Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A disposable unit for sterilizing a liquid comprising: an elongated plastic jacket having an inner surface and opposing ends, an elongated tube for generating radiation to sterilize liquid in said jacket, said tube extending longi-tudinally along the interior of said jacket and having an outer surface, said inner and outer surfaces forming a flow chamber within said jacket around said tube, said tube being non-removably received by said jacket, said jacket being substantially opaque to said radiation, means adjacent said opposing ends of said jacket for providing an inlet and an outlet for flow of liquid from said inlet into said chamber and into direct contact with said tube for sterilization by the radiation therefrom and finally out of said outlet, said jacket ends including liquid tight seals en-gaging respective ends of said tube to prevent outflow of liquid from said flow chamber except via said outlet, said tube ends each terminating in electrically conductive terminal means extending exteriorly of said jacket ends for applying electric power to the tube and for pro-viding mechanical support to said unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A disposable unit for sterilizing a liquid comprising: an elongated plastic jacket having an inner surface and opposing ends, an elongated tube for generating radiation to sterilize liquid in said jacket, said tube extending longi-tudinally along the interior of said jacket and having an outer surface, said inner and outer surfaces forming a flow chamber within said jacket around said tube, said tube being non-removably received by said jacket, said jacket being substantially opaque to said radiation, means adjacent said opposing ends of said jacket for providing an inlet and an outlet for flow of liquid from said inlet into said chamber and into direct contact with said tube for sterilization by the radiation therefrom and finally out of said outlet, said jacket ends including liquid tight seals en-gaging respective ends of said tube to prevent outflow of liquid from said flow chamber except via said outlet, said tube ends each terminating in electrically conductive terminal means extending exteriorly of said jacket ends for applying electric power to the tube and for pro-viding mechanical support to said unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination of claim 1 further including an elongated casing for mounting said disposable unit, said casing having fixedly mounted therein spaced apart mounting. means for receiving respective ones of said terminal means for thereby locating said unit in said casing, said mounting means including electric contact means for engaging said terminal means for connecting an external source of power to said terminal means to energize said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said terminal means at each tube end comprises a pair of parallel prongs defining a first plane, and wherein each said mounting means in said casing includes socket means for receiving said prongs, said socket means comprising a first socket portion defining a second plane for enabling said prongs to enter said first portion by alignment of said first and second planes, said socket means further comprising arcuate socket portions extending around and communicating with said first socket portion to enable said prongs to enter said arcuate socket portions upon rotation of said unit in order to locate and retain said unit in said socket means, said electric contact means being located in said arcuate socket portions whereby upon said rotation said terminal means are connected to an external source of power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tube ends each terminates exterior to the associated one of said seals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said ends of said jacket is provided with an integrally molded closure member; and wherein said means for providing an inlet and an outlet comprises first and second connection portions each integrally formed to a different one of said closure members, each connection portion having a central opening communicating with said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein at least one of said closure members includes fin means internal thereto for imparting turbulence to said liquid flowing therepast.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein each of said seals comprises an O-ring engaged with the inner wall surface of the associated closure member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tube comprises means for generating ultra-violet radiation having a wavelength of substantially 2,537 Angstroms,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tube comprises means for generating radiation having a wavelength of substantially 1,880 Angstroms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tube comprises means for generating gamma radiation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said jacket is provided with a view port exposed to said radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said view port is located centrally of said jacket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said means for providing an inlet and an outlet comprises a spaced pair of externally threaded projecting members each adapted to be coupled to an internally threaded hose connection and each provided with a central through bore.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1 further including means for restricting the flow rate of said liquid through said chamber to a predetermined maximum value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 14 wherein said restricting means comprises means for limiting said flow rate to four gallons per minute.