Patent US3885915A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3885915A
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US
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Method and apparatus for the sterilization of ampoules with pharmaceutical liquid therein
Assignee: Tanabe Pharma Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-01
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1992-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for sterilizing liquid containing ampoules having branch parts with microwave irradiation. The ampoules are conveyed to a treating chamber and during irradiation the ampoules are inclined so that liquid does not enter their branch parts and are rotated about their longitudinal axes. Immediately following irradiation, the ampoules may be tilted to cause their branch parts to be filled with heated liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Isamu Utsumi
- 👤 Kanae Murakami
- 👤 Teruo Murayama
- 👤 Tokuo Takahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/08; A61L2/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A METHOD FOR STERILIZING LIQUID-CONTAINING AMPOULES HAVING BRANCH PARTS WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: INCLINING EACH AMPOULE CONTAINING A LIQUID TO AN ANGLE OF INCLINATION SO THAT THE LIQUID DOES NOT ENTER THE BRANCH PART OF THE AMPOUL; ROTATING THE AMPOULE ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS WHILE IN THE INCLINED POSITION; AND IRRADIATING SAID AMPOULE WITH MICROWAVES, SO THAT THE LIQUID DOES NOT ENTER INTO THE BRANCH PART OF THE AMPOULE DURING THE IRRADIATION PROCESS.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A METHOD FOR STERILIZING LIQUID-CONTAINING AMPOULES HAVING BRANCH PARTS WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: INCLINING EACH AMPOULE CONTAINING A LIQUID TO AN ANGLE OF INCLINATION SO THAT THE LIQUID DOES NOT ENTER THE BRANCH PART OF THE AMPOUL; ROTATING THE AMPOULE ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS WHILE IN THE INCLINED POSITION; AND IRRADIATING SAID AMPOULE WITH MICROWAVES, SO THAT THE LIQUID DOES NOT ENTER INTO THE BRANCH PART OF THE AMPOULE DURING THE IRRADIATION PROCESS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method for sterilizing liquid-containing ampoules as claimed in claim 1, wherein each ampoule completes several rotations during the microwave irradiation process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for sterilizing liquid-containing ampoules as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ampoule angle of inclination is from about 45* to 70* relative to vertical during the microwave irradiation step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for sterilizing liquid-containing ampoules as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ampoule angle of inclination is from 60* to 70* relative to the vertical during the microwave irradiation step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising the step of adjusting the iNclination angle of the ampoule supporting angle of a conveying means after the microwave irradiating step so that the branch part of the ampoule is thereafter filled with the heated liquid.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for sterilizing liquid-containing ampoules comprising a microwave source, a heating chamber connected with said microwave source, a conveying means operatively positioned for passing liquid-containing ampoules through said heating chamber, means associated with said conveying means for inclining said ampoules so that the liquid may not enter the branch parts of the ampoules while said ampoules are passing through the heating chamber, means cooperating with the conveying means for rotating said ampoules and means for adjusting the angle of inclination of said ampoules after the ampoules pass through the heating chamber, thereby filling branch parts of the ampoules with internal hot liquid and positioned on a part of said conveying means extending beyond said heating chamber.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for sterilizing liquid-containing ampoules comprising a microwave source, a heating chamber connected with said microwave source, a conveying means operatively positioned for passing liquid-containing ampoules through said heating chamber, means associated with said conveying means for inclining said ampoules so that the liquid may not enter the branch parts of the ampoules while said ampoules are passing through the heating chamber, means cooperating with the conveying means for rotating said ampoules and means for adjusting the angle of inclination of said ampoules after the ampoules pass through the heating chamber, thereby filling branch parts of the ampoules with internal hot liquid and positioned on a part of said conveying means extending beyond said heating chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3737608A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |