Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A method for disinfecting articles and the exterior and interior surfaces of the vessel in which the articles are disposed in an apparatus for use with a conventional supply of fluid, where the apparatus has an outer vessel and an inner vessel so disposed within the outer vessel that an outer chamber is defined therebetween, the method comprising: placing the articles in the inner vessel of an apparatus having an inner vessel so disposed within an outer vessel that an outer chamber is defined therebetween; washing the articles; draining the inner vessel; so applying a disinfectant to the articles that the disinfectant fills the inner vessel and flows through an interface between the inner vessel and a cover on the inner vessel to so fill the outer chamber that the inner vessel is submerged for a period of time sufficient to disinfect the articles, the inner vessel and the cover; draining the inner vessel and the outer chamber; spraying sterile fluid onto the articles; so filling the inner vessel with sterile fluid that the articles are substantially submerged and the sterile fluid flows through the interface and over the exterior surface of the cover, establishing a direction of flow for preventing the entrance of contaminants into the inner vessel and rinsing the exterior surfaces of the cover, for a period of time sufficient to soak the articles; agitating the sterile fluid within the inner vessel; and draining the inner vessel and the outer chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
244 words
A method for disinfecting articles and the exterior and interior surfaces of the vessel in which the articles are disposed in an apparatus for use with a conventional supply of fluid, where the apparatus has an outer vessel and an inner vessel so disposed within the outer vessel that an outer chamber is defined therebetween, the method comprising: placing the articles in the inner vessel of an apparatus having an inner vessel so disposed within an outer vessel that an outer chamber is defined therebetween; washing the articles; draining the inner vessel; so applying a disinfectant to the articles that the disinfectant fills the inner vessel and flows through an interface between the inner vessel and a cover on the inner vessel to so fill the outer chamber that the inner vessel is submerged for a period of time sufficient to disinfect the articles, the inner vessel and the cover; draining the inner vessel and the outer chamber; spraying sterile fluid onto the articles; so filling the inner vessel with sterile fluid that the articles are substantially submerged and the sterile fluid flows through the interface and over the exterior surface of the cover, establishing a direction of flow for preventing the entrance of contaminants into the inner vessel and rinsing the exterior surfaces of the cover, for a period of time sufficient to soak the articles; agitating the sterile fluid within the inner vessel; and draining the inner vessel and the outer chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the sterile fluid is obtained by sterilizing the fluid from the conventional supply by passing the fluid through a plurality of filters adapted for removing bacterial spores from the fluid and delivering the sterilized fluid through a conduit to the inner vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the disinfectant is obtained by injecting a disinfectant into the supply to fluid and delivering the disinfectant-fluid through a conduit to the inner vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the inner vessel is filled by closing a drain in the inner vessel, and the outer chamber is filled by closing a drain in each of the outer vessel and the inner vessel, and the inner vessel is drained by opening the drain in the inner vessel and the outer vessel is drained by opening the drain in the outer vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the steps of washing the articles and applying disinfectant to the articles are combined by injecting a solution of washer-disinfectant into the source of fluid and delivering the washer-disinfectant-fluid mixture to the inner vessel and agitating the washer-disinfectant-fluid mixture for a period of time to wash and disinfect the articles and the inner vessel while the inner vessel is filled with and submerged in the mixture.