INDIVIDUAL VESSEL UTILIZED FOR CLEANING, LUBRICATING AND STERILIZING DEVICES FOR HEAT STERILIZER

Abstract

A two-piece sterilizable vessel is sealed together containing devices and a solution that cleans and/or lubricates devices during heat sterilization. When placed inside a heat sterilizer, the vessel becomes pressurized and isolates the solution from the sterilizer's environment. This vessel has two parts: a base and a top.

The base has an internal calibrated reservoir to measure the amount of solution within the vessel.

The base's external dimensions, larger than the top, creates a lengthwise tilt of the vessel when placed on a flat surface. The top is positioned lower than the base. The purpose of the tilt is to allow the solution to flow from the reservoir to the vessel's top. This solution immerses the mechanics of the device.

After sterilization is completed, the pressure relief valve in the vessel's top is activated to release the pressure within the vessel.

Claims

1. A two-piece sealed vessel containing devices and a solution to clean and/or lubricate devices during heat sterilization. The one piece being of a larger dimension than the other piece would have a reservoir opposite end of the threaded opening and the other piece would have a threaded conduit opposite end of the threaded end. a. The two pieces of different dimensions allows a lengthwise tilt in the vessel when placed on a flat surface. b. The tilt will allow the solution to flow from the reservoir to the other end to immerse the mechanics of the devices within the vessel. c. The one piece with the reservoir would have multiple chambers. i. The cross-section dimension of the chambers should be less than the dimension of the device to be placed in the vessel. This will allow the device to remain out of the reservoir's solution. ii. A measuring method would be the number and dimensions of the chambers, which would calibrate the amount of fluid to be used in the vessel. iii. A ledge within the wall of the vessel between the threads and the reservoir would maintain a washer to seal the two pieces when screwed together. iv. The piece with the reservoir would have female threads. d. The other piece with the threaded conduit would have male threads. i. The threaded conduit would hold a pressure relief valve.

2. A sealed vessel isolates the solution from the heat sterilizer's environment as the solution boils and vaporizes the device within the vessel during heat sterilization. a. During sterilization, the heat sterilizer builds up pressure and heat causing the sealed vessel to become pressurized, and no solution and vapors will be emitted from the sealed vessel. i. The solution will cover the part of the device that requires cleaning, lubricating and sterilizing during sterilization.

3. The vessel is made of material to withstand pressure and the temperature of heat sterilization.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] The drawings are views of the external and internal parts of the vessel.

[0028] FIG. 1 is the external view of the two-piece vessel; and

[0029] FIG. 2 is the internal view depicting the vessel; and

[0030] FIG. 3 is the internal view of the top portion of vessel; and

[0031] FIG. 4 is the end section of the top piece of a threaded conduit; and

[0032] FIG. 5 is the internal view of the base of the vessel; and

[0033] FIG. 6 is the internal view of the base of vessel showing the reservoir's chambers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a two-piece cylinder shaped vessel: the base 1 and the top 2 of the vessel. The end of the top 2 has a depressed area 5 with an opening from the conduit 3. The base 1 is larger in dimension than the top 2. This vessel will be used to contain a solution and devices that need cleaning, lubricating and sterilizing.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows the internal view of the vessel. The base 1 has female threads and the top 2 has male threads. A reservoir 4 is within the base 1. The top 2 has a threaded conduit 3 which will hold a pressure relief valve.

[0036] FIG. 3 depicts a partial cutaway of the top 2 showing the male threads 6 with the internal chamber 10. The threaded conduit 3 connects the chamber 10 to the atmosphere.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows the end opening of conduit 3 and the circular depressed area 5 at the end of the top 2.

[0038] FIG. 5 depicts the internal side view of the base 1 and the area of the reservoir 4. The female threads 7 of base 1 and the reservoir 4 are shown. A shoulder 6 within the vessel's base is positioned directly between the female threads and the orifices of the reservoir 4. This shoulder 6 contains a washer that allows the vessel to be sealed when base 1 and top 2 are screwed together. The reservoir 4 consists of chambers 9. The measured volume of solution needed for the process is dictated by the chambers' 9 volume. The chambers 9 are placed at the end of the base 1 to allow the solution to be measured and drained back into the reservoir 4 at the end of sterilization. The cross-section dimension of the chambers 9 should be less than the dimension of the device to be placed in the vessel. This will allow the device to remain out of the reservoir's solution after sterilization.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows the internal view of the base 1 of vessel depicting the reservoir's chambers 9, the shoulder 6 for the washer and the thickness 11 of the base 1.

[0040] A tilt of the vessel occurs when laid on a flat surface inside the heat sterilizer. This tilt occurs since the base is larger in dimension than the top. When a solution is placed inside the vessel and placed on a flat surface, the solution will drain into the top 2 as the vessel will be on a tilt. The solution will cover the part of the device that requires cleaning, lubricating and sterilizing during sterilization.

[0041] After sterilization is complete, the vessel is placed on its base 1 to allow the solution to drain back into the chambers 9 of the reservoir 4. The vessel's heat from sterilization will allow the device to dry within the vessel.

[0042] When the vessel is cool, the pressure relief valve in the conduit 3 can be depressed to release the vessel's internal pressure. The base 1 and top 2 of the two-piece vessel can be unscrewed.