US1939714A - Sterilizing means - Google Patents

Description

DC- 19 1933. c. R. MErrzLER 1,939,714

STERILIZING MEANS Filed nay ze, 1932 4 sheets-sheet 1 Dec. 19, 1933.

c. R. MElTzLER 1,939,714

STERILI ZING MEANS Filed llay 26, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 19., 1933. :I R, ME|TZLER 1,939,714,

STERILIZING MEANS Dec. 19, 1933. c R MErrzL-ER 1,939,714

STERILIZING MEANS Filed lay 26. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 19, 1933 PATENT OFFICE rs'rnarnrznac. MEANS CharleslL Meitzler, RochestenN. Y., assigner to Oscar H. Pieper and Alphonse F. Pieper, both of Rochester, N. Y.

Application May 26, 1932. Serial No. 613,707

12 Claims.

This invention relates to sterilizers, and has to do with sterilizing means for use in sterilizing dental instruments, dressings, and for analogous purposes.

One of the main objects of my invention is to provide means of simple construction and operation for sterilizing dressings, towels and the like and facilitating drying of such articles after they have been sterilized. A further object is to lo provide simple and improved means for opening and closing the cover of the sterilizer. Further objects and advantages will appear from the detail description.

In the drawingsz--J lizing apparatus in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view of the sterilizer cabinet, partly broken away, illustrating the l) foot levers for operating the sterilizer covers, on

an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the top of the sterilizer cabinet taken from front to back thereof, showing the sterilizer and associated $5 parts, parts being shown in elevation, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 3, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 5 is an end view of the tank of the o dressings sterilizer with the parts adjusted Vfor sterilizing;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 with the parts adjusted for drying the sterilized articles;

Figure 7 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 7-7 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary end view of the o dressings sterilizer with the wall of the tank part- 1y broken away to expose the upper portion of the wall of the container within the tank;

Figure 10 is an outer face view of the outer valve plate with the upper portion thereof and the intervening portion of the wall of the tank broken away to expose the outer face of the inner valve plate.

The sterilizing apparatus is conveniently mounted in a suitable cabinet l comprising a top 2 provided with suitably disposed openings which accommodate an instrument sterilizer 3 and a lower water tank 4 of a towel or dressings steri lizer. The dressings sterilizer comprises an upper tank or casing 5 open at its lower end and provided with a reduced extension 6 adapted to Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a steri.

nt snugly into the upper end of tank 4 so as to form a steam tight closure therewith. Preferably, tank 5 is anchored to top 2 of the cabinet in a suitable manner which permits of quick release of the tank. Conveniently, an angle bracket 6a is suitably secured to each end of tank 5 and is slotted for reception of a swinging bolt 7 pivoted in a U-bracket 8 suitably secured to top 2, this bolt receiving a thumb nut 9. Suitable means may also lbe provided for holding the sterilizer 3 against upward movement relative to top 2.

Sterilizer 3 is provided with a suitable cover 10 hinged at 11 for movement into and out of closed position, tank 5 being provided with a cover 12 70 hinged at 13. A connecting rod 14 is pivoted at its upper end, at 15, to a bracket 16 suitably secured to cover 10 of sterilizer 3. The lower end of this rod passes through a finger 17 at the upper end of a link 18, and disposed at right angles thereto, this rod threading through a stud 19 pivotally secured to link 18. Link 18 is pivotally connected, at its lower end, at 19a, to an operating lever 20 pivoted at 21 to a bracket plate 22 which is suitably secured to and depends from top 2 adjacent one end of sterilizer 3. Lever 20 is pivotally secured at its other end, at 23, to a cylinder 24 slidable on a plunger 25 which is pivoted at its upper end, at 26, to plate 22, this plunger having a snug fit with the cylinder and constituting therewith a dash-pot. Air is admitted to the lower end of cylinder 24 through a. duct 27 controlled by a valve 28 of known type to regulate the air bleed. The cylinder is also provided with an upper air port 29 disposed to be uncovered when the cylinder reaches its lowermost position so as to assure an adequate 1 charge of air in the cylinder when upward movement thereof is initiated.

A headed stud 30 is secured to lever 20 adjacent pivot 23. This stud extends through a slot 3l in an operating link 32 and through an opening in an adjusting plate 33 carried by the link, the opening of this plate being aligned with the slot 31 of the link. Plate 33 is adjustably mounted on link 32 by means of screws 34 which pass through washers 35 and through slots 36 in plate 33, these screws threading into link 32. This provides simple means for securing the plate 33 to the link 32 and for effecting relative adjustment therebetween. A hooked latch 37 is pivoted at 38 on plate 33, the hook portion of this latch engaging about pin 30 between the head thereof and the adjacent face of plate 33, thus establishing an operating connection between link 32 and 110 lever 20. The latch 37 is provided with a flnger 39 having a depression forming a detent element 40 which engages into a corresponding recess in plate 33 for` releasably holding the latch 37 in operative position. Link 32 is pivoted at its lower end, at 41, to a lug 42 of a foot lever 43 pivoted at its inner end, at 44, on an element 45 of base frame 46 of the cabinet. This lever extends through an opening 47 in the front wall of the cabinet and is provided, at its outer end, with a pedal 43a. When pedal 43a is depressed, the forward end of lever 20 is swung downwardly so as to open cover 10 of the sterilizer 3. As cover 10 approaches full open position, a finger 50, which projects from lever 20 at right angles thereto, contacts a cushion spring 51 carried by a tab 52 projecting from bracket plate 22, this spring serving to cushion movement of lever 20 in the final opening movement of cover 10.

Bracket plate 22 is provided with a cam slot 53 in which operates a pin or equivalent lmember (not shown) projecting from the inner face of link 20 for controlling the movement of this link in such manner as to open and close the cover 10. When pedal 43av is depressed, the cover 10 is moved into open position, as stated, and upon release of the pedal the pin, which operates in cam slot 53, drops into a recess at the upper end of this slot, this recess being indicated at 53a, so as to hold the cover open. When the lever 43 is again depressed, the pin is raised out of recess 53a and travels along shoulder 53h to the upper end of the inner or rear run of the slot 53, so that, when lever 43 is again released, the cam pin travels downwardly in the cam slot to permit of closing of cover 10. The weight 'of cover 10 and rod 14 and associated parts may be relied upon for closing the cover and raising foot lever 43 or, if desired, any suitable yielding means may be employed for raising this foot lever. In the opening and closing of cover 10 smooth operation of the latter is assured by the dash-pot connection between lever 20 and bracket plate 22.

A second lever 55 is pivoted on element 45 of base frame 46 in the same manner as and adjacent lever 43, this lever 55 being provided at its outer end with a pedal 56. Lever 55 is connected by a link 32a, and lever 20 and associated parts, to cover 12 of sterilizer tank 5. The means for opening and closing the cover 12 of tank 5 is the same as that for opening and closing the cover 10 of sterilizer 3, with the exception that connecting rod 14a is of greater length than connecting rod 14, and need not be further described. The latches 37 provide quick release means for attaching the links 32 and 32a to the levers 20. By moving the latches 37 into inoperative position, and disengaging the pins 30 from the links y and the associated plates 33, links 32 and 32a are disconnected from the levers 20 so that top 2 and the parts carried thereby may be re'moved as a unit from the cabinet. The cabinet 1 may be providedwith suitably disposed openings, normally covered by a removable panel 1a, such openings being disposed to give ready access to the upper portions of links 32 and 32a and latches 37 and-associated parts.

Top 2 of the cabinet is provided with a water reservoir 60 with which communicates a water supply tank or container 61, means being provided for maintaining the water in the tank 66 at a predetermined level. Water tank or reservoir 60 communicates with sterilizer 3 and tank 4, and suitable means is provided for heating the water in the tank and the sterilizer. 'I'he means for supplying the sterilizers with water and for heating the water therein may be of any suitable or preferred type, but is preferably that disclosed in my co-pending application for Sterilizer, Serial No. 478,338, filed August 28, 1930. Such means need not be illustrated nor described here, it being sufcient to note that suitable means may be provided for supplying water to the sterilizer tanks and for heating such water.

A container 62 is supported within tank 5 in spaced relation thereto and defines therewith a steam space 63 extending about the container and opening into the open lower end of tank 5. Conveniently, the upper portion of container 62 is beaded over the upper portion of the wall of tank 5 so asto be suspended therefrom and close the upper end of space 63, as in Figure 7. The container 62 is adapted to receive a perforated tray or basket 64, which basket contains towels, dressings and analogous articles to be sterilized. When the tank 5 is in position upon the lower tank 4, and the water in tank 4 is heated to or above boiling temperature, steam is generated and flows into the space 63 about the container 64.

Container 62 is provided, in an end wall thereof, with a circular depression 65 which is disposed coaxially with a circular depression 66 in the adjacent end wall of tank 5. Depression 65 receives an inner valve 'plate or disc 67 and depression 66 receives a similar valve disc 68. The discs 67 and 68 are suitably mounted on a stud shaft 69, for turning movement therewith, this stud shaft being rotatably mounted through the adjacent end walls of the container 62 and the tank 5. An operating handle 70, provided with a suitable knob 71, is secured by a screw 72 to stud shaft 69 for imparting rotation thereto. Movement of arm 70 in either direction is limited by a vstop member 73 mounted on the side wall of tank 5 in concentric relation to recess 66 and provided, at each end, with an outwardly extending flange constituting a stop element for contact with arm 70. The side wall of container 66 is provided,'in the depression 65 thereof, with two ports 75 disposed at diametrically opposite sides of the stud shaft 69. Tank 5 is provided with two ports 76 extending through the depressed portion 66 of the tank wall, these ports being disposed in advance of the respective ports 75, in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 9. The inner valve plate or disc 67 is provided with two ports 78 disposed to register with ports 75 when valve handle 70 is in the position shown in Figure 5, and the outer valve disc is provided with two ports disposed to register with ports 76 when the valve handle 70 is in the position shown in Figure 6, ports 80 of the outer valve disc being disposed in alignment with ports 78 of the inner disc.

Handle 70 is provided, at its inner end, with an angularly disposed arm conveniently formed integral with the handle and forming therewith a bell crank. A pin 86 is secured to the outer end of arm 85 and projects beyond the outer face thereof for contact with the upper edge 87a of a notch 88 opening rearwardly of an arm 89 suitably secured to and depending from cover 12. The upper end of rod 14a is pivotally connected, at 90, to arm 89 for opening and closing cover 12 in the manner previously described. Pin 86 is disposed to contact the upper edge or surface 87a of the notch 88, when arm 70 is moved downwardly into the position of Figure 6, the pin exerting a camming action on surface 87a so as to raise the cover 12 and open it to a predetermined extent when arm 70 is in its lowermost position.

With arm I0 in its upper position shown in Figure 5, p orts are in register with ports 78 ot the ixmeilvalve disc, and ports '16 are closed by the outer valve disc. Under such conditions, the steam from space 63 flows into container 62 and about the perforated basket 64 so as to flow through and sterilize dressings, towels and analogous articles contained within the basket. After such articles have been thoroughly sterilized, handle 7,0 is moved into its lowered position shown in Figure 6, in which position of the handle cover 12 is opened to a predetermined extent and ports 75 are closed by the inner valve disc, ports 76 being, at this time, in register with port 80 of the outer valve disc. In this manner, the supply of steam from space 63 to the container is cut off, and this space 63 is vented to the atmosphere. With handle 70 in its lowered position, the steam iiows upwardly about container 62 in contact therewith so as to heat this container and the articles in the basket 64 so as to quickly dry the latter, the moisture driven ofi from the articles in the basket escaping through the opening provided by the cover 12 in its partially raised position. The valve structure, including the handle '10 and arm 85 provides, in conjunction with arm 89 and associated parts, simple and highly efficient means for sterilizing the articles in basket 64 and for rapidly drying the sterilized articles by proper movement of handle 70. With handle 70 in its raised position, steam is admitted to the container 62 for sterilizing the articles and, when it is desired to dry the sterilized articles, it is only necessary to move the handle 70 into its lowered position, this one movement of the handle accomplishing the proper adjustment of the valves and also opening the cover 12 to a predetermined extent. This avoids possibility of the operator failing to adjust the parts for accomplishing the desired results, which frequently occurs where it is necessary to adjust two or more valves or other mechanisms in sterilizers or analogous apparatus.

What I claim is:-

1. In sterilizing means, a tank structure comprising an outer wall and an inner wall defining a steam receiving space, a cover for closing the tank, the inner wall having a port therethrough and the outer wall having a port therethrough, valve means for closing the port of the outer wall and opening the port of the inner wall and vice versa, and means actuated by the valve means for opening the Vcover when the port of the inner wall is closed and the port of the outer wall is opened.

2. In sterilizing means, a tank, a container within the tank in spaced relation theretov and defining therewith a steam receiving space, a cover for closing the tank, control means for admitting steam from said space into the container or closing the steam space to the container and venting the steam from said space, optionally, and means actuated by the control means for opening the cover when the steam space is closed to the container.

3. In sterilizing means, a tank, a container within the tank in spaced relation thereto and defining therewith a steam receiving space extending about the container, valve means for admitting steam from said space to the container or cutting oif the supply of steam to the container and venting steam from the steam space, optionally, a cover for the tank, and means/actuated by the valve means for opening the cover when the supply of steam to the container is cut oi.

4. In sterilizing means, a tank, a container within the tank in spaced relation thereto and defining therewith a steam receiving space extending about the container, the container and the tank having ports therein for escape of steam from said space, valve plates positionable to open and close the ports of the container and the ports of the tank in opposite relation, means for operating the valve plates, a cover for the tank, and means actuated by said operating means for opening the cover when the tank ports are opened.w

5. In sterilizing means,` a tank, a container Within the tank in spaced relation thereto and defining therewith a steam receiving space extending about the container, a cover for the tank, and means adjustable for admitting steam from said space to the container or for cutting off the admission of steam to the container and opening the cover by the act of cutting olf said admission of steam, optionally.

6. In sterilizing means, a tank, a container within the tank in spaced relation thereto and defining therewith a steam receiving space extending about the container, a cover for the tank, and means adjustable for admitting steam from said space to the container or for cutting oi the admission of steam to the container and venting the steam from the steam space and also opening the cover, by the act of cutting off said admission of steam and venting the steam space, optionally.

7. In sterilizing means, a tank, a container within the tank in spaced relation thereto and defining therewith a steam receiving space extending abpit the container, the container and the tank h ving ports therein for escape of steam vfrom said space, valve discs rotatably mounted adjacent the Walls of the tank and the container, respectively, and having ports disposed to open and close the ports of the tank and the container in opposite relation in the turning of the discs, a handle exterior of the tank and connected to the discs -for turning the latter, a cover for the tank, and means cooperating with the handle for opening the cover when said handle is moved into position to open the tank ports.

8. In sterilizing means, a tank, a container within the tank in spaced relation thereto and defining therewith a steam receiving space extending about the container, the container and the tank having ports therein for escape of steam from said space, valve means for opening and closing the ports of the container and the ports of the tank in opposite relation, a handle exterior of the tank and connected to the valve means for operating the latter, and means cooperating with the handle for opening the cover when said handle is moved into position to open the tank ports.

9. In sterilizing means, a tank, a container `within the tank in spaced relation thereto and dening therewith a steam receiving space extending about the conainer, the container and the tank having ports therein for escape of steam from said space, valve means for opening and closing the ports of the container and the ports of the tank in opposite relation, a handle exterior of ihe tank and connected to the valve means for operating the latter, and an arm secured to and depending from the cover, said arm and the handie having cooperating means for opening the cover when the handle is moved into position to open the tank ports.

10. In combination in sterilizing apparatus, a cabinet, a top therefor, sterilizing means including a tank carried by said top, a cover for the tank, a bracket plate depending from the top, an operating lever pivoted on said plate, operating conneclions between the lever and the tank cover for opening and closing the latter, a -foot lever mounted in the cabinet, a link connected at its lower end to said foot lever, and latch means releasably connecting the upper end o! the link to the operating lever.

l1. In combination in sterllizing apparatus, a cabinet, a top therefor, sterllizing means including a tank carried by said top, a cover for the tank, a bracket plate depending from the top, an operating lever pivoted on said plate, operating connections between the lever and the tank cover for opening and closing the latter, a foot lever mounted'in the cabinet, a link connected at its lower end to said foot lever, latch means releasably connecting the upper end of the link to the operating lever, and a dash-pot connecting the operating lever to the bracket plate.

12. In combination in sterilizing apparatus, a cabinet, a top therefor, sterilizing means including a tank carried by said top, a cover for the tank, a bracket plate depending from the top, an operating lever pivoted on said plate, operating connections between the lever and the tank cover for opening and closing the latter, a foot lever mounted in the cabinet, a link connected at its lower end to said foot lever, latch means releasably connecting the upper end of the link to the operating lever, and cushioning means connected to and cushioning movement of the operating level'.

CHARLES R. MEITZLER.

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