US5007232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method of use of sterilizing containers using hydrogen peroxide vapor
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 1989-11-20
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2009-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for sterilizing containers using hydrogen peroxide vapor is disclosed. The apparatus for aseptically filling a container comprises a housing, a source of liquid hydrogen peroxide, means for providing a flow of heated gas, means for causing the hydrogen peroxide to mix with the heated gas thereby vaporizing the hydrogen peroxide, means inside the housing for dispensing the vaporized hydrogen peroxide, the means for dispensing the vaporized hydrogen peroxide including means for dispensing the vaporized hydrogen peroxide into the container, fill tube means extending into the housing for dispensing product into the container, means within the housing for sealing the container, and means providing for the passage of the container between the interior and exterior of the housing. The method comprises the steps of providing a housing with means for providing the passage of the container between the interior and the exterior of the housing, introducing a container into the housing, dispensing vaporized hydrogen peroxide into the container, dispensing product into the container, and sealing the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Vance E. Caudill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:15
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/04; B65B55/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for aseptically filling a container, said apparatus comprising: a housing, a source of liquid hydrogen peroxide, means for providing a flow of heated gas, means for causing said hydrogen peroxide to mix with said heated gas, the mixing thereby vaporizing said hydrogen peroxide, means inside said housing for dispensing the vaporized hydrogen peroxide, said means for dispensing said vaporized hydrogen peroxide including means for dispensing said vaporized hydrogen peroxide into said container, fill tube means extending into said housing for dispensing product into said container, means within said housing for sealing said container, and means providing for the passage of said container between the interior and the exterior of said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for aseptically filling a container, said apparatus comprising: a housing, a source of liquid hydrogen peroxide, means for providing a flow of heated gas, means for causing said hydrogen peroxide to mix with said heated gas, the mixing thereby vaporizing said hydrogen peroxide, means inside said housing for dispensing the vaporized hydrogen peroxide, said means for dispensing said vaporized hydrogen peroxide including means for dispensing said vaporized hydrogen peroxide into said container, fill tube means extending into said housing for dispensing product into said container, means within said housing for sealing said container, and means providing for the passage of said container between the interior and the exterior of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes means for dispensing air into said housing so as to create an air-over-pressure environment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for dispensing said vaporized hydrogen peroxide includes means for dispensing said vaporized hydrogen peroxide directly into said container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mixing occurs prior to the vaporized hydrogen peroxide being dispensed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means providing for the passage of said container between the interior and the exterior of said housing includes at least one translator port, such that the pressure within said housing is greater than the pressure within said translator port.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said heated gas is an inert gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said heated gas is air.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of aseptically filling a container, said method comprising the steps of providing a housing with means for providing the passage of said container between the interior and the exterior of said housing, said housing comprising a compartment, introducing a container into said compartment, mixing hydrogen peroxide with heated air to form a vapor, thereafter directly dispensing said vaporize hydrogen peroxide into said container, dispensing product into said container, and heat sealing said container.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of aseptically filling a container, said method comprising the steps of providing a housing with means for providing the passage of said container between the interior and the exterior of said housing, said housing comprising a compartment, introducing a container into said compartment, mixing hydrogen peroxide with heated air to form a vapor, thereafter directly dispensing said vaporize hydrogen peroxide into said container, dispensing product into said container, and heat sealing said container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said dispensing vaporized hydrogen peroxide into said container occurs at a first position, said dispensing product into said container occurs at a second position, and said heat sealing said container occurs at a third position, said first, second and third positions all being in the same compartment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 8 which includes the step of sterilizing the interior of said compartment by dispensing a flow of vaporized hydrogen peroxide into said compartment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said dispensing of vaporized hydrogen peroxide is the result of mixing liquid hydrogen peroxide with a flow of heated gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mixing permits the values associated with rate of gas flow, gas temperature, rate of peroxide flow and peroxide temperature to be variable.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for aseptically filling a container, said apparatus comprising: a housing, said housing comprising a compartment, a source of liquid hydrogen peroxide, means for providing a flow of heated gas, means for causing said hydrogen peroxide to mix with said heated gas, the mixing thereby vaporizing said hydrogen peroxide, means inside said compartment for dispensing the vaporized hydrogen peroxide, said means for dispensing said vaporized hydrogen peroxide including means for dispersing said vaporized hydrogen peroxide into said container, fill tube means extending into said compartment for dispensing product into said container, means within said compartment for heat sealing said container, and means providing for the passage of said container between the interior and the exterior of said housing.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for aseptically filling a container, said apparatus comprising: a housing, said housing comprising a compartment, a source of liquid hydrogen peroxide, means for providing a flow of heated gas, means for causing said hydrogen peroxide to mix with said heated gas, the mixing thereby vaporizing said hydrogen peroxide, means inside said compartment for dispensing the vaporized hydrogen peroxide, said means for dispensing said vaporized hydrogen peroxide including means for dispersing said vaporized hydrogen peroxide into said container, fill tube means extending into said compartment for dispensing product into said container, means within said compartment for heat sealing said container, and means providing for the passage of said container between the interior and the exterior of said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said vaporized hydrogen peroxide passes directly from said mixing means to said compartment.
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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) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |