Abstract A method for sterilizing objects including an autoclave having a chamber into which a supply conduit is connected provided with a medium, such as steam and a further supply conduit provided with at least one control medium, such as compressed air. The apparatus also has a discharge conduit and a vent conduit. The method achieves the desired results of sterilization of the objects within said chamber by operating the system as near as possible to the temperature tolerance of the plastic packaging of the products being treated. The thermodynamic system utilized is so constructed and arranged to control the temperature in the chamber with great accuracy and to permit trimming of the operation of the system within certain parameters for a given program, or to readjust the system for another program.
Inventors
👤 Hans A. Fahlvik
👤 Kurt E. Sandquist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-07 22:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of sterilizing objects in an autoclave having a chamber and a conduit for supply of steam, a conduit for supply of air and at least one discharge conduit and one vent conduit, comprising the steps of: heating said objects in said chamber, causing steam to flow through said chamber in quantities controlled by a first regulating valve, said second regulating valve being operated by means controlled by the temperature present in said steam conduit, and causing air to flow through said chamber in quantities controlled by second and third regulating valves in parallel branches of said air conduit, said second regulating valve being operated by means controlled by the pressure prevalent in said chamber, and said third regulating valve being operated by means controlled by the temperature prevalent in said chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of sterilizing objects in an autoclave having a chamber and a conduit for supply of steam, a conduit for supply of air and at least one discharge conduit and one vent conduit, comprising the steps of: heating said objects in said chamber, causing steam to flow through said chamber in quantities controlled by a first regulating valve, said second regulating valve being operated by means controlled by the temperature present in said steam conduit, and causing air to flow through said chamber in quantities controlled by second and third regulating valves in parallel branches of said air conduit, said second regulating valve being operated by means controlled by the pressure prevalent in said chamber, and said third regulating valve being operated by means controlled by the temperature prevalent in said chamber.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of sterilizing objects in an autoclave having a chamber and a conduit for supply of steam, a conduit for supply of air and at least one discharge conduit and one vent conduit, comprising the steps of: heating said objects in said chamber, causing steam to flow through said chamber in quantities controlled by first and second regulating valves in parallel branches of said steam supply conduit, one of said valves being operated by means controlled by the temperature present in said steam conduit downstream of the respective valve and the other of said valves being operated by means controlled by the temperature prevalent in said chamber, and causing air to flow through said chamber in quantities controlled by third and fourth regulating valves in parallel branches of said air conduit, said third regulating valve being operated by means controlled by the pressure prevalent in said chamber and said fourth regulating valve being operated by means controlled by the temperature prevalent in said chamber.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of sterilizing objects in an autoclave having a chamber and a conduit for supply of steam, a conduit for supply of air and at least one discharge conduit and one vent conduit, comprising the steps of: heating said objects in said chamber, causing steam to flow through said chamber in quantities controlled by first and second regulating valves in parallel branches of said steam supply conduit, one of said valves being operated by means controlled by the temperature present in said steam conduit downstream of the respective valve and the other of said valves being operated by means controlled by the temperature prevalent in said chamber, and causing air to flow through said chamber in quantities controlled by third and fourth regulating valves in parallel branches of said air conduit, said third regulating valve being operated by means controlled by the pressure prevalent in said chamber and said fourth regulating valve being operated by means controlled by the temperature prevalent in said chamber.