Patent ID: 6926874
Filing Date: 2005-08-09
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. An autoclave for sterilizing medical and in particular dental appliances and instruments, with a chamber ( 13 ), in which the appliances to be sterilized are located, with a steam generator ( 5 ), connected with the chamber ( 13 ) and a condensate pipe ( 34 ) connecting the chamber ( 13 ) with a condenser ( 19 ), and a further pipe ( 39 ) connecting the condenser ( 19 ) with a separator vessel ( 40 ), wherein the condensate (water-steam mixture) in the pipe ( 39 ) is passed into said separator vessel ( 40 ), a connecting pipe ( 41 ) extends from an upper area of said separator vessel ( 40 ), preferably from its highest point, to a vacuum pump ( 20 ), said separator vessel ( 40 ) is provided in its lower area, preferably at its lowest point, with a one-way valve ( 45 ) which in the presence of a predetermined pressure difference permits discharge of fluid from the separator vessel ( 40 ) into a collector vessel ( 43 ), a pressure pipe ( 42 ) coming from the vacuum pump ( 20 ) ends in an upper area of said collector vessel ( 43 ) and a transfer pipe ( 44 ) leads into a main tank ( 38 ) of the autoclave from a lower area of said collector vessel ( 43 ).