Measurement and cleaning of elastomeric articles having particulate adhered thereto
US6343425B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2202/122
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for processing an elastomeric article such as a glove includes an enclosure having a gas-filled interior, a support that receives the elastomeric article thereon and supports the elastomeric article within the enclosure, and a source of a gaseous cleaning agent which introduces a gaseous flow of the gaseous cleaning agent into the interior of the enclosure to contact the elastomeric article. The cleaning agent dislodges particulate contaminant from the elastomeric article and entrains the particulate contaminant in the gaseous flow as it passes by the elastomeric article. The source of the gaseous cleaning agent comprises a nebulizer source of a vaporized cleaning material, and a weakly ionized plasma source disposed within the interior of the enclosure and proximate to the article support location to create a weakly ionized plasma in the ambient atmosphere adjacent to the article support location. An exhaust port is positioned to receive the gaseous flow after it has passed by the elastomeric article, and a particle counter monitors the particles in the gaseous flow after it has passed by the elastomeric article. A microorganism sterilizer may be disposed within the i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.