Patent ID: 6984359
Filing Date: 2006-01-10
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. A sterilizer for providing a heated and pressurized steam environment for sterilizing articles, said sterilizer comprising: a sterilizing chamber for receiving articles to be sterilized, said chamber including an inner wall defining a chamber interior; a planar surface defining a front face formed generally perpendicular to and excluding outwardly from said inner wall, said front face defining a chamber opening for access to said chamber interior; a door mounted for movement relative to said chamber between a fully closed position wherein said door is in engagement with said front face and a fully open position wherein an operator may access the chamber interior for insertion and removal of articles therein; and a resilient seal between said door and said chamber interior, said seal comprising an annular lip having opposing inner and outer surfaces, said lip extending from said door into said chamber with said outer surface of said lip in engagement with said inner wall of said chamber whereby pressure within said chamber acts on said inner surface of said lip to bias said outer surface of said lip into engagement with said inner wall of said chamber.