Our Washlines

Sharpsmart Robotic Washline Technology

The Sharpsmart reusable sharps containers are emptied and sanitised at our clean processing facilities using the industry-leading Washsmart system, a fully automated, robotic system used for decanting, washing, sanitising and drying the containers. Our Washsmart system provides highly effective washing and sanitising of all Sharpsmart containers.

“The Washsmart cleaning process was independently tested by coating 64 Litre Sharpsmart containers with 6-log blood suspensions of Staph aureus and E. Faecalis. On swabbing them after the wash, no challenge organisms were detected – this is a very high level of decontamination.”

– Terry Grimmond, Microbiologist FASM, BAgrSc, GrDpAdEd

The washing is a five stage process:

The Sharpsmart containers and wash rack are carried between wash stages by a conveyor. During the wash cycle the water temperature and detergent concentration is automatically monitored and controlled.

  • Cold water flush: a low volume high impact burst of water to dislodge and remove any residual solid matter remaining after the decanting process. Matter is collected in a large removable strainer that is easily removable for cleaning, the water going to drain.
  • Cold water pre wash: a longer duration wash to begin hydrating the Daniels reusable sharps container soiling. There is a periodic topping up of the pre-wash tank programmed into the system control to maintain cleanliness. The overflow from this tank cascades into the cold water flush tank to minimise water usage.‍
  • Hot wash: a detergent wash at adequate hot temperature as the principal wash zone of the system. In order to maintain cleanliness of the wash water a measured percentage of the water is discharged to drain with fresh water make up cascading into the hot wash tank from the eco-rinse tank.‍
  • Eco-rinse: a fresh water rinse to remove residual detergent from the Daniels reusable sharps container. Water is displaced by incoming final rinse water and cascades through to the hot wash tank in the form of fresh make-up water. This hot water is used for the final, low-volume sanitising of the product.‍‍
  • ‍Smartguarding: The container then passes into an automatic Smartguard applicator where a water-based silicon compound is sprayed into the container and onto its internal surfaces. The purpose of this process is to provide a chemical barrier between soiling and the container to improve resistance to staining.

Spin-drying

On completion of the Smartguarding process, and housed in the same module, the container and wash rack are spin-dried before being discharged onto a roller conveyor.

The clean, dry and Smartguarded container is automatically unclipped from the wash rack, manually removed, and given a final inspection for cleanliness before being loaded back into the wheeled transporter for re-use. The wash rack is automatically fed back into the opening and decanting head for use with other containers. In this way less that twenty wash racks will be in circulation while the system is in use, washing up to 120 containers per hour.

The Sharpsmart containers and wash rack are carried between wash stages by a conveyor. During the wash cycle the water temperature and detergent concentration is automatically monitored and controlled.

The Sharpsmart container has been proven to withstand an amazing 500 cycles, a testament to its durability, sterility and re-usability.

Regulation Certified Processing: Meets strict wash requirements

Sharpsmart’s mechanical Washsmart technology robotically empties and feeds each Sharpsmart container through a sophisticated 6 stage washing process.

Using a tested combination of water pressure, high temperatures and biodegradable detergent (no harmful chemicals) to achieve high-level disinfection, the Sharpsmart Washline is ground-breaking in its engineering. Our washing process achieves a 6-log bacterial load reduction, which is a higher sanitisation result than any other container washing method.

Washsmart’s 8-step Process

1

Weigh & Scan

Each collector is loaded onto a robotic conveyor belt; contents are weighed and the collector barcode is scanned to enable complete traceability of its origins.

Compass WashlineProcess 1 Scan
2

Decant & Empty

In a seamless automated action, the robotic arms of the Daniels Washsmart tip the collector upside down to expel contents into a large holding bin situated beneath the machine.

Compass WashlineProcess 2 Empty
3

High Pressure Flush

Strong jet streams of cold water are injected into the collector to flush out any stubborn residue, at a high pressure force, this flushing process removes dry blood or residual fluids.

Compass WashlineProcess 3 Flush
4

Wash

The collector undergoes a hot water detergent wash at a set temperature. The Daniels Washsmart recycles water from an earlier stage of the cycle to minimise environmental burden.

Compass WashlineProcess 4 Wash
5

Hot Rinse

The collector enters into a separate chamber where it undergoes a high temperature (85 degree celcius) final sanitisation rinse.

Compass WashlineProcess 5 HotRinse
6

Drying

The final stage of the Washsmart process is to remove surface water, thereby eliminating the possibility of subsequent microbial growth; this process is undertaken via a series of strategically positioned high pressure / high volume air jets. This process, coupled with the heat of the plastic following hot rinse, results in Sharpsmart collectors emerging dry and ready for immediate use.

Compass WashlineProcess 6 Dry
7

Smartguard

Daniels has a unique coating formulation which is applied at every wash to enable Sharpsmart collectors to easily shed sticky adhesives, blood, body fluids and dyes. More than 200 formulations were developed, researched and engineered before the Daniels SMARTGUARD formula was patented

Compass WashlineProcess 7 Sanitize
8

Quality Control Checks

At the end of the process each Sharpsmart collector is subjected to a 10-point Quality Assurance Check for function, scuffs, cuts and smears. The Washsmart process achieves a 6Log reduction in bio burden +/- 1000 times greater than that required for thorough hospital grade cleaning.

Compass WashlineProcess 8 QualityControl

Washsmart System Benefits

  • Icon Safetyateverystep

    Regulation Certified Processing: Meets strict wash requirements

    Uses a thoroughly tested combination of water pressure, high temperatures and biodegradable detergent to achieve high-level disinfection while avoiding the use of environmentally harmful chemicals.

  • Icon Automated Computer 1

    Computerised and Automated Decanting, Sanitising and Drying

    Fully automated robotic system with process-validated standards for decanting, sanitising, drying and quality checking of each product (an OSHA, ISO and CSA requirement)

  • Cleaning 3

    Washsmart Quality Assurance

    Each individual Sharpsmart container has its wash parameters (temperature time, water volumes) measured and permanently recorded, giving complete assurance of microbiological sanitisation.

  • Icon Smartguard

    Unique Anti-Stick Coating

    Daniels developed, researched and engineered more than 200 formulations before patenting SMARTGUARD, a unique coating applied at every wash to enable Sharpsmart collectors to easily shed sticky adhesives, blood, body fluids and dyes.

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