GB1370545A - Method of washing vessels and apparatus for carrying out this method - Google Patents

Abstract

1370545 Washing ampoule; SPETSIALNOE PROEKTNO - KONSTRUKTORSKOE BJURO MEDITSINSKOI PROMYSHLENNOSTI 5 July 1972 31359/72 Heading B8T Ampoules 17 inverted in a holder 18 are washed in a closed chamber 1 which is first filled with a vapour, e.g. steam, through a valve 5, the vapour entering the ampoules the necks of which are then immersed in washing liquid supplied through valve 8 or 9. Steam or other vapour supplied through valve 5 raises the pressure in the chamber 1 to a point at which the vapour in the ampoules condenses, and they are filled with washing liquid. The washing liquid is then removed through a valve 12 and cooling liquid is admitted through a valve 22 and spray nozzles 20, thereby causing a reduced pressure in the chamber so that vapour in the chamber condenses, and liquid in the ampoules evaporates. The vapour pressure may open a valve 12 to expel air from the chamber 1. Where washing liquid is present in the chamber before vapour is admitted, the valve 12 is closed by a device 14 and air is expelled through a valve 6. The lid 2 of the chamber 1 is movable vertically by means of hydraulic pistons 23 and closes against an annular gasket 3. The washing liquid may be heated before reaching the chamber 1. A sterilization stage may follow the washing stage. In modifications, the cooling and washing liquids are separated in the chamber 1 by a wall (41), Fig. 2 (not shown), and an auxiliary tank (67), Fig. 3 (not shown), with internal ribs (70) for increasing the heat exchange surface of the tank is provided for the cooling liquid. A device producing ultrasonic oscillations may be fitted in the chamber 1.