Decontamination apparatus

• US 3,884,265 A
• Filed: 10/20/1972
• Issued: 05/20/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Chester C. Hickman, Jack E. Fry, John E. Hummel, Joseph C. Gerard
• Inventors: Fry, Jack E., Gerard, Joseph C., Hickman, Chester C., Hummel, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cline, William R.
• Application Number:
  US05/299,528
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 8B/900,1102 137/572,565 417/40,44,217 68/12R,12FA,9 134/9A,96,101,103,56,57,57R 417/17,315 68/DIG.2,207,208 137/387
• US Class Current: 137/565.16
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/30 by rotating only
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/00 Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam B08B9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/06 using perforated drums in which the article or material is placed B08B3/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 68/902 Devices for storage and reuse of soap suds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86027 Electric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86196 Separable with valved-connecting passage

Abstract

A closed system for automatically decontaminating various articles, including hollow bags and tubing, by washing and disinfecting them with a liquid chemical disinfectant, using the same tub for both washing and disinfection. The articles are automatically agitated in the washing and disinfecting liquids to loosen dirt and assure complete wetting of their inside and outside surface by the disinfectant. Containers are provided for mounting the hollow articles for agitation and spinning from the same shaft, preferably in baskets provided for this purpose, and for holding them in positions which will assure their thorough washing, disinfecting and emptying. A unique storage and transfer system is employed for the disinfectant supply and this includes a novel diverter or transfer valve for connecting to the tub drainage system. The apparatus preferably uses a disinfectant supply which has a relatively long life and is used over and over again in successive decontaminating cycles and has a use cycle timing device for rendering the apparatus inoperative at the end of a given use cycle for the disinfectant. A device is provided for again rendering the apparatus operative after a new supply of disinfectant is substituted for the old. Various other timing and control features are provided.

Claims

1. Washing and disinfecting apparatus comprising a washing and disinfecting tub, a storage tank for liquid disinfectant, a diverter valve connecting said tub either to a drainage system having means for removing washing and rinsing liquids or to said storage tank through a disinfectant piping system, said piping system having a reversible pump for transferring said disinfectant liquid back and forth between said storage tank and said tub, and first and second fluid level responsive means for rendering said pump inoperative as soon as the level of the disinfectant liquid drops below a predetermined point relative to said tank with respect to said first means and relative to said diverter valve with respect to said second means, and for again rendering said pump operative when even a small amount of said disinfectant brings the disinfectant level above the predetermined point with respect to said first means when the disinfectant is being transferred from said tub to said tank and above the predetermined point with respect to said second means when the fluid is being transferred from said tank to said tub.