WO2022042798A1 - Housing for a cable or a hose, comprising a radiation source for sterilization or reduction of viruses and bacteria - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing for bearing cables and hoses, wherein the housing comprises a drum onto which a cable or hose is or can be wound, and the drum is mounted movably about a rotation axis to permit winding or unwinding, and wherein the housing comprises at least one passage through which the hose or the cable can be guided outwards from the interior of the housing, characterized in that at least one radiation source is arranged in the interior of the housing and generates light in the wavelength range or a subrange between 100 nm and 500 nm.

Description

Housing for a cable or hose comprising a

Radiation source for sterilization or reduction of viruses and bacteria

The present invention relates to a housing for a cable or hose comprising a radiation source for sterilizing or reducing viruses and bacteria.

[0002] For the inspection, maintenance and rehabilitation of lines, sewer systems, and the like, devices are often introduced into the lines in order to carry out the necessary measurement processes and/or mechanical rehabilitation work. In order to measure the actual situation of a line, the devices usually have camera systems in order to visualize the state of the line.

If a defect or damage is detected, the corresponding section of the line system can be replaced with new sections. However, this is usually very complex.

Alternatively, methods are known in the prior art in which, for the rehabilitation of line systems, e.g. ducts and similar pipe systems, a flexible, hardenable layer impregnated with hardenable resin, which serves as a lining hose, also referred to as a liner, is used in the piping system is introduced. After insertion, the liner tube is expanded so that it fits snugly against the inner wall of the pipe system. The resin is then cured.

The resin-impregnated sliver is often wound helically and overlapping onto the inner tube of a liner tube for its production. The outer tube is then also wound helically and overlapping around the resin-impregnated sliver. The curable resins used in the prior art are unsaturated polyester resins or vinyl ester resins, which can be dissolved, for example, in styrene and/or an acrylic ester. These unsaturated polyester or vinyl esters can be activated thermally (usually using peroxide catalysts) or by means of radiation, for example using UV light with photoinitiators, as described, for example, in EP-A 23623. be cured. So-called combination curing with a peroxide initiator used for thermal curing in combination with photoinitiators is also possible and has proven to be advantageous in particular in the case of large wall thicknesses of the lining tubes. A method for such a so-called combination curing is described in EP-A 1262708, for example. Unsaturated polyester or vinyl ester resins are subject to shrinkage during hardening, which can impair the stability of the renovated pipe system during later operation.

[0006] The inner tube itself is also wound around a mandrel for simplified production. Alternatively, WO 95/04646, for example, discloses that a prefabricated inner film tube can be inflated and itself can serve as a winding mandrel. Such a prefabricated inner film tube is produced from a film strip whose film edges are connected to one another by welding or gluing to form the inner film tube.

A radiation-curing liner tube thus usually has an opaque outer protective film, an inner film that is permeable at least for certain wavelength ranges of electromagnetic radiation, and a curable layer impregnated with a resin, which is arranged between the inner film and the outer film. The outer film tube is intended to prevent the resin used for impregnation from escaping from the curable layer and getting into the environment. This requires a good seal and connection of the outer film tube to the resin-impregnated, curable layer.

The liner hoses are inserted before curing in the pipe system to be rehabilitated and inflated by means of a fluid, usually compressed air. In order to inflate the liner tube, according to the prior art, compressed air is applied to an opening end of the liner tube and the opposite opening end of the liner tube is closed with a closing device, a so-called packer. This closure device comprises a hollow cylinder and a cover element with which the hollow cylinder can be closed. In order to cure the liner tube, a curing device is inserted into the liner tube, which has a radiation source and is guided through the liner tube in order to activate or carry out the curing of the curable layers of the liner tube with the radiation energy. Complete curing of the liner tubes is of great importance, ie a certain amount of radiant energy must be introduced into each point of the liner tube. The amount of radiant energy depends on the power output of the radiation sources and the speed with which they are fed through the liner tube.

When rehabilitating pipe systems, especially drinking water pipes, it is important that the lining tubes that have been introduced have the lowest possible bacterial and viral load at the end of the rehabilitation and are therefore in particular almost germ-free.

[0011] To this end, complex sterilization measures are carried out after the actual rehabilitation has been completed. These are time-consuming and costly and it would be desirable if these could be dispensed with or if the effort involved could be reduced.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular minimizes the bacterial, fungal, viral and spore load in order to reduce or avoid subsequent sterilization measures.

This object is achieved by a housing for storing cables and hoses, the housing comprising a drum onto which a cable or hose is or can be wound, and the drum is movably mounted about an axis of rotation for winding or unwinding , and wherein the housing comprises at least one passage through which the hose or the cable can be routed inside the housing to the outside, characterized in that at least one radiation source is arranged inside the housing, which is designed and set up to emit radiation, to disinfect a surface, and wherein the housing is radiation-tight to the radiation emitted by the radiation source or another radiation source. It can be provided in particular that the at least one radiation source emits thermal energy, in particular infrared radiation, preferably infrared radiation in the wavelength range or a partial range between 780 nm and 1 mm.

It can be particularly preferred that the at least radiation source is in the form of a laser.

It can also be preferred that the at least one radiation source emits UV light and/or visible light, in particular in the wavelength range or a partial range between 100 nm and 500 nm.

As stated in the introduction, so-called lining hoses are introduced into the lines to be renovated for the rehabilitation of the line system. For this, said packers are used to allow the expansion and hardening of the liner tube. The actual curing then takes place in particular by the emission of radiant energy by means of so-called chains of lights, on which lamps are usually arranged that emit UV light.

These fairy lights must be pulled through the line over several hundred meters, for which pull cables are used, and also be supplied with energy. For this purpose, power cables are fed through the packers and carried along by the light chains.

The light chains are thereby moved through the line from one end to the other end and back again.

[0020] A large part of the viruses and bacteria in the rehabilitated line are killed by the emission of the UV radiation by the chain of lights itself. The disadvantage, however, is that the pull and supply cables bring new viruses and bacteria into the cleaned pipeline over the long distances.

This problem is addressed by the present invention, in which the housing according to the invention reduces the number of bacteria and viruses on the cables or removes them completely by means of the at least one radiation source integrated into it. At best, a sterile cable or a sterile tube is inserted into the repaired line. Thus, a significant entry case of unwanted bacteria and viruses in the rehabilitated and curing with UV light just at least partially sterilized line is minimized.

[0023] In particular, provision can also be made for the radiation source to be operated over a longer period of time in order to enable a good sterilization effect even with low radiation doses.

Irrespective of the duration of the activation of the radiation source, exposure of the user to the radiation must be avoided for occupational safety reasons. It is therefore provided according to the invention that the housing is radiation-tight for the radiation emitted by the radiation source or another radiation source.

It can thus be ensured that the user is protected from the radiation source or from the further radiation source.

In particular, according to one embodiment, the device according to the invention should not have a viewing window or the like.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the included at least one radiation source is designed and set up to disinfect a surface. Disinfecting a surface according to the present invention should be understood as reducing the load on a surface with viruses, bacteria, spores, etc.

A radiation source which emits thermal radiation can prove to be advantageous as the radiation source. It is known in the prior art that a thermal treatment leads to a reduction in the load on a surface with viruses, bacteria, spores, etc. Possible configurations of such thermal treatments are known to those skilled in the art from the prior art. Radiation sources that emit energy in the infrared spectrum are preferably used according to the invention.

Alternatively or additionally, it has proven to be advantageous according to the invention if the at least one radiation source emits energy in the visible light range or in the UV light range. The housing according to the invention can in particular comprise a radiation source which emits UV light and/or blue light. UV light is divided into IIV-A with a wavelength in the range from 315 to 380 nm, UV-B with a wavelength in the range from 280 to 315 nm and UV-C with a wavelength in the range from 100 to 315 nm.

According to the prior art, UV light sources can be designed as gas discharge lamps, for example. These lamps require relatively high voltages and have a relatively high power consumption.

[0032] Alternatively, classic light sources are also known, which include polarization filters as “black light lamps”, such as light bulbs or fluorescent tubes.

[0033] For some time now, very energy-saving LEDs—light-emitting diodes—or also OLEDs have been known, which can be easily supplied with energy via the accumulator of a mobile device.

