Patent US3837805A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3837805A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for continuous sterilization at low temperature
Assignee: Wave Energy Systems Inc
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Filing: 1972-09-27
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-09-27
Abstract
Abstract An automatic method and apparatus to continuously surface sterilize at temperatures below 75* C any objects, parts or components made of metal or heat sensitive materials. Said method consists of treating materials first in a synergistically active chemical solution in an ultrasonic tank, then of rinsing in a second ultrasonic tank. The final step consists of drying the processed material in a sterile atmosphere. The three different processing steps taken place in a matter of minutes inside a laminar flow positive pressure clean or white room. The apparatus continuously delivers sterile parts or instruments ready for packaging and sealing. Sterilized parts or instruments are not physically or chemically affected by the process and do not contain dissolved corrosive or toxic compounds.
Inventors
- 👤 R Boucher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/025; A61L2/16; A61L2/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
30 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 1, wherein heater means is associated with said second container means to maintain the temperature therein in the range of from 45* to 70* C.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said sporicidal solution comprises glutaraldehyde in a concentration of from .05 percent to 5 percent by volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said sporicidal solution includes dimethylsulfoxide in a concentration of less than 2 percent by volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the size of said first and second container meaNs and said drying means and the rate of movement of said object along said track means is such that said object is disposed in said sporicidal solution, said rinsing agent and said drying means equal amounts of time, said times being within the range of from 2 to 30 minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said sterile rinsing agent in said second container comprises germ free water in combination with surface active agents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said surface active agent comprises quaternary ammonium salt in a concentration of less than .1 percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 7, wherein heater means is in said dryer means to maintain the temperature of processed material inside said dryer means within the range of 70* to 75* C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 1, wherein means are associated with said second container means for raising the temperature therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said means for raising the temperature in said first and second container means comprises an infrared heating element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said means for raising the temperature in said first and second container means comprises a microwave heating element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said means for raising the temperature in said first and second container means comprises an electrical heating element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 12, wherein means are in cooperative association with each of said first and second container means for supplying said chemical solutions thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said means for subjecting said sporicidal solution, said sterile rinsing agent and said object to ultrasonic energy comprises at least one electro-acoustic transducer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said electro-acoustic transducer comprises a piezo ceramic element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said electro-acoustic transducer is positioned at the bottom of the respective container means and generates a high intensity, ultrasonic field upwardly through the sporicidal solution and said sterile rinsing agent in said respective container means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 16, wherein said drying means comprises an elongate housing open at opposite ends and through which said object is passed from one end to the other end thereof, blower means are associated with said housing to force air through said housing in a direction opposite to the movement of said object therethrough, heater means are operatively associated with said drying means for raising the temperature in said housing, and sterilization means is in said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 17, wherein said heating means is disposed in the path of air from said blower means to said housing, filter means is on said blower means for filtering air to be circulated through said housing, and said sterilizing means comprises ultraviolet lamps positioned in said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 18, wherein said track means comprises conveyor means extending across the top of said first and second container means and said drying means, said conveyor means having sections of reduced elevation over said first and second container means so that as said object is carried along said conveyor means it is lowered into said container means when it reaches said portions of reduced elevation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
Sterilization apparatus as in claim 19, wherein a perforate basket means is supported from said conveyor, and said object is carried in said basket means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |