Abstract: A pasteurizing system for spraying liquids onto containers such as bottles and cans has a conveyor for conveying the containers and one or more spray tubes mounted parallel to the conveyor's plane of motion. Each of the spray tubes has outlet openings longitudinally distributed along its bottom side, and the inside cross section of the spray tube decreases along its length from a liquid inlet end of the spray tube, to an opposite end of the spray tube.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing packaging with vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation on a packaging machine. A partially formed packaging material is sprayed with gaseous hydrogen peroxide thereby allowing the gas to condense on the packaging material. The packaging material is then conveyed to a UV radiation source for irradiation of the packaging material. The packaging material is then dried with heated air to flush/remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the packaging material allowing for filling of the packaging material with a desired product such as milk, juice or water. The packaging material may be any number of possibilities such as gable top cartons, parallelepiped containers, flexible pouches, and the like. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of up to 53% while providing a packaging material having less than 0.5 ppm hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing the inside of a container which is ready to be filled, or a package material for a container in the form of a sheet or web wherein such sterilization is effected by way of radiation with an electron beam in combination with a gas stream contacting the beam, while the electron gun and container or package material are in relative motion towards each other.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing containers with gas-phase hydrogen peroxide and heat on a linear form, fill and seal packaging machine. A partially formed container is subjected to multiple applications of gaseous hydrogen peroxide and hot air within a sterilization tunnel. The sterilization tunnel is maintained at a temperature greater than the condensation temperature of hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the container allowing for filling of the container with a high acid product such as orange juice for ambient distribution. The container may be any number of possibilities such as TETRA REX.RTM. gable top cartons, plastic bottles, and the like. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of up to 53%.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing cartons with vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation on a packaging machine. A partially formed carton is first sprayed at a bottom forming station with a sterilant. Then, the carton is transported to a sterilization station where the carton is sprayed with gaseous hydrogen peroxide thereby allowing the gas to condense on the packaging material. The carton is then conveyed to a UV radiation source for irradiation of the packaging material. The carton is then dried with heated air to flush/remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the carton allowing for filling of the packaging material with a desired product such as milk, juice or water. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of up to 53% while providing a packaging material having less than 0.5 ppm hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Sterilization device intended to sterilize objects, such as bottles, comprising feed and discharge means for objects, a rotatable treatment unit, which in the region of its circumference comprises treatment cavities, each treatment cavity comprising an opening for feeding and discharging the objects, which opening can be closed and opened with the aid of closure means in the form of an endless belt which bears against the treatment unit over at least a part of its circumference, and it being possible to connect the treatment cavities to a feed for process media. A description is also given of a method for sterilizing objects using the device.

Abstract: A method and a support for supporting a package in a steam sterilizer, featuring support members configured and positioned to support only at least a portion of at least two opposed side edges, but not a side face, of the package. A diamond shape is particularly preferred for the support members as, when rotated at an angle, its facets provide line contact with appropriate side edges of the package.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing surfaces has a tube and a plurality of nozzles wherein a mixture of hot air and vaporized hydrogen peroxide is fed from the tube, which is heated and which includes a porous section for feeding vaporized hydrogen peroxide into hot air fed through the tube to provide a mixture of hot air and vaporized hydrogen peroxide, the mixture being fed from the tube to surfaces to be sterilized by the nozzles.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing, filling and sealing containers has a sterilization chamber, a cooling chamber, and a filling and sealing chamber, through which the containers are conveyed by means of an endless conveyor device. For presterilizing the chambers before the apparatus is put into operation, these chambers are acted upon by a gaseous sterilizing agent flowing through them, which is fed through an inlet or an outlet for the containers. In order that regions less affected by the flowing sterilizing agent as it flows, because they are in the lee, will also be disinfected well, the flow direction of the sterilizing agent is changed multiple times. A blower with a reversible flow direction is used for this purpose.

Abstract: In a device for lifting, pivoting and rotating the cover (5) of a vacuum container (14) of a crystal drawing apparatus, the device being equipped with a bolt (26) held by a stationary part (15) of the apparatus and extending vertically upward, a sleeve (24) being provided with projections (34,34'), which are permanently attached to it and which extend horizontally from it, the device also being provided with a pair of bolts (34,34'), and with a sleeve component (28), which is pivoted on the bolts (36,36'), whereby parallel to the sleeve component (28) a screw bolt (37) is sustained in the housing (35). A hand lever (21) is fixed on the screw bolt (37), which is connected with a screw nut (38), which supports itself on the rotary sleeve (24), where the sleeve component (28) surrounds a journal (27), which is permanently connected to the device part or to the cover (5).

Abstract: A safety vise for collection and disposal of used hypodermic needles, having an associated disinfecting apparatus which is operably coupled to a viseing mechanism to prevent its subsequent use unless a disinfecting operation using the disinfecting apparatus is performed. The safety vise is primarily intended for reclaiming the sleeve of a pistonless blood collection system, like VACUTAINER.RTM. assemblies, assembled from three independent sections: a sleeve, a specimen tube, and a double-ended needle. A disposable, needle collection container seats a project top. The project top includes a first station having guard elements particularly structured for safely removing a double-ended needle, and a second station for disinfecting the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for sterilizing a container prior to filling the container with a pumpable food product such as milk, juice, water, soup or yogurt. The present invention uses UV radiation to transform oxygen into ozone at the filling station. The ozone flows into the container thereby sterilizing the container. Subsequently, the container is filled with a desired product and sealed. A preferred source of UV radiation is an excimer lamp.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the outside of a container to remove any adhering liquid, particularly in the region of a fill opening thereof. Adhering liquid is blown off of the container by mean of compressed air.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating, disinfecting and sterilizing materials through exposure to microwave radiation; includes a treatment chamber which houses a container filled with material to be treated. An injector is in fluid communication with the container for introducing a liquid to the material and includes a dome which is tightly placed on top of the container, and a nozzle which is secured interiorly of the dome and projects through an opening of the container for injecting liquid into the treatment chamber. An exhaust conduit further projects into the dome for discharge of exhaust fluid from within the container directly to an area outside of the treatment chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting containers comprises a disinfection chamber 12 surrounding a required section of a container transport path, partition means for dividing the interior of the disinfection chamber 12 into a preheating zone 35, an exposure zone 36 and a drying zone 37 as arranged downstream from an upstream side of the transport path, antiseptic supply means for supplying hydrogen peroxide gas or mist to the exposure zone 36, and means for supplying hot air to the preheating zone 35 and the drying zone 37.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and venting a container. The apparatus has a heating station for the container. A heater is disposed to supply heat to the heating station. A drive has a body and a reciprocable member. The body is mounted in predetermined relation to the receiving station. The reciprocable member is movable relative to the receiving station between a first position and a second position. A cannula is joined to the reciprocable member. The cannula has a hollow bore. The cannula is movable between a retracted position and an extended position by movement of the reciprocable member between the first position and the second position. A vent line communicates with the bore and the ambient environment.

Abstract: A flow-through vapor phase decontamination apparatus includes at least one isolator unit (14) defining an isolation chamber (16) that receives a load (L) for decontamination. The apparatus includes a vapor phase decontaminant generation system (20) integrally connected to the at least one isolator unit (14). The vapor phase decontaminant generator system (20) includes one or more vaporizers (22) that inject a combination of a carrier gas and a vaporized decontaminant such as H.sub.2 O.sub.2 into the isolation chamber (16). A blower (24) recirculates the carrier gas through the one or more vaporizers (22) for replenishment of the decontaminant vapor. Alternatively, an automated filling system (70a-70c) is provided within the isolation chamber (16) for aseptic filling of containers (C). A conveyor system (68) transports the containers (C) into and out of the isolation chamber (16). The decontamination apparatus includes an electronic control system (26) for controlling decontamination operations.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotary processor, which uses magnetic fields to increase the heating or cooling of containers. The invention provides the magnetic fields along the sides of the rotary processor before or after the containers are rotated under the force of friction due to gravity. The magnetic field increase the number of transition phases of rotation, by creating a force of friction caused by the magnets which will rotate the containers and then removing the magnetic fields so that the containers stop rotating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing preformed cartons prior to filling is disclosed. The interior of the cartons are first sprayed with a solution of hydrogen peroxide. The cartons are then treated with heated air to remove the hydrogen peroxide. The heated air is applied by means of a hollow mandrel having nozzles at one end. The mandrel corresponds generally to the shape of the carton. When the mandrel is inserted in the carton, air is directed against the interior side walls and bottom of the carton, and is exhausted from the carton by flowing upwardly between the side walls of the mandrel and the side walls of the carton.

Abstract: A method of prefilling and terminally sterilizing a syringe including providing a syringe barrel having first and second opposite ends where the first end includes a port therethrough with a connector member formed about an exterior of the port and the second end being open. Particulate matter is removed from the interior of the syringe barrel and a cap and stopper are sterilized, the stopper including first and second opposite longitudinal ends. The first end of the stopper is inserted into the second open end of the syringe barrel until the first end of the stopper reaches the first end of the syringe barrel. The syringe barrel then is filled with a desired liquid, such as a medicament or imaging agent, through the port of the first end of the syringe barrel so that substantially no air enters the syringe barrel and where the stopper moves within the syringe barrel from the first to the second ends thereof upon filling.

Abstract: A process for forming sterilization wrap and sterilizing an article, such as an surgical instrument tray, wrapped with said sterilization wrap is provided. The sterilization wrap is formed by securing a sterilization reactive material to the sterilization wrap. The article to be sterilized may be wrapped with the sterilization wrap of the present invention such that the sterilization reactive material is positioned between a portion of the sterilization wrap overlying a weight bearing surface of the instrument tray and an instrument tray receiving surface, such as a table or storage shelf. Upon exposure to sterilization conditions for a sufficient time, the sterilization reactive material may stiffen, thicken, become less porous, less dense or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method of treating a container holding a contaminated substance. The invention includes puncturing the container at different positions to allow the introduction of a disenfecting agent and a drainage of the contents of the container.

Abstract: A microbial decontamination system includes a lower housing portion (10) which receives a removable tray (12). The tray (12) defines a cassette receiving basin, a pair of anti-microbial fluid outlets (28, 64) and a drain (50). A pump (54) and associated plumbing circulates the anti-microbial fluid from the drain through the pair of outlets. A cassette (B) has a lower portion (FIGS. 8-10) which is configured to match the tray's basin and an upper portion (FIGS. 5-7) which is received on the lower cassette portion in an airborne microbe blocking relationship. The cassette bottom portion has an inlet (32) which receives the anti-microbial fluid and a baffle plate (44) adjacent the inlet having a plurality of apertures (96) for distributing the anti-microbial fluid within the cassette. The cassette defines a second inlet (66) which is interconnected with the tray second outlet also for receiving the anti-microbial fluid. The second inlet receives a removable distribution port assembly (68).

Abstract: A microbial barrier isolation system for enclosing and decontaminating equipment so that the equipment may be used in handling or otherwise contacting biologically-sensitive materials such as parenteral solutions and solids. The barrier system is formed with a lower cavity, an upper chamber separated from the inner cavity by filters, an air return conduit, means for supplying dry, heated air to heat the system and means for using steam and hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate the internal parts of the system. The decontamination process involves using dry air to heat the internal equipment of the system to reduce water condensation and then introducing saturated steam and peroxide at a positive pressure slightly above atmospheric pressure. The internal equipment, including all surfaces, is exposed to the steam and peroxide sterilant for a sufficient time to decontaminate the equipment and the system is cooled down with cool, sterile air.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for managing retort over-pressure during pressure cooling. The invention allows the specification of an initial cooling temperature and a final cooling temperature and a final cooling pressure. Using these values the invention provides a pressure ramping to manage retort over-pressure.

Abstract: In a method for aseptically drawing off food and drink into plastic containers, the container sheet is plasticized for molding the containers and subsequently molded in a sterile environment, after which the container recesses are filled and closed off by means of a lid sheet. For this method and before the filling process, the container sheet is acted upon in a longitudinal segment by means of steam for sterilization purposes and is cooled on its side opposite to the steam-impingement area. Before it is supplied to the container sheet, the lid sheet is sterilized. After they are sterilized and until they are combined, the lid sheet and the container sheet are kept in germ-free surroundings. In order to be sterilized on both sides, the container sheet is acted upon reciprocally in the flat state before it is molded, with steam in two consecutive treatment processes in, in each case, the same length segment, and, at the same time, cooled.

Abstract: A disinfection rack to mount, organize, display, and sterilize vials comprising of a reservoir (16) that contains disinfection fluid, which travels along a plurality of wicks (24) into a disinfection chamber (14), where the top of vials (28) remains in contact with the disinfecting fluid. Vials (28) are suspended by the top and neck within said disinfection chamber (14), and is stabilized by a spring (22) also contained within. The disinfection rack can be mounted by attaching a mounting plate (10) to a wall, cabinet, door, or other vertical surface allowing continuous visualization and sterilization of vials while in said disinfection chamber (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing and breaking score lines on cartons prior to filling includes a spraying assembly for spraying sterilizing solution into the interior of the carton and a score line breaking assembly that breaks the score lines on the upstanding walls of the carton. The spraying assembly and the score line breaking assembly are located at the same station within a filling machine so that both operations can be performed simultaneously. The spray assembly includes a movably mounted spray head that is provided with a spray nozzle. The score line breaking assembly includes a breaker member that is operatively connected to a drive assembly for driving the breaker member into contacting relation with the upper portion of the upstanding walls of a carton in order to urge the upstanding walls of the carton inwardly and thereby break the score lines on the carton walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in-place sterilization of a fermentation vessel assembly and media. Media can be contained in reagent bottles placed on the fermentation vessel assembly or can be contained in a fermentation vessel which is part of the fermentation vessel assembly. A removable shroud covers the fermentation vessel assembly and media during sterilization. Steam is applied inside the shroud for raising the temperature within the shroud to a sterilization temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing, rinsing, sterilizing and drying delicate components such as plugs for pharmaceutical use, or the like, formed by an autoclave chamber containing a substantially cylindrical rotating drum or basket with two helical members extending along the axis of the cylindrical basket, connecting an inlet opening with an outlet opening and projecting inside the basket, each being provided with a rounded internal edge and terminating in chutes emerging inside the outlet opening, the helical members thus formed enabling the plugs to be mixed when the basket rotates in one direction and to be unloaded from the basket when the latter rotates in the opposite direction, the rotating basket also being provided with a circumferential toothed rim which engages a gear wheel actuated by drive means to impart a rotary movement to the same and having inside at least one pipe arranged parallel to the axis of the cylinder and provided with spray nozzles directed toward the plugs present inside the basket to allow

Abstract: An apparatus and method for terminal sterilization of prefilled packages is disclosed. A prefilled package such as syringe, vial, cartridge, or bottle is inserted into a sterilization chamber. The chamber is pressurized with a gas having a humidity between 0% to 100%. The gas is then heated such that the prefilled package does not fail and a vapor is generated within said prefilled package which is lethal to pathogens. The package is then cooled to drop the temperature of the prefilled package.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for supporting objects inside a rotating drum, particularly in a sterilizer. The drum disposed in the enclosure rotates about the axis XX'. The supporting apparatus includes pressure plates, the displacements of which are controlled by pairs of levers disposed in the lateral parts of the drum, on either side of the stacks of objects. The levers pivot about pins under the action of controlling apparatus which may be actuators.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (I/V) sterilization system for food cartons is disclosed. An elongated UV lamp is mounted in a housing. A parabolic cylinder reflector is mounted in the housing with the focus of the reflector coinciding with the axis of the arc in the UV lamp. The shape of the parabolic reflector directs radiation from the lamp into cartons positioned on a conveyor below the lamp. The axis of the arc is parallel to the direction of movement of the cartons on the conveyor. The front surface of the reflector also absorbs heat from the lamp and heat is removed from the reflector by circulating air over the back surface of the reflector.

Abstract: An energy efficient method of sterilizing canned food in a sterilizing kettle comprises the use of 95.degree. C. hot water, which is kept in a first reservoir, to expel the air in a sterilizing kettle containing the canned food to be sterilized and to preheat the kettle and the canned food. The 95.degree. C. hot water is cooled to become 85.degree. C. hot water, which is then drained out of the kettle to be kept in a second reservoir. Thereafter, steam is injected into the kettle to sterilize the canned food. The 85.degree. C. hot water kept in the second reservoir is then introduced into the kettle in which the 85.degree. C. hot water is converted by a heat exchange to the 95.degree. C. hot water, which is then drained and kept in the first reservoir for use again in the next sterilization cycle.

Abstract: A sterilization container for an arrangement for sterilizing medical instruments, implants and the like with steam is disclosed. The arrangement has a steam generator fed by a dispensing pump and has a control device for the sterilizing process. The sterilization container is arranged in such a way that it can be pushed into a holding device in a working connection with the steam generator. The walls of the sterilization container, which is closed on all sides during the sterilizing process so as to be tight against pressure, are formed at least in part by portions of the holding device.

Abstract: A container for use in a microwave apparatus, in particular for heating, drying, disinfecting and/or sterilizing of materials, objects, liquids or the like, includes a lid securely attachable via a pressure lock to the container and including connections for allowing attachment of various valves, pumps etc. to monitor and influence conditions in the container. The connections are self-sealing plug connector pipes which are engageable with a complementary coupler piece of the microwave apparatus. The microwave apparatus includes an injector unit by which water or other liquid is introduced into the material to be treated, with the amount of injected water being dependent on the water content of the material. The injector unit includes a nozzle head which projects into the treatment chamber of the microwave apparatus and incorporates sensors for determining physical and/or chemical parameters.

Abstract: A bio-hazardous waste compactor is described which provides a negative air pressure and venting system while allowing for the filtration of the air and control of sound. The compactor contains a sealed chamber which includes a sump area in the bottom of the chamber for fluid control. Waste is weighed so that the operator knows when to remove the waste. Ultraviolet light is provided to prevent the growth of vegetative pathogenic organisms. Finally, a disposable bag to be used in connection with such a bio-hazardous waste compactor is described which has an inner porous layer, an intermediate, biocide-containing, super-absorbent polymer layer and an outer non-porous layer.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating or sterilizing chamber systems including freeze dryers at low temperature and pressure levels by utilizing vaporized sterilant, preferably hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid and mixtures thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for supplying ozonated rinse water in a closed loop recirculating system to a rinsing apparatus for articles is described. The apparatus provides a pressure differential bypass line for providing a constant recirculating flow of ozonated water from a venturi directly to a water storage tank, bypassing the rinsing apparatus. Also included are a supply line to the rinsing apparatus and a diverted supply line for diverting flow back to the storage tank and bypassing the rinsing apparatus. The supply line and the diverted supply line have a normally closed solenoid valve and a normally open solenoid valve, respectively, for controlling the flow of ozonated water between them and maintaining and regulating pressure and volume of water for optimizing injection of ozone into the water and for maintaining ozone in the water.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for managing retort over-pressure during pressure cooling. The invention allows the specification of an initial cooling temperature and a final cooling temperature and a final cooling pressure. Using these values the invention provides a pressure ramping to manage retort over-pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing and breaking score lines on cartons prior to filling includes a spraying assembly for spraying sterilizing solution into the interior of the carton and a score line breaking assembly that breaks the score lines on the upstanding walls of the carton. The spraying assembly and the score line breaking assembly are located at the same station within a filling machine so that both operations can be performed simultaneously. The spray assembly includes a movably mounted spray head that is provided with a spray nozzle. The score line breaking assembly includes a breaker member that is operatively connected to a drive assembly for driving the breaker member into contacting relation with the upper portion of the upstanding walls of a carton in order to urge the upstanding walls of the carton inwardly and thereby break the score lines on the carton walls.

Abstract: An autoclave for treating charged materials (6) with vapor under pressure, with a substantially cylindrical inner chamber (2) surrounded by an autoclave casing (1) and with a heating device (8) responsive to a heated heat transfer medium to generate vapor in the inner chamber (2). In order to provide the heating in a way which is favorable structurally and in terms of energy, it is provided that the heating device (8) is arranged within one of the curved side regions of the autoclave casing (1), and consists of at least one flue (10) arranged substantially vertically in the autoclave and a heat exchanger (11) arranged in the lower inflow region of the flue (10) and through which flows a heat transfer medium, so that a convection flow results circulating substantially in the circumferential direction of the casing (1) of the autoclave.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) sterilization system for food cartons is disclosed. An elongated UV lamp is mounted in a housing. A parabolic cylinder reflector is mounted in the housing with the focus of the reflector coinciding with the axis of the arc in the UV lamp. The shape of the parabolic reflector directs radiation from the lamp into cartons positioned on a conveyor below the lamp. The axis of the arc is parallel to the direction of movement of the cartons on the conveyor. The front surface of the reflector also absorbs heat from the lamp and heat is removed from the reflector by circulating air over the back surface of the reflector.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating or sterilizing chamber systems including freeze dryers at low temperature and pressure levels by utilizing vaporized sterilant, preferably hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid and mixtures thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a gaseous, hydrogen peroxide-containing sterilization fluid displaying good, uniform sterilization properties is disclosed. The method includes vaporizing liquefied hydrogen peroxide by injecting the liquefied hydrogen peroxide intermittently in finely-divided form into an air current which serves as a vaporization agent, wherein the air current is kept at a constant or insignificantly varying elevated vaporization temperature. An even vaporization temperature of the air current is ensured because the air, prior to vaporization, is heated by heat exchange with a heating element having a large mass or thermal capacity and a large heat exchange surface area which is kept at the desired elevated temperature by regulated energy supplied to the heating element. During breaks in vaporization between the intermittent injection of the liquefied hydrogen peroxide, the heat exchange surface area is heated with the aid of heat stored in the heating element.

Abstract: A cartridge-carrier is disclosed for maintaining at least one filled and sealed, plastic container within at least two segments which are joined together to define a tubular cartridge having at least one container supporting plate therein for receiving a body of said at least one sealed container and thereafter closing at least the two segments for encompassing at least one container within a tubular cartridge which is then moved into a cylindrical carrier that enables the containers to be processed within a reel and spiral sterilization system.

Abstract: A container for use in a microwave apparatus, in particular for heating, drying, disinfecting and/or sterilizing of materials, objects, liquids or the like, includes a lid securely attachable via a pressure lock to the container and including connections for allowing attachment of various valves, pumps etc. to monitor and influence conditions in the container. The connections are self-sealing plug connector pipes which are engageable with a complementary coupler piece of the microwave apparatus. The microwave apparatus includes an injector unit by which water or other liquid is introduced into the material to be treated, with the amount of injected water being dependent on the water content of the material. The injector unit includes a nozzle head which projects into the treatment chamber of the microwave apparatus and incorporates sensors for determining physical and/or chemical parameters.

Abstract: An arrangement for the emptying and cleaning, and when required, for the disinfecting of hygienic vessels which are employed in the health care or nursing sector, without contamination of the external portions of the arrangement. The arrangement for the emptying and cleaning of hygienic vessels, consists of a rinsing chamber with a conical lower portion, with an odor trap, as well as with cleaning nozzles in the rinsing chamber and with a horizontal or vertical trap door.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing objects, such as pharmaceutical caps, plugs and the like includes an autoclave chamber and a cleaning device having a cleaning drum mounted for a free rotation on a frame. The frame runs on rollers and can be moved in and out of the autoclave chamber. The cleaning drum has a hollow shaft provided within the drum with spray nozzles and mounted axially in line with a hollow drive shaft passing through one sidewall of the autoclave chamber free to turn and sealed. The drum shaft and the drive shaft may be coupled together by a coupling device. The frame may be released from the drum introduced into the autoclave chamber so that it is not located during the cleaning process in the autoclave chamber and thus will not constitute an additional source of contamination.

Abstract: A sterilizer assembly for sterilizing infant accessories such as baby bottles, nipples, nipple hoods and collars simultaneously, especially in microwave ovens. Preferably, the assembly is formed from heat resistant, nonmetallic, microwavable materials and includes a base defining a receptacle for receiving water to be heated to form steam. A rack is received on the base over the water and preferably includes a plurality of upstanding supports removably mounted over steam passage apertures in the rack. A dome-like hood encloses the rack, supports, and any items to be sterilized. A vent member on the hood may be rotated to uncover an aperture and release steam from the assembly before removing the hood and after heating to avoid burn injuries. Each support will suspend a baby bottle or, alternately, will suspend a nipple hood, mount a nipple and locate a bottle collar all in position for effective steam contact and water drainage.