U.S. patent application number 12/033719 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-20 for autoclavable bucketless cleaning system.
Invention is credited to Rosario Sam Calio, Jeff Churchvara, Arthur L. Vellutato, JR..
Application Number | 20090208367 12/033719 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40637021 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090208367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Calio; Rosario Sam ; et
al. |
August 20, 2009 |
AUTOCLAVABLE BUCKETLESS CLEANING SYSTEM
Abstract
An autoclavable bucketless cleaning system. The system includes
an autoclavable vessel with an inside for storing fluid under
pressure and with a first connection point and a second connection
point disposed at an outside of the vessel, an autoclavable outlet
regulator assembly for dispensing fluid from the vessel and
removably connected to the vessel at the first connection point so
as to be in fluid communication with the inside of the vessel, and
an autoclavable inlet regulator assembly for pressurizing the
vessel and removably connected to the vessel at the second
connection point to be in fluid communication with the inside of
the vessel.
Inventors: |
Calio; Rosario Sam; (Exton,
PA) ; Churchvara; Jeff; (Downingtown, PA) ;
Vellutato, JR.; Arthur L.; (West Chester, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLANK ROME LLP
WATERGATE, 600 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Family ID: |
40637021 |
Appl. No.: |
12/033719 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
422/26 ; 134/198;
134/37; 15/321 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B08B 1/001 20130101;
Y10T 137/86485 20150401; A61L 2/07 20130101; B08B 3/00 20130101;
B08B 3/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/26 ; 15/321;
134/198; 134/37 |
International
Class: |
A61L 2/07 20060101
A61L002/07; B08B 3/04 20060101 B08B003/04; B08B 3/02 20060101
B08B003/02; A47L 11/00 20060101 A47L011/00; A47L 11/38 20060101
A47L011/38; A61L 2/00 20060101 A61L002/00 |
Claims
1. An autoclavable bucketless cleaning system comprising: an
autoclavable vessel with an inside for storing fluid under
pressure, the vessel including a first connection point and a
second connection point disposed at an outside of the vessel; an
autoclavable outlet regulator assembly for dispensing fluid from
the vessel, the outlet regulator assembly being removably connected
to the vessel at the first connection point so as to be in fluid
communication with the inside of the vessel; and an autoclavable
inlet regulator assembly for pressurizing the vessel, the inlet
regulator assembly being removably connected to the vessel at the
second connection point to be in fluid communication with the
inside of the vessel.
2. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a
relief valve attached at the outside of the vessel and in direct
fluid communication with the inside of the vessel.
3. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a
purge valve attached at the outside of the vessel and in direct
fluid communication with the inside of the vessel.
4. The cleaning system of claim 3, wherein a pressure gauge is
disposed between the purge valve and the vessel and in fluid
communication with both the purge valve and the vessel.
5. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a
pressure gauge attached at the outside of the vessel and in direct
fluid communication with the inside of the vessel.
6. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the outlet regulator
includes an autoclavable metering valve that may be opened and
closed by adjusting a flow control element such that each
incremental adjustment of the flow control element produces a
substantially proportional change of the mass flow rate through the
metering valve.
7. The cleaning system of claim 6, wherein the outlet regulator
includes an autoclavable pressure gauge for measuring and
displaying the pressure within the outlet regulator assembly on a
side of the metering valve that is opposite to a side at which the
outlet regulator is installed on the vessel.
8. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the inlet regulator
includes an autoclavable regulator valve that remains open while
pressurizing the vessel until a pressure inside the vessel reaches
a predetermined value, at which point the regulator valve
automatically closes to prevent more pressure from entering the
vessel.
9. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein each of the outlet
regulator assembly and the inlet regulator assembly includes an
autoclave stem for installing in an end thereof before autoclaving
so that steam may pass through each of the outlet regulator
assembly and the inlet regulator assembly during autoclaving.
10. A method of performing a cleaning operation with an
autoclavable bucketless cleaning system, the method comprising:
placing a cleaning solution in an inside of an autoclavable vessel,
the vessel including a first connection point and a second
connection point disposed at an outside of the vessel; removably
connecting an autoclavable outlet regulator assembly on the vessel
at the first connection point so the outlet regulator assembly is
in fluid communication with the inside of the vessel; removably
connecting an autoclavable inlet regulator assembly on the vessel
at the second connection point so the inlet regulator assembly is
in fluid communication with the inside of the vessel; pressurizing
the inside of the vessel via the inlet regulator assembly;
dispensing cleaning solution from the inside of the vessel via the
outlet regulator assembly to clean a designated area; removing any
pressurized gas that remains inside the vessel after the designated
area is cleaned; removing any cleaning solution that remains inside
the vessel after the designated area is cleaned; and autoclaving
each of the vessel, the outlet regulator assembly, and the inlet
regulator assembly.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of pressurizing the
inside of the vessel includes connecting a charging device to the
inlet regulator assembly such that an autoclavable regulator valve
in the inlet regulator assembly automatically closes to prevent
more pressure from entering the vessel when a pressure in the
vessel reaches a predetermined value.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of pressurizing the
inside of the vessel is not performed via the inlet regulator
assembly and an autoclavable relief valve disposed in direct fluid
communication with the inside of the vessel remains closed until a
pressure inside the vessel exceeds a predetermined value, at which
point the relief valve automatically opens to allow at least some
pressure inside the vessel to escape until the pressure remaining
inside the vessel is at or below the predetermined value.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of dispensing cleaning
solution includes opening an autoclavable metering valve in the
outlet regulator assembly by adjusting a flow control element such
that each incremental adjustment of the flow control element
produces a substantially proportional change of the mass flow rate
through the metering valve.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of dispensing cleaning
solution includes interchangeably connecting an autoclavable
sprayer, sponge mop, or fogger to the outlet regulator assembly for
dispensing cleaning solution therethrough.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of removing any
pressurized gas that remains inside the vessel includes opening an
autoclavable purge valve that is attached at the outside of the
vessel and in direct fluid communication with the inside of the
vessel.
16. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of removing any
pressurized gas that remains inside the vessel includes leaving the
purge valve open until a pressure gauge disposed between and in
fluid communication with the purge valve and the vessel measures
and displays zero (0) psi.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of removing any
cleaning solution that remains inside the vessel includes opening
an autoclavable drain valve that is disposed at the bottom of the
vessel and in direct fluid communication with the inside of the
vessel.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of autoclaving
includes, removing a lid from the vessel and opening a drain valve
at the bottom of the vessel so that steam may pass through the
vessel; installing an autoclave stem in the outlet regulator
assembly so that steam may pass through the outlet regulator
assembly; and installing an autoclave stem in the inlet regulator
so that steam may pass through the inlet regulator assembly;
wherein the outlet regulator assembly remains installed at the
first connection point of the vessel and the inlet regulator
assembly remains installed at the second connection point of the
vessel during autoclaving.
19. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of autoclaving
includes, removing a lid from the vessel and opening a drain valve
at the bottom of the vessel so that steam may pass through the
vessel; installing an autoclave stem in the first connection point
so that steam may pass through the first connection point;
installing an autoclave stem in the second connection point so that
steam may pass through the second connection point; installing an
autoclave stem in the outlet regulator assembly so that steam may
pass through the outlet regulator assembly; and installing an
autoclave stem in the inlet regulator so that steam may pass
through the inlet regulator assembly; wherein the outlet regulator
assembly is removed from the vessel and the inlet regulator
assembly is removed from the vessel during autoclaving.
20. An autoclavable bucketless cleaning system comprising: a vessel
with an inside for storing fluid under pressure, the vessel
including a relief valve, a purge valve, a vessel pressure gauge, a
first connection point, and a second connection point disposed at
an outside of the vessel and in direct fluid communication with the
inside of the vessel; an outlet regulator assembly for dispensing
fluid from the vessel, the outlet regulator assembly including a
first outlet connector, a first inlet connector, a metering valve,
and an outlet pressure gauge, said outlet regulator assembly being
connected at the first connection point to be in fluid
communication with the inside of the vessel; and an inlet regulator
assembly for placing a charge on the vessel, the inlet regulator
assembly including a second inlet connector, a second outlet
connector, and a regulator valve, said inlet regulator assembly
being installed at the second connection point to be in fluid
communication with the inside of the vessel, wherein each of the
pressure vessel, the outlet regulator assembly, and the inlet
regulator assembly is autoclavable.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the outlet regulator assembly
includes an outlet autoclave stem connected thereto so that steam
may pass through the outlet regulator assembly during
autoclaving.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein the inlet regulator assembly
includes an inlet autoclave stem connected thereto so that steam
may pass through the inlet regulator assembly during autoclaving.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a system for
performing cleaning operations in cleanroom environments. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a washing system
that is bucketless and completely autoclavable and has improved
safety features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many industries require controlled environments that are
free from contaminants, such as in surgical suites in hospitals,
pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing facilities and
laboratories, medical device manufacturing facilities, and
micro-electronics manufacturing facilities. Such industries utilize
cleanrooms to provide environments in which dust, small particles
and other contaminants are reduced. Cleanrooms can function
effectively only when every effort is taken to maintain the level
of control necessary to preclude contamination in their controlled
environments. Contamination most often is caused by workers in the
cleanroom and/or by items brought into the cleanroom. The problems
associated with keeping these rooms clean have not been easily
solved.
[0003] Rigorous regulatory guidelines have been established, and
continue to be developed, utilizing a variety of inter-related
methodologies for operating cleanrooms in a manner best suited to
exclude unwanted contaminants from the controlled environment. In
adhering to these regulatory guidelines and assuring an acceptable
environment in which to manufacture certain products, industries
must be able to address known contamination with a documented
control, which requires a cleaning regime that has been proven
effective. Maintaining a cleaning system that is meaningful,
manageable and defendable, however, becomes complex in production
areas based on a multitude of variables.
[0004] One such variable that determines the effectiveness of a
cleaning system is the ability to properly contact contaminants in
a manner sufficient to neutralize or remove them. More
specifically, a chemical agent capable of destroying the cells of
contaminants needs to saturate and penetrate the cell walls over a
specified contact time. Chemical agents are applied using various
techniques, including using a sprayer, a mop, and/or a fogger.
Although sprayers, mops with buckets and foggers have all been
utilized in varying capacities and with varying success in
cleanroom applications, the more of these separate components that
are introduced into the controlled environment of a cleanroom, the
greater the likelihood of introducing contaminants into the
controlled environment.
[0005] Even when few components are introduced into a cleanroom,
the likelihood of introducing contaminants along with the
components increases every time a component must be removed and
re-introduced into the controlled environment during the cleaning
operation. For example, the use of a mop with a bucket results in
"dirty water" mopping, which may actually contribute to the spread
of contaminants. The bucket, therefore, must be routinely emptied
and refilled. This not only increases the likelihood of introducing
contaminants into the cleanroom, it also increases the volume of
cleaning agents required to complete the cleaning operation.
[0006] In an attempt to address the above issues, at least one
system has been developed that includes a sprayer, a sponge mop and
a flogger all in one unit. This prior art system, illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, is offered by Veltek Associates, Inc. under the name
Core2Clean.RTM.. The unit includes a re-sealable pressure vessel 2
for storing cleaning solutions, such as disinfectant, therein so as
to protect the cleaning solution from contaminants when the unit is
being used in a cleaning operation. The vessel 2 can be un-sealed
by removing a vessel lid 4, at which point a cleaning solution may
be placed in or removed from the vessel 2. The vessel 2 is
autoclavable inside and out in the un-sealed configuration. After
cleaning solution is placed in the vessel 2, it can be sealed from
external contaminants by installing the vessel lid 4.
[0007] Cleaning solution can be dispensed from the sealed vessel 2
via the sprayer, sponge mop or fogger on an as-needed basis,
thereby eliminating contamination due to the need to change dirty
cleaning solutions during cleanroom washing, which also reduces the
total volume of cleaning solution required to perform a cleaning
operation. To provide the ability to dispense a continuous flow of
cleaning solution in this unit, however, the system is operated by
compressed gas, such as compressed air. The use of compressed air
in a pressure vessel 2 creates many potential dangers arising from
a potential sudden release of the pressure. Accordingly, safe
operation of such a system requires implementation of various
pressure regulating devices.
[0008] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the prior art system includes a
pressure vessel 2 having a vessel lid 4, a handle 6, a first
connection point 8, and a second connection point 10. The vessel
lid 4 can be removed to access the inside of the vessel 2 to add or
remove contents, such as cleaning solutions. The vessel lid 4
maintains an airtight seal in the vessel 2 when installed. The
handle 6 is used to facilitate removal and installation of the
vessel lid 4.
[0009] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the prior art system also includes
a drain valve 12, an outlet regulator assembly 14, and an inlet
regulator assembly 26. The drain valve 12 is located substantially
at the bottom of the vessel 2 and is used to drain cleaning and
rinsing solutions out of the vessel 2 when the vessel 2 is being
cleaned. The outlet regulator assembly 14 is installed at the first
connection point 8 and is used to dispense cleaning solution from
the vessel using a cleaning applicator, such as a sprayer, sponge
mop or fogger. The inlet regulator assembly 26 is installed at the
second connection point 10 and is used to charge the vessel 2 with
air pressure. The outlet regulator assembly 14 and the inlet
regulator assembly 26 are removable from the vessel 2 so the vessel
2 may be properly autoclaved.
[0010] The first connection point 8 includes a dip tube assembly 16
that is in fluid communication with the bottom of the vessel 2 so
that cleaning solution can be extracted therefrom. Because only the
first connection point 8 includes a dip tube assembly 16 for
extracting fluids from the bottom of the vessel 2, the outlet
regulator assembly 14 and the inlet regulator assembly 26 cannot be
interchangeably installed on the first connection point 8 and the
second connection point 10. Accordingly, the outlet regulator
assembly 14 can only be installed at the first connection point 8.
Further, both the first connection point 8 and the second
connection point 10 include internal check-type valves that are in
the closed position to prevent fluid communication between the
inside of the vessel 2 and the outside of the vessel 2 when the
outlet regulator assembly 14 and the inlet regulator assembly 26
are not respectively installed therein.
[0011] As used herein, the term "fluid communication" includes a
path by which liquids or gases may move between two or more
structures. The term "gas communication" includes a path by which
gases, such as air or steam, may move between two or more
structures. Also herein, the terms "air" and "gas" are used
interchangeably, unless otherwise apparent from the context.
[0012] The outlet regulator assembly 14 of the prior art system
includes an outlet connector 18, an inlet connector 20, an outlet
manual control valve 22, and an outlet pressure gauge 24. When
using the system to dispense cleaning solution, cleaning
applicators, such as a sprayer, sponge mop and fogger, are
interchangeably connected to the outlet regulator assembly 14 at
the outlet connector 18. With the cleaning applicator connected to
the outlet regulator assembly 14, the outlet regulator assembly 14
is then installed on the vessel 2 at the first connection point 8
via the inlet connector 20 of the outlet regulator assembly 14.
After the vessel 2 has been charged, a user may manually adjust the
pressure with which the cleaning solution is dispensed from the
vessel 2 by opening or closing the outlet manual control valve 22
as required until the desired pressure is observed on the outlet
pressure gauge 24. Charging the vessel 2 is described in more
detail below with reference to the inlet regulator assembly 26.
[0013] The inlet regulator assembly 26 of the prior art system
includes an outlet connector 28, an inlet connector 30, an inlet
manual control valve 32, a relief valve 34, an inlet pressure gauge
36, and a manual purge valve 38. To place a charge on the vessel 2,
the inlet regulator assembly 26 is installed on the vessel 2 at the
second connection point 8 via the outlet connector 28 of the inlet
regulator assembly 26. With the inlet regulator assembly 26
installed on the vessel 2, a charging device (not shown), such as a
pressurized tank or line, is then installed at the inlet connector
30 of the inlet regulator assembly 26. The user must then open the
inlet manual control valve 32 to allow air pressure in the charging
device to be transferred into the vessel 2. The user must manually
adjust the air pressure in the vessel 2 by opening or closing the
inlet manual control valve 32 as required until the desired
pressure is observed on the inlet pressure gauge 36.
[0014] If the pressure inside the vessel 2 reaches a predetermined
value, such as 100 psi, or greater at any point while the inlet
regulator assembly 26 is installed on the vessel 2, the relief
valve 34 will release some of the air pressure to prevent the air
pressure within the vessel 2 from exceeding the predetermined
value. Excess pressure can be released from the vessel 2 in this
manner, however, only when the inlet regulator assembly 26 is
installed on the vessel 2. There are no means by which to relieve
excess pressure from the vessel 2 when the inlet regulator assembly
26 is not installed on the vessel 2.
[0015] The inlet regulator assembly 26 of the prior art system is
also used to purge the vessel 2 of air to remove any pressure
within the vessel 2. The vessel 2 may need to be purged, for
example, before checking or servicing any part of the system,
before loosening or removing the vessel lid 4, or after the user
has concluded use of the system. To purge the system, the inlet
regulator assembly 26 must be installed on the vessel 2 at the
second connection point 10 via the outlet connector 28 of the inlet
regulator assembly 26. There is fluid communication between the
manual purge valve 38 and the vessel 2 whenever the inlet regulator
assembly 26 is installed on the vessel 2 at the second connection
point 10. Accordingly, the prior art system may purged using inlet
manual control valve 32, the manual purge valve 38, or a
combination thereof, but the inlet regulator assembly 26 must be
installed on the vessel 2 at the second connection point 10.
[0016] To purge the prior art system while the charging device
installed at the inlet connector 30 of the inlet regulator assembly
26, the inlet manual control valve 32 must be in the closed
position so that air from the charging device is not continuously
supplied to the vessel 2, thereby preventing proper purging. The
inlet manual control valve 32 includes an orifice that is in fluid
communication with the outside of the vessel 2 when the inlet
manual control valve 32 is closed. Accordingly, air may escape form
the vessel 2 via the orifice when the inlet manual control valve 32
is closed, thereby purging the vessel 2. The vessel 2 is therefore
purged by closing the inlet manual control valve 32 if the charging
device is installed in the inlet regulator assembly 26. The manual
purge valve 38 may also be opened in this configuration to allow
air within the vessel to escape therethrough, the manual purge
valve 38 thereby operating simultaneously with the orifice of the
inlet manual control valve 32 to purge the vessel.
[0017] The prior art system, however, is more likely to be purged
with the charging device removed from the inlet connector 30 of the
inlet regulator assembly 26. To purge the vessel 2 with the
charging device removed from the inlet regulator assembly 26, the
inlet manual control valve 32 may be in the open or closed
position. The vessel 2 may be purged by placing the inlet manual
control valve 32 in the closed position, thereby allowing air
within the vessel 2 to escape through the orifice in the inlet
manual control valve 32. The manual purge valve 38 may also be
opened in this configuration to allow air within the vessel to
escape therethrough, the manual purge valve 38 thereby operating
simultaneously with the orifice of the inlet manual control valve
32 to purge the vessel. The vessel may also be purged by placing
the inlet manual control valve 32 in the open position. With the
inlet manual control valve 32 in the open position, air within the
vessel 2 may not escape through the orifice in the inlet manual
control valve 32. Accordingly, the manual purge valve 38 is opened
to allow air to escape from the vessel 2 when the inlet manual
control valve 32 is in the open position, thereby purging the
vessel 2.
[0018] Thus, a manual purge valve 38 and inlet pressure gauge 36
must be disposed on the inlet regulator assembly 26 to purge the
system. Accordingly, the inlet regulator assembly 26 must be
installed on the vessel 2 of the prior art system to purge that
system. This is not only an unnecessarily complicated
configuration, it also poses certain safety risks.
[0019] Using the inlet manual control valve 32, the manual purge
valve 38, or a combination thereof as described above, the subject
valve(s) remain open until the user observes a pressure of zero (0)
psi on the inlet pressure gauge 36 and can no longer hear air
escaping the vessel 2. After the vessel 2 is purged, the inlet
regulator assembly 26 is removed from the vessel 2 to allow the
vessel 2 to be sterilized by a process such as autoclaving.
Autoclaving includes utilizing high temperature steam in a
sterilization process.
[0020] To autoclave the vessel, the vessel lid 4 must be removed
and the drain valve 12 is opened to allow steam to pass through the
vessel 2. The outlet regulator assembly 14 and the inlet regulator
assembly 26 are removed from the vessel 2 during autoclaving
because they are not autoclavable. The outlet regulator assembly 14
and the inlet regulator assembly 26 are not autoclavable because
they are not configured to allow steam to pass therethrough and
because their respective components 18-24 and 28-38 are not
designed to withstand the high temperatures associated with
autoclaving. Thus, the outlet connector 18, inlet connector 20,
outlet manual control valve 22, and outlet pressure gauge 24 of the
outlet regulator assembly 14 and the outlet connector 28, inlet
connector 30, inlet manual control valve 32, relief valve 34, inlet
pressure gauge 36, and manual purge valve 38 of the inlet regulator
assembly 26 are all not autoclavable. These components, therefore,
can trap bacteria therein, which will adversely effect a subsequent
cleaning operation using the system, thereby reducing the
reliability and control of the system. Accordingly, there is a
present a need for a system for effectively washing cleanrooms in
which all of the components are autoclavable, and in which the
steps of charging, operating, and purging the system are both
simpler and safer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In view of the foregoing, it is a non-limiting object of the
present invention to provide an autoclavable bucketless cleaning
system that includes an autoclavable vessel with an inside for
storing fluid under pressure and with a first connection point and
a second connection point disposed at an outside of the vessel, an
autoclavable outlet regulator assembly for dispensing fluid from
the vessel and removably connected to the vessel at the first
connection point so as to be in fluid communication with the inside
of the vessel, and an autoclavable inlet regulator assembly for
pressurizing the vessel and removably connected to the vessel at
the second connection point to be in fluid communication with the
inside of the vessel.
[0022] It is another non-limiting object of the present invention
to provide a method of performing a cleaning operation with an
autoclavable bucketless cleaning system that includes placing a
cleaning solution in an inside of an autoclavable vessel where the
vessel includes a first connection point and a second connection
point disposed at an outside of the vessel, removably connecting an
autoclavable outlet regulator assembly on the vessel at the first
connection point so the outlet regulator assembly is in fluid
communication with the inside of the vessel, removably connecting
an autoclavable inlet regulator assembly on the vessel at the
second connection point so the inlet regulator assembly is in fluid
communication with the inside of the vessel, pressurizing the
inside of the vessel via the inlet regulator assembly, dispensing
cleaning solution from the inside of the vessel via the outlet
regulator assembly to clean a designated area, removing any
pressurized gas that remains inside the vessel after the designated
area is cleaned, removing any cleaning solution that remains inside
the vessel after the designated area is cleaned, and autoclaving
each of the vessel, the outlet regulator assembly, and the inlet
regulator assembly.
[0023] These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of
the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent
when reference is made to the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a top view illustrating a pressure vessel of a
prior art bucketless cleanroom washing system.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view of the prior art bucketless cleanroom
washing system illustrated in FIG. 1, including an inlet regulator
assembly and an outlet regulator assembly.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a top view illustrating a pressure vessel in
accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the bucketless
cleanroom washing system of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view of the bucketless cleanroom washing
system illustrated in FIG. 3, including an inlet regulator assembly
and an outlet regulator assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Many non-limiting aspects of the present invention can be
better understood with reference to the following figures. The
components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis
instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of
the present invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference
numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several
views. Further, in describing the non-limiting aspects of the
present invention illustrated in the figures, specific terminology
is resorted to for the sake of clarity. Each specific term,
however, is meant to include all technical equivalents that operate
in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. The present
invention, therefore, is not limited to the specific terms so
selected.
[0029] Turning to the figures, FIG. 3 shows a top view illustrating
a non-limiting embodiment of the autoclavable bucketless cleanroom
washing system 100 of the present invention. The system 100
includes a re-sealable pressure vessel 102 having a vessel lid 104,
a handle 106, a relief valve 108, a manual purge valve 110, a
vessel pressure gauge 112, a first connection point 114, and a
second connection point 116. The vessel lid 104 can be removed to
access the inside of the vessel 102 to add or remove contents, such
as cleaning solutions. The vessel lid 104 maintains an airtight
seal in the vessel 102 when installed. The handle 106 is used to
facilitate removal and installation of the vessel lid 104. The
relief valve 108 automatically opens to relieve pressure from the
vessel 102 when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined value,
for example 90 psi. The manual purge valve 110 is used to purge the
vessel 102 of pressurized gas to remove any pressure inside the
vessel 102. The vessel may need to be purged, for example, before
checking or servicing any part of the system, before loosening or
removing the vessel lid 104, or after the user has concluded use of
the system. The vessel pressure gauge 112 allows a user to observe
the pressure within the vessel 102 at all times.
[0030] The vessel lid 104 includes a handle 106 disposed thereon
for removing and installing the vessel lid 104 on the vessel 102.
The vessel lid 104 is sealably installed at the top of the vessel
102 with edges at the perimeter of the vessel lid 104 engaging
corresponding edges in an opening at the top of the vessel 102 so
as to create an airtight enclosure within the vessel 102 when
installed. The airtight seal created by installing the vessel lid
104 in the vessel 102 allows fluids to be stored inside the vessel
102 and placed under pressure. The vessel lid 104 may be removed so
that fluids can be placed in the vessel 102 through the opening at
the top of the vessel 102. In an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, the vessel 102 is ASME rated to at least 90 psi
when sealed.
[0031] The relief valve 108 remains closed until the pressure
inside the vessel 102 exceeds a predetermined value, at which point
the valve automatically opens to allow pressurized gas inside the
vessel 102 to escape until the pressure inside the vessel 102 is at
or below the predetermined value. The relief valve 108 is
connectably disposed in the top of the vessel 102 and is in direct
gas communication with the inside thereof. The relief valve 108 is
normally in the closed position so that there is not gas
communication between the inside of the vessel 102 and the outside
of the vessel 102 via the relief valve 108. When the pressure
within the vessel 102 exceeds the predetermined value, the relief
valve 108 will open to allow gas communication between the inside
of the vessel 102 and the outside of the vessel 102. The relief
valve 108 may be preset to open at any pressure value above the
pressure value that the vessel 102 is rated to safely contain, such
as 90 psi. The relief valve 108 may also include an exhaust tube
connected thereto for directing any gas released from the relief
valve 108 away from a user of the system 100.
[0032] The manual purge valve 10 is manually opened and closed. As
illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the manual purge
valve 110 is disposed at the top of the vessel 102 with a vessel
pressure gauge 112 connectably disposed between the manual purge
valve 110 and the vessel 102. The manual purge valve 110 and vessel
pressure gauge 112 are in gas communication with the inside of the
vessel 102 and with each other. In another exemplary embodiment of
the system 100, the manual purge valve may be connectably disposed
in the top of the vessel 102 at one location so as to be in direct
gas communication with the inside of the vessel 102, and the vessel
pressure gauge may be connectably disposed directly in the top of
the vessel 102 in another location so as to be in direct gas
communication with the inside of the vessel 102. The vessel
pressure gauge 112 measures and displays the pressure within the
vessel 102.
[0033] The manual purge valve 110 is normally in the closed
position so that there is not gas communication between the inside
of the vessel 102 and the outside of the vessel 102 via the manual
purge valve 110. Because it is disposed between the manual purge
valve 110 and the vessel 102, the vessel pressure gauge 112 is in
direct gas communication with the inside of the vessel 102 even
when the manual purge valve 110 is in the closed position. Thus,
the vessel pressure gauge 112 continuously measures and displays
the pressure within the vessel 102 regardless of whether the manual
purge valve 110 is in the open or closed position and whether the
outlet regulator assembly 120 and/or the inlet regulator assembly
136 are installed on the vessel 102. The manual purge valve 110 can
be opened to reduce or remove pressure in the vessel 102, a process
generally referred to as "purging" the vessel 102. The manual purge
valve 110 may also include an exhaust tube connected thereto for
directing any gas being released from the manual valve 110 away
from a user of the system 100.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the system 100 also includes a
drain valve 118, an outlet regulator assembly 120, and an inlet
regulator assembly 136. The drain valve 118 is located
substantially at the bottom of the vessel 102 and is used to drain
the vessel 102 when the vessel 102 is cleaned. The outlet regulator
assembly 120 is installed at the first connection point 114 and is
used to dispense cleaning solution from the vessel using a cleaning
applicator, such as a sprayer 152, sponge mop 154 or fogger (not
shown). The inlet regulator assembly 136 is installed at the second
connection point 116 and is used to charge the vessel 102 with gas
to a predetermined pressure value.
[0035] The first connection point 114 includes a dip tube assembly
122 that is in fluid communication with the bottom of the vessel
102 so that cleaning solution can be extracted therefrom. Because
only the first connection point 114 includes a dip tube assembly
122 for extracting fluids from the bottom of the vessel 102, the
outlet regulator assembly 120 and the inlet regulator assembly 136
may not be interchangeably installed on the first connection point
114 and the second connection point 116. Accordingly, the outlet
regulator assembly 120 may only be installed at the first
connection point 114. Further, both the first connection point 114
and the second connection point 116 include internal check-type
valves that are in the closed position to prevent fluid
communication between the inside of the vessel 102 and the outside
of the vessel 102 when the outlet regulator assembly 120 and the
inlet regulator assembly 136 are not respectively installed
therein. When the inlet connector 126 of the outlet regulator
assembly 120 is installed at the first connection point 114, the
check-valve in the first connection point 114 is opened so as to
allow fluid communication between the vessel 102 and the outlet
regulator assembly 120. When the outlet connector 140 of the inlet
regulator assembly 136 is installed at the second connection point
116, the check-valve in the second connection point 116 is opened
so as to allow fluid communication between the vessel 102 and the
inlet regulator assembly 136.
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
first connection point 114 may be keyed to only receive the inlet
connector 126 of the outlet regulator assembly 120 to prevent
mistakenly installing the outlet regulator assembly 120 at the
second connection point 116 or installing the inlet regulator
assembly 136 at the first connection point 114. Alternatively, the
first connection point 114 and the second connection point 116 may
be of different sizes to prevent mistakenly installing the outlet
regulator assembly 120 at the second connection point 116 or
installing the inlet regulator assembly 136 at the first connection
point 114.
[0037] The outlet regulator assembly 120 of the system 100 includes
an outlet connector 124, an inlet connector 126, an outlet metering
valve 128, an outlet pressure gauge 130, an outlet autoclave stem
132, and a lanyard 134. The outlet connector 124 is disposed at one
end of the outlet regulator assembly 120 and the inlet connector
126 is disposed at the other end of the outlet regulator assembly
120. The outlet metering valve 128 and the outlet pressure gauge
130 are positioned between the outlet connector 124 and the inlet
connector 126. The outlet metering valve 128 is positioned adjacent
to the inlet connector 126 and the outlet pressure gauge 130 is
positioned between the outlet connector 124 and the outlet metering
valve 128. The outlet connector 124, inlet connector 126, outlet
metering valve 128, and outlet pressure gauge 130 are connectably
joined so that each member of the outlet regulator assembly 120 is
in fluid communication with each other member. The outlet pressure
gauge 130 measures and displays the pressure between the outlet
metering valve 128 and the outlet connector 124.
[0038] The outlet metering valve 128 is manually opened and closed
using a flow control element e.g., a valve handle, such that each
incremental adjustment of the flow control element produces a
substantially proportional change of the mass flow rate through the
outlet metering valve 128. The outlet metering valve 128 of the
present system 100 differs from the outlet manual control valve 22
of the prior art system because it allows more accurate control of
flow rates. The outlet metering valve 128 of the outlet regulator
assembly 120 is opened to allow fluid communication between the
outlet connector 124 and the inlet connector 126 and closed to
prevent fluid communication between the outlet connector 124 and
the inlet connector 126, i.e., to stop cleaning solution from being
dispensed from the vessel 102 via the outlet regulator assembly
120. The outlet metering valve 128 may be partially opened such
that the amount of fluid communication between the outlet connector
124 and the inlet connector 126 corresponds to the amount the
outlet metering valve 128 is opened, with a larger opening
corresponding to a larger amount of fluid communication.
[0039] In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 4, the outlet
connector 124 of the outlet regulator assembly 120 is a female
quick disconnect that includes an internal check-type valve
configured to be in the closed position when not connected to a
corresponding male quick disconnect or autoclave stem. The inlet
connector 126 of the outlet regulator assembly 120 is a male quick
disconnect that is configured to be open at all times. Accordingly,
when a corresponding male quick disconnect or autoclave stem is not
installed at the outlet connector 126, there is no fluid
communication through the outlet regulator assembly 120 due to the
closed check-type valve in the outlet connector 124, i.e., fluid
can enter the outlet regulator assembly 120 via the inlet connector
126 but it cannot exit the outlet regulator assembly 120 via the
outlet connector 124, regardless of whether the outlet metering
valve 128 is opened.
[0040] The outlet autoclave stem 132 mates with the outlet
connector 124 of the outlet regulator assembly 120 so as to open
the check-type valve in the outlet connector 124. This allows steam
to pass through the outlet regulator assembly 120 during
autoclaving, i.e., into the inlet connector 126 and out of the
outlet connector 124. The outlet autoclave stem 132 is attached to
the outlet regulator assembly 120 with the lanyard 134 so that the
outlet autoclave stem 132 is not misplaced from the outlet
regulator assembly 120 when not in use.
[0041] The inlet regulator assembly 136 of the system 100 includes
an inlet connector 138, an outlet connector 140, a regulator valve
142, an inlet autoclave stem 144, and a lanyard 146. The inlet
connector 138 is disposed at one end of the inlet regulator
assembly 136 and the outlet connector 140 is disposed at the other
end of the inlet regulator assembly 136. The regulator valve 142 is
positioned between the inlet connector 138 and the outlet connector
140. The inlet connector 138, outlet connector 140, and regulator
valve 142 are connectably joined so that each member of the inlet
regulator assembly 136 is in fluid communication with each other
member.
[0042] The regulator valve 142 remains open until the pressure
inside the vessel 102 reaches a predetermined value, at which point
the valve automatically closes to prevent more gas from entering
the vessel 102, thereby preventing the pressure of the gas in the
vessel 102 from rising to a dangerous value, i.e., above the
pressure value that the vessel 102 is rated to contain. The
regulator valve 142 of the inlet regulator assembly 136 is open to
allow fluid communication between the inlet connector 138 and the
outlet connector 140 until the pressure inside the vessel 102
reaches a predetermined value, at which point the regulator valve
142 will close to prevent fluid communication between the inlet
connector 138 and the outlet connector 140. The regulator valve 142
is preset to close at a pressure value at or below the pressure
value that the vessel 102 is rated to safely contain. The regulator
valve 142 is used to fill the vessel 102 with pressurized gas, such
as pressurized air. This process is generally referred to as
"charging" the vessel 102.
[0043] In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 4, the inlet
connector 138 of the inlet regulator assembly 136 is a female quick
disconnect that includes an internal check-type valve configured to
be in the closed position when not connected to a corresponding
male quick disconnect or autoclave stem. The outlet connector 140
of the inlet regulator assembly 136 is a male quick disconnect that
is configured to be open at all times. Accordingly, when a
corresponding male quick disconnect or autoclave stem is not
installed at the inlet connector 138, there is no fluid
communication through the inlet regulator assembly 136 due to the
closed check-type valve in the inlet connector 138, i.e., fluid can
enter the inlet regulator assembly 136 via the outlet connector 140
but it cannot exit the inlet regulator assembly 136 via the inlet
connector 138, regardless of whether the regulator valve 142 is
opened. The regulator valve 142 may also prevent fluid from exiting
the inlet regulator assembly 136 via the inlet connector 138 by
being configured to function as a directional-type valve in
addition to functioning as a regulator valve, thereby allowing
fluid to flow through the inlet regulator assembly 142 only in a
direction from the inlet connector 138 to the outlet connector
140.
[0044] The inlet autoclave stem 144 mates with the inlet connector
138 of the inlet regulator assembly 136 so as to open the
check-type valve in the inlet connector 138. The inlet autoclave
stem 144 is connected at the inlet connector 138 to allow steam to
pass through the inlet regulator assembly 136 during autoclaving,
i.e., into the inlet connector 138 and out of the outlet connector
140. The inlet autoclave stem 144 may be attached to the inlet
regulator assembly 136 with the lanyard 146 so that the inlet
autoclave stem 144 is not misplaced from the inlet regulator
assembly 136 when not in use.
[0045] The above-described components of the system 100 may be
utilized together to perform a cleaning operation of a cleanroom.
An exemplary embodiment of a method in which the system 100 may be
utilized in a cleaning operation is described hereinafter with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The method includes filling the vessel
102 with a cleaning solution and sealing the vessel 102; connecting
a cleaning applicator to the outlet regulator assembly 120 and
installing the outlet regulator 120 on the vessel 102; installing
the inlet regulator 136 on the vessel 102 and connecting a charging
device to the inlet regulator 136; placing a charge on the vessel
102; dispensing the cleaning solution using the cleaning
applicator; purging the vessel 102 after dispensing the cleaning
solution is completed; draining and rinsing the system; and
autoclaving the entire system 100 after the vessel 102 has been
purged. These functions and the order in which they are performed
are exemplary and non-limiting, but are chosen as a preferred
method for safe and efficient operation of the system 100.
[0046] To fill the vessel 102 with cleaning solution, the vessel
lid 104 is removed using the handle 106. Before removing the vessel
lid 104, ensure the vessel 102 has been purged as discussed below
using the manual purge valve 110. A predetermined amount of
cleaning fluid is then placed inside the vessel 102 via an opening
in the top thereof. After cleaning solution is placed in the vessel
102, the vessel lid 104 is sealably installed in the vessel 102 so
as to create an airtight chamber within the vessel 102 that
includes the cleaning solution.
[0047] With the vessel 102 filled with cleaning solution, a
cleaning applicator is connected to the outlet regulator assembly
120 at the outlet connector 124. The cleaning applicator may be
connected to the outlet regulator assembly 120 using an extension
piece 148, such as a high pressure coil hose assembly. The outlet
autoclave stem 132 is not installed in the outlet connector 124
when the cleaning applicator is connected to the outlet regulator
assembly 120 because a connection cannot be made with the outlet
connector 124 when the outlet autoclave stem 132 is installed. With
the cleaning applicator connected to the outlet regulator assembly
120, the outlet regulator assembly 120 is then installed on the
vessel 102 at the first connection point 114 via the inlet
connector 126 of the outlet regulator assembly 120. With the vessel
102 sealed and the outlet regulator assembly 120 installed on the
vessel 102, a charge may be placed on the vessel 102. A charge is
preferably not placed on the vessel 102 until after the outlet
regulator assembly 120 is installed on the vessel 102 because
making the above connections can be more difficult when the system
is pressurized.
[0048] To place a charge on the vessel 102, the inlet regulator
assembly 136 is installed on the vessel 102 at the second
connection point 116 via the outlet connector 140 of the inlet
regulator assembly 136. With the inlet regulator assembly 136
installed on the vessel 102, a charging device (not shown), such as
a pressurized tank, is then connected to the inlet connector 138 of
the inlet regulator assembly 136. The charging device may be
connected to the inlet regulator assembly 136 using a charging hose
150, such as a high pressure coil hose assembly. The charging hose
150 is connected to the inlet regulator assembly 136 only after the
inlet regulator assembly 136 is installed in the vessel 102 because
the connection between the inlet regulator assembly 136 and the
vessel 102 can more difficult to make when there is pressure within
the inlet regulator assembly 136. The inlet autoclave stem 144 is
not installed in the inlet connector 138 when the charging hose 150
is connected to the inlet regulator assembly 136 because a
connection cannot be made with the inlet connector 138 when the
inlet autoclave stem 144 is installed. When the charging hose 150
is installed in the inlet regulator assembly 136, the vessel 102
will automatically receive a predetermined amount of pressurized
gas from the charging hose 150 until the pressure in the vessel 102
reaches a predetermined value, the predetermined value of pressure
corresponding to the pressure at which the regulator valve 142 is
set to close. Thus, a user just connects the charging hose 150 to
the inlet regulator assembly 136 and the regulator valve 142 closes
when the pressure inside the vessel 102 reaches the desired
predetermined pressure value. In an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, the regulator valve 142 is set to close at 90
psi.
[0049] This is an improvement over the prior art system in which a
user had to use an inlet manual control valve (see FIG. 2, element
30) to manually adjust the pressure placed in the vessel while
observing the inlet pressure gauge (see FIG. 2, element 34) until
the desired pressure is obtained. In the present invention, the
desired pressure placed in the vessel 102 is obtained automatically
via the regulator valve 142, thereby simplifying the charging
process. Accordingly, this makes the system 100 more efficient in a
cleaning operation by eliminating a step of manual adjustment. This
also makes the system safer by allowing a regulator valve 142 to be
set at a predetermined pressure that is at or below the pressure
value that the vessel 102 is rated to safely contain and to prevent
overflow. Thus, the need for an inlet manual control valve 32 and
an inlet pressure gauge 36 on the inlet regulator assembly 26 as in
the prior art system is eliminated.
[0050] If the regulator valve 142 malfunctions and does not open at
the desired pressure, or if a user of the system bypasses the inlet
regulator assembly 136 and tries to place a pressure in the vessel
that exceeds the pressure value that the vessel 102 is rated to
safely contain, the relief valve 108 disposed in the vessel 102
will open before the pressure reaches an unsafe value, thereby
providing an extra level of safety in the system. By having the
relief valve 108 disposed in the vessel 102, a user is protected
from charging the vessel 102 to an unsafe pressure if the user
bypasses the inlet regulator assembly 136. Also, a user is
protected if the pressure inside the vessel 102 rises to unsafe
values due to other factors, such as extreme temperature changes,
when the inlet regulator assembly 136 is not installed in the
vessel 102. Thus, the relief valve 108 provides a direct and
immediate safety check on the pressure inside the vessel 102.
[0051] With a charge placed on the vessel 102, the cleaning
solution can be dispensed from the vessel using the cleaning
applicator that is connected to the outlet regulator assembly
120.
[0052] To dispense cleaning solution using the cleaning applicator,
the outlet metering valve 128 is opened until the desired
dispensing pressure is obtained. Flow rate and particle size of the
cleaning solution dispensed from the system 100 are adjusted by
opening or closing the outlet metering valve 128 as required until
the desired pressure is observed on the outlet pressure gauge 130.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the outlet
metering valve 128 is adjustable between 0 (zero) and 60 psi.
[0053] The flow rate at which the cleaning solution is dispensed
from the vessel 102 can be determined using a chart listing various
flow rates that correspond to valve handle positions of the outlet
metering valve 128. The chart is based on the valve handle position
and the pressure drop across the outlet metering valve 128. The
position of the valve handle corresponds to the cross-sectional
area of flow through the outlet metering valve 128. The pressure
drop across the valve is measured by subtracting the pressure
observed on the outlet pressure gauge 130 from the pressure
observed on the vessel pressure gauge 112. The outlet metering
valve 128 allows a user of the system 100 to accurately measure the
volume of cleaning solution dispensed over a specific duration of a
cleaning operation. Specifically, by observing the time that
cleaning solution is dispensed with respect to the flow rate, the
user may determine the volume of cleaning solution dispensed during
a cleaning operation. This allows the user to accurately and
conveniently determine how much fluid to place in the vessel 102
based on how long a cleaning operation is estimated to take.
[0054] The flow rate at which the cleaning solution is dispensed
from the vessel 102 can also be determined using a chart listing
the various flow rates produced based on the pressure with which
fluid is dispensed and the size of the orifice of the cleaning
applicator attached to the outlet regulator assembly 120. The
pressure with which fluid is dispensed is observed on the outlet
pressure gauge 130, and the orifice size may be predetermined or
variable depending on the type of cleaning applicator used.
Accordingly, by changing orifice sizes on the cleaning applicator
and adjusting the pressure with which fluid is dispensed via the
outlet metering valve 128, the user may determine the volume of
cleaning solution dispensed during a cleaning operation. This
allows the user to more accurately and conveniently determine how
much fluid to place in the vessel 102 based on how long a cleaning
operation is estimated to take.
[0055] The particle size at which the cleaning solution is
dispensed from the vessel 102 can be determined using a chart
listing the various particle sizes produced based on the pressure
with which fluid is dispensed and the size of the orifice of the
cleaning applicator, for example a sprayer 152 or a fogger. The
dispensing pressure is observed on the outlet pressure gauge 130.
Accordingly, by varying orifice sizes on the sprayer 152 or fogger
and adjusting pressure via the outlet metering valve 128, various
particle sizes can be produced using the sprayer 152 or fogger.
[0056] During a cleaning operation, cleaning applicators, such as a
sprayer 152, sponge mop 154 and/or fogger, may be used
interchangeably. The amount of cleaning solution dispensed can also
be controlled using a standard trigger spray wand 156. The spray
wand may be connected to the outlet regulator assembly via an
extension hose 148. The sprayer 152, sponge mop 154 or fogger may
be interchangeably connected at the end of the extension hose 148
or the spray wand 156 via quick disconnect connections. When a
cleaning applicator is connected directly to the extension piece
148, the amount of cleaning solution dispensed is controlled by
adjusting the outlet metering valve 128 as discussed above with
respect to flow rates. The spray wand 156, however, adds an extra
element of control by allowing the user to dispense cleaning
solution by squeezing a trigger on the spray wand 156 and to stop
the dispensing of cleaning solution by releasing the trigger of the
spray wand 156. This added element of control over the amount of
cleaning solution dispensed further increases the efficiency of the
system 100.
[0057] When utilizing the sprayer 152 in a cleaning operation, the
outlet metering valve 128 may be adjusted so that cleaning solution
is dispensed at a desired pressure of 30 psi, as observed on the
outlet pressure gauge 130. When utilizing the sponge mop 154 in a
cleaning operation, the outlet metering valve 128 may be adjusted
so that cleaning solution is dispensed at a desired pressure of 25
psi, as observed on the outlet pressure gauge 130. When using the
logger in a cleaning operation, the cleaning solution may be
dispensed with a particle size between 5 and 50 microns.
[0058] Upon completion of the cleaning operation, pressure is
manually relieved, or purged, from the system 100. Pressure is
purged from the vessel 102 via the manual purge valve 110 disposed
on the vessel 102. To purge the vessel 102, the manual purge valve
110 is opened and remains open until a pressure of 0 (zero) psi is
observed on the vessel pressure gauge 112 and gas can no longer be
heard escaping the vessel 102 through the manual purge valve 110.
The vessel cannot be purged from the outlet regulator assembly 120
because there is a dip tube assembly 122 attached to the first
connection point 114 that is in fluid communication with the bottom
of the vessel 102 such that purging the vessel 102 at this location
would result in expelling cleaning solution that may remain in the
vessel 102. Because the manual purge valve 110 is at the top of the
vessel 102, purging only releases gas. This step of purging the
system 100 should always be implemented 102 before opening the
vessel 102, before checking or servicing any part of the system and
before loosening or removing the vessel lid 104.
[0059] In purging the system, pressure should also be purged from
within the outlet regulator assembly 120 and extension hose 148 via
the spray wand 156. To purge the outlet regulator assembly 120 and
extension hose 148, the outlet metering valve 128 is closed and the
trigger of the spray wand 156 is squeezed to relieve the pressure
contained between the spray wand 156 and the outlet regulator
assembly 120. This will also expel any cleaning solution remaining
in the outlet regulator assembly 120, extension piece 148 and/or
spray wand 156. Accordingly, purging should take place outside of
the cleanroom wherein the cleaning operation has been
completed.
[0060] This is an improvement over the prior art system in which
the inlet regulator assembly (see FIG. 2, element 26) had to be
installed on the vessel (see FIG. 2, element 2) to purge the
system. In the present invention, the vessel 102 can be purged
without the inlet regulator assembly 136 being installed. This not
only simplifies the purging process, but it makes the system 100
safer. For example, the vessel 102 can be purged at any time
because the manual purge valve 110 and vessel pressure gauge 112
are disposed directly on the vessel 102 rather than on the inlet
regulator assembly 136. This is of particular importance since the
vessel 102 should be purged whenever the vessel lid 104 is to be
removed. There may also be other circumstances in which the
pressure within the vessel needs to be purged.
[0061] After the system 100 is purged, the vessel 102 may be
rinsed. The vessel 102 is rinsed by removing the vessel lid 104 and
placing the appropriate rinsing solutions in the vessel 102. After
the vessel is rinsed, the drain valve 118 is opened to allow the
rinsing solution to exit the vessel 102. The system 100 may also be
charged and the rinsing solution dispensed through the sprayer,
sponge mop and/or logger as described above to rinse those
components as well.
[0062] After the system 100 is rinsed, all of the components of the
system may be autoclaved, including the vessel 102 and its
integrated components, the entire outlet regulator assembly 120,
the entire inlet regulator assembly 136, the extension pieces 148
and 150, the sprayer 152, the sponge mop 154, the fogger, and the
spray wand 156. The integrated components of the vessel 102 include
the vessel lid 104, the handle 106, the relief valve 108, the
manual purge valve 110, the vessel pressure gauge 112, the first
connection point 114, the second connection point 116, and the
drain valve 118. The "entire" autoclavable outlet regulator
assembly 120 includes the outlet connector 124, the inlet connector
126, the outlet metering valve 128, the outlet pressure gauge 130,
the outlet autoclave stem 132, and the lanyard 134. The "entire"
autoclavable inlet regulator assembly 136 includes the inlet
connector 138, the outlet connector 140, the regulator valve 142,
the inlet autoclave stem 144, and the lanyard 146. The outlet
regulator assembly 120 and the inlet regulator assembly 136 may be
installed on the vessel 102 when the system 100 is autoclaved.
[0063] Prior to autoclaving the vessel 102 and vessel's integrated
components 104-118 with the entire outlet regulator assembly 120
and the entire inlet regulator assembly 136 installed on the vessel
102, the vessel lid 104 is removed from the vessel 102 and the
drain valve 118 is opened so that steam may pass through the vessel
102 during autoclaving. The outlet autoclave stem 132 is installed
at the outlet connector 124 of the outlet regulator assembly 120 to
open the internal check-valve of the outlet connector 124 so that
steam may pass through the outlet regulator assembly 120 during
autoclaving. The outlet metering valve 128 is also opened. The
inlet autoclave stem 144 is installed at the inlet connector 138 of
the inlet regulator assembly 136 to open the internal check-valve
of the inlet connector 138 so that steam may pass through the inlet
regulator assembly 136 during autoclaving. The inlet regulator
valve 142 is automatically opened when the vessel 102 is purged and
will remain open during autoclaving. The vessel pressure gauge 112
may be sprayed to saturation with a sterilizing compound, for
example, Sterile 70% USP Isopropyl Alcohol, prior to introducing it
into the autoclave so as to further ensure sterilization
thereof.
[0064] In another non-limiting exemplary method of autoclaving the
system 100, the outlet regulator assembly 120 and the inlet
regulator assembly 136 may be removed from the vessel 102 and
autoclaved separate from the vessel 102. To autoclave the vessel
102 and the outlet regulator assembly 120 and the inlet regulator
assembly 136 separately, autoclave stems (not shown) are installed
in the first connection point 114 and the second connection point
116 of the vessel 102 to open the internal check-valves therein so
that steam may pass through the first connection point 114 and the
second connection point 116 during autoclaving. Autoclave stems 132
and 144 are also installed in the outlet regulator assembly 120 and
the inlet regulator assembly 136. In the exemplary embodiment where
autoclaving occurs with the outlet regulator assembly 120 and the
inlet regulator assembly 136 installed on the vessel 102, the
internal check-valves of the first connection point 114 and the
second connection point 116 are opened respectively by the inlet
connector 126 of the outlet regulator assembly 120 and the outlet
connector 140 of the inlet regulator assembly 136.
[0065] Thus, the entire system 100 may be autoclaved, including the
vessel 102, the vessel's integrated components 104-118, the entire
outlet regulator assembly 120, the entire inlet regulator assembly
136, the extension pieces 148 and 150, the sprayer 152, the sponge
mop 154, the logger, and the spray wand 156. Autoclaving includes
utilizing steam in a sterilization process. Accordingly, the entire
system 100 may be placed in an autoclaving device, such as a
machine capable of achieving elevated temperatures and pressures,
to sterilize all of the components 102-156 of the system 100. The
system may be autoclaved, for example, at 121.degree. C. for 35
minutes.
[0066] It is important that the entire system 100 be autoclavable.
Any components that are not autoclaved can trap bacteria, which can
adversely effect any subsequent cleaning operation performed using
the same components. This reduces the reliability and control of
the system. Accordingly, the system 100 of the present invention is
reliable and provides substantial control over contaminants by
allowing all of the components to be autoclaved.
[0067] In addition, each of the relief 108, the manual purge valve
110, the vessel pressure gauge 112, the outlet regulator assembly
120, and the inlet regulator assembly 136 have separate and
distinct benefits that contribute to the reliability and control of
the present system 100. Accordingly, each of these components can
be used alone or in any combination thereof to achieve the same or
similar benefits.
[0068] The foregoing description and drawings should be considered
as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The
invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is
not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiment. Numerous
applications of the invention will readily occur to those skilled
in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to
the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and
method of operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *