Autoclave aseptor

• US 4,165,359 A
• Filed: 12/04/1975
• Issued: 08/21/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ryder International Corporation (Atrion Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ryder International Corporation (Atrion Corporation)
• Inventors: Ryder, Francis E., Thomas, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Turk, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US05/637,514
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 21/85, 21/86, 21/89, 21/92, 21/94, 21/99, 21/119, 49/2, 292/DIG. 66, 70/DIG. 10, 219/415, 219/433, 219/521, 219/419
• US Class Current: 422/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 12/04 Heat A61L12/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/66 Thermally controlled mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 70/10 Thermally controlled

Abstract

A sterilizer or aseptor for contact lenses and the like is disclosed, which provides a capsule adapted to both carry and sterilize a single set of contact lenses. The sterilizer includes a well adapted to receive the capsule, and when the well is heated, sterilizing action occurs within the capsule. A cover is locked into a closed position to prohibit access to the capsule and well when the well is heated to an elevated temperature.

Claims

1. An autoclave sterilizer for contact lenses, comprising in combination:

a capsule of predetermined size and shape for housing said lenses and providing a vapor tight chamber in which said lenses and a sterilizing solution may be placed;

a housing unit for receiving said capsule, said housing unit including;

an exterior casing;

a thermally conductive heat well structure disposed within said casing and including an interior well shaped to receive and to surround closely said capsule to maximize the transmission of heat from said heat well structure to said capsule;

heater means for said heat well structure including a heating element engaged in an outer well structure wall portion at a first exterior location, said heating element being in abuting, heat transfer engagement with said heat well structure for the direct and conductive application of heat thereto;

a thermostat device in operative engagement with said heat well structure at a second, exterior location to sense the temperature of said heat well structure at said location, said thermostat device being operatively associated with said heater means to deactivate same once a predetermined temperature is reached at said second exterior location, which predetermined temperature is in excess of the boiling temperature of the sterilizing solution to be placed in said capsule, when at atmospheric pressure;

timing means for controlling the length of the sterilizing operation;

a cover member pivotly connected to said casing for overlying said interior well and said capsule disposed therein;

thermally activated latch means including a bimetallic strip having an end portion mounted in direct heat conductive engagement with said heat well structure at a third exterior location;

a latch member carried by the opposite end of said bimetallic strip for selective mechanical engagement with said cover to latch said cover in place and preclude access to the interior well and capsule when said heat well structure is above a second predetermined, lock activating temperature which is lower than said first mentioned predetermined temperature and at a level to insure the safety of the user;

said second location at which said thermostat device is mounted being disposed on an opposite side of said interior well with respect to said first location at which said heater element is in engagement with said well thereby insuring the heating of said well to the first mentioned predetermined temperature prior to the operation of said thermostat device to deactivate said heater means, and said third location at which said bimetallic strip is mounted, being intermediate said first and second locations to provide for the rapid transfer of heat to said bimetallic strip to insure the engagement of said latch to said cover prior to any portion of said heat well structure reaching said first predetermined temperature.