Method and devices for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus

Abstract

A method for cleaning a breathing apparatus comprising a respiratory mask, by such precleaning activity as: providing the breathing apparatus in an externally contaminated state, providing a holder for the respiratory mask having at least one curved sealing face and stretching the respiratory mask onto the holder such that a sealing lip of the respiratory mask lies on the curved sealing face and closes off an interior of the respiratory mask, and the holder with the respiratory mask may be introduced into a precleaning chamber, exposing an outer side of the respiratory mask in the precleaning chamber to at least one precleaning fluid. And, after the precleaning, the respiratory mask may be released from the holder, introducing the respiratory mask into a primary cleaning chamber and exposing the respiratory mask, including an inner side of the respiratory mask that faces the interior, to a primary cleaning fluid.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus, comprising at least one respiratory mask, wherein the method comprises at least one precleaning step, the at least one precleaning step comprising the following substeps: a) providing the at least one breathing apparatus in an externally contaminated state; b) providing at least one holder for the at least one respiratory mask, the at least one holder having at least one curved sealing face; c) stretching the at least one respiratory mask onto the at least one holder such that at least one sealing lip of the at least one respiratory mask lies on the at least one curved sealing face and closes off an interior of the at least one respiratory mask; d) introducing the at least one holder with the at least one respiratory mask into a precleaning chamber; and e) exposing an outer side of the at least one respiratory mask in the precleaning chamber to at least one precleaning fluid.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one holder has a shape selected from the group consisting of: a head shape; a face shape; a sphere shape; a sphere segment shape; a sphere shell shape; a freeform surface shell.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one curved sealing face is a continuous sealing face which is configured to close off the interior completely, together with the at least one sealing lip.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one holder additionally has at least one fastening section for fastening at least one fixing of the at least one respiratory mask on the at least one holder.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exposing in step e) takes place in such a way that the interior of the at least one respiratory mask remains free from cleaning fluid.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein method step e) is carried out at least partly in a circulation mode of the at least one precleaning fluid.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one precleaning fluid comprises at least one primary precleaning fluid and at least one rinsing precleaning fluid, wherein method step e) comprises at least one primary precleaning step and at least one rinsing precleaning step, wherein, in the primary precleaning step, the outer side of the at least one respiratory mask is exposed to the at least one primary precleaning fluid, and wherein, in the rinsing precleaning step, the outer side of the at least one respiratory mask is exposed to the at least one rinsing precleaning fluid.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one holder with the at least one respiratory mask is introduced into the precleaning chamber in a cleaning basket.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one holder is selected from the group consisting of: a holder fixedly connected to the cleaning basket; a holder releasably connectable to the cleaning basket and connected before method step d), together with the at least one respiratory mask stretched thereon, to the cleaning basket.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one primary cleaning step, which is carried out after the precleaning step and comprises the following substeps: i) releasing the at least one respiratory mask from the at least one holder; ii) introducing the at least one respiratory mask into a primary cleaning chamber; and iii) exposing the at least one respiratory mask, including an inner side of the at least one respiratory mask that faces the interior, to at least one primary cleaning fluid.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one respiratory mask, in the primary cleaning step, is cleaned jointly with at least one gas-conducting element of the at least one breathing apparatus, and wherein, in method step the gas-conducting element is exposed to a pressurized gas, so that the primary cleaning fluid does not reach the inside of the gas-conducting element.

12. A precleaning appliance for precleaning personal protective equipment, the precleaning appliance comprising: at least one precleaning chamber, at least one appliance for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus, the at least one breathing apparatus comprising at least one respiratory mask, the appliance, having at least one holder, and at least one cleaning basket, wherein the at least one holder is selected from a group consisting of a holder fixedly connected to the at least one cleaning basket; and a holder releasably connectable to the cleaning basket, wherein the at least one holder has at least one curved sealing face, the at least one respiratory mask being stretchable onto the at least one holder in such a way that a sealing lip of the at least one respiratory mask lies on the at least one curved sealing face and closes off an interior of the at least one respiratory mask, wherein the at least one appliance with the at least one respiratory mask stretched onto the at least one holder is introduced into the at least one precleaning chamber, and at least one exposing appliance for exposing an outer side of the at least one respiratory mask to at least one precleaning fluid in the at least one precleaning chamber.

13. A cleaning system for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus, the cleaning system comprising: at least one precleaning appliance at least one precleaning chamber, at least one appliance for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus, the at least one breathing apparatus comprising at least one respiratory mask, the at least on appliance, having at least one holder, and at least one cleaning basket, wherein the at least one holder is selected from a group consisting of a holder fixedly connected to the at least one cleaning basket, and a holder releasably connectable to the cleaning basket, wherein the at least one holder has at least one curved sealing face, the at least one respiratory mask being stretchable onto the at least one holder in such a way that a sealing lip of the at least one respiratory mask lies on the at least one curved sealing face and closes off an interior of the at least one respiratory mask, wherein the at least one appliance with the at least one respiratory mask stretched onto the at least one holder is introduced into the at least one precleaning chamber, and at least one exposing appliance for exposing an outer side of the at least one respiratory mask to at least one precleaning fluid in the at least one precleaning chamber at least one primary cleaning appliance, wherein the at least one primary cleaning appliance has at least one primary cleaning chamber, wherein at least one respiratory mask of the at least one breathing apparatus is introduced, after precleaning in the precleaning appliance, released from the at least one holder, into the at least one primary cleaning chamber, the at least one primary cleaning appliance additionally having at least one exposing appliance for exposing the at least one respiratory mask, including an inner side of the at least one respiratory mask that faces the interior, to at least one primary cleaning fluid.

14. An appliance for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus, the at least one breathing apparatus comprising: at least one respiratory mask, the appliance, having at least one holder, and at least one cleaning basket, wherein the at least one holder is selected from a group consisting of: a holder fixedly connected to the at least one cleaning basket and a holder releasably connectable to the cleaning basket, wherein the at least one holder has at least one curved sealing face, the at least one respiratory mask being stretchable onto the at least one holder in such a way that a sealing lip of the at least one respiratory mask lies on the at least one curved sealing face and closes off an interior of the at least one respiratory mask.

15. The appliance as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one holder additionally has at least one fastening section for fastening at least one fixing of the at least one respiratory mask on the at least one holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Further details and features will emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments, especially in conjunction with the dependent claims. Here, the respective features may be actualized on their own or collectively in combination with one another. The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are represented schematically in the figures. Identical reference numerals in the individual figures denote identical or functionally identical elements or elements which correspond to one another in terms of their functions.

(2) Specifically:

(3) FIGS. 1 and 2 show various exemplary embodiments of an appliance 110 for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a precleaning appliance;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a primary cleaning appliance;

(6) FIG. 5 shows components of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning system for cleaning personal protective equipment; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIGS. 1 and 2 show various exemplary embodiments of an appliance 110 for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus 112. The breathing apparatus 112 comprises a respiratory mask 114, more particularly a respiratory protection mask, which is represented illustratively in FIG. 1. This respiratory mask 114 may have, for example, a viewing window 116, a port 118 for the connection of a respiratory regulator or breathing regulator, and also a self-closing exhalation valve 120. The respiratory mask 114 further comprises at least one sealing lip 122 for sealing off an interior 124 of the respiratory mask 114 with respect to a surrounding environment. A side of the respiratory mask 114 that faces the interior 124 is also referred to hereinafter as the inner side, whereas the side which is on the outside in FIG. 1 is referred to as the outer side.

(9) The appliance 110 comprises a holder 126, over which the respiratory mask 114 can be stretched. The holder 126 comprises a curved sealing face 128, and when the respiratory mask 114 is stretched over the holder 126, the at least one sealing lip 122 is pressed against the sealing face 128 and sealed off with respect to it.

(10) The appliances 110 of the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2 differ in the shape of the holder. While the holder 126 in FIG. 1 has a head shape, for example, such as the form of an above-described standard head, for example, the holder 126 according to FIG. 2 has a shape of a shell 130. This shell 130 may be, for example, a sphere shell segment or else may have another shell shape. Another shape as well, with a curved sealing face 128 corresponding at least approximately to a face, is possible in principle.

(11) When the respiratory mask 114 is stretched over the holder 126, at least one fixing 132 of the respiratory mask 114 is fastened on the holder 126. The fixing 132 may comprise, for example, at least one belt, at least one webbing, or at least one fixing band, as represented illustratively in FIG. 1. To fasten the fixing 132 on the holder 126, the holder 126 has at least one fastening section 134. Whereas, in the case of the exemplary embodiment with the head shape as per FIG. 1, the fastening section 134 may be the back of a head, for example, a linkage 136 is provided illustratively in the case of the holder 126 as per the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2, having a backward-projecting extension 138 which lies opposite the curved sealing face 128 and which is able to act as a fastening section 134.

(12) The holder 126 in the exemplary embodiments shown, and also in other exemplary embodiments, may have, furthermore, at least one connecting element 140, allowing the holder 126 to be introduced fixedly or releasably into a cleaning basket, as described in detail below. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the connecting element 140 may be incorporated, illustratively, into the lower end of the head. In the case of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, the connecting element 140 may be, for example, a constituent part of the linkage 136, as for example a vertical carrier rod 142, in which case, for example, the extension 138 may extend vertically or at an angle backward to from the carrier rod 142, and where a lower end of the carrier rod 142 may accommodate, for example, the connecting element 140. This element may in this case be, for example, a thread or a similar connecting element. Also possible is a simple smooth end of the carrier rod 142, which is then inserted, for example, into a corresponding receptacle in a cleaning basket.

(13) FIG. 3 shows a precleaning appliance 144 for precleaning—that is, for implementing at least one precleaning step on—the breathing apparatus 112. To carry out the precleaning step, the respiratory mask 114 is first separated from at least one gas-conducting element 146, as for example from at least one pressurized-air breathing apparatus or breathing regulator. In this condition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the respiratory mask 114 is stretched over the holder 126, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The appliance 110, comprising the holder 126 with the respiratory mask 114 stretched over it, is introduced into a cleaning basket 148, by connecting the holder 126 to this cleaning basket 148 releasably, for example. Subsequently, the at least one gas-conducting element 148 may be connected again to the respiratory mask 114, by means, for example, of connecting a pressurized-air breathing apparatus and/or breathing regulator to the port 118 again and closing this port imperviously. The interior 124 of the respiratory mask 114 is therefore imperviously closed. The cleaning basket 148 can be introduced into a precleaning chamber 150 of the precleaning appliance 144, being able to be closed off, for example, by a door 152, more particularly a flap. Other refinements of the precleaning appliance 144, however, are also possible in principle, said appliance being embodied preferably as a single-chamber programmable washing machine. For example, the precleaning appliance 144 may also be embodied as a hood-type washing machine.

(14) In the precleaning chamber 150, the breathing apparatus 112 may be exposed via at least one exposure appliance 154 to precleaning fluid 156 from at least one precleaning tank 158. The precleaning tank 158 is arranged, for example, on the base of the precleaning chamber 150 and may be heatable, for example, by at least one heating appliance 160. The exposure appliance 154 may comprise, for example, nozzle arms, which are arranged above and below the cleaning basket 148 and which can be supplied, for example, from the precleaning tank 158 via a circulation pump 162. Provided optionally may be one or more filters, examples being coarse filters and/or fine filters, in order at least partly to purify the precleaning fluid 156 of the precleaning tank 158. Additionally provided may be at least one drain pump 164, which is able to discharge the precleaning tank 158 into a drain 166. The precleaning appliance 144, moreover, may have at least one controller 168 for controlling at least one precleaning step and/or at least one precleaning program with a plurality of steps.

(15) In the precleaning appliance 144 represented illustratively in FIG. 3, no separate rinsing circuit and rinsing tank are shown, since this is not absolutely necessary for the precleaning step. In the precleaning step, for example, only in circulation mode, an outer side of the breathing apparatus 112 may be washed. Provided optionally, however, in addition, may be a rinsing tank, in which, independently of the precleaning tank 158, rinsing liquid can be prepared, in order to allow rinsing with a further exposure appliance. Further optionally, the rinsing could also be performed with the precleaning appliance shown, by discharging the tank 158 and filling it with fresh fluid for a rinsing step. This rinsing fluid could be sprinkled and/or sprayed over the precleaned breathing apparatus 112 by means of the circulation pump 162 and the exposure appliance 154. Further optionally, this rinsing fluid could be held in the precleaning tank 158 for the next, subsequent precleaning step. For possible refinements of a two-circuit system of this kind, reference may be made to the tanks 186, 202 of the appliance shown in FIG. 4 and described in more detail below, and also to the corresponding exposure appliance 176, which could also be implemented in the appliance according to FIG. 3, as the skilled person will recognize.

(16) FIG. 4, in a sectional representation in analogy to FIG. 3, represents an exemplary embodiment of a primary cleaning appliance 170, which is configured for implementing at least one primary cleaning step on one or more breathing apparatuses 112. Again, the primary cleaning appliance 170 may be designed, for example, as a washing machine, in which case it is possible, for example, for commercial dishwasher machines to be converted accordingly, examples being under-counter washing machines from MEIKO Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG, 77652 Offenburg, Germany. The primary cleaning appliance 170 comprises a primary cleaning chamber 172. The primary cleaning chamber 172 may be opened, for example, by a door 174, as for example again a flap, a swing door or a push door, and/or by another opening apparatus. Alternatively or additionally, the primary cleaning chamber 172 may also again be configured in whole or in part as a cleaning chamber covered by a hood. In the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 4, for example, the washing machine is designed as a front-loading washing machine, as is the precleaning appliance 144 of FIG. 3. Other refinements as well, however, are possible.

(17) The primary cleaning appliance 170 again has at least one exposure appliance 176, also referred to as fluid facility, for exposing the breathing apparatuses 112 accommodated in the primary cleaning chamber 172 to one or more primary cleaning fluids. For example, the exposure appliance 176 may again—in analogy to the refinement of the precleaning appliance 144 as per FIG. 3—comprise one or more nozzles 178, which may be arranged, for example, above and/or below the breathing apparatuses 112 and/or at other locations within the primary cleaning chamber 172, such as on one or more side walls, for example. The exposure appliance 176 may for example, as in the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 4, have a wash nozzle system 180, with, for example, one or more nozzle arms having a plurality of nozzles 178 and mounted pivotably and/or rotatably, preferably, and accommodated above and/or below the breathing apparatuses 112. Alternatively or additionally, the exposure appliance 176 may also comprise a rinse nozzle system 182, with, for example, one or more rinse nozzle arms, which are preferably again mounted rotatably and/or pivotably and which, for example, may again be arranged above and/or below the breathing apparatuses 112. Other arrangements and/or refinements, however, are also possible in principle.

(18) Furthermore, in analogy to the precleaning appliance 144 in FIG. 3, the exposure appliance 176 may again comprise one or more further elements, examples being one or more pipelines, one or more pumps and/or one or more tanks. For example, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, there is at least one wash line system 184 provided, for exposing the wash nozzle system 180 to primary cleaning fluid 186, in turn for example cleaner solution, from one or more primary cleaning tanks 188. For example, the primary cleaning tank 188 may be provided in the base region of the primary cleaning chamber 172 and/or may in turn be connected in some other way to the primary cleaning chamber 172, allowing primary cleaning fluid 186, after acting on the breathing apparatuses 112, to flow and/or drip back into the primary cleaning tank 188 again. To expose the wash nozzle system 184 to the primary cleaning fluid 186 from the primary cleaning tank 188, the exposure appliance 176 may additionally have one or more circulation pumps 190. Additionally there may be one or more heating elements 192 provided, in order to heat the primary cleaning fluid 186 of the primary cleaning tank 188 and/or of other tanks, in the form, for example, again of a wash tank heater within the primary cleaning tank 188. The primary cleaning tank 188 may again be dischargeable into a drain 196, by way, for example, of a drain line 192 and optionally by way of a drain pump 194.

(19) The primary cleaning fluid 186 may, particularly in a circulation mode, be applied to the breathing apparatuses 112, by sprinkling and/or spraying the primary cleaning fluid 186 from the primary cleaning tank 188 onto the breathing apparatuses 112 via the wash nozzle system 180, before then running off or dripping off back into the primary cleaning tank 188, to be used anew from that tank. Provided optionally may be one or more filters, examples being coarse filters and/or fine filters, in order at least partly to purify the primary cleaning fluid 186 of the primary cleaning tank 188.

(20) The rinse nozzle system 182 may be exposed to a further primary cleaning fluid 200, as for example a rinsing liquid, for example, via at least one rinse line system 198. In this context, FIG. 4 shows an optional refinement in which the primary cleaning appliance 170 is designed as a two-circuit system. Accordingly, the further primary cleaning fluid 200 is provided from, for example, a separate tank, which in the exemplary embodiment represented is designed as rinsing tank 202, which is formed separately from the primary cleaning tank 188. The rinsing tank 202 may be considered to be a further primary cleaning tank 204, since the rinsing in the primary cleaning appliance 170 according to FIG. 4 is still a constituent part of the primary cleaning step. For example, this rinsing tank 202 may be embodied as a boiler and may comprise, for example, a rinsing-tank heater 206. Alternatively or additionally to a rinsing-tank heater 206, other kinds of heating elements may also be provided for the further primary cleaning fluid 200, especially the rinsing fluid or the rinsing liquid, examples being one or more traversed heaters. The same is also true of the primary cleaning fluid 186 in the primary cleaning tank 188. The rinsing tank 202 may be charged with primary cleaning fluid 200—fresh water, for example—via one or more feeds 208. Moreover, as in the primary cleaning tank 188 and also in the precleaning appliance 144 as well, there may in each case be one or more metering systems 210 provided, in order for one or more additives to be admixed to the respective cleaning fluid—for example, cleaner concentrates and/or rinse-aid concentrates and/or disinfectant concentrates.

(21) The rinse nozzle system 198 may be caused to act preferably in simple operation, in other words not in circulation mode, so that the breathing apparatus 112 is exposed only once to the rinsing fluid/primary cleaning fluid 200 from the rinsing tank 202. For the exposure, the exposure appliance 176 may comprise, for example, one or more pressure-raising pumps 212.

(22) The primary cleaning of the breathing apparatuses 112 in the primary cleaning appliance 170 according to FIG. 4 may be accomplished, for example, by—as described in more detail below—releasing the respiratory masks 114 from the holder 126 and placing them loose into one or more cleaning baskets 214. An inner side of the respiratory masks 114, pointing to the respective interior 124, is in this case no longer covered by a holder 126, and so this respective inner side, designated symbolically in FIG. 4 with the reference numeral 216, is accessible, as is an outer side 218, for the primary cleaning fluid 186/200. With the cleaning basket 214, the breathing apparatuses can then be introduced into the primary cleaning chamber 172, and the door 174 can be closed. Then it is possible preferably to initiate a primary cleaning program, which can be controlled, for example, via a controller 220, as for example a central machine controller or else a decentralized controller. In this case it is possible, for example, first to fill the primary cleaning tank 188 by means of the rinse nozzle system 182, with primary cleaning fluid 186 and/or with a precursor of this primary cleaning fluid 186, fresh water for example, more particularly demineralized fresh water. This can then be conditioned within the primary cleaning tank 188, by the admixing, for example, of one or more additives via a metering system 222 and/or by heating by means of the heating element 192. Alternatively or additionally, the primary cleaning fluid 186 may also have remained after a clear-rinse program of a preceding cleaning cycle in the primary cleaning tank 188, in order to be used as primary cleaning fluid 186 and/or as a constituent part thereof in a subsequent cleaning cycle, since even after the breathing apparatus 112 has been exposed, rinsing fluid generally has a comparatively high degree of purity.

(23) The breathing apparatus 112 may subsequently be cleaned, more particularly washed, preferably in circulation mode, in one or more primary cleaning program steps. Here it is possible for adhering impurities to be removed from the breathing apparatuses 112, and/or the breathing apparatuses 112 may be sanitized.

(24) Subsequently it is possible to carry out one or more rinsing steps, which may likewise still be regarded as a constituent part of the primary cleaning step and/or primary cleaning program. For this purpose, the primary cleaning tank 188 may be discharged preferably via the drain line 192 and the drain pump 194. The rinsing tank 202 may already have been filled beforehand with the further primary cleaning fluid 202, which acts as rinsing fluid, such as with fresh water with or without additives, for example—with demineralized fresh water, for example. It is possible subsequently to admix one or more additives by way of the metering system 210, and/or the cleaning fluid 200 as rinsing fluid may be heated by means of the rinsing tank heater 206 and/or a traversed heater. The rinsing fluid 200 preconditioned in this way can then be applied to the breathing apparatuses 112 in the at least one rinsing step by way of the rinse nozzle system 182, and so these apparatuses are rinsed and/or clear-rinsed. After the at least one rinsing step, there may optionally again be at least one drying step, which may be passive, by simple waiting, or which may also be actively supported, for example using at least one drying fan and/or some other kind of drying appliance of the primary cleaning appliance 170. Subsequent to the optional drying step, the door 174, which up to that point has optionally been preferably locked, can be automatically released and/or opened. The entire program may be controlled, for example, by the controller 220, wherein more programs may also be selectable.

(25) It is pointed out that the exemplary embodiment of the primary cleaning appliance 170 represented in FIG. 4, and also the exemplary embodiment of the precleaning appliance 144 represented in FIG. 3, represent merely one of a plurality of different exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, individual or two or more or else all of the elements described above may also be implemented in a different context. For example, the fluid circuits represented may be modified, and the respective cleaning chambers may be designed in a different way—rotatably and/or pivotably, for example.

(26) As represented above, for the at least one primary cleaning step, the at least one breathing apparatus 112 within the primary cleaning chamber 172 is placed preferably in at least one cleaning basket 214. Another holder is also possible, preferably a form of storage where the inner side 216 of the at least one respiratory mask 114 is freely accessible for the respective primary cleaning fluid 186, 200. The cleaning basket 214 may, furthermore, have one or more small-parts baskets 224, which optionally may also be provided in the cleaning basket 148 in the case of the refinement in FIG. 3.

(27) Additionally there may be one or more fixings provided for the at least one breathing apparatus, for positioning of one or more components of the breathing apparatus 112, for example.

(28) In order to prevent the at least one gas-conducting element 146 of the breathing apparatuses 112—for example, a breathing regulator, a gas line of the breathing regulator, a respiratory regulator, a pressurized-air breathing apparatus or else other gas-conducting components—coming into contact with the at least one primary cleaning fluid 186, 200 and contaminating the inner sides thereof with this cleaning fluid, provision is made for the at least one gas-conducting element 146 to be exposed to pressurized gas, optionally, during one or more program steps of the primary cleaning taking place in the primary cleaning appliance 170. For this purpose, the primary cleaning appliance 170 preferably has at least one pressure exposure appliance 226. This pressure exposure appliance 226 is configured to expose the at least one gas-conducting element 146 to pressurized gas. For this purpose, the pressure exposure appliance 226 has at least one pressure connection 228, which is connectable to the gas-conducting element 146 in such a way that such gas exposure can take place—compressed-air exposure, for example. In the exemplary embodiment represented, this pressure connection 228 is formed illustratively as a constituent part of the cleaning basket 214. Alternatively or additionally, however, the pressure connection 228 may also be provided at other points of the primary cleaning appliance 170, as for example in the inside of the primary cleaning chamber 172. In the exemplary embodiment represented, for example, the pressure connection 228 may be embodied as a connection for a breathing regulator. The pressure connection 228 in this case may be embodied generally, in this exemplary embodiment or else in other exemplary embodiments, in a manner such that it is connectable to a plurality of kinds of gas-conducting elements 146—to different types and/or different kinds, for example. For example, the pressure connection 228 may comprise a plurality of adapters and/or the primary cleaning appliance 170 may be supplied with an adapter set comprising a plurality of adapters for different pressure connections 228, thus producing a high flexibility in terms of the nature of the gas-conducting elements 146. For example, the pressure connection 228 may comprise a quick-fit coupling. In order to expose the pressure connection 228 and the gas-conducting element 146 to pressurized gas, compressed air for example, the primary cleaning appliance 170 may comprise at least one internal and/or at least one external compressed-gas source, in the exemplary embodiment represented or else in other refinements. They may, for example, be connected to at least one external pressure connection 230, which is connectable to the pressure connection 228 by way of a pressurized-gas line 232, for example. If, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressure connection 228 is connected to the cleaning basket 214, there may be one or more couplings 234 provided, in order to enable reversible withdrawal of the cleaning basket 214. Additionally there may be one or more valves 236 provided in the pressurized gas line 232. These valves 236 may be controlled by the controller 220, for example. In this way or some other way, therefore, for example, the exposure to pressure of the at least one gas-conducting element 146 may take place in a controlled way by means of the pressure exposure appliance 226 in this or else in other exemplary embodiments of the invention, by the exposure to pressure taking place, for example, in a targeted way before the start of exposure of the breathing apparatuses 112 to primary cleaning fluid 186, 200. Alternatively or additionally, the pressure exposure may also take place only in one or more program steps, as for example only in one or more program steps during which the breathing apparatuses 112 are exposed to primary cleaning fluid 186, 200. Optionally the exposure to pressurized gas, for example compressed air, may conversely be switched off and/or take place in another form, with altered pressure, for example, during other program steps. In this way the pressure exposure may be adapted, for example, in the various program steps.

(29) FIG. 5 shows, symbolically and illustratively, components of a cleaning system 238 of the invention for cleaning personal protective equipment. This cleaning system 238 first of all comprises at least one appliance 110 for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus, corresponding, for example, to the exemplary embodiments in FIG. 1 or 2, or in accordance with other embodiments, having a holder 126 onto which at least one respiratory mask 114 can be stretched. The appliance 110, jointly with a precleaning appliance 144, corresponding for example to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, forms a precleaning appliance 144. The precleaning appliance 144, jointly with a primary cleaning appliance 170, corresponding for example to the refinement in FIG. 4, ultimately forms the cleaning system 238. For cleaning of the breathing apparatus 112 and/or of other constituent parts of the personal protective equipment, the respiratory mask 114 is first stretched over the holder 126, introduced into the precleaning chamber 150, and exposed there to the precleaning fluid 156, in order to clean the outer side 218 of the respiratory mask 114 to remove adhering purities; the inner side 216 is not cleaned. After this precleaning step, the respiratory mask 114 is released from the holder 126 and conveyed into the primary cleaning chamber 172 of the primary cleaning appliance 170, jointly with the at least one gas-conducting element 146, to be subjected therein to a primary cleaning step on all sides, in other words on the outer side 218 and the inner side 216. Preferably, as stated above, the gas-conducting element 146 in this case is exposed to pressurized gas, more particularly compressed air, in such a way that no primary cleaning fluid 186, 200 is able to get into the inside of the at least one gas-conducting element 146. In this primary cleaning step, which may also comprise at least one disinfection, the outer side 218 and the inner side 216 of the respiratory mask 114 are cleaned, and so adhering perspiration, for example, is also washed off from the inner side 216. As a result of the separation of the primary cleaning step from the precleaning step, however, the ability of toxic impurities to get from the outer side 218, by way of the precleaning fluid 156, to the inner side 216 is effectively prevented. Also prevented is the passage of toxic impurities through entrainment into the primary cleaning step and the contamination thereby of the primary cleaning fluid therein.

(30) FIG. 6 represents schematically one embodiment of a method of the invention for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus 112. The method comprises at least one precleaning step 240 and at least one primary cleaning step 242.

(31) In a first step, identified in FIG. 6 with the reference numeral 244, the breathing apparatus 112 is provided in a contaminated state. For this, for example, a fire department operative may end or interrupt a deployment, and may release at least one gas-conducting element 146, a breathing regulator for example, from the respiratory mask 114; in practice, the respiratory mask 114 can still be left on the face for a short time for the purpose of acclimatization. Additionally, the fire department operative may pull the respiratory mask 114 from the face in such a way that his gloves contact only the externally contaminated outer side 218. The respiratory mask 114 may be placed into a transport box—not represented in the figures—in which the respiratory masks 114 are already stretched over holders 126, for example. Correspondingly, a further method step of the method according to FIG. 6, denoted by reference numeral 246, comprises the provision of the at least one holder 126 for the at least one respiratory mask 114, with the holder, as stated above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, having at least one curved sealing face 128. The method additionally comprises a method step 248, in which the at least one respiratory mask 114 is stretched over the holder 126. This stretching is accomplished in such a way that the at least one sealing lip 122 of the respiratory mask 114 lies on the curved sealing face 128 of the holder 126 and closes off the interior 124 of the respiratory mask 114, in an airtight manner, for example.

(32) The gas-conducting elements 146 remain preferably together—for example, by leaving breathing regulators on the pressurized-air breathing apparatus, and the pressurized-gas bottle as well. These gas-conducting elements 146 may likewise be packed into one or more transport boxes, which for example, but not necessarily, may be designed separately from the at least one transport box for the respiratory masks 114. The transport boxes may for example be closed in an airtight way for transport.

(33) In the so-called black area of the fire department, the dirty working area, the transport boxes can then be opened. This may optionally take place using personal protective equipment such as mouth protection and gloves, for example. The subsequent step is a method step 250, in which the at least one holder 126 with the respiratory mask 114 stretched thereover is introduced into the precleaning chamber 150 of the precleaning appliance 144, by means of the at least one cleaning basket 148, for example. Additionally it is possible for one or more gas-conducting elements 146 to be introduced into the precleaning chamber 150. For example, in each case four pressurized-air breathing apparatuses, including breathing regulators and pressurized-gas bottles, and also a corresponding number of respiratory masks 114 on the corresponding holders 126 may be taken from the transport box and placed in the precleaning chamber 150 of the precleaning appliance 144. The breathing regulators may be connected again to the respiratory masks 114, so that not only the gas-conducting elements 146 but also the respiratory masks 114 are closed to the outside, as stated above.

(34) Subsequently, in method step 252, the at least one outer side 218 of the at least one respiratory mask 114 is exposed in the precleaning chamber 150 to the at least one precleaning fluid 156. Additionally, optionally, the gas-conducting elements 146 in this case may also be exposed to the precleaning fluid 156. This exposure takes place preferably at least partly in a circulation procedure, in which case, for example, the precleaning fluid 156 may be left in the precleaning tank 158 for a plurality of precleaning cycles. The at least one inner side 216 of the at least one respiratory mask 114 is in this case not contacted with the precleaning fluid 156, because the respiratory mask 114 is stretched over the respective holder 126. This affectively avoids contamination being entrained from the outer side 218 to the inner side 216.

(35) Method step 252 may, as stated above, also have a multistage configuration. Accordingly, the at least one precleaning fluid 156 may also comprise a plurality of precleaning fluids 156, in which case, for example, at least one of these two or more precleaning fluids, also designated the primary precleaning fluid, is used for a primary precleaning step, carried out preferably in circulation mode, and subsequently at least one other of these two or more precleaning fluids, also designated the rinsing precleaning fluid, may be used for at least one rinsing precleaning step, also denoted as clear-rinse step. The clear-rinse step here takes place preferably not in circulation mode, and so the exposure occurs only once, with remnants of the primary precleaning fluid and also toxins and contaminants possibly contained therein being washed off by the rinsing precleaning fluid. The rinsing precleaning fluid may comprise fresh water, for example. The rinsing precleaning fluid may be prepared, for example, in a separate tank or boiler.

(36) After the end of the exposure, the precleaning step 240 is at an end. It may, however, comprise further method steps.

(37) The at least one precleaning step 240 is followed by the at least one primary cleaning step 242. This step first comprises the releasing of the at least one respiratory mask 114 from the at least one holder 126 in step 254. The at least one respiratory mask 114 is subsequently introduced, in method step 256, into the primary cleaning chamber 172 of the primary cleaning appliance 170. There, in method step 258, the respiratory mask 114 is exposed to the at least one primary cleaning fluid 186, 200, including the inner side 216, which now is no longer sealed off by the holder 126. In this case it is possible, for example, for perspiration to be washed off from the inner side 216. At the same time, in the at least one primary cleaning step and in particular in the step 258, it is also possible for one or more gas-conducting elements 146 to be cleaned, as described above, with these gas-conducting elements 146 preferably undergoing exposure to pressurized gas, so that no primary cleaning fluid 186, 200 is able to reach the inside of these gas-conducting elements 146.

(38) In the primary cleaning step 242 there may optionally also be a disinfection. Following implementation of the primary cleaning step 242, the elements may either be dried still in the primary cleaning chamber 170 or may be dried externally. For example, pressurized-air breathing apparatuses may be hung up subsequently to dry and/or placed into a drying cabinet, and pressurized-gas bottles may be dried manually or else stored for drying. The holders 126, the heads for example, may be cleaned after the implementation of the precleaning step 240, optionally jointly with the at least one transport box, in the precleaning appliance 144, for example, or else otherwise. They may subsequently be dried, before being conveyed, for example, back together onto the vehicles, ready for the next deployment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(39) 110 appliance for cleaning at least one breathing apparatus 112 breathing apparatus 114 respiratory mask 116 viewing window 118 port 120 exhalation valve 122 sealing lip 124 interior 126 holder 128 sealing face 130 shell 132 fixing 134 fastening section 136 linkage 138 extension 140 connecting element 142 carrier rod 144 precleaning appliance 146 gas-conducting element 148 cleaning basket 150 precleaning chamber 152 door 154 exposure appliance 156 precleaning fluid 158 precleaning tank 160 heating appliance 162 circulating pump 164 drain pump 166 drain 168 controller 170 primary cleaning appliance 172 primary cleaning chamber 174 door 176 exposure appliance 178 nozzles 180 wash nozzle system 182 rinse nozzle system 184 wash line system 186 primary cleaning fluid 188 primary cleaning tank 190 circulating pump 192 drain line 194 drain pump 196 drain 198 rinse line system 200 further primary cleaning fluid 202 rinsing tank 204 further primary cleaning tank 206 rinsing-tank heater 208 entry 210 metering system 212 pressure increase pump 214 cleaning basket 216 inner side 218 outer side 220 controller 222 metering system 224 small-parts basket 226 pressure exposure appliance 228 pressure connection 230 external pressure connection 232 pressurized-gas line 234 coupling 236 valve 238 cleaning system 240 precleaning step 242 primary cleaning step 244 provision of the breathing apparatus 246 provision of the holder 248 stretching of the respiratory mask over a holder 250 introduction of the holder with the respiratory mask into the precleaning chamber 252 exposure to precleaning fluid 254 release of the respiratory mask from the holder 256 introduction of the respiratory mask into the primary cleaning chamber 258 exposure of the respiratory mask to primary cleaning fluid