Dry heat sanitizer and method of use
First Claim
1. A method of sanitizing an object comprising:
- providing an object for sanitization;
placing the object for sanitization within a cassette comprising a body and a removable lid such that the object for sanitization is in surface contact with the cassette;
joining the body and removable lid of the cassette to form an airtight chamber containing the object for sanitization;
controlling a pressure in the airtight chamber;
heating the airtight chamber using a heating element to raise the temperature within the airtight chamber and thereby sanitizing the object for sanitization contained within the airtight chamber;
maintaining the temperature for a designated period of time sufficient to sanitize the object for sanitization; and
cooling the object for sanitization, wherein cooling the object for sanitization further comprises contacting a surface of the cassette with a cooling element; and
further comprising moving one of the heating element or the cooling element relative to the other of the heating element or cooling element such that the cassette is only in surface contact with either the heating element or the cooling element.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sanitizer system and method of use is disclosed. The sanitizer system quickly sanitizes and cools targeted objects and secures the targeted sanitized objects for later use, without the need to transfer the objects to a separate container. In one embodiment, the sanitizer system comprises a cassette having a body and a removable lid that, when joined, form an airtight chamber for containing an object for sterilization. A pressure control element of the system is configured to fluidly engage with the cassette to produce a pressure-controlled environment within the airtight chamber. A heating element of the system, which is interconnected and in thermal communication with the airtight chamber, is configured to provide heat to the airtight chamber. The chamber temperature is raised to a desired temperature for a period of time sufficient to sanitize the object. A cooling element of the system is configured to cool the chamber and the object.
28 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of sanitizing an object comprising:
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providing an object for sanitization; placing the object for sanitization within a cassette comprising a body and a removable lid such that the object for sanitization is in surface contact with the cassette; joining the body and removable lid of the cassette to form an airtight chamber containing the object for sanitization; controlling a pressure in the airtight chamber; heating the airtight chamber using a heating element to raise the temperature within the airtight chamber and thereby sanitizing the object for sanitization contained within the airtight chamber; maintaining the temperature for a designated period of time sufficient to sanitize the object for sanitization; and cooling the object for sanitization, wherein cooling the object for sanitization further comprises contacting a surface of the cassette with a cooling element; and further comprising moving one of the heating element or the cooling element relative to the other of the heating element or cooling element such that the cassette is only in surface contact with either the heating element or the cooling element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of sanitizing an object comprising:
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providing an object for sanitization; placing the object for sanitization within a cassette comprising a body and a removable lid; joining the body and removable lid of the cassette to form an airtight chamber containing the object for sanitization; controlling a pressure in the airtight chamber; heating the airtight chamber using a heating element to raise the temperature within the airtight chamber and thereby sanitizing the object for sanitization contained within the airtight chamber; maintaining the temperature for a designated period of time sufficient to sanitize the object for sanitization; cooling the object for sanitization, wherein cooling the object for sanitization further comprises contacting a surface of the cassette with a cooling element; wherein the cassette comprises an input valve and an output valve, and wherein the method further comprises;
opening the input valve, opening the output valve, passing sanitized fluid through the input valve into the airtight chamber, forcing fluid from the airtight chamber through the output valve, pressurizing the airtight chamber, and closing both valves; andmoving one of the heating element or the cooling element relative to the other of the heating element or cooling element such that the cassette is only in surface contact with either the heating element or the cooling element. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification