US4993598A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pump sterilization process and pumping system suitable for applying the process
Assignee: Groninger and Co GmbH
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Filing: 1989-05-12
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Granted: 1991-02-19
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Expires: 2009-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A process for the sterilization of pumps for liquid or pasty pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foodstuffs or similar products, preferably for pumps in which the piston can be driven to slide longitudinally in a cylinder and, at the same time, to rotate about its own axis. The piston contains a recess that reaches as far as the circular cylinder wall and the working face of the piston and communicates with a suction connection in the cylinder wall during a suction stroke and with a pressure connection in the cylinder wall during a pressure stroke and where, further, a closable drainage aperture is preferably provided in the bottom end of the cylinder. A sterilization medium is fed to a pump connection while the pump is being driven. Consequently, the pump does not have to be dismantled for sterilization purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 Horst Groninger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/04; A61L2/06; A61L2/07; F; F04; F04B; F04B7/00; F04B7/04; F04B7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Process for the sterilization of pumps for liquid or pasty pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foodstuffs or similar products, each of said pumps including a piston adapted to slide longitudinally in a cylinder and, at the same time, to rotate about its own axis, the piston including a longitudinal recess adjacent a circular cylinder wall and extending to a working face of the piston, said recess communicating with a suction connection in the cylinder wall during a suction stroke of the piston and with a pressure connection in the cylinder wall during a pressure stroke of the piston said cylinder including a closable drainage aperture in a bottom end thereof said process comprising the step of feeding a sterilization medium to one of the suction and pressure connections while the pump is being driven.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Process for the sterilization of pumps for liquid or pasty pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foodstuffs or similar products, each of said pumps including a piston adapted to slide longitudinally in a cylinder and, at the same time, to rotate about its own axis, the piston including a longitudinal recess adjacent a circular cylinder wall and extending to a working face of the piston, said recess communicating with a suction connection in the cylinder wall during a suction stroke of the piston and with a pressure connection in the cylinder wall during a pressure stroke of the piston said cylinder including a closable drainage aperture in a bottom end thereof said process comprising the step of feeding a sterilization medium to one of the suction and pressure connections while the pump is being driven.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process according to claim 1 further comprising the step of rotating the piston constantly in the same direction as the sterilization medium is fed into one of the suction and pressure connections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
A pumping system for liquid or pasty pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foodstuffs or similar products comprising at least one pump with a ceramic piston disposed with a ceramic cylinder and means for longitudinally sliding the piston in a generally vertical direction within the cylinder and for rotating the piston around a longitudinal axis thereof, the piston containing a recess therein adjacent a circular cylinder wall and extending to a working face of the piston, said recess communicating with a suction connection in the cylinder wall during a suction stroke of the piston and with a pressure connection in the circular cylinder wall during a pressure stroke of the piston, the cylinder including a closable aperture disposed in a bottom of the cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
A pumping system for liquid or pasty pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foodstuffs or similar products comprising at least one pump with a ceramic piston disposed with a ceramic cylinder and means for longitudinally sliding the piston in a generally vertical direction within the cylinder and for rotating the piston around a longitudinal axis thereof, the piston containing a recess therein adjacent a circular cylinder wall and extending to a working face of the piston, said recess communicating with a suction connection in the cylinder wall during a suction stroke of the piston and with a pressure connection in the circular cylinder wall during a pressure stroke of the piston, the cylinder including a closable aperture disposed in a bottom of the cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The pumping system according to claim 3 wherein the cylinder bottom is enclosed with respect to the horizontal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The pumping system according to claim 3 wherein the cylinder has a length that essentially corresponds to a length of the piston plus a length of a piston working stroke.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The pumping system according to claim 3 wherein an upper end area of the cylinder terminates in a space that is near gastight and the pumping system further comprises a gas connection to the near gastight space.
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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) | 1994-02-18 | 1994-08-20 | 1995-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-08-20 | 1999-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-18 | 2002-08-20 | 2003-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |