WO2005120593A1 - Sterilization system and method - Google Patents
Sterilization system and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2005120593A1 WO2005120593A1 PCT/US2004/017902 US2004017902W WO2005120593A1 WO 2005120593 A1 WO2005120593 A1 WO 2005120593A1 US 2004017902 W US2004017902 W US 2004017902W WO 2005120593 A1 WO2005120593 A1 WO 2005120593A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- sanitizing
- heat
- items
- adjacent
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 29
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 title description 3
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 title description 3
- 238000011012 sanitization Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 78
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 32
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 28
- 239000003623 enhancer Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000000645 desinfectant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 3
- -1 ionization Chemical compound 0.000 description 3
- 230000000813 microbial effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- DWHCYDWXLJOFFO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-(5-phenylthiophen-2-yl)aniline Chemical compound C1=CC(N)=CC=C1C1=CC=C(C=2C=CC=CC=2)S1 DWHCYDWXLJOFFO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 208000019300 CLIPPERS Diseases 0.000 description 1
- ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine atom Chemical compound [Cl] ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003242 anti bacterial agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000845 anti-microbial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 244000052616 bacterial pathogen Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000007844 bleaching agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000021930 chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000001520 comb Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000249 desinfective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000002445 nipple Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B17/00—Accessories for brushes
- A46B17/06—Devices for cleaning brushes after use
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
- 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
- A61L2/08—Radiation
- A61L2/10—Ultraviolet radiation
-
- 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
- A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
- A61L2/20—Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
- A61L2/202—Ozone
-
- 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
- A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
- A61L2202/12—Apparatus for isolating biocidal substances from the environment
- A61L2202/122—Chambers for sterilisation
Definitions
- microwave disinfecting may be problematic because of the electrical arcing that may occur with metal used in the articles, such as the metal cleats sometimes used to anchor bristles in a toothbrush head. Additionally, most households may not be equipped with a microwave apparatus outside of the kitchen. Therefore, use of this approach may be inconvenient for many household users. Still another approach to sanitize articles may be to expose the articles to ultraviolet light. However effective, ultraviolet light equipment may also be expensive and may require regular maintenance by a skilled technician. Also, ultraviolet light may not always reach all surfaces of the articles, such as between the tightly compacted bristles found in many toothbrushes. Further, ultraviolet light may degrade some thermoplastic materials.
- SUMMARY Exemplary embodiments provided herein may include an apparatus, including a heating system, an article- holding system, and a method for sanitizing articles, including personal hygiene articles, such as toothbrushes, without the need for solvents, radiation, ozone, ionization, chlorine, alcohol, bleach, or other chemicals. Further provided may be a sanitary environment for storing articles, including personal hygiene articles such as toothbrushes, after sanitizing them, and to provide such an environment wherein there is no need to handle the articles after they have been subjected to a sanitizing operation until their next use.
- FIG. 1 may depict a compact, inexpensive, energy-efficient apparatus for sanitizing articles, including personal hygiene articles such as toothbrushes, and for storing the articles after the sanitizing operation until their next use, utilizing wet heat, dry heat and/or filtered air and/or a pressurized system.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sanitizing system according to one exemplary embodiment.
- Figure 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of Figure 1.
- Figure 2A is a sectional view along line 2A-2A of the embodiment of Figure 2.
- Figure 3 is a cut-away view of a duct outlet according to an exemplary embodiment.
- Figure 4 is a more detailed perspective view of the heating systems and control systems of exemplary embodiments.
- Figure 5 is a more detailed perspective view of the filtered air system according to an exemplary embodiment.
- Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bottle support system according to one exemplary embodiment.
- System 10 may include a cover 12, which may be configured to couple to a housing 20 to form a chamber 28 therebetween. Chamber 28 may surround and/or enclose items 40 as well as item support system 90.
- Cover 12 may include a vent 14 which may allow air and/or liquid to exit the system.
- Cover 12 may be selectively, removably secured to housing 20, and extends generally vertically upwardly from housing 20, and its interior space defines an enclosure or chamber 28 for enclosing articles to be sanitized.
- Cover 12 may secure to housing via a screw configuration, an interference fit, and/or a snap lock-type configuration, among others as desired.
- Housing 20 may include an actuator 22 which, when actuated, may start and/or stop a sanitizing process, as desired.
- housing 20 may include indicators 24 and 24', which may indicate whether a sanitizing cycle is started, currently happening, and/or ended, as desired. It will be appreciated that other numbers of indicators 24 may be utilized, as desired. It will be appreciated that although cover 12 is shown generally as a cylindrical shape, other shapes and configurations may be utilized, as desired. Furthermore, although vent 14 is shown as a slot or generally rectangular opening, other configurations may be utilized, as desired. Similarly, although housing 20 and cover 12 are shown as generally circular and cylindrical, other shapes may be utilized including square, rectangular, domed, or other configurations, as desired.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of sanitizing system 10 as shown in Figure 1.
- system 10 may include a cover 12 which may include a vent 14.
- system 10 may include an item support system 90 which may be configured to support items to be sanitized 40.
- item support system 90 may be configured to rest within base 36 and/or couple to it via numerous ways, including, but not limited to, an interference fit, friction fit, or rotational fit, among others, as desired.
- System 10 may also include a base 36 which may be configured to couple to housing 20. It will be appreciated that although housing 20 and base 36 are shown as two pieces, they may be one piece of molded plastic, as desired. Base 36 and housing 20 may be configured to enclose other components of the system including a control system 48. Control system 48 may be configured to control the overall operation of the system, as desired. Further enclosed in system 10 may be a wet heat system 50 which may be configured to provide wet heat to chamber 28, such as steam, to sanitize the items 40.
- Housing 20 may include a reservoir 26 which may hold a sanitizing liquid, water, or other materials and or media that may be utilized in the sanitization process, as desired.
- Wet heat system 50 may be configured to heat up the liquid in reservoir 26 to create steam to sanitize the items in chamber 28.
- System 10 may further include a dry heat system 60 as well as a filtered air system 70.
- Filtered air system 70 may include a fan, 74 such that air and/or other gases may be circulated throughout the chamber 28.
- chamber 28 is pressurized thus reducing the amount and/or likelihood of contaminants entering the system and/or chamber 28.
- Dry heat system 60 may sanitize and/or sterilize the items 40 with dry heat.
- dry heat system 60 may evaporate and/or remove liquids from the items 40, such that microbial growth may be reduced.
- Filtered air system 70 may further include a duct 78 which may include duct outlets 30 within chamber 28. With this configuration, fan 74 will move air through duct 78 and into chamber 28 via duct outlets 30. Although two duct outlets 30 have been shown, it will be appreciated that other numbers and configurations for duct outlets may be utilized, as desired. With this generally closed configuration, contaminants may be eliminated and/or reduced in the air entering the system, as well as contaminants entering the system via vent 14. Dry heat system 60 may include a dry heating structure 62 as well as an enhancer 64.
- Dry heating structure 62 may be an electrical heater such as a common "lollipops-type" electric resistive heater, however other heating structures and configurations may be utilized, without straying from this concept. Dry heat system 60 may further include an enhancer 64, which may be configured to dissipate heat from dry heating structure 62 such that more heat may be applied to the system, so that dry heating structure 62 may not overheat. This configuration may allow dry heating structure 62 to last longer without the need to have it replaced or lengthen the time the dry heating structure would operate, thereby reducing the cost of maintaining the system.
- Cover 12, housing 20, base 36, and other portions of system 10 may be made of a polymeric material that may be either thermally set, thermoplastically formed, or injection molded, or other materials, as desired.
- a plastic treated with an antibacterial agent or an inorganic antimicrobial ceramic mix plastic may be utilized to further reduce contaminants in the system.
- these components may be opaque, transparent, or translucent, as desired.
- the exterior surfaces may include designs that would appeal to users, including children.
- materials such as stainless steel and glass may be utilized for a more robust system, such as, but not limited to, one used in a hospital or other commercial application, as desired.
- Item support system 90 may be configured to support dental appliances, such as, but not limited to, toothbrushes, retainers, and guides, as well as may others, as desired.
- item support system 90 may be configured to support baby appliances such as, but not limited to, bottles, pacifiers, toys, eating utensils, plates, bibs, hair fasteners, among many others, as desired. Also, item support system 90 may be configured to support a wide variety of household items such as, but not limited to, dishes, silverware, cleaning devices, among many others, as desired. Furthermore, item support system may be configured to support piercing equipment and jewelry, and the like, as desired. Also, item support system 90 may be configured to support a wide variety of personal items such as, but not limited to, combs, brushes, tweezers, nail and hair clippers, and the like, as desired.
- FIG. 2A is a cut away view along lines 2A-2A of Figure 2, of cover 12. As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 2A, cover 12 may include a vent 14 as well as a containment structure 16.
- Containment structure 16 may be configured to contain contaminants such as, but not limited to, water or other liquids spilled or placed on the top of the system, such that with the positive pressure generated by fan 74, contaminants will be reduced and/or less likely to enter the system via vent 14.
- Containment structure 16 and vent 14 may create a tortuous path such that contaminants that may enter the system via vent 14 may not contaminate the sanitized items. With this configuration, liquids or other things inadvertently dropped on the system may be less likely to contaminate the items 40 or the chamber 28. It will be appreciated that other configurations may be utilized for vent 14 and containment structure 16 without straying from the concepts disclosed herein.
- FIG. 3 shows a cut away view of a duct outlet 30, according to one exemplary embodiment, generally at
- Duct outlet 30 may include a flap 32, which may be configured to open when air is exiting the duct outlet 30 along the arrows labeled A. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, flap 32 may then be biased back toward the source of the air such that when liquids or other items enter the duct outlet as shown by the arrows labeled B , they will not enter the duct outlet 30 or duct 78. With this configuration, contaminants are less likely to enter the filtered air system 70, duct 78 and duct outlet 30.
- FIG 4 is a more detailed perspective view of the heating systems and control systems of an exemplary embodiment.
- Wet heat system 50 may include a wet heating structure 52 and a container 54.
- Wet heating structure 52 may be a common "lollipop-type" electric resistive heating element, however it will be appreciated that many other types of heating structures may be utilized for this purpose, without straying from the concepts disclosed herein.
- Wet heat system 50 may further include a container 54 which may be configured to hold a sanitizing liquid and/or may be configured to transfer heat from wet heating structure 52 to reservoir 26 (not shown).
- the sanitizing liquid may be water that is heated to create saturated steam to sanitize the articles in the system, however, it will be appreciated that other sanitizing liquids may be utilized, as desired. With this configuration, heat may be transferred to a liquid, such as a sanitizer, water, or other liquid or solid within the system such that it may evaporate and/or create steam to sanitize the items 40 (also not shown). Also shown is a control system 48 which may control the overall operation of the elements and structures of the system as well as the processes and methods disclosed herein. Also included in this figure are fan 74 as well as dry heat structure 62 and enhancer 64, as described above. It will be appreciated that fan 74 may blow across dry heat element 62 to provide dry heat to the system.
- fan 74 may still provide positive pressure to chamber 28 (not shown), such that positive pressure will be maintained in the chamber and system such that contaminants may be less likely to enter the system.
- liquid reservoir 26 (not shown) is filled with a sanitizing liquid and wet heat system 50 may be activated to convert the sanitizing liquid to saturated steam to sanitize the articles within the system.
- a typical cycle would include a wet sanitizing system, a dry sanitizing system, and/or filtered air pressurization to reduce microbial growth and reduce contaminants in the system.
- dry heat system 60 may be activated and fan 74 may force hot, dry air into the container to further sanitize the articles therein.
- Fan 74 may operate during the entire sanitizing cycle and may continue to operate to ensure that the chamber is pressurized such that few, if any, contaminating articles enter through vent 14 or in any other manner, into the system.
- Both wet and dry heating systems may include a self-regulating heating element that may improve the control and operation of the system.
- the use of two heating systems may increase the efficiency, control and durability of the system.
- Figure 5 is a more detailed perspective view of the filtered air system, according to an exemplary embodiment.
- Filtered air system 70 may include a filter 72 which may be configured to fit within a filter housing 76, to reduce paniculate, contaminants, and other things from entering the system via the openings 80.
- Filter 72 may be a hepa-type filter, carbon filter, paper filter, cloth filter, activated charcoal filter, or other filter that may be utilized for this purpose. It will be appreciated that although filter 72 is shown as generally square or rectangular, other shapes, configurations, and/or sizes may be utilized, as desired.
- filter housing 76 may be configured in a different manner depending on the size, shape and type of filter 72 utilized for this system.
- Filtered air system 70 may further include a fan 74 which may be configured to draw air from outside of the system through openings 80 and into duct 78.
- Bottle support system 94 may couple to housing 20 or other parts of the system as described above.
- Bottle support system 94 may be configured to support a bottle 96 as well as a top 98 and nipple 100. With this configuration a baby's bottle may be supported within the system via bottle support system 94.
- item support system 90 and bottle support system 94 are shown, many different configurations for a support system may be utilized, as desired.
- another support system may include the structures to support many baby bottles as well as children's toys, pacifiers, and the like.
- support systems may include structures that would support dishes, dental appliances, tools, surgical instruments, jewelry, piercing items, and many other items that a user wishes to sanitize, as desired.
- the size of the system may be varied to accommodate different items to be sanitized. Therefore with a method of sanitization that includes wet heat, dry heat, filtered air, and positive pressure, contaminants may be more likely to be reduced and items to be sanitized may have less contaminants and/or germs than other systems and methods. It will be appreciated that this method and system may be utilized for many different types of sanitization, as desired. Furthermore systems may include the use of ozone and/or ultraviolet light to further enhance the sanitization and operation of this system. Furthermore with this method and process, recontamination of the items will be less likely to occur via contaminants entering the system via air vent 14.
- Another method may include providing a chamber and mamtaining positive pressure in the chamber to reduce the contaminants contacting the items.
- This method and system may be enhanced by filtering the air entering the chamber.
- This embodiment may provide an inexpensive way to reduce contaminants. This may be utilized at night with a user placing items in the chamber before sleeping to reduce the likelihood of contaminants contacting the items overnight.
- the advantages of this system may include small size and increased life of heating elements, as there are separate wet and dry heating systems.
- the configuration with the filter 72 and the fan 74, and vent 14, may ensure that the amounts of contaminating materials are reduced in the system.
- the operation of the fan 74 during the entire sanitization cycle may ensure that the chamber 28 remains pressurized, further reducing contaminates entering the system through vent 14 in the top of cover 12 or in any other manner.
- this system may allow sanitization of many household items, whether they are made of plastic or metal or any other material.
- Other systems utilizing a microwave to heat up a sanitizing liquid to convert it to saturated steam, may not be able to sanitize any object with metal in them as this may interfere with the operation of the microwave.
- this present system may be very small, takes up little space, and may be inexpensive to manufacture and distribute such that it will be readily usable by many people.
- this system may also be attractive in appearance, which may lead consumers to more readily purchase one or more systems.
- a person may fill the reservoir 26 with a sanitizing liquid to a certain level, then place the items 40 on an item support system 90, and place them in the system 10.
- the cover 12 may be coupled to the housing 20 to create a generally airtight chamber 26 therein.
- the system 10 may be then activated and the wet sanitizing system 50 may be activated to begin wet sterilization.
- the wet sanitizing cycle may end when the sanitizing liquid has all been dispersed from the reservoir 26.
- the fan 74 may run throughout the cycle and remain on until cover 12 is removed from the system 10 thereby ensuring the chamber 26 is pressurized and little or no contaminates enter the system.
- the dry heat system 60 may be activated and a dry cycle may begin that may heat up the chamber 26 using dry air to dry sanitize the articles within the system.
- the fan 74 may remain activated to ensure that few, if any, contaminates enter the system 10 after the sanitizing cycle is complete, or until the cover 12 is removed.
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- 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)
- Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
- Filtering Of Dispersed Particles In Gases (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA 2526191 CA2526191A1 (en) | 2003-06-05 | 2004-06-04 | Sterilization system and method |
BRPI0411267 BRPI0411267A (en) | 2003-06-05 | 2004-06-04 | sterilization system and method |
AU2004320230A AU2004320230A1 (en) | 2003-06-05 | 2004-06-04 | Sterilization system and method |
JP2006521062A JP2006526490A (en) | 2003-06-05 | 2004-06-04 | Sterilization system and method |
EP04776316A EP1654008A4 (en) | 2003-06-05 | 2004-06-04 | Sterilization system and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US47651603P | 2003-06-05 | 2003-06-05 | |
US60/476,516 | 2003-06-05 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2005120593A1 true WO2005120593A1 (en) | 2005-12-22 |
Family
ID=35502841
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2004/017902 WO2005120593A1 (en) | 2003-06-05 | 2004-06-04 | Sterilization system and method |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7179436B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1654008A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006526490A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20060091715A (en) |
CN (1) | CN101128222A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004320230A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0411267A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2526191A1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2005141164A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005120593A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN103349424A (en) * | 2013-07-08 | 2013-10-16 | 四川大学 | Self-control toothbrush disinfection quick-dry placing device |
EP3409298A1 (en) * | 2017-05-30 | 2018-12-05 | Krueger, Alexander Peter | Device for sanitizing and drying |
Families Citing this family (34)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060263237A1 (en) * | 2005-05-17 | 2006-11-23 | Insta-Mix, Inc., Subsidiary A (Dba Umix, Inc.) | Apparatus for steam sterilizing baby bottles |
KR100645135B1 (en) * | 2005-07-01 | 2006-11-10 | 주식회사 대우일렉트로닉스 | Multi function storage for an infant having a steam sterilizing room for removing a moisture |
US7815851B1 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2010-10-19 | Lewis Robert W | Steam sterilization system for sterilizing medical waste |
US20080219883A1 (en) * | 2007-03-09 | 2008-09-11 | Charles Thur | Toothbrush sanitizer |
US8734730B2 (en) * | 2007-03-30 | 2014-05-27 | Covidien Lp | Surgical instrument debris collection system |
KR100883689B1 (en) | 2007-07-19 | 2009-02-18 | 강삼홍 | Sterilizer for Nursing Bottle |
CN101708133B (en) * | 2009-12-28 | 2012-07-04 | 陈同春 | Cleaner for assisting tooth brushing |
BRPI1100260A2 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2015-07-28 | Bio Art Equipamentos Odontológicos Ltda | Brush disinfecting and cleaning equipment |
US9156067B2 (en) * | 2011-06-16 | 2015-10-13 | Margaret Talarico | Toothbrush steam cleaning container |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1654008A1 (en) | 2006-05-10 |
KR20060091715A (en) | 2006-08-21 |
CA2526191A1 (en) | 2004-12-05 |
RU2005141164A (en) | 2007-07-20 |
AU2004320230A1 (en) | 2006-02-02 |
US7179436B2 (en) | 2007-02-20 |
JP2006526490A (en) | 2006-11-24 |
BRPI0411267A (en) | 2006-08-01 |
EP1654008A4 (en) | 2008-05-07 |
CN101128222A (en) | 2008-02-20 |
AU2004320230A8 (en) | 2008-09-25 |
US20040258559A1 (en) | 2004-12-23 |
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