Patent ID: 6257820
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: A23L

Abstract:
A transfer valve assembly for use with an atmospheric steam sterilizer vessel having a rotary reel and an inlet opening for receiving containers from the transfer valve assembly, comprising:a rotary transfer valve adjacent the inlet opening, with a plurality of radially outwardly facing pockets exposed to atmosphere for receiving the containers and transferring them to the inlet opening and into the sterilizer vessel as both the rotary transfer valve and the reel of the atmospheric steam sterilizer vessel are rotated, andan arcuate transfer valve saddle extending from opposite sides of the inlet opening around a portion of the circumference of the rotary transfer valve and being positioned so that the pockets engage the saddle during rotary movement over the inlet opening in a manner allowing steam within the atmospheric steam sterilizer vessel to escape the inlet opening yet creating a seal sufficient to raise the pressure within the steam sterilizer vessel at least one psi, the pockets adapted to receive containers prior to engagement of the pockets with the saddle.