US3450487A - Method of and apparatus for sterilizing articles - Google Patents

Method of and apparatus for sterilizing articles Download PDF

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Publication number
US3450487A
US3450487A US689209A US3450487DA US3450487A US 3450487 A US3450487 A US 3450487A US 689209 A US689209 A US 689209A US 3450487D A US3450487D A US 3450487DA US 3450487 A US3450487 A US 3450487A
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United States
Prior art keywords
steam
compartment
chamber
pressure
saturated steam
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Expired - Lifetime
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US689209A
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English (en)
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Knut Anders Osborne Wallden
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Individual
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Individual
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/04—Heat
    • A61L2/06—Hot gas
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/04—Heat
    • A61L2/06—Hot gas
    • A61L2/07—Steam
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/20—Targets to be treated
    • A61L2202/26—Textiles, e.g. towels, beds, cloths

Definitions

  • An autoclave having a housing provided with a top compartment overlying a chamber for sterilizing articles and a bottom compartment disposed about the chamber for holding a body of water heated to generate saturated steam passing into the top compartment, flowing the saturated steam in the top compartment through an elongated hollow member which is electrically heated to dry the steam, discharging the dry steam from an apertured diffuser tube in the upper part of the sterilizing chamber, controlling the flow of the dry steam from the elongated member to the diffuser tube b a valve which is in the top compartment and has a control member accessible outside the housing, heating the dry steam in the diffuser tube by saturated steam flowing from the bottom compartment to the top compartment through a conduit which extends through the diffuser tube, producing a first pressure less than atmospheric pressure in the steam spaces of the top and bottom compartments of the housing by a first evacuator, and withdrawing air
  • the purpose of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks.
  • the main feature of the invention is that saturated steam is produced in the lower compartment of a two-compartment container, housing a disinfection chamber, at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, and the steam is dried in the upper compartment ofthe container by being fed through tubes which are heated, and thereupon is distributed through a heated diffuser tube in the upper portion of the disinfection chamber and finally is withdrawn or sucked out from the lower portion of the disinfection chamber.
  • This method it is possible to produce a stream of dried steam with a temperature of about -80 C. through the disinfection chamber.
  • the invention also relates to an autoclave for carrying out the method according to the invention.
  • the autoclave comprises a disinfection chamber housed in the lower compartment of a two-compartment container and in provided with a diffuser tube for the steam.
  • the autoclave is characterized by heating means for producing saturated steam in the lower compartment of the container at a pressure below the atmospheric pressure, by heating means for drying the steam before it reaches the diffuser tube, and by pump means for producing the lower pressure than the pressure of the steam in the disinfection chamber. In such an autoclave the heat losses will be very small and the condensation in the conduits to the disinfection chamber are practically completely avoided.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an autoclave embodying the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a horizontal section through the upper poiltion of the autoclave on the line IIII in FIG. 1, an
  • FIG. 3 shows a horizontal section on the line III-III in FIG. 1.
  • the autoclave shown in the drawings is adapted to produce the steam required for the disinfection.
  • the autoclave comprises a container 3 within which is provided a disinfection chamber 2, having a door 1.
  • the chamber 2 in partly surrounded by a body of water 4.
  • the water level is indicated by a gauge glass 5.
  • a horizontal partition 6 divides the container 3 into a lower compartment 7, in which the body of water 4 is held and an upper compartment 8 which functions as a steam chamber,
  • the upper compartment 8 communicates with the lower compartment 7 through a plurality of ports 9.
  • a number of heating elements 11 in the lower compartment 7 are controlled by thermostats 10, the heating elements 11 being connected to a source of electric current (not shown).
  • a number of tubes 12, 13, 14 are connected in series.
  • the tube 12 at one end 15 is in communication with the steam chamber or compartment 8 and one end of the tube 14 is connected by a conduit 14a to a main valve 16 having its lower end connected to a diffuser tube 17 provided in the upper part of the disinfection chamber 2.
  • a suitable automatic device (not shown). Such automatic device controls the whole disinfection process.
  • the diffuser tube 17 may be provided with a plurality of openings 19 or diffuser jets 20 or both.
  • a conduit 21 extends axially through the diffuser tube to one end of which is connected a vertical tube 22 in communication with the upper .compartment or steam chamber 8 and the opposite end 23 of which is in communication with the lower compartment 7 above the Water surface level therein.
  • a tube 25 extends downward from the bottom 24 of the disinfection chamber 2 and has its lower end connected to a valve 26 which in turn is connected to a vacuum pump 27.
  • a valve 26 which in turn is connected to a vacuum pump 27.
  • a vacuum pump 27 To the steam chamber or upper compartment 8 is connected one end of a tube 28, the opposite end of which is connected to a valve 29 which in turn is connected to a vacuum pump 30.
  • the method of disinfection is as follows: Electric current is supplied to the heating elements 11.
  • the vacuum pump 30 is started. When the pressure in the steam chamber or upper compartment 8 has been reduced to about 410 mm. Hg, the pump 30 is stopped. At this pressure the steam temperature in the upper compartment 8 is about 80 C.
  • the objects to be disinfected are now placed in the chamber 2.
  • the door 1 is closed and the vacuum pump 27 is started.
  • the pressure in chamber 2 is reduced to a value somewhat lower than the pressure established in the steam chamber or upper compartment 8.
  • the valve 16 When the steam in the upper compartment 8 is at the desired temperature, the valve 16 is opened and the electric current is supplied to the heating elements 18.
  • the vacuum pump 27 continues to operate with the valve 26 completely open until the temperature in the lower portion of the chamber 2 is at the same temperature as the steam. This will require about 7 to 8 minutes.
  • the opening in the valve 26 is now reduced to such an extent that a uniform temperature will be maintained at the bottom portion of the chamber 2.
  • the main valve 16 is closed and the supply of electric current to the elements 18 is terminated.
  • the valve 26 is now opened to render the vacuum pump 27 operable to produce a strong negative pressure in the disinfection chamber 2 to promote drying of the goods therein. As a rule, the length of time required for such drying of the goods will not exceed 15 minutes.
  • the consumption of steam for disinfecting goods in accordance with the invention is rather low.
  • the pressure and also the temperature in the disinfection chamber 2 is kept fairly constant.
  • the heating elements 18 are so dimensioned and constructed that at normal load when electrical energy is supplied thereto the body of steam maintained in the upper compartment 8 will remain in the form of saturated steam and excessive heating effective to change the saturated steam to super heated steam will be avoided.
  • the pressures in the autoclave are adjusted in such a way that the pressure in the disinfection chamber 2 during the disinfection operation is always kept below the pressure in the upper compartmentor steam chamber 8.
  • Apparatus comprising (a) structure defining a chamber for disinfecting articles therein and a housing having first and second compartments in communication with one another, said first compartment being at one level and said second compartment being at a higher level,
  • said first compartment being adapted to hold a body of water, means for heating the body of water in said first compartment to generate saturated steam which passes into said second compartment and forms a body of said saturated steam therein,
  • an elongated hollow member in said second compartment having an inlet and an outlet and through which said saturated steam generated in said first compartment is adapted to flow out of physical contact with and enveloped by the body of said saturated steam in said second compartment, said elongated hollow member comprising a plurality of spaced elongated piping sections disposed alongside one another and connecting ends,
  • heating means extending lengthwise of said elongated member for heating said saturated steam flowing therethrough to dry the steam, said heating means comprising a plurality of electrical heating elements, said heating elements extending axially of said piping sections and disposed in heat exchange relation with said saturated steam adapted to flow therethrough,
  • a first evacuating means in communication with said housing above the liquid surface level of the body of water in said first compartment for producing a first pressure less than atmospheric pressure in said second compartment
  • a second evacuating means in communication with the bottom part of said chamber for withdrawing vaporous fluid therefrom by producing a pressure therein which is less than the first pressure in said second compartment.
  • Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said structure defining said chamber and said first and second compartments of said housing includes means to position said second compartment in heat exchange relation with the top of said chamber and said first compartment in heat exchange relation with other parts of said chamber below the top thereof.
  • said means for heating said saturated steam introduced into said apertured diffuser comprises conduit means for conducting said saturated steam from said first compartment to said second compartment, said last-mentioned conduit means including a portion for flowing said saturated steam in heat exchange relation and out of physical contact with dry steam introduced into said diffuser for discharge therefrom into said chamber.
  • Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which includes means for regulating the rate at which dry steam flows from the outlet of said elongated hollow member to said apertured diffuser, said regulating means having a part which is enveloped by the body of said saturated steam in said second compartment and formed with a passage for flowing dry steam therethrough.
  • a method of disinfecting articles in a space which comprises the steps of (a) maintaining a body of water in a first place, 7

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
US689209A 1963-04-10 1967-11-30 Method of and apparatus for sterilizing articles Expired - Lifetime US3450487A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE3981/63A SE312200B (de) 1963-04-10 1963-04-10

Publications (1)

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US3450487A true US3450487A (en) 1969-06-17

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US689209A Expired - Lifetime US3450487A (en) 1963-04-10 1967-11-30 Method of and apparatus for sterilizing articles

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US3450487A (de)
AT (1) AT243439B (de)
CH (1) CH428104A (de)
NO (1) NO116593B (de)
SE (1) SE312200B (de)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3609297A (en) * 1969-02-24 1971-09-28 Petros D Christopoulos Moisture warming device
US3639725A (en) * 1971-03-03 1972-02-01 Thomas J Maniscalco Steam-generating apparatus
US3774008A (en) * 1971-03-03 1973-11-20 T Maniscalco Steam generating apparatus
US4127384A (en) * 1976-01-26 1978-11-28 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Autoclave for sterilizing objects
US4239730A (en) * 1976-01-26 1980-12-16 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Autoclave apparatus for sterilizing objects
US4263258A (en) * 1978-07-28 1981-04-21 Vereinigte Edelstahlwerke Aktiengesellschaft Steam-operated sterilization apparatus
US4392049A (en) * 1979-05-18 1983-07-05 United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Condensation heating apparatus and method
US4891188A (en) * 1987-05-21 1990-01-02 Mdt Corporation Unplumbed sterilizer
US4942847A (en) * 1988-01-28 1990-07-24 Oy Santasalo-Sohlberg Ab Generation and accumulation of steam
US5026524A (en) * 1986-08-28 1991-06-25 Mdt Corporation Apparatus for subjecting a load to a constant temperature below 100°
WO1993021965A1 (en) * 1992-05-06 1993-11-11 Despatch Industries Limited Partnership Barrier isolation system
US5524357A (en) * 1994-12-23 1996-06-11 Eagle Vision, Inc. Instrument cleaner with converging steam jets
US5556566A (en) * 1994-06-22 1996-09-17 Zanussi Grandi Impianti S.P.A. Combined gas-microwave cooking oven with steam operation
US20060112947A1 (en) * 2004-11-29 2006-06-01 Atul Saksena Steam cooker with moving steam delivery member
US20070175884A1 (en) * 2006-01-31 2007-08-02 Atul Saksena Steam cooker with steam delivery device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US916611A (en) * 1907-01-16 1909-03-30 David Frank Sterilizing apparatus.
US1939715A (en) * 1932-05-26 1933-12-19 Oscar H Pieper Sterilizer
GB586059A (en) * 1944-09-04 1947-03-05 H J Briggs Ltd Improvements relating to the generation of super-heated steam

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US916611A (en) * 1907-01-16 1909-03-30 David Frank Sterilizing apparatus.
US1939715A (en) * 1932-05-26 1933-12-19 Oscar H Pieper Sterilizer
GB586059A (en) * 1944-09-04 1947-03-05 H J Briggs Ltd Improvements relating to the generation of super-heated steam

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3609297A (en) * 1969-02-24 1971-09-28 Petros D Christopoulos Moisture warming device
US3639725A (en) * 1971-03-03 1972-02-01 Thomas J Maniscalco Steam-generating apparatus
US3774008A (en) * 1971-03-03 1973-11-20 T Maniscalco Steam generating apparatus
US4127384A (en) * 1976-01-26 1978-11-28 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Autoclave for sterilizing objects
US4225555A (en) * 1976-01-26 1980-09-30 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Method for sterilizing articles in an autoclave
US4239730A (en) * 1976-01-26 1980-12-16 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Autoclave apparatus for sterilizing objects
US4263258A (en) * 1978-07-28 1981-04-21 Vereinigte Edelstahlwerke Aktiengesellschaft Steam-operated sterilization apparatus
US4392049A (en) * 1979-05-18 1983-07-05 United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Condensation heating apparatus and method
US5026524A (en) * 1986-08-28 1991-06-25 Mdt Corporation Apparatus for subjecting a load to a constant temperature below 100°
US4891188A (en) * 1987-05-21 1990-01-02 Mdt Corporation Unplumbed sterilizer
US4942847A (en) * 1988-01-28 1990-07-24 Oy Santasalo-Sohlberg Ab Generation and accumulation of steam
WO1993021965A1 (en) * 1992-05-06 1993-11-11 Despatch Industries Limited Partnership Barrier isolation system
US5525295A (en) * 1992-05-06 1996-06-11 Despatch Industries Limited Partnership Barrier isolation system
US5556566A (en) * 1994-06-22 1996-09-17 Zanussi Grandi Impianti S.P.A. Combined gas-microwave cooking oven with steam operation
US5524357A (en) * 1994-12-23 1996-06-11 Eagle Vision, Inc. Instrument cleaner with converging steam jets
US20060112947A1 (en) * 2004-11-29 2006-06-01 Atul Saksena Steam cooker with moving steam delivery member
US20070175884A1 (en) * 2006-01-31 2007-08-02 Atul Saksena Steam cooker with steam delivery device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO116593B (de) 1969-04-21
AT243439B (de) 1965-11-10
CH428104A (de) 1967-01-15
SE312200B (de) 1969-07-07

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