Disinfecting Device

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to an apparatus (100) for disinfecting at least one room, in particular for one or more persons, preferably a dwelling space or treatment room, for example a treatment room in a building, in particular a sickroom, a patient room and/or an operating theatre, by means of an atomiser. Specifically, the apparatus (100) is characterised in that the atomiser includes a rotatable bell cup (1) for atomising a disinfectant into the room. The invention relates to an associated method and furthermore to the use of a bell cup (1) for atomising a disinfectant in a room for, in particular, one or more persons.

Claims

1. A disinfecting device comprising: a storage tank for storing a disinfecting liquid; an atomizer; a line connecting the storage tank and the atomizer for delivery of the disinfecting liquid to the atomizer; and a blower to transport the atomized disinfecting liquid into the room.

2. The disinfecting device of claim 1, further comprising: a dehumidifier for dehumidifying air in the room.

3. The disinfecting device of claim 1, further comprising: a receiving container for receiving a portion of the disinfecting liquid lost during use of the device in a disinfection process.

4. The disinfecting device of claim 3, further comprising: a dehumidifier for dehumidifying air in the room.

5. The disinfecting device of claim 4, wherein the dehumidifier is connected to the receiving container and operable to deliver to the receiving container liquid extracted from the air.

6. The disinfecting device of claim 1, further comprising: a rinsing agent container.

7. The disinfecting device of claim 1, wherein the atomizer includes a rotating disc.

8. The disinfecting device of claim 1, wherein the atomizer is operable to produce droplets of the disinfecting liquid having a size between 3 micrometers and 10 micrometers.

9. The disinfecting device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one room measurement device for measuring a room in which the device is placed.

10. The disinfecting device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one measuring device selected from a group consisting of: a humidity measuring device and a temperature measuring device.

11. The disinfecting device of claim 1, further comprising: a portable control unit for controlling the disinfecting device via a wired or wireless connection.

Description

[0096] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0097] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, in particular to explain a disinfection process/mode, according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0098] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, in particular to explain a lost-liquid recovery process/mode, according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0099] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, in particular to explain a rinsing process/mode, according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0100] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a modified embodiment of the apparatus in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0101] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a modified embodiment of the apparatus in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0102] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a modified embodiment of the apparatus in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0103] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a mobile transport housing according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0104] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a bell cup and other components according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0105] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view from above of a bell cup according to an embodiment of the invention, and

[0106] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view from below of the bell cup of FIG. 10.

[0107] The preferred embodiments of the invention described by reference to the Figures are partly identical, with similar or identical parts having the same reference signs, and, to explain these, reference is also made to the description of other embodiments or Figures in order to avoid repetition.

[0108] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the invention for disinfecting at least one room, in particular a dwelling space for one or more persons. The dwelling space may be, for example, a human or veterinary treatment room, in particular a sickroom, a patient room and/or an operating theatre, for example in a hospital or doctor's surgery.

[0109] The apparatus 100 includes an atomiser for a disinfectant to disinfect the dwelling space and is characterised, for example, by the fact that the atomiser includes a rotatable bell cup 1 for atomising the disinfectant into the dwelling space.

[0110] An electric motor 2 or an air turbine is provided to drive the bell cup 1 and thus cause it to rotate by means of a hollow drive shaft S, which also advantageously serves to feed disinfectant to the bell cup 1. A supply line is provided in the hollow drive shaft S for this purpose. The bell cup 1 is suitably permanently attached to the drive shaft S.

[0111] The bell cup 1 works in conjunction with a disc-shaped cup P, which co-rotates with the bell cup 1. The bell cup 1, the drive shaft S and the cup P are essentially arranged coaxially with one another.

[0112] The disinfectant emerging from a disinfectant outlet nozzle D of the drive shaft S meets the rotating cup P and is thereby distributed through centrifugal force onto an inner face 1a of the rotating bell cup 1 (FIG. 9), from where the disinfectant is led to an annular bell cup spray edge E, from where it is atomised and sprayed into the dwelling space.

[0113] In operation, the bell cup 1 has a speed of preferably at least 30,000 revolutions per minute and an atomising capacity of at least 50 millilitres per minute and/or at least 0.3 cubic metres per minute.

[0114] Bell cups and their mode of operation, in particular with a co-rotating cup, are common in the technical field of painting motor vehicle bodies by means of rotary atomisers, so that these may be referred to for details. At this the bell cup serves to atomise the paint and to discharge it onto the vehicle body in the form of a paint spray jet in order to produce a paint path.

[0115] A first blower 3 is suitably disposed upstream of the bell cup 1, with a second blower 21, preferably designed as a side blower, disposed downstream of the bell cup 1. The blowers 3, 21 serve to convey and distribute disinfectant atomised by means of the bell cup 1, so that atomised disinfectant can be optimally distributed in the dwelling space. This ensures that the disinfectant reaches, insofar as possible, all surfaces to be disinfected (e.g. walls, ceilings, furnishings, surfaces facing away, etc.) in order to disinfect them. Blowers 3 and 21 can, for example, have a total air capacity of over 200 or even over 300 cubic metres per hour.

[0116] The bell cup 1, the electric motor 2 or the air turbine and blower 3 are housed at least partially in an atomiser housing Z.

[0117] A disinfectant line L1 comprising the drive shaft S connects the bell cup 1 with a connecting device V. The connecting device V is used to connect to a container 4 for holding the disinfectant. The disinfectant line L1 thus serves in particular to supply disinfectant to the bell cup 1. A delivery device 10, for example a pump, is then used to convey and dose the disinfectant.

[0118] The apparatus 100 includes two flow measuring devices 11a, 11b for measuring a volume flow, in particular of the disinfectant. A first flow measuring device 11a is disposed between the bell cup 1 and a bell cup valve 9 disposed downstream of the delivery device 10. A second flow measuring device 11b is disposed between the delivery device 10 and the bell cup valve 9 arranged downstream of the delivery device 10.

[0119] At least one air dehumidifier 14 is used to dehumidify air in the dwelling space, in particular after atomisation of the disinfectant has ended. The dehumidifier(s) 14 preferably have a total dehumidification capacity of over 600 or over 700 cubic metres per hour.

[0120] A receiving container 13, for example in the form of a trough, serves for the collection and recovery of liquid lost during the disinfection process.

[0121] The receiving container 13 is connected with the atomiser housing Z via a funnel 12 in order to receive liquid which is deposited on or in the atomiser housing Z, in particular from the disinfectant.

[0122] The receiving container 13 is also connected to the dehumidifier 14 in order to receive liquid that the dehumidifier 14 extracts from the room air.

[0123] The receiving container 13 is also connected to the delivery device 10 via a line L3, so that liquid can be led to the receiving container 13 when there is excess pressure at a relief valve 18 disposed in line L3. Alternatively, the relief valve 18 can also be disposed in the disinfectant line L1, for example between the delivery device 10 and the bell cup 1, in particular on or adjacent to the second flow measuring device 11b, or on or in the delivery device 10.

[0124] The apparatus 100 includes a lost-liquid line L2, whereby the receiving container 13 can be emptied via the lost-liquid line L2 and can preferably be connected to the connecting device V, so that lost liquid can be led from the receiving container 13 via the connecting device V for example to the disinfectant container 4, which was previously emptied in the disinfection process, or to another container for disposal.

[0125] On its way from the receiving container 13 to the connecting device V, the lost liquid passes the following: a filter device 16 for filtering the lost liquid, the delivery device 10, a receiving container valve 7 disposed downstream of the filter device 16 and upstream of the delivery device 10, a lost-liquid return valve 8, disposed downstream of the delivery device 10 and upstream of the connecting device V, and the flow measuring device 11b.

[0126] A rinsing agent connection A serves to connect to a rinsing agent container 15 for receiving a rinsing agent in order to rinse, while in a rinsing mode, at least sections of the disinfectant line L1 and/or the lost-liquid line L2.

[0127] The rinsing agent connection A can be connected to the disinfectant line L1 via a rinsing agent line L4, the rinsing agent line L4 including a rinsing agent valve 6 before leading into the disinfectant line L1.

[0128] The apparatus 100 is thus not only operable in a disinfection mode, but is also operable in a recovery mode for recovering lost liquid resulting from the disinfection process and in a rinsing mode for rinsing at least sections of the disinfectant line L1 and preferably the lost-liquid line L2.

[0129] The delivery device 10 can be used universally. Thus, in disinfection mode, the delivery device 10 serves to convey disinfectant from the disinfectant container 4, in recovery mode to convey lost liquid from the receiving container 13, and in rinsing mode to convey rinsing agent from the rinsing agent container 15.

[0130] The lost-liquid line L2 connects to the disinfectant line L1 at two junction points P1 and P2.

[0131] Junction point P1 is disposed between the delivery device 10 and the bell cup valve 9 disposed in the disinfectant line L1 downstream of the delivery device 10. Junction point P2 is disposed between the delivery device 10 and a disinfectant valve 5 disposed in the disinfectant line L1 upstream of the delivery device 10.

[0132] The rinsing agent line L4 connects to the disinfectant line L1 at a junction point P3, the junction point P3 being disposed between the delivery device 10 and the disinfectant valve 5 disposed in the disinfectant line L1 upstream of the delivery device 10.

[0133] The disinfectant passes the following during the disinfection process: the disinfectant valve 5 upstream of the delivery device 10, the bell cup valve 9 downstream of the delivery device 10, the delivery device 10, the electric motor 2 or air turbine, the hollow drive shaft S with the disinfectant outlet nozzle D and the two flow measuring devices 11a, 11b, the cup P and the bell cup 1.

[0134] The rinsing agent passes the following in rinsing mode: the delivery device 10, a section of the disinfectant line L1, the hollow drive shaft S with disinfectant outlet nozzle D, a section of the lost-liquid line L2, the flow measuring devices 11a, 11b, the bell cupcup valve 9 disposed in the disinfectant line L1 downstream of the delivery device 10, the electric motor 2 or air turbine, the bell cupcup 1, the cup P, the lost-liquid return valve 8 disposed in the lost-liquid line L2 downstream of the delivery device 10 and the connecting device V.

[0135] A humidity measuring device 19, for example with a regulating effect on the disinfection process of the apparatus 100, is provided, with the humidity measuring device 19 serving to measure humidity in the dwelling space. Thus, for example, the disinfection process can be stopped if no increase in humidity is detected in the dwelling space during the atomisation process.

[0136] A temperature measuring device 20 for example with regulating effect on the disinfection process of the apparatus 100, is provided, with the temperature measuring device 20 serving to measure temperature in the dwelling space.

[0137] A level measuring device 17a serves to measure a fill level in the receiving container 13, with a level measuring device 17b serving to measure a fill level in the rinsing agent container 15. A level measuring device can also be used, for example, to measure a fill level in the disinfectant container 4.

[0138] A space measuring device (not shown) is used to measure the dwelling space, the disinfection process being carried out by the apparatus 100 depending on the measurement data from the space measuring device (for example, adjustment of the dosing quantity of the disinfectant, the volume flow of the at least one fan 3, 21 and/or the process time, etc.), or the apparatus 100 being prevented from starting the disinfection process, for example if the space measuring device has determined that the apparatus 100 is wrongly positioned in the dwelling space or the dwelling space is unsuitable for disinfection by the apparatus 100.

[0139] The apparatus 100 may also include one or more detection devices (not shown) for detecting disinfectant, for detecting rinsing agent and/or for detecting a rotation speed of the bell cup 1. The apparatus 100 may be configured, for example, to interrupt or prevent its operation (for example to stop or not start at all) if the detection device detects an unsuitable disinfectant, an unsuitable rinsing agent and/or an unsuitable rotation speed of the bell cup 1.

[0140] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the apparatus 100, in particular to explain a disinfection process/mode according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0141] The disinfection process works essentially as follows:

[0142] The electric motor 2, the blower 3 and the temperature measuring device 20 are activated and operate based on process values for the disinfection process.

[0143] The disinfectant valve 5 and the bell cup valve 9 in the disinfectant line L1 are opened. The delivery device 10 is activated so that disinfectant is conveyed from the disinfectant container 4.

[0144] After a pre-defined period of x seconds, the flow measuring devices 11a and 11b record a volume flow of the disinfectant. If no or too small a volume flow is detected, the disinfection process is stopped immediately.

[0145] The blower 3 draws air from the environment and uses it to distribute atomised disinfectant in the dwelling space.

[0146] The pressure relief valve 18 protects the apparatus 100 from excess pressure.

[0147] The funnel 12 collects any moisture possibly deposited on or in the atomiser housing Z during the disinfection process and leads it to the receiving container 13.

[0148] After a pre-defined period (volume of disinfectant container 4/volume flow) and if the flow measuring device 11a does not detect any flow, the disinfection process is ended. The delivery device 10 then stops running. The disinfectant valve 5 and the bell cup valve 9 in the disinfectant line L1 are closed. The electric motor 2 is switched off. The blower 3 changes its mode of operation suitably and is used, for example, for a dwell time process based on process values and/or for cooling the electric motor 2.

[0149] Due to the disinfection process, a relative humidity of, for example, between 85% and 99% may be generated in the dwelling space.

[0150] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the apparatus 100, in particular to explain a lost-liquid recovery process/mode, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0151] The lost-liquid recovery process works essentially as follows:

[0152] The lost-liquid recovery process starts a predefined period of time before the air dehumidifier 14 completes the ventilation process.

[0153] Deposited liquid from the atomiser housing Z, water from the air dehumidifier 14 and possibly any liquid from the line L3 (only in case of excess pressure in the line system of the apparatus 100) are led to the receiving container 13 as lost liquid.

[0154] The receiving container valve 7 and the lost-liquid return valve 8 in the lost-liquid line L2 are opened. The delivery device 10 starts to convey the lost liquid from the receiving container 13 to the previously emptied disinfectant container 4 or to another container.

[0155] The filter device 16 prevents solid particles or generally unwanted parts from entering the pipe system of the apparatus 100.

[0156] When the flow measuring device 11b detects that no flow of lost liquid is present, the lost liquid recovery process is ended. It should be noted that the lost liquid recovery process is preferably ended within the time required for dehumidification of the dwelling space by the air dehumidifier 14.

[0157] The delivery device 10 stops running. The receiving container valve 7 and the lost-liquid return valve 8 in the lost-liquid line L2 are closed.

[0158] A small quantity of lost liquid may remain in the receiving container 13.

[0159] The level measuring device 17a checks whether the receiving container 13 is filled to a proper level. From this, it may be concluded whether or not the lost liquid recovery process was carried out properly.

[0160] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the apparatus 100, in particular to explain a rinsing process/mode according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0161] The rinsing process works essentially as follows:

[0162] The rinsing process starts after dehumidification by the air dehumidifier 14 has ended.

[0163] The electric motor 2 and the blower 3 start and operate based on process values for the rinsing process.

[0164] The rinsing agent valve 6, the lost-liquid return valve 8 and the bell cup valve 9 are opened. The delivery device 10 starts to convey rinsing agent from the rinsing agent tank 15.

[0165] The rinsing agent is conveyed partly to the bell cup 1 and partly back to the disinfectant container 4 or to another container.

[0166] The rinsing agent process is terminated after a predefined volume flow, for example after the delivery device 10 has been running for a predefined period. The delivery device 10 stops running. The rinsing agent valve 6, the lost-liquid return valve 8 and the bell cup valve 9 are closed. The electric motor 2 and the blower 3 stop running.

[0167] A small quantity of rinsing agent may remain in the pipe system.

[0168] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a modified embodiment of the apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0169] A special feature of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that a permanently fixed rinsing agent container 15 in the form of a refillable tank is attached to the rinsing agent connection A and a permanently fixed disinfectant container 4 in the form of a refillable tank is attached to the connecting device V.

[0170] Thus, in the context of the invention, the connecting device V and the rinsing agent connection A can be suitably designed as detachable or non-detachable connections.

[0171] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a modified embodiment of the apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0172] A special feature of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is that the delivery device has a piston system 40 for conveying disinfectant from the disinfectant container 4 and a piston system 150 for conveying rinsing agent from the rinsing agent container 15. Consequently, there are two delivery devices (piston systems) 40 and 150. In an especially preferred embodiment, the disinfectant container 4 is designed as a single-use container accommodated in the piston system 40 and/or the rinsing agent container 15 is designed as a single-use container accommodated in the piston system 150.

[0173] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a modified embodiment of the apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0174] A special feature of the design shown in FIG. 7 is that, instead of providing two separate containers 4 and 15 for disinfectant and rinsing agent, a multi-functional container 50 is provided to hold disinfectant for the disinfection process and also to hold rinsing agent for the rinsing mode, so that the multi-functional container 50 can be filled and operated first with disinfectant for the disinfection process and thereafter with the rinsing agent for the rinsing mode. The delivery device is designed as a piston system 500, with a multi-functional container 50 integrated into the piston system 500. The multi-functional container 50 is integrated into the disinfectant line L1 and the rinsing agent line L4 and can be connected to the connection device V via the disinfectant valve 5 and to the rinsing agent connection A via the rinsing agent valve 6.

[0175] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a mobile transport housing 200 according to an embodiment of the invention with apparatus 100 housed inside.

[0176] The transport housing 200 with the apparatus 100 can be pushed into a dwelling space by an operator. The operator can then activate the apparatus 100 and leave the dwelling space. Once the disinfection process has ended, the operator can move the transport housing 200 with the apparatus 100 into another dwelling space to be disinfected. For this purpose, the transport housing 200 is part of a transport trolley fitted with rollers.

[0177] The transport housing 200 exposes the bell cup 1 at least partially in order to atomise disinfectant, the receiving container 13 being positioned below the level of the bell cup 1 and below the level of the blower 3, so that lost liquid can be led to the receiving container 13 by gravity. The transport housing 200 is provided with sound-absorbing material and includes a sealing cup to divide an inner space of the transport housing 200 into a dry section and a wet section.

[0178] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a bell cup 1 and other components according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0179] The bell cup 1 is essentially funnel-shaped, with a base B (for example a mounting section), an inner face 1a for the disinfectant, an outer face 1b and an annular bell cup spray edge E. The bell cup 1 interacts with a cup P. Reference mark R indicates a gas directing ring with several leakage openings N. The gas is preferably air.

[0180] The inner face 1a can be formed straight, concave or convex.

[0181] The outer face 1b can be formed straight, concave or convex.

[0182] The base B is mounted so as to be rotationally fixed relative to the drive shaft S, so that the bell cup 1 can be driven by the drive shaft S. The cup P is mounted so as to be rotationally fixed on the bell cup 1 in order to rotate with the bell cup 1. The hollow drive shaft S encloses a hollow inner pipe through which disinfectant can be led to the bell cup 1, the disinfectant outlet nozzle D being suitably mounted on the inner pipe.

[0183] The annular bell cup spray edge E may, for example, have a diameter of between 65 mm and 120 mm, preferably 80 mm+/−10 mm, whereby an internal angle alpha of the inner face 1a of the bell cup 1 may be between 5° and 45°, preferably 30°+/−5°. An external angle beta of the outer face of the bell cup 1 can be between 1° and 80°. The internal angle alpha is preferably smaller than the external angle beta.

[0184] The inner face 1a of the bell cupcup 1 may have a peripheral zone, in particular an annular peripheral zone, the peripheral zone adjoining the bell cupcup spray edge E and having a width X of, for example, between 0.05 mm and 10 mm (preferably 2 mm+/−1 mm) and preferably only the peripheral zone being provided with a surface structure, but not the remaining part of the inner face 1a.

[0185] The passage for disinfectant through the hollow drive shaft S can have a cross-section of, for example, between 3 mm and 30 mm.

[0186] In the disinfection process of the apparatus 100, the disinfectant that emerges from the disinfectant outlet nozzle D meets the rotating cup P, is distributed by the rotating cup P onto the rotating inner face 1a and passes via the rotating inner face 1a to the rotating bell cup spray edge E, from where the disinfectant is atomised and discharged into the dwelling space.

[0187] The gas directing ring R with leakage openings N is disposed in such a way that gas discharged from the leakage openings N meets the disinfectant discharged from the bell cup 1 via the outer face 1b of the bell cup 1 in order to convert the disinfectant into the required form and/or reduce its droplet size.

[0188] The disinfection process is essentially as follows:

[0189] The disinfectant is led through the drive shaft S and sprayed out of the disinfectant outlet nozzle D of the drive shaft S, meets the cup P at a defined distance from the cup P and is directed by centrifugal force through a defined gap between the bell cup 1 and the cup P onto the inner face 1a of the bell cup 1a. The special geometry of the disinfectant outlet nozzle D and its defined distance from the cup P ensures that the disinfectant is led fully to the defined gap. This ensures a homogeneous distribution on the inner face 1a. Due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation, the disinfectant is led along the specially adjusted inner faces 1a in the direction of the bell cup spray edge E. The disinfectant is atomised into very fine droplets at the bell cup spray edge E. The described process is improved, in particular the droplet size is reduced, as a result of the special geometry of the bell cup spray edge E and in combination with the shaping gas led from the gas directing ring R.

[0190] The guidance of the gas is improved due to the special geometry of the outer face 1b and the radius of the bell cup spray edge E. The shaping gas is preferably provided by a fan, runs upwards along the drive shaft S and flows around the outer face 1b. Due to the special geometry of the gas directing ring R, the forming gas is directed to the outer face 1b essentially without turbulence. The gas directing ring R also serves to reduce noise by preventing air vortex formation in the lower area of the outer face 1b, which area is covered by the gas directing ring R.

[0191] FIGS. 10 and 11 show two different perspective views of a bell cup 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The bell cup 1 serves to atomise a disinfectant to disinfect at least one dwelling space for one or more persons and can be designed as disclosed herein.

[0192] It should also be noted that the disinfectant used with the invention can be, for example, the disinfectant disclosed in US 2014/0119992 A1 and/or other suitable disinfectants to eliminate, in particular, bacteria, viruses, germs and/or fungi, etc. The disinfectant is, in particular, a liquid disinfectant.

[0193] It should also be noted that the dwelling space can preferably be a room accessible by one or more persons.

[0194] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive step and thus fall within the scope of protection. Furthermore, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims independently of the features and claims referred to. The invention may also include embodiments without a bell cup.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0195] 1 Bell cup [0196] 1a Inner face of the bell cup [0197] 1b Outer face of the bell cup [0198] X Width of peripheral zone of the inner face [0199] alpha Internal angle of the inner face [0200] beta External angle of the outer face [0201] B Base of the bell cup, in particular a mounting section [0202] E Spray edge of the bell cup [0203] 2 Electric motor [0204] 3 Blower [0205] 4 Container for disinfectant [0206] 5 In particular controllable disinfectant valve [0207] 6 In particular controllable rinsing agent valve [0208] 7 In particular controllable receiving container valve [0209] 8 In particular controllable lost-liquid return valve [0210] 9 Bell cup valve [0211] 10 Delivery device, in particular a pump or piston system [0212] 11a Flow measuring device [0213] 11b Flow measuring device [0214] 12 Funnel [0215] 13 Receiving container for lost liquid [0216] 14 Air dehumidifier [0217] 15 Container for rinsing agent [0218] 16 Filter device [0219] 17a Level measuring device for receiving container [0220] 17b Level measuring device for rinsing agent container [0221] 18 Pressure relief valve [0222] 19 Humidity measuring device [0223] 20 Temperature measuring device [0224] 21 Blower [0225] 40 Delivery device, in particular a piston system [0226] 50 Multi-functional container [0227] 150 Delivery device, in particular a piston system [0228] 500 Delivery device, in particular a piston system [0229] S Hollow drive shaft, preferably with internal supply line for disinfectant [0230] P Cup, in particular a distributor/deflector cup [0231] L1 Disinfectant line [0232] L2 Lost liquid return line [0233] L3 Line [0234] L4 Rinsing agent line [0235] A Rinsing agent connection, suitably detachable or non-detachable [0236] V Connecting device, suitably detachable or non-detachable [0237] D Disinfectant outlet nozzle [0238] P1 Junction point [0239] P2 Junction point [0240] P3 Junction point [0241] R Gas directing ring, particularly an air directing ring [0242] N Leakage opening(s), for example gas outlet opening(s), especially air outlet opening(s) [0243] Z Atomiser housing [0244] 100 Apparatus