US3600127A - Fluidized bed sterilizing process - Google Patents

Fluidized bed sterilizing process Download PDF

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Publication number
US3600127A
US3600127A US864312A US3600127DA US3600127A US 3600127 A US3600127 A US 3600127A US 864312 A US864312 A US 864312A US 3600127D A US3600127D A US 3600127DA US 3600127 A US3600127 A US 3600127A
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gas
bag
sterilizing
powder
bags
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Expired - Lifetime
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US864312A
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Karl Kereluk
Robert S Lloyd
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American Sterilizer Co
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American Sterilizer Co
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Assigned to MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY reassignment MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY, A PA CORP.
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Assigned to AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY reassignment AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
    • A61L2/20—Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours

Definitions

  • a method and apparatus for sterilizing powder in sealed bags comprising placing finely divided material, such as powder, sealed in semi-permeable bags in containers with a side having an inlet and outlet for gas.
  • the bags have partitions and have openings which may register the gas inlets and outlets.
  • the bags are specially designed of semi-permeable material which allows the gas to flow through the material and out the outlet of the container.
  • the apparatus functions as a fluid bed and the powder in the bag becomes fluidized.
  • This invention relates to sterilizers and, more particularly, to sterilizers for powder that operate on the fluld bed principle.
  • Another object is to provide a process for sterilizing powder that is economical, simple and efiicient to use.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the sterilizing container with the special bag therein.
  • FIG. 3 is a view of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the gas manifold circulating system is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It shows the gas cylinder connected to a gas console 11 through a line 26.
  • the gas may be any of the well known microbiocidal sterilizing gases, for example, ethylene oxide. This is fed into the gas console 11 which is connected to the gas manifold circulating system 12 by line 13.
  • the gas console circulating system has a recording, controlling instruments indicated at 14 and pilot lights, gauges and switches indicated at 15.
  • the gas manifold circulating system is connected to the sterilizing units 16 which contain pre-packed powders in disposable plastic bags.
  • the bags may be of semi-permeable membrane, for example, polyethylene or any other of the well known semipermeab1e materials.
  • the sterilizing unit is shown in enlarged isometric view in FIG. 2.
  • the outside container 16 which may be generally cylindrical in shape with the plastic bags 19 supported in it.
  • the gas system is connected to the container 16 by lines 18 and the gas moves from the container through the bacteriological filter 20 and is thereby circulated through the container.
  • the drum or container 16 may be of a size to hold, for example, a ten-pound bag 3,60,127 Patented Aug. 17, 1971 of the material.
  • the bag is separated into sections by means of a partition or partitions 27 and 28 which have pores permitting the passage of gas.
  • the bottoms 28 are supported above the bottom of the drum approximately five inches, for example, and are spaced from each other as shown.
  • the bottom 28 has pores therein of approximately 10 to 25 m. (.0l0.025 inch in diameter) and the bottom 27 has holes 21 therein which may be, for example, 25-l00 m. (.025-.l00 inch in diameter).
  • the gas manifold circulating system as shown provides an enclosure which contains the following components:
  • the manifold will be located in a convenient area in the apparatus preferably in the lower half.
  • a second manifold or pipe located in a convenient area in the upper half of the apparatus and connected to the lower manifold.
  • a gas circulation system 12 which pumps or dis tributes the gaseous mixture from the powder bag into the upper gas manifold and from there to the lower gas manifold for re-entry into the powder bag.
  • a heating system for maintaining the temperature of the gas at F. to 130 F. as it is brought into the upper gas manifold and circulated to the lower gas manifold for re-entry into the powder bag.
  • a bacterial retentive filtering system for purposes of filtering the gas as it returns from the powder bag to the upper manifold for recirculation.
  • a humidification system for purposes of humidifying the circulating gas to 1030% R.H. within the gas manifold system.
  • an alternate system which comprises a single sterilizing drum 116 connected to a gas charging system 110.
  • This embodiment is also designed according to the fluidized bed concept in which powders can be sterilized in a manner similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the unit may contain a built-in circulating system for removing the gaseous atmosphere from the upper part of the unit and returning the gas to the lower part of the sterilizer.
  • Pump P circulates gas from cylinder to the space below porous bottom 128 back through line 117 to connect with inlet line 118.
  • Heating and humidifying systems may be incorporated in the sterilizer for purposes of maintaining the circulating gaseous atmosphere at approximately 130 F. and 10- 30% RH, respectively.
  • the sterilizer may be connected to a suitable gas console containing the necessary mechanisms and/ or systems for proper gas vaporization, heating, humidifying and flow-rate to the sterilizing chambers.
  • the sterilizer may also be designed for containing varying sized packages of powders or suitable containers for directly exposed loose powders and which can be removed from the sterilizer under sterile conditions for aseptic packaging of the powders.
  • a method of sterilizing finely divided material comprising packaging said material in a closed plastic bag made of a semi-permeable membrane and having a porous partition therein positioned adjacent to and spaced from the bottom of the bag, the material being supported by said porous partition,
  • the velocity and flow characteristics of the circulating microbiocidal gas being such as to fluidize the finely divided material within the bag during the sterilizing period, and removing the bag having the packaged material from the container after the sterilizing period.
  • a method of sterilizing finely divided material comprising packaging said material in a closed plastic bag having a porous partition therein positioned adjacent to and spaced from the bottom of the bag, the material being supported by said porous partition, said bag further having an upper gas outlet and a lower gas inlet in a side thereof with the lower gas inlet being disposed at a level between the porous partition and the bottom of the bag,
  • the velocity and flow characteristics of the circulating microbiocidal gas being such as to fiuidize the finely divided material within the bag during the sterilizing period

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING POWDER IN SEALED BAGS COMPRISING PLACING FINELY DIVIDED MATERIAL, SUCH AS POWDER, SEALED IN SEMI-PERMEABLE BAGS IN CONTAINERS WITH A SIDE HAVING AN INLET AND OUTLET FOR GAS. THE BAGS HAVE PARTITIONS AND HAVE OPENINGS WHICH MAY REGISTER THE GAS INLETS AND OUTLETS. THE BAGS ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED OF SEMI-PERMEABLE MATERIAL WHICH ALLOWS THE GAS TO FLOW THROUGH THE MATERIAL AND OUT THE OUTLET OF THE CONTAINER. THE APPARATUS FUNCTIONS AS A FLUID BED AND THE POWDER IN THE BAG BECOMES FLUIDIZED.

Description

Aug. 17, 1971 K. KERELUK Emu. @fiOOJfl FLUIDIZED BED STERILIZING PROCESS Filed Oct. '7, $959 CID F/GJ
' INVENTORS.
MM Kma [/K Mai/9751mm CM 1 4M Arm/aver.
United States Patent O 3,600,127 FLUIDIZED BED STERILIZING PROCESS Karl Kereluk, Fairview, and Robert S. Lloyd, Erie, Pa., assignors to American Sterilizer Company, Erie, Pa. Filed Oct. 7, 1969, Ser. No. 864,312
Int. Cl. A611 1/00 US. Cl. 2158 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for sterilizing powder in sealed bags comprising placing finely divided material, such as powder, sealed in semi-permeable bags in containers with a side having an inlet and outlet for gas. The bags have partitions and have openings which may register the gas inlets and outlets. The bags are specially designed of semi-permeable material which allows the gas to flow through the material and out the outlet of the container. The apparatus functions as a fluid bed and the powder in the bag becomes fluidized.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION This invention relates to sterilizers and, more particularly, to sterilizers for powder that operate on the fluld bed principle.
REFERENCE TO PRIOR ART The apparatus and method disclosed herein constitutes an improvement over Pat. 3,341,280 which shows a sterilizing device for powder which operates on the fluid bed principle.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an improved sterilizing method.
Another object is to provide a process for sterilizing powder that is economical, simple and efiicient to use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus according to the invention.
'FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the sterilizing container with the special bag therein.
FIG. 3 is a view of another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Now with more particular reference to the drawings, the gas manifold circulating system is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It shows the gas cylinder connected to a gas console 11 through a line 26. The gas may be any of the well known microbiocidal sterilizing gases, for example, ethylene oxide. This is fed into the gas console 11 which is connected to the gas manifold circulating system 12 by line 13. The gas console circulating system has a recording, controlling instruments indicated at 14 and pilot lights, gauges and switches indicated at 15. The gas manifold circulating system is connected to the sterilizing units 16 which contain pre-packed powders in disposable plastic bags. The bags may be of semi-permeable membrane, for example, polyethylene or any other of the well known semipermeab1e materials.
The sterilizing unit is shown in enlarged isometric view in FIG. 2. The outside container 16 which may be generally cylindrical in shape with the plastic bags 19 supported in it. The gas system is connected to the container 16 by lines 18 and the gas moves from the container through the bacteriological filter 20 and is thereby circulated through the container. The drum or container 16 may be of a size to hold, for example, a ten-pound bag 3,60,127 Patented Aug. 17, 1971 of the material. The bag is separated into sections by means of a partition or partitions 27 and 28 which have pores permitting the passage of gas. The bottoms 28 are supported above the bottom of the drum approximately five inches, for example, and are spaced from each other as shown. The bottom 28 has pores therein of approximately 10 to 25 m. (.0l0.025 inch in diameter) and the bottom 27 has holes 21 therein which may be, for example, 25-l00 m. (.025-.l00 inch in diameter).
The gas manifold circulating system as shown provides an enclosure which contains the following components:
(1) A gas manifold or pipe 13 connected directly to the gas charge line emerging from the gas console 11. The manifold will be located in a convenient area in the apparatus preferably in the lower half.
(2) A second manifold or pipe located in a convenient area in the upper half of the apparatus and connected to the lower manifold.
(3) A number of outlet lines 18 extending from the lower manifold for purposes of connecting to the gas inlet port on the powder bag 27-sterilizercontainer unit.
(4) A similar number of inlet lines 17 extending from the upper manifold for purposes of connecting to the gas outlet port on the powder bagsterilizercontainer unit.
(5) A gas circulation system 12 which pumps or dis tributes the gaseous mixture from the powder bag into the upper gas manifold and from there to the lower gas manifold for re-entry into the powder bag.
(6) A heating system for maintaining the temperature of the gas at F. to 130 F. as it is brought into the upper gas manifold and circulated to the lower gas manifold for re-entry into the powder bag.
(7) A bacterial retentive filtering system for purposes of filtering the gas as it returns from the powder bag to the upper manifold for recirculation.
(8) A humidification system for purposes of humidifying the circulating gas to 1030% R.H. within the gas manifold system.
(9) An analyzer for indicating, recording and controlling the humidity in the gaseous atmosphere during circuation.
(10) An analyzer for indicating, recording and controlling the ethylene oxide concentrations in the gaseous atmosphere at 500 mg./l. during circulating. The controlling mechanism of this analyzer will be integrated in the gas charging system on the gas console so that additional gas can be introduced into the circulating system to increase the ethylene oxide concentration when required.
(11) Suitable power switches, pilot lights, pressure gauges and other visual aid mechanisms as required for the optimum performance of the gas manifold-circulating system.
In the embodiment of FIG. 3, an alternate system is disclosed which comprises a single sterilizing drum 116 connected to a gas charging system 110. This embodiment is also designed according to the fluidized bed concept in which powders can be sterilized in a manner similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. The unit may contain a built-in circulating system for removing the gaseous atmosphere from the upper part of the unit and returning the gas to the lower part of the sterilizer. Pump P circulates gas from cylinder to the space below porous bottom 128 back through line 117 to connect with inlet line 118.
Heating and humidifying systems may be incorporated in the sterilizer for purposes of maintaining the circulating gaseous atmosphere at approximately 130 F. and 10- 30% RH, respectively.
The sterilizer may be connected to a suitable gas console containing the necessary mechanisms and/ or systems for proper gas vaporization, heating, humidifying and flow-rate to the sterilizing chambers.
The sterilizer may also be designed for containing varying sized packages of powders or suitable containers for directly exposed loose powders and which can be removed from the sterilizer under sterile conditions for aseptic packaging of the powders.
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1.A method of sterilizing finely divided material comprising packaging said material in a closed plastic bag made of a semi-permeable membrane and having a porous partition therein positioned adjacent to and spaced from the bottom of the bag, the material being supported by said porous partition,
placing the bag having the packaged material in a closed container having an upper gas outlet and a lower gas inlet such that a portion of the bag containing the porous partition is between the gas outlet and inlet of the container and the porous partition is spaced from the container bottom,
circulating a microbiocidal gas in through said inlet,
up through said porous partition and finely divided material and out through said outlet for a predeter-' mined sterilizing period, the velocity and flow characteristics of the circulating microbiocidal gas being such as to fluidize the finely divided material within the bag during the sterilizing period, and removing the bag having the packaged material from the container after the sterilizing period.
2. A method of sterilizing finely divided material comprising packaging said material in a closed plastic bag having a porous partition therein positioned adjacent to and spaced from the bottom of the bag, the material being supported by said porous partition, said bag further having an upper gas outlet and a lower gas inlet in a side thereof with the lower gas inlet being disposed at a level between the porous partition and the bottom of the bag,
placing the bag having the packaged material in a closed container having an upper gas outlet and a lower gas inlet such that the gas outlet and inlet of the bag are in registry with the gas outlet and inlet of the con tainer and the porous partition is spaced from the container bottom,
circulating a microbiocidal gas in through said inlets, up
through said porous partition and finely divided material and out through said outlets for a predetermined sterilizing period, the velocity and flow characteristics of the circulating microbiocidal gas being such as to fiuidize the finely divided material within the bag during the sterilizing period, and
removing the bag having the packaged material from the container after the sterilizing period.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,018,992 10/1935 'Bohmer 2158X 2,529,710 11/1950 Singh 99153 3,341,280 9/1967 Eolkin 2l-58 3,341,335 9/1967 Eolkin ct al. 21-58X 3,477,807 ll/l969 Ernst 21-58 3,498,742 3/1970 Long 2191 MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary Examiner I. T. ZATARGA, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.
219l; 992ll, 214
US864312A 1969-10-07 1969-10-07 Fluidized bed sterilizing process Expired - Lifetime US3600127A (en)

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3767362A (en) * 1970-06-10 1973-10-23 Gardeners Of Gloucester Ltd Sterilisation of materials
US3897210A (en) * 1971-05-07 1975-07-29 Bacfree Ind Inc Method and apparatus for sterilizing particulate material
FR2331355A1 (en) * 1975-11-14 1977-06-10 Boots Co Ltd PROCESS FOR STERILIZING A POWDER AND INSTALLATION FOR ITS USE
US4062982A (en) * 1975-05-28 1977-12-13 General Foods, Limited Method for sterilization of food products
US4301113A (en) * 1980-09-05 1981-11-17 Griffith Laboratories U.S.A., Inc. Circulation system for biocidal gas
US4627336A (en) * 1985-09-25 1986-12-09 Nam Kang H Apparauts for storage of perishables
US4937046A (en) * 1988-01-26 1990-06-26 H. W. Andersen Products Inc. Sterilization system and method
US20080080999A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-04-03 Bondar Douglas E System and method for recycling sterilant gas
US20100313962A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2010-12-16 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp System and method for recycling sterilant gas

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3767362A (en) * 1970-06-10 1973-10-23 Gardeners Of Gloucester Ltd Sterilisation of materials
US3897210A (en) * 1971-05-07 1975-07-29 Bacfree Ind Inc Method and apparatus for sterilizing particulate material
US4062982A (en) * 1975-05-28 1977-12-13 General Foods, Limited Method for sterilization of food products
FR2331355A1 (en) * 1975-11-14 1977-06-10 Boots Co Ltd PROCESS FOR STERILIZING A POWDER AND INSTALLATION FOR ITS USE
US4301113A (en) * 1980-09-05 1981-11-17 Griffith Laboratories U.S.A., Inc. Circulation system for biocidal gas
US4627336A (en) * 1985-09-25 1986-12-09 Nam Kang H Apparauts for storage of perishables
US4937046A (en) * 1988-01-26 1990-06-26 H. W. Andersen Products Inc. Sterilization system and method
US20080080999A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-04-03 Bondar Douglas E System and method for recycling sterilant gas
US7666369B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2010-02-23 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp System and method for recycling sterilant gas
US20100092336A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2010-04-15 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp System and method for recycling sterilant gas
US20100092344A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2010-04-15 Tyco Heal Thcare Group Lp System and method for recycling sterilant gas
US20100313962A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2010-12-16 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp System and method for recycling sterilant gas
US7910055B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2011-03-22 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Method for recycling sterilant gas
US8268238B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2012-09-18 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp System and method for recycling sterilant gas
US8685336B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2014-04-01 Covidien Lp System and method for recycling sterilant gas

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Owner name: MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY,NEW YORK

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY, A PA CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004765/0752

Effective date: 19870827

Owner name: MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY, 23 WALL STREET, NEW

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY, A PA CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004765/0752

Effective date: 19870827

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Owner name: AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY, ONE MELLON BANK CENTE

Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK;REEL/FRAME:005581/0543

Effective date: 19910130