Alternatively, however, radiation sources can also be used which emit blue light above the UV light spectrum, i.e. in particular in a range from 380 nm to 450 nm.

Studies and our own experiments have shown that, in addition to UV radiation sources, a reduction in viruses and bacteria can also be made possible by using radiation sources which emit blue light, albeit not as efficiently as by using UV light. The use of blue light has the advantage that there is no health risk for the user and other legal regulations and requirements must therefore be observed, which significantly simplify the use of blue light compared to UV light.

According to the invention, it can be particularly advantageous that n radiation sources are included in the housing according to the invention, with n=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more, the n radiation sources being spaced apart are arranged to each other about a central angle a of the axis of rotation of the drum.

It has proved to be advantageous according to the invention that the cables or hoses arranged on the drum are irradiated from all sides by means of the radiation sources. It can be particularly advantageous that the n radiation sources are arranged on the same radius around the central angle α and/or at a distance from one another of 3607n around the central angle α.

The most homogeneous possible effect of the radiation is achieved by arranging the radiation sources at the same distance, i.e. at the same radius around the central angle α.

[0040] In addition, a homogeneous effect of the radiation is achieved if the radiation sources are arranged uniformly along the radius of the circle.

Since this may not be possible due to the design in every housing, it is provided in particular according to the invention that the radiation sources are exclusively arranged at the same distance and uniformly if possible, but they do not have to be arranged in this way.

It can be provided according to the invention that the at least one radiation source or the at least one further radiation source is arranged in the area of the passage.

It can not only be provided according to the invention that several radiation sources are arranged in the housing, it can also be used according to an embodiment of the invention, different types of radiation sources. This relates in particular to the radiation spectra of the radiation sources, which can be divided, for example, into UV radiation sources and radiation sources that emit blue light but no or only small amounts of UV light.

It can be provided, for example, that a first type of radiation source is arranged around the drum and a second type of radiation source is located in the area of the passage.

Alternatively, however, the present invention also encompasses that only one type of radiation source is used or that only one radiation source is arranged in the area of the passage, but no radiation sources around the drum.

Each of these listed and claimed variants can be advantageous for specific applications. Furthermore, it may be preferred according to the invention that a guide device for the cable or the hose is arranged adjacent to the passage between the passage and the drum, through which the cable or the hose is guided, and wherein the radiation source or the at least a further radiation source is connected to the guide device or is arranged adjacent to the guide device on the housing wall.

It can be advantageous according to the invention if there is a guiding device to guide the cable or hose from the drum to the passage.

It has also proven to be advantageous if at least one radiation source according to the invention or at least one further radiation source according to the invention is arranged adjacent to this guide device.

In the area of the guide device, the cable or hose is only “single-layer”, while it can happen on the drum that the cable or hose cover itself with respect to the radiated energy by being rolled up.

The area of the guide device is a clearly defined area in which the cable or hose is accessible from all sides and is guided in a defined manner, so that the arrangement of a radiation source or other radiation sources can be particularly advantageous here.

It can be provided that m radiation source or m further radiation sources, with m=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more, around a central angle β determined by the direction of movement of the cable or the hose are arranged by the guiding device.

As stated, it can also be advantageous in an arrangement of radiation sources provided according to the invention around the drum if the cable or hose is irradiated by the radiation sources from all sides in the region of the guide device.

It can be particularly advantageous according to one embodiment of the present invention that the m radiation sources on the same radius are arranged around the central angle ß and/or at a distance from one another of 3607n around the central angle ß.

As with the possible arrangement of the radiation sources around the drum, it may alternatively or additionally prove to be particularly advantageous if the m radiation sources for homogeneous irradiation of the cable or hose are arranged at the same distance and uniformly along a radius, provided that this is structurally possible.

[0056] Furthermore, it can be advantageous that the guide device is movably arranged inside the housing.

It can also be preferred according to the invention that the guide device and the at least one radiation source and/or the at least one additional radiation source are enclosed by a common housing, with the housing being radiation-tight for the radiation emitted by the radiation source or the additional radiation source.

