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:
Apr. 22, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 09, 2000
Michael A. Duckett, Erie, PA (US);
John C. Bliley, Erie, PA (US);
Gerald J. Kielar, Erie, PA (US);
Sayed Sadiq Shah, St.Louis, MO (US);
Anthony W. Raymond, San Diego, CA (US);
Steris Inc., Temecula, CA (US);
Abstract
A cleaning unit (A) includes a movable cart ( ) which carries a cleaning system for cleaning baked-on residues from walls ( ) of a sterilizer chamber ( ). The cleaning system includes a lid ( ) which is mounted over an opening ( ) to the chamber. In one embodiment, the door ( ) of the chamber provides the lid. An articulating nozzle ( ) extends from the lid into the interior of the chamber. Alkaline and acid cleaning solutions ( ), for removing organic and inorganic residues, respectively, from the chamber, are stored in two storage containers ( ) carried by the cart. A first pump ( ), mounted on the cart, pumps first the alkaline, then the acid cleaning solution to the nozzle. A second pump ( ), mounted on the cart, connects with a scavenge fitting ( ) in the chamber to return the cleaning fluid to the respective storage container. After cleaning is complete, the two cleaning fluids are mixed together to form a neutral or near neutral solution which is disposable in a sanitary sewer system without further treatment.