Vapor phase decontamination of containers

US7186374B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• STERIS Corporation · US

Inventors

• Francis J. Zelina · Lake City, US
• Gerald McDonnell · Spring Hill, US
• Aaron L. Hill · Erie, US
• Thaddeus J. Mielnik · Erie, US
• Iain F. McVey · Lakewood, US
• Peter J. Buczynski · Girard, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 15, 2002
• Grant date: Mar 6, 2007
• Expiry date: Jul 16, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29C49/42822
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A flash vapor generator (10) provides a constant flow of vaporized hydrogen peroxide for rapidly sterilizing a large decontamination tunnel (11) with a high container throughput. The vaporizer includes a heated block which defines an interior bore or bores. The conditions within the decontamination tunnel are carefully monitored to avoid condensation of the vapor while maintaining the vapor as close as possible to the saturation limit.