The use of UV radiation sources is particularly advantageous with regard to reducing viruses and bacteria, but is also associated with correspondingly high safety requirements.

According to the invention, it can therefore be provided that in the area of the guide device, in which the cable or hose can be irradiated from all sides, an encapsulation is carried out, which prevents leakage of radiation from the radiation sources.

Such a housing makes it possible for UV radiation sources to be used, since the user is also protected in the event of incorrect operation.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the passage comprises a sealing element, designed and set up to shield the radiation emitted by the at least one radiation source or the at least one further radiation source from the interior of the housing to the outside, the sealing element being in particular in the form of a flexible rubber lip and / or a broom is formed.

[0062] Just like the encapsulation of the radiation sources according to the invention in the area of the guide device, it can be particularly advantageous to ensure is that no unwanted radiation from the radiation sources used penetrates to the outside - that is, leaves the housing according to the invention.

For this purpose, it has proven to be particularly advantageous that the passage through which the cable or hose leaves the housing or is reinserted into it is shielded against the radiation emitted by the radiation sources used.

[0064] For this purpose, a rubber lip has proven particularly advantageous, which can also adapt to the shape of the cable or hose.

[0065] Furthermore, it can be advantageous that the housing is movably mounted on rollers and/or is arranged on a mobile device, in particular a truck.

By using a mobile housing, either mounted on rollers so that it can be moved easily or arranged, for example, on a truck, this can be easily moved to the place of use.

Finally, it can be provided that at least 50%, in particular at least 75%, and preferably at least 85% of the emitted light energy of the at least one radiation source and/or the at least one further radiation source is in the range of 100 nm and 450 nm, in particular in the range from 100 nm to 380 nm or from 380 nm to 450 nm.

The present invention also provides a system comprising at least one housing according to one of the preceding claims and at least one additional radiation source with at least 50%, in particular at least 75%, and preferably at least 85% of the emitted light energy in the range of 100 nm and 450 nm is, in particular in the range from 100 nm to 380 nm or from 380 nm to 450 nm, which is arranged outside the housing and past which the cable or hose is routed.

[0069] As stated in the introduction, chains of lights are used for the curing of lining hoses for the renovation of line systems. Pull ropes are used to move these fairy lights through the cables. In addition, the fairy lights must be supplied with energy. Between the housing in which the cables are stored and the passage into the Packers can cause further contamination. In addition, impurities can be reduced at this point for the last time.

Therefore, a system comprising a housing according to the invention, in which the cables or hoses are at least partially, in particular completely, disinfected, is particularly advantageous if new contamination is removed between the housing and the place of use.

[0071] It can be provided that the at least one additional radiation source is arranged in a line system, in particular adjacent to a cable or hose penetration through a packer used in the rehabilitation of line systems.

The present invention also provides a use of a housing according to the invention of a system according to the invention for the sterilization and/or reduction of bacteria, viruses, spores and fungi on hose or cable surfaces, in particular when refurbishing pipe systems.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained by way of example using a schematic drawing, without thereby restricting the invention.

It shows:

1 : a schematic side view of an embodiment of a housing according to the invention.

In Figure 1, an embodiment of a housing 1 according to the invention is shown as an example.

The housing 1 according to the invention for storing cables and hoses comprises a drum 3 on the inside, onto which a cable 5 is wound, for example. The drum 3 is movably mounted about an axis of rotation 7 for winding or unwinding. The housing 1 according to the invention has a passage 9 through which the cable 5 can be routed from the inside of the housing 1 to the outside. [0077] Inside the housing, 5 radiation sources 11, 13 are arranged, for example, which are designed and set up to emit radiation in order to disinfect a surface.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it can be preferred that at least one of the radiation sources 11, 13 emits thermal energy, in particular infrared radiation. Alternatively, it can be provided that at least one of the radiation sources 11, 13 emits UV light and/or visible light, in particular in the wavelength range or a partial range between 100 nm and 500 nm.

The four radiation sources 13, 13′, 13″, 13″″ are arranged spaced apart from one another at a distance of 90° around a central angle α of the axis of rotation 7 of the drum 3 .

The radiation source 11 is arranged in the area of the opening 9 . Adjacent to the passage 9 between the passage 9 and the drum 3 is arranged a guide device 15 for the cable 5, through which the cable 5 is guided. In the embodiment shown, the radiation source 11 is arranged adjacent to the guide device 15 on the housing wall. The guide device 15 is movably arranged inside the housing 3 .

According to an embodiment of the present invention that is not shown, the guide device 15 and the at least one radiation source 11 can alternatively be enclosed by a common housing, the housing being radiation-tight for the radiation emitted by the radiation source 11 .

is shown that the passage 99 includes a sealing element 17 that is designed and set up to shield the radiation emitted by the radiation source 11, 13 radiation from the inside of the housing 3 to the outside, the sealing element 17 in the form of a Broom is trained.

The housing 3 is movably mounted on rollers 19 in the embodiment shown. The figure does not show that the at least one additional radiation source is arranged in a line system, in particular adjacent to a cable or hose penetration through a packer used in the rehabilitation of line systems.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawings can be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims

Claims Housing for storing cables and hoses, wherein the housing comprises a drum onto which a cable or hose is or can be wound, and the drum is movably mounted about an axis of rotation for winding or unwinding, and the housing has at least one passage through which the hose or the cable can be routed inside the housing to the outside, characterized in that at least one radiation source is arranged inside the housing, which is designed and set up to emit radiation in order to disinfect a surface, and wherein the housing is radiation-tight to the radiation emitted by the radiation source or another radiation source. Housing according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one radiation source emits thermal energy, in particular infrared radiation, preferably infrared radiation in the wavelength range or a partial range between 780 nm and 1 mm. Housing according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the at least one radiation source is designed in the form of a laser. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one radiation source emits UV light and/or visible light, in particular in the wavelength range or a partial range between 100 nm and 500 nm. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that n Radiation sources are included, with n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more, wherein the n radiation sources are arranged spaced apart from one another about a central angle α of the axis of rotation of the drum. Housing according to one of the preceding claims 2, characterized in that the n radiation sources are arranged on the same radius around the central angle a and/or at a distance from one another of 3607n around the central angle a. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one radiation source or at least one further radiation source is arranged in the area of the opening. Housing according to claim 4, characterized in that a guide device for the cable or the hose is arranged adjacent to the passage between the passage and the drum, through which the cable or the hose is guided, and wherein the radiation source or the at least one further radiation source is connected to the guide device or is arranged adjacent to the guide device on the housing wall. Housing according to claim 5, characterized in that m radiation source or m further radiation sources, with m = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more, around a center angle ß determined by the direction of movement of the cable or the hose are arranged by the guiding device. Housing according to Claim 6, characterized in that the m radiation sources are on the same radius around the central angle β and/or at a distance from one another of 3607n around the central angle β are arranged. Housing according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the guide device is arranged movably within the housing. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passage comprises a sealing element, designed and set up to shield the radiation emitted by the at least one radiation source or the at least one further radiation source from the interior of the housing to the outside, the sealing element being in particular in the form of a flexible rubber lip and/or a broom is formed. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing is movably mounted on rollers and/or is arranged on a mobile device, in particular a truck. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least 50%, in particular at least 75%, and preferably at least 85% of the light energy emitted by the at least one radiation source and/or the at least one further radiation source is in the range of 100 nm and 500 nm, in particular in the range from 100 nm to 380 nm or from 380 nm to 500 nm. System comprising at least one housing according to one of the preceding claims and at least one additional radiation source with at least 50%, in particular at least 75%, and preferably at least 85% of the emitted light energy in the range of 100 nm and 500 nm, in particular in the range of 100 nm to 380 nm or from 380 nm to 500 nm, which is arranged outside the housing and to which the cable or hose 16 is passed. System according to Claim 13, characterized in that the at least one additional radiation source is arranged in a line system, in particular adjacent to a cable or hose penetration through a packer used in the rehabilitation of line systems. Use of a housing according to one of Claims 1 to 12 or of a system according to one of Claims 13 or 14 for the sterilization and/or reduction of bacteria, viruses, spores and fungi on hose or cable surfaces, in particular when refurbishing pipe systems. 17