# US 10,478,866 B2 · Autoclavable bucketless cleaning system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,866 B2 - Document ID: US10478866B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/099,894 - Filed: 2016-04-15 - Published: 2016-09-22 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2008-02-19 - Assignees: Veltek Associates, Inc. - Applicants: Veltek Associates, Inc. - Inventors: Rosario S. Calio; Jeffrey Churchvara; Arthur Vellutato, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478866B2 ## CPC - B08B 3/026: {Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor} - A61L 2/07: Steam - B08B 1/14: Wipes; Absorbent members, e.g. swabs or sponges (with integrated means for dispensing fluids B08B1/40) - B08B 1/40: Cleaning tools with integrated means for dispensing fluids, e.g. water, steam or detergents (cleaning by the force of jets or sprays B08B3/02) - B08B 3/00: Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam (B08B9/00 takes precedence) - Y10T 137/86485: Line condition change responsive release of valve - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A cleaning system, including a vessel with an inside for storing fluid under pressure (the vessel including a first connection point for dispensing fluid from the vessel that is configured to be in a closed position when not connected and a second connection point for pressurizing the vessel that is configured to be in a closed position when not connected), an outlet autoclave stem for installing in the cleaning system so that steam may pass through the first connection point during autoclaving, and an inlet autoclave stem for installing in the cleaning system so that steam may pass through the first connection point during autoclaving. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cleaning system, comprising: a vessel with an inside for storing fluid under pressure, the vessel comprising: a first connection point for dispensing fluid from the vessel that is configured to automatically close when disconnected; and a second connection point for pressurizing the vessel that is configured to automatically close when disconnected; an outlet autoclave stem that is configured to be installed in the cleaning system, wherein the outlet autoclave stern opens the first connection point and enables steam to pass through the first connection point during autoclaving; and an inlet autoclave stem that is configured to be installed in the cleaning system, wherein the inlet autoclave stem opens the second connection point and enables steam to pass through the second connection point during autoclaving. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the outlet autoclave stem is removably connectable to the first connection point, the outlet autoclave stern enabling steam to pass through the first connection point during autoclaving; and the inlet autoclave stern is removably connectable to the second connection point, the inlet autoclave stem enabling steam to so that steam may pass through the second connection point during autoclaving. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: an outlet regulator assembly that is removably connectable to the first connection point, the outlet regulator assembly having an outlet connector configured to close when disconnected, wherein the outlet autoclave stem is removably connectable to the outlet connector, wherein the outlet autoclave stem enables steam to pass through the outlet connector during autoclaving: and an inlet regulator assembly that is removably connectable to the second connection point, the inlet regulator assembly having an inlet connector configured to close when disconnected, wherein the inlet autoclave stern is removably connectable to the inlet connector, wherein the outlet autoclave stein enables steam to pass through the inlet connector during autoclaving. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the outlet regulator assembly includes an autoclavable metering valve that may be opened and closed by adjusting a flow control element such that each incremental adjustment of the flow control element produces a substantially proportional change of the mass flow rate through the metering valve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the outlet regulator assembly includes an autoclavable pressure gauge for measuring and displaying the pressure within the outlet regulator assembly on a side of the metering valve that is opposite to a side at which the outlet regulator is installed on the vessel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the inlet regulator assembly includes an autoclavable regulator valve that remains open while pressurizing the vessel until a pressure inside the vessel reaches a predetermined value, at which point the regulator valve automatically closes to prevent more pressure from entering the vessel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a relief valve attached at the outside of the vessel and in direct fluid communication with the inside of the vessel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a purge valve attached at the outside of the vessel and in direct fluid communication with the inside of the vessel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein a pressure gauge is disposed between the purge valve and the vessel and in fluid communication with both the purge valve and the vessel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a pressure gauge attached at the outside of the vessel and in direct fluid communication with the inside of the vessel. ### Claim 11 A method of autoclaving a cleaning system that includes a vessel for storing fluid under pressure, the vessel having a first connection point for dispensing the fluid from the vessel that is configured to automatically close when disconnected and a second connection point for pressurizing the vessel that is configured to automatically close when disconnected, the method comprising: installing an outlet autoclave stem, the outlet autoclave stem opening the first connection point and enabling steam to pass through the first connection point; installing an inlet autoclave stem, the inlet autoclave stem opening the second connection point and enabling steam to pass through the second connection point; and autoclaving the vessel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein: installing the outlet autoclave stem comprises removably connecting the outlet autoclave stem to the first connection point, wherein the outlet autoclave stem enables steam to pass through the first connection point during autoclaving; and installing the inlet autoclave stem comprises removably connecting the inlet autoclave stem to the second connection point, wherein the inlet autoclave stem enables steam to pass through the second connection point during autoclaving. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the cleaning system further comprises: an outlet regulator assembly that is removably connectable to the first connection point, the outlet regulator assembly having an outlet connector configured to close when disconnected; and an inlet regulator assembly that is removably connectable to the second connection point, the inlet regulator assembly having an inlet connector configured to close when disconnected. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein: installing the outlet autoclave stem comprises removably connecting the outlet autoclave stem to the outlet connector, the outlet autoclave stem enabling steam to pass through the outlet connector during autoclaving; and installing the inlet autoclave stem comprises removably connecting the inlet autoclave stem to the inlet connector, the inlet autoclave stem enabling steam to pass through the inlet connector during autoclaving. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: pressurizing the inside of the vessel via an inlet regulator assembly; dispensing cleaning solution from the inside of the vessel via an outlet regulator assembly; removing any pressurized gas that remains inside the vessel; and removing cleaning solution that remains inside the vessel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein pressurizing the inside of the vessel includes connecting a charging device to the inlet regulator assembly such that an autoclavable regulator valve in the inlet regulator assembly automatically closes to prevent more pressure from entering the vessel when a pressure in the vessel reaches a predetermined value. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein an autoclavable relief valve disposed in direct fluid communication with the inside of the vessel remains closed until a pressure inside the vessel exceeds a predetermined value, at which point the relief valve automatically opens to allow at least some pressure inside the vessel to escape until the pressure remaining inside the vessel is at or below the predetermined value. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein dispensing cleaning solution includes opening an autoclavable metering valve in the outlet regulator assembly by adjusting a flow control element such that each incremental adjustment of the flow control element produces a substantially proportional change of the mass flow rate through the metering valve. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein dispensing cleaning solution includes interchangeably connecting an autoclavable sprayer, sponge mop, or fogger to the outlet regulator assembly for dispensing cleaning solution. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein removing any pressurized gas that remains inside the vessel includes opening an autoclavable purge valve that is attached at the outside of the vessel and in direct fluid communication with the inside of the vessel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein removing any pressurized gas that remains inside the vessel further includes leaving the purge valve open until a pressure gauge disposed between and in fluid communication with the purge valve and the vessel measures and displays 0 psi. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein removing any cleaning solution that remains inside the vessel includes opening an autoclavable drain valve that is disