The present invention relates to macerators and in particular, but not exclusively, to macerators for use in disposing of soiled moulded paper pulp articles such as bedpans, urine bottles and the like to small particles, to enable them to be discharged into a sewer.

In the healthcare industry, there are increasing moves towards providing each patient with an individual room having all of the necessary facilities such as toilet, wash basin, shower and the like. Not only is this desirable from a privacy and treatment point of view, but the reduction in shared facilities significantly reduces the incidence of cross infection.

The use of moulded paper pulp bedpans, urine bottles and the like has been known for many years. After use, the soiled article is disposed of in a macerator. A typical macerator takes the form of a generally cylindrical, upright drum having a rotatable cutting blade disposed at its base and rotatable by means of an electric motor. In use, an article to be macerated is placed in the drum and a lid closes off the aperture. During the operation cycle, water is fed into the container and the motor is operated, causing the blade to rotate. The articles within the macerator are reduced to small particles, at a size which allows them to be discharged into a sewer.

It would be extremely convenient if individual patient rooms could be provided with their own macerator, since this would avoid the need for the soiled article to be taken to a sluice room, where the macerator is normally located, and in addition would also assist in preventing cross infection. However, the size of typical macerators makes this impractical in most circumstances.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a macerator which is more suitable for use in the room of an individual patient. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a macerator comprises a housing, an opening in the housing providing access to its interior, a releasably securable closure for releasably closing the opening in the housing, movable blade means within the housing and an exit aperture in the housing, wherein the shape of the opening is non-circular. In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises a portion of non-circular horizontal cross- section, and the portion of non-circular cross-section may be adjacent to the opening. By having an opening and/or housing of non-circular cross-section, it is possible to reduce the dimensions of a macerator as compared with conventional macerators having a circular opening and a circular housing. This is a significant advantage in the macerator is installed in relatively small spaces, such as an individual room, as the macerator occupies less of the room in which it is installed as compared with conventional macerators.

Conveniently, the shape of the opening may be substantially the same as the non-circular cross section portion of the housing. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a macerator comprises a housing, an opening in the housing providing access to its interior, a releasably securable closure for releasably closing the opening in the housing, movable blade means within the housing and an exit aperture in the housing, wherein the housing comprises a portion of non-circular horizontal cross-section.

In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the opening is non-circular.

Preferably, the housing comprises a portion of non-circular cross-section adjacent to the opening.

Conveniently, the shape of the opening may be substantially the same as the non-circular horizontal cross-section portion of the housing.

As for the first aspect of the present invention, by having an opening and/or housing of non- circular cross-section, it is possible to reduce the dimensions of a macerator as compared with conventional macerators having a circular opening and a circular housing. This is a significant advantage in the macerator is installed in relatively small spaces, such as an individual room, as the macerator occupies less of the room in which it is installed as compared with conventional macerators.

Preferably, the opening is elongate.

The shape of the opening may, for example, be oval or elliptical. The shape of the opening may be polygonal.

Preferably, the non-circular horizontal cross-section of the portion of the housing is elongate. For example, the non-circular horizontal cross-section of the portion of the housing may be oval or elliptical. The non-circular horizontal cross-section of the portion of the housing may be polygonal.

Preferably, the macerator further comprises valve means for selectively closing off the exit aperture. The macerator may comprise a motion and/or proximity sensor for initiating an operation of the macerator.

Preferably, the releasably securable closure is hingedly or pivotally mounted. Preferably, the macerator comprises motor means for displacing the releasably securable closure between an open position and a closed position.

Preferably, the macerator comprises locking means for securing the releasably securable closure means in a closed position.

Preferably, the closure releasably sealingly closes the opening in the housing.

Preferably, the macerator comprises seal means for releasably sealing the releasably securable closure means with respect to the opening.

The seal means may be inflatable.

Preferably, the macerator comprises means for introducing liquid into the housing when the releasably securable closure means is in a closed condition, and may be mounted on the releasably securable closure means for introducing liquid into the housing.

Preferably, the macerator comprises a motor for moving the blade means.

The blade means may be located at the base of the housing.

By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which and Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of macerator in accordance with the present invention, shown in an open condition and with a front enclosing panel removed; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the macerator of Figure 1 , shown in a closed condition;

Figure 3 is a front view of the macerator of Figure 1 , shown in a closed condition and with the front enclosing panel in position; Figure 4 is a front view of the macerator shown in Figure 1 , shown in an open condition;

Figures 5 and 6 are views from the left-hand side and right-hand side respectively (when looking from the front) of the macerator of Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is a view from above looking into the drum of the macerator of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-section through the drum of the macerator of Figure 1 , looking in the direction of arrows VIII - VIII of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a drum which forms part of the macerator of Figure 1 .

The macerator shown in the Figures comprises a housing in the form of an open-topped stainless steel drum 10 supported on a framework having two front vertically-extending front legs 12 and two rear vertically-extending rear legs 14 having a slightly wider spacing than the front legs 12. A plurality of cross-members 16, 18 extend between the lower ends of front legs 12 and the rear legs 14 and further cross-members 20 extend between the cross- members 16, 18.

Two additional frame members 22 extend rearwardly and perpendicularly from approximately the midpoints of the front legs 12, to which the drum 10 is mounted on the frame by means of four lugs 24 extending outwardly from the drum 10 which rest on respective bushings 26 and which are secured in place by respective bolts 28 passing through the bushings and received the respective additional frame member 22. A closure panel 30 is mounted on the upper ends of the legs 12, 14 and is provided with an aperture or opening 32 which is aligned with the open top of the stainless steel drum 10. The closure panel 30 is also provided with a releasably closable, hingedly and pivotally mounted lid 34 which is configured to sealingly close the aperture 32 during a macerating cycle, as will be explained.

As shown in the Figures, the drum 10 comprises an upper drum portion 10a of constant cross-section whose lower rim fits sealingly into a peripheral recess 36 in the upper rim of a lower drum portion 10b. It will also be observed that the mounting bushings 26 of the project outwardly from the upper end of the lower drum portion 10b.

As shown in the Figures, the upper drum portion 10a is non-circular in horizontal cross- section and in this embodiment is oval, having two parallel straight wall portions 38 and two semicircular wall portions 40 contiguous with the straight wall portions 38. The longitudinal axis A - A of the cross-section of the upper drum portion 10a (i.e. the axis extending parallel to and equidistant from the two parallel straight wall portions 38) is arranged so that it extends horizontally when looking from the front of the macerator, so that the straight wall portions 38 form the front and rear wall portions of the macerator drum 10.

As a result, the depth of the macerator in the front-to-rear direction is reduced considerably as compared with known macerators whose macerating drums have a circular cross-section and whose access apertures are circular. Consequently, the macerator projects less into a room where the macerator is installed as compared with conventional macerators, and therefore makes it particularly suitable for use in circumstances where space is restricted or at a premium, for example if the macerator is to be installed in a room configured for individual occupancy. The lower drum portion 10b has an upper portion 42 whose cross-section corresponds to that of the upper drum portion 10a, and a base portion 44 which merges smoothly with the upper portion 42. The base portion 44 comprises a planar wall portion 46 and a generally frusto-conical wall portion 48 adjacent to the planar wall portion 46 and having a circular outlet aperture 50.

A macerator blade 52 having four cutting fingers 54 is rotatably mounted immediately above the planar wall portion 46 with its rotational axis perpendicular to the planar wall portion 46 (i.e. inclined to the vertical longitudinal axis of the drum 10) and is rotatable by means of a three-phase motor 56 mounted to the undersurface of the wall portion 46. A releasably closable valve 58 is also mounted on the undersurface of the frusto-conical conical wall portion 48 and has a valve closure member 60 whose position is controllable to selectively open or close the outlet aperture 50, as will be explained. The valve 58 is in turn connected to an outlet pipe 62 for discharging the macerated contents of the drum 10 into a sewer.

Returning to the closure panel 30, with particular reference to Figures 1 and 4, it will be observed that the shape of the aperture 32 is also non-circular and corresponds to the shape of the horizontal cross-section of the upper drum portion 10a, being oval in shape. As indicated previously, the aperture 32 and drum 10 are arranged so that the longitudinal axis of the aperture 32 extends transversely and horizontally, with the parallel straight sides 32a, 32b forming the front and rear sides of the aperture respectively, thereby reducing the depth of the macerator in the front-to-rear direction as compared with known macerators a drum and access aperture of circular cross-section.

The aperture 32 is also provided with a peripherally-extending inflatable seal 66 which is inflatable when desired by means of an air compressor (not shown) at the appropriate point in the macerating cycle, as will be explained. The lid 34 is generally planar and an oval projection 68 extends from its undersurface, the shape and size of the projection 68 allowing it to fit into the aperture 32 and being configured to provide a fluid-tight seal with the inflatable seal 66 when the latter is inflated. The undersurface of the projection 68 is also provided with a spray head 70 by means of which water can be introduced into the drum when appropriate, as will be explained.

The lid 34 is pivotable by means of an electric motor (not visible) in a motor housing 35 of the closure panel 30, between an open position shown in Figure 1 , in which the aperture 32 is exposed, and a closed position in which the lid closes the aperture 32. One of the lateral sides of the lid 34 is also provided with a recess 71 for receipt of a solenoid-actuated locking bolt (not shown) to retain the lid in the closed position, when desired, as will be explained.

The closure panel 30 is also provided with an inlet having a cap 72 for filling a tank 74 on the right-hand side of the macerator for disinfectant and/or deodorising fluid, as will be explained. The upper surface of the lid 34 is also covered with a moulded plastics cover 76 to provide a smooth outer surface which is less likely to harbour contaminated material and which is also easier to clean. A water cistern 80 is also provided within the macerator and is supplied with water from an inlet 82 at the rear of the macerator. A display panel 84 at the front of the closure panel 30 is also provided, to indicate the status and/or condition of the macerator. A housing 86 for electrical and electronic components is mounted on the left-hand side of the frame and a motion and/or proximity sensor in the form of an ultrasonic transmitter/detector 88 is mounted to the front of the macerator frame near the base. As will be explained, the motion and/or proximity sensor is configured to control the operation of the macerator and it is usually concealed from view by a front panel 90 having an outwardly concave portion 92 to accommodate it.

The operation of the macerator is controlled electronically by means of a programmed control unit (not visible) mounted within the housing 86.

When not in use, the lid 34 of the macerator is in the closed condition, in which it is hinged downwardly, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. When it is desired to dispose of a soiled bedpan, urine bottle or other item, a user approaches the macerator and places a foot immediately beneath the base of the concave portion 92 of the front panel 90. The motion- and/or proximity-sensitive switch detects the presence of the user's foot and the control unit actuates the motor to pivot the lid 34 to the open position as shown in Figure 1 . The user may then place the soiled article into the drum 10 via the aperture 32. The user then again places a foot immediately beneath the base of the concave portion 92 of the front panel 90, which is detected by the motion and/or proximity sensor 88. In response to detection of the proximity of the foot, the control unit actuates the air compressor to inflate the inflatable seal 66 and actuates the solenoid-actuated locking bolt so that it engages in the recess 71 in the lid. The control panel then closes the valve 58, introduces water into the drum 10 via the spray head 70 and rotates the macerator blade 52, which results in the reduction of the soiled article to small particles by maceration. When the maceration cycle is complete, the control unit opens the valve 58 to discharge the contents of the drum into the sewer and also introduces further water into the drum by the spray head 72 rinse the walls of the drum. During this rinsing, disinfectant and/or deodorising fluid may be introduced into the rinsing water from the tank 74. After the rinsing cycle is complete, the solenoid-actuated locking bolt is withdrawn and the macerator is ready for the next macerating cycle.

It will be appreciated that the timings and operation of the macerating cycle may differ from those described above, and may be adjusted by appropriate programming of the control unit.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment.

For example, the cross-section of the drum and the shape of the access aperture need not be oval but may be other non-circular shapes. For example, the cross-section of the drum and the access aperture may be elliptical, polygonal (for example square, rectangular or hexagonal) or any other non-circular shape. In addition, the shape of the access aperture need not be the same as that of the macerator drum. Furthermore, a motion and/or proximity sensor other than an ultrasonic sensor may be used, for example an infrared transmitter/detector may be used.