Patent ID: 7214354

Claim:
An autoclave for medical appliances and instruments, comprising: a chamber ( 13 ) in which the appliances to be sterilized are located; a steam generator ( 5 ) connected with the chamber ( 13 ) by a steam pipe ( 9 ), a feed pipe ( 35 ) for discharging condensate from said chamber ( 13 ) into the steam generator through a condensate collector ( 11 ); a water tank ( 1 ) arranged to supply process water to the generator ( 5 ), the condensate collector ( 11 ) being positioned above and in tight connection with the steam generator ( 5 ) and along the feed pipe ( 35 ), between the chamber ( 13 ) and the steam generator ( 5 ), the condensate collector being pressurizable and distinct from the water tank ( 1 ) and directly linked with the chamber ( 13 ); a first check valve ( 39 ) at the mouth of the feed pipe ( 35 ) to the condensate collector ( 11 ) so as to prevent the condensate from flowing back from the condensate collector ( 11 ) into the pipe ( 35 ); and a second check valve ( 41 ) between the collector ( 11 ) and the steam generator ( 5 ) so as to prevent any medium from flowing to the condensate collector ( 11 ) from the generator ( 5 ), wherein the condensate collector ( 11 ) and the steam generator ( 5 ) consist of pot-like vessels each having an open side which are tightly mounted with their open side on a common mounting plate ( 38 ), the mouth of the feed pipe ( 35 ) and a connection opening between the collector ( 11 ) and the generator ( 5 ) being provided in the common plate.