of the cleaning basket 116. This allows the mass of the rotating elements to be reduced, thus making the cleaning shaft 186 easier to handle. Furthermore, the accessibility of the cleaning basket 116 when loading it with the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned can be improved.

Figure 10 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a cleaning shaft 186. The cleaning shaft 186 shown in this example can be combined with the disc-shaped structure of Figures 8 and 9 as well as with the embodiments of the cleaning basket 116 shown in Figures 2 to 6. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the cleaning shaft 186 has a fluid guide 264 arranged inside the cleaning shaft. The cleaning shaft 186 can further have at least one nozzle 266 fluidically connected to the fluid guide 264. For example, the cleaning shaft 186 is designed as a hollow shaft. In the cleaning device 112, at least one rotary feed 268 can also be provided, which is configured to feed fluid, for example cleaning fluid 132, to the cleaning shaft 186 via a corresponding feed opening 270 into the fluid guide 264, for example into the interior of the hollow shaft. The rotary feed 268 can be fixedly or detachably connected to a piping system of the application device 122. The at least one nozzle 266 can be arranged or formed on the circumference of the cleaning shaft 186, for example at least one opening fluidically connected to the fluid guide 264. The supplied fluid can then exit through the nozzle 266. In this way, in particular, a cleaning effect when cleaning the personal protective equipment 170 can be further improved. Alternatively or additionally, a gas 272, e.g., air, can also be guided via the fluid guide 264. For example, the cleaning shaft 186 can have a further supply opening 270 for gas 272. The gas 272 can exit via the aforementioned nozzles 266 and/or via separate gas nozzles. In this way, in particular, a drying effect on the personal protective equipment 170 to be cleaned can be improved. The supply openings 270 of the cleaning shaft 186 can be equipped with elements that prevent an undesired reversal of the flow direction of the supplied fluids, for example, with one or more non-return valves 274. The fluid supplies can also be used to clean and dry the mechanical cleaning elements 188 during the basic cleaning of the cleaning device 112, e.g., at the end of the working day.

List of reference symbols

HO cleaning system

112 Cleaning device

114 Cleaning chamber

116 Cleaning basket

117 Rail

118 Door

120 front door

122 loading device

124 Cleaning fluid

126 nozzle system

128 nozzle

130 nozzle arm

132 Washing fluid

134 Rinse fluid

136 Pump

138 piping system

140 tanks

142 Wash tank

144 washing pump

146 Rinse tank

148 Rinse pump

150 heating element

152 Circulation pump

154 Drive device

156 Drive geometry

158 drive shaft

160 drive

162 rear wall

164 rotary seal

166 gearboxes

168 Control

169 Valve

170 personal protective equipment

172 basket frame

174 roll Handle

Respiratory mask holder sealing surface

Bracket holder mechanical cleaning device cleaning shaft mechanical cleaning element bearing

Shaft coupling

Dome geometry movable mechanical cleaning element connectable end freely movable end brush

Brush strip

Cleaning element holder rail

Fixing element polygonal outer contour polygonal inner contour drive-side bearing end-side bearing pivoting bearing support frame sleeve

strip element

Fastening cup-shaped holder pin

Groove

drilling

Groove spring clip strip

brush grooves

Spring pin Step a) Step b) Step c) Step d) Step e) Washer

Mounting hole Mounting pocket Clamp holder Fluid guide Nozzle

Rotary feeder gas feed opening

Check valve

Claims

Claims 1. A cleaning basket (116) for cleaning personal protective equipment (170), wherein the cleaning basket (116) can be reversibly introduced into a cleaning chamber (114) of a cleaning device (112), wherein the cleaning basket (116) has at least one basket frame (172), wherein the cleaning basket (116) has at least one receiving device (176) in the basket frame (172) for receiving at least one part of the personal protective equipment (170) to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning basket (116) further has at least one mechanical cleaning device (184), wherein the mechanical cleaning device (184) has at least one cleaning shaft (186), wherein the cleaning shaft (186) extends at least partially through the basket frame (172), wherein the cleaning shaft (186) is configured to drive at least one mechanical cleaning element (188) for rotating mechanical cleaning of the part of the personal protective equipment (170) to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning shaft (186) is rotatably mounted in the basket frame (172) by means of at least one bearing (190), wherein the cleaning shaft (186) has at least one shaft coupling (192), wherein the shaft coupling (192) has at least one coupling geometry (194), wherein the coupling geometry (194) is designed to couple to a drive geometry (156) of a drive device (154) of the cleaning device (112) when the cleaning basket (116) is introduced into the cleaning chamber (114) for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft (186). 2. Cleaning basket (116) according to the preceding claim, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (184) further comprises at least one mechanical cleaning element (188), wherein the mechanical cleaning element (188) is connectable to the cleaning shaft (186), wherein the mechanical cleaning element (188) is detachably connectable to the cleaning shaft (186). 3. Cleaning basket (116) according to the preceding claim, wherein the mechanical cleaning element (188) comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a brush (202, 240); a strip element (222), in particular a bundle of strips; a thread element, in particular a bundle of thread elements; a bristle, in particular a bundle of bristles; a wire, in particular a bundle of wires; a fiber, in particular a bundle of fibers; a cloth, in particular a bundle of cloths. 4. Cleaning basket (116) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (184) has at least one cleaning element holder (206), wherein the cleaning element holder (206) is configured to connect the mechanical cleaning element (188) to the cleaning shaft (186). 5. Cleaning basket (116) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cleaning element holder (206) has a disc (256) which can be pushed onto the cleaning shaft (186), wherein a main plane of the disc (256) pushed onto the cleaning shaft (186) encloses an angle with a main extension axis of the cleaning shaft (186). 6. Cleaning basket (116) according to one of the four preceding claims, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (184) has a plurality of mechanical cleaning elements (188) which are distributed along a circumference of the cleaning shaft (186), the mechanical cleaning elements (188) extending radially in different spatial directions. 7. Cleaning basket (116) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (184) has at least one strip (238), in particular a brush strip (204), wherein the strip (238) can be connected to the cleaning shaft (186) in such a way that the strip (238) is aligned axially with the cleaning shaft (186). 8. Cleaning basket (116) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning shaft (186) extends substantially horizontally through the basket frame (172). 9. Cleaning basket (116) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning basket (116) further comprises at least one locking element, wherein the Locking element is to be opened in order to remove the cleaning shaft (186) from the cleaning basket (116) and wherein the locking element is closable in order to hold the cleaning shaft (186) in the cleaning basket (116). 10. Cleaning basket (116) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one bearing (190) for supporting the cleaning shaft (186) in the basket frame (172) has at least one drive-side bearing (214) and at least one end-face bearing (216), wherein the cleaning shaft (186) extends from the drive-side bearing (214) beyond the basket frame (172), wherein the shaft coupling (192) is arranged in a part of the cleaning shaft (186) protruding from the basket frame (172). 11. Cleaning basket (116) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving device (176) has at least one holder (180) for receiving at least one respiratory mask (178), wherein the holder (180) has at least one curved sealing surface (182), wherein the holder (180) is designed such that the respiratory mask (178) can be clamped onto the holder (180) such that at least one sealing lip of the respiratory mask (178) rests on the curved sealing surface (182) and closes off an interior of the respiratory mask (178). 12. Cleaning basket (116) according to the preceding claim, wherein the basket frame (172) has at least one holder receptacle (183) into which the holder (180) can be reversibly inserted, wherein the holder (180) can be removed from the holder receptacle (183) for clamping the respiratory protection mask (178). 13. Cleaning basket (116) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning shaft (186) has at least one fluid guide (264) arranged in the interior of the cleaning shaft (186), wherein the cleaning shaft (186) further has at least one nozzle (266) fluidically connected to the fluid guide (264). 14. Cleaning device (112) for cleaning personal protective equipment (170), comprising at least one cleaning chamber (114) for stationary, reversible accommodation of at least one cleaning basket (116) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one application device (122) for applying at least one cleaning fluid (124) to the personal protective equipment (170), further comprising at least one drive device (154) with at least one drive geometry (156), wherein the drive geometry (156) is configured to couple to the coupling geometry (194) of the shaft coupling (192) of the cleaning basket (116) when the cleaning basket (116) is introduced into the cleaning chamber (114) for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft (186) of the cleaning basket (116). 15. Cleaning device (112) according to the preceding claim, wherein the drive device (154) has at least one drive shaft (158), wherein the drive shaft (158) extends at least partially into the cleaning chamber (114), wherein the drive shaft (158) has the drive geometry (156), wherein the drive shaft (158) extends through at least one wall of the cleaning chamber (114). 16. Cleaning device (112) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning device (112), wherein the cleaning device (112) further comprises at least one controller (168), wherein the controller (168) is configured to carry out at least one cleaning program with at least two program steps, wherein in the at least two program steps the personal protective equipment (170) in the cleaning chamber (114) is cleaned in different ways, wherein the controller (168) is configured to control the drive device (154), wherein in at least one of the program steps the controller (168) controls the drive device (154) in such a way that the at least one mechanical cleaning element (188) of a cleaning basket (116) introduced into the cleaning chamber (114) is driven for the rotating mechanical cleaning of the part of the personal protective equipment (170) to be cleaned. 17. Cleaning system (110) for cleaning personal protective equipment (170), comprising at least one cleaning device (112) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning device (112), further comprising at least one cleaning basket (116) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning basket (116), wherein the cleaning basket (116) is stationary and reversibly insertable into the cleaning chamber (114) of the cleaning device (112) and wherein the drive geometry (156) of the drive device (154) of the cleaning device (112) and the coupling geometry (194) of the shaft coupling (192) of the cleaning basket (116) are arranged to couple to one another when the cleaning basket (116) is introduced into the cleaning chamber (114) for the purpose of driving the cleaning shaft (186) of the cleaning basket (116). 18. Cleaning system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the drive geometry (156) of the drive device (154) of the cleaning device (112) and the coupling geometry (194) of the shaft coupling (192) of the cleaning basket (116) are configured to form a rotationally fixed plug-in connection with one another. 19. A method for cleaning personal protective equipment (170), comprising: a. providing at least one cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning system (110); b. introducing at least one piece of the personal protective equipment (170) to be cleaned into the receiving device (176) of the cleaning basket (116); c. introducing the cleaning basket (116) with the piece of personal protective equipment (170) to be cleaned into the cleaning chamber (114) of the cleaning device (112), wherein the coupling geometry (194) of the shaft coupling (192) of the cleaning basket (116) is coupled to the drive geometry (156) of the drive device (154) of the cleaning device (112); d. Applying at least one cleaning fluid (124) to the part of the personal protective equipment (170) to be cleaned by means of the application device (122) while the cleaning basket (116) is held in a stationary manner in the cleaning chamber (114); and e. Rotating the cleaning shaft (186) of the cleaning basket (116) by means of the drive device (154) of the cleaning device (112) while the cleaning basket (116) is held in a stationary manner in the cleaning chamber (114), wherein at least one mechanical cleaning element (188) of the cleaning basket (116) rotationally exerts a mechanical cleaning action on the part of the personal protective equipment (170) to be cleaned. 20. Use of at least one device selected from the group consisting of the cleaning basket (116) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning basket (116), the cleaning device (112) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning device (112) and the cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning system (110). claims, for cleaning at least part of the personal protective equipment (170) selected from the group consisting of: a breathing mask (178); a lung demand valve; a compressed air breathing apparatus; a breathing gas cylinder; a protective helmet.