The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 21, 1988
Filed:
Aug. 20, 1985
Peter E Zell, Erie, PA (US);
American Sterilizer Company, Erie, PA (US);
Abstract
A method for controlling air flow from an inlet to a chamber and from the chamber through the inlet to atmosphere wherein an ethylene oxide gas sterilization process is practiced in the chamber, which process includes conditions of controlled alternating vacuum and pressure. The method employs a diaphragm actuated two-way valve in the inlet line in combination with a remotely mounted three-way solenoid valve. The chamber is sealed against air flow during conditions of vacuum by spring biasing, and during conditions of pressure by spring and pressure biasing, a closure against an orifice in the two-way valve. The vacuum in the chamber is relieved at predetermined periods by selectively exerting sufficient fluid pressure against the diaphragm of the two-way valve to force the closure, which is operatively connected to the diaphragm, away from the orifice into an open position. The three-way solenoid valve selectively directs fluid to the diaphragm to exert fluid pressure against it and directs fluid to a location remote from the diaphragm to withdraw the fluid pressure exerted against the diaphragm.