US3791424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for sterilizing gas containers and filling same with a sterile gas
Assignee: Aqua Lung America Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-26
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1991-05-26
Abstract
Abstract One or more gas containers connected by a conduit means to a feed source are sterilized and sterilely filled by the evacuation of the containers and conduit means to a low pressure, the introduction of a sterilizing agent into the containers and conduit means for a suitable holding period, the removal of the sterilizing agent by a further evacuation of the containers and conduit means, and the introduction of a gaseous feed stock to the containers through a sterilizing unit in the conduit means.
Inventors
- 👤 G Strople
- 👤 J Mills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/20; A61L2/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
A sterilizing and packaging apparatus for providing a container of compressed sterile gas suitable for medical use and food, drug and cosmetic packaging, which comprises a closed conduit system including a container to be filled detachably connected to the conduit system, said conduit system and container being sealed against the entrance thereto of ambient air and contaminants, sterilizing agent supply means, means selectively operable to connect the sterilizing agent supply means to the conduit system and container to introduce said agent into said system and container to sterilize the interior thereof, vacuum means, means selectively operable to connect said vacuum means to the conduit system and container to evacuate the same and remove therefrom all traces of ambient air prior to introducing said sterilizing agent therein and after a predetermined holding period following introduction of said sterilizing agent to again evacuate said system and container to remove therefrom all traces of said sterilizing agent, means in said conduit system intermediate said means selectively operable to connect said vacuum means to the conduit system and said vacuum means for sterilizing gases flowing through said vacuum means to prevent contamination of the conduit system and container by the entrance or reentrance of contaminaNts, compressed gas supply means, means selectively operable to connect said compressed gas supply means to the conduit system and container to introduce into said container a predetermined quantity of the compressed gas, sterilizing means in said conduit system adjacent said compressed gas supply means for sterilizing the compressed gas flowing into the conduit system and container, and means for sealing the container after introduction of said sterilized compressed gas and prior to detachment thereof from the conduit system to maintain the sterilized compressed gas in the container in a sterile condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
A sterilizing and packaging apparatus for providing a container of compressed sterile gas suitable for medical use and food, drug and cosmetic packaging, which comprises a closed conduit system including a container to be filled detachably connected to the conduit system, said conduit system and container being sealed against the entrance thereto of ambient air and contaminants, sterilizing agent supply means, means selectively operable to connect the sterilizing agent supply means to the conduit system and container to introduce said agent into said system and container to sterilize the interior thereof, vacuum means, means selectively operable to connect said vacuum means to the conduit system and container to evacuate the same and remove therefrom all traces of ambient air prior to introducing said sterilizing agent therein and after a predetermined holding period following introduction of said sterilizing agent to again evacuate said system and container to remove therefrom all traces of said sterilizing agent, means in said conduit system intermediate said means selectively operable to connect said vacuum means to the conduit system and said vacuum means for sterilizing gases flowing through said vacuum means to prevent contamination of the conduit system and container by the entrance or reentrance of contaminaNts, compressed gas supply means, means selectively operable to connect said compressed gas supply means to the conduit system and container to introduce into said container a predetermined quantity of the compressed gas, sterilizing means in said conduit system adjacent said compressed gas supply means for sterilizing the compressed gas flowing into the conduit system and container, and means for sealing the container after introduction of said sterilized compressed gas and prior to detachment thereof from the conduit system to maintain the sterilized compressed gas in the container in a sterile condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A sterilizing and packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sterilizing agent is a flammable gas and an inert gas supply means in provided together with means selectively operable to connect the inert gas supply means to the conduit system and container upstream of said compressed gas sterilizing means to introduce said inert gas thereto subsequent to introduction of said sterilizing agent to dilute the latter to a non-flammable concentration prior to evacuation of the conduit system and container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A sterilizing and packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein humidity and temperature control means is provided in the conduit system operable automatically to control the humidity and temperature of the sterilizing agent and sterile compressed gas supplied to the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
236 words
Apparatus for sterilizing a container and filling the sterilized container with a sterile compressed gas comprising a conduit system having a first conduit portion including a manifold having means for connection thereto of a plurality of containers to be sterilized and filled with a sterile gas, a second conduit portion connected at one end to said manifold and at the other end to a vacuum pump operable to evacuate said manifold and the containers connected thereto, a third conduit portion connected at one end to said manifold and at the other end having means for connection thereto of a supply of sterilizing agent, a fourth conduit portion connected at one end to said manifold and at the other end thereof having means for connection thereto of a supply of a gas with which said containers are to be filled, valve means in said second, third and fourth conduit portions operable selectively to connect said manifold to any one of said vacuum pump, sterilizing agent supply, and sterile gas supply, sterilizing means in said second conduit portion intermediate the vacuum pump and said manifold operable to prevent contamination of the conduit system and containers by the entrance or reentrance of contaminants thereinto inwardly through said second conduit portion, and sterilizing means in said fourth conduit portion intermediate the manifold and the connections to the supply of gas operable to sterilize the latter en route to said manifold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
236 words
Apparatus for sterilizing a container and filling the sterilized container with a sterile compressed gas comprising a conduit system having a first conduit portion including a manifold having means for connection thereto of a plurality of containers to be sterilized and filled with a sterile gas, a second conduit portion connected at one end to said manifold and at the other end to a vacuum pump operable to evacuate said manifold and the containers connected thereto, a third conduit portion connected at one end to said manifold and at the other end having means for connection thereto of a supply of sterilizing agent, a fourth conduit portion connected at one end to said manifold and at the other end thereof having means for connection thereto of a supply of a gas with which said containers are to be filled, valve means in said second, third and fourth conduit portions operable selectively to connect said manifold to any one of said vacuum pump, sterilizing agent supply, and sterile gas supply, sterilizing means in said second conduit portion intermediate the vacuum pump and said manifold operable to prevent contamination of the conduit system and containers by the entrance or reentrance of contaminants thereinto inwardly through said second conduit portion, and sterilizing means in said fourth conduit portion intermediate the manifold and the connections to the supply of gas operable to sterilize the latter en route to said manifold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein a compressor is provided in the fourth conduit portion and is operable to transfer the gas from the supply thereof into the conduit system and said containers to the desired pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A sterilizing and packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein humidity and temperature control means is provided in the conduit system operable automatically to control the humidity and temperature of the sterilizing agent and sterile compressed gas supplied to the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein means is provided for introducing into the conduit system and said containers upstream of said fourth conduit sterilizing means a sterilized inert gas to dilute the sterilizing agent to a non-flammable concentration.
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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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |