Wiperator - more consistent testing of sanitary wipe efficiency

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The Wiperator was developed by the Centre for Research on Environmental Microbiology of Ottawa University and Filtaflex Ltd to facilitate inter-laboratory studies of the efficiency of sanitary wipes. Compared with manual testing methods the Wiperator greatly improves consistency and allows accurate control over parameters such as applied force, rubbing speed and time. The Wiperator is supplied with two types of Sample Carrier - allowing either 10-mm disks or finger tips to be exposed to the test Wipe. Each Carrier holds two samples, permitting the user to instantly wipe a second surface in transfer studies. Carriers have cutouts allowing easy removal of disks with forceps. Test Wipes are stretched onto Bosses which slip onto the Wiperator's Spindle - they are retained magnetically and pull off easily after use. An ingenious Loader makes it easy to load Wipes onto Bosses. The Wiperator operates from any 120/230 VAC power supply. With added Wipe and O-ring the Spindle provides a Wipe-Sample contact force of almost exactly 150g - an extra 150g weight permits testing 300g forces, other values can be provided. A Sample Carrier is aligned under a Wipe by sliding it up a ramp - wiping begins as soon as the Sample contacts the Wipe. The current Wiperator provides a linear wiping motion of adjustable amplitude. Future instruments will use an orbital motion and will have an informative 2x16-character LCD display rather than the numeric LED shown.

More detailed information on Wiperator and its performance (pdf 2.1 MB)