Cleaning and sterilizing mechanism
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cleaning mechanism comprising:
- a) a container for enclosing a tubular item to be cleaned, said container having a barrier therein dividing said container into a first chamber and a second chamber, said tubular item positioned to extend from said first chamber to said second chamber; and
,b) oscillating means having,1) a first flexible membrane in communication with said first chamber,2) a second flexible membrane in communication with said second chamber, and,3) pressure means for providing external pressure to one of said flexible membranes and simultaneously providing suction to another one of said flexible membranes.
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Abstract
An improved apparatus which can be used for cleaning and/or sterilizing tubular items. A container is partitioned into two chambers with the item to be cleaned and/or sterilized is positioned to extend through the partition such that one opening lies in one chamber and another opening lies in the other chamber. A flexible membrane is positioned to affect each chamber. By deforming the flexible membrane, inward and outward, a flow between the chambers is created. This flow must pass through the hollow item. Mechanical pressure from the flow cleanses the interior of the tubular item and if a sterilant is used as the medium, then the interior portion of the hollow item is also sterilized.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A cleaning mechanism comprising:
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a) a container for enclosing a tubular item to be cleaned, said container having a barrier therein dividing said container into a first chamber and a second chamber, said tubular item positioned to extend from said first chamber to said second chamber; and
,b) oscillating means having, 1) a first flexible membrane in communication with said first chamber, 2) a second flexible membrane in communication with said second chamber, and, 3) pressure means for providing external pressure to one of said flexible membranes and simultaneously providing suction to another one of said flexible membranes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for cleaning an item, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a first chamber; b) a second chamber, a portion of said item positioned in said first chamber; c) a first hollow leg member supporting one side of said container, a hollow portion of said first hollow leg member in communication with at least one flexible membrane and said first chamber; d) a second hollow leg member supporting a second side of said container; and
,e) oscillating pressure means for alternatively applying external pressure and external suction against said at least one flexible membrane. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A cleaning and sterilizing mechanism comprising:
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a) a container for enclosing a tubular item, said container having a barrier therein dividing said container into a first chamber and a second chamber, said tubular item positioned to extend from said first chamber to said second chamber, said container positioned substantially level and further having, 1) a first hollow leg supporting a first edge of said container, a hollow portion of said first hollow leg in communication with said first chamber, and, 2) a second hollow leg supporting a second edge of said container, a hollow portion of said second hollow leg in communication with said second chamber; b) a membrane system having, 1) a first flexible membrane in communication with the hollow portion of said first hollow leg, and, 2) a second flexible membrane in communication with the hollow portion of said second hollow leg; and
,c) pressure means for selectively applying pressure against one of said flexible membranes of said membrane system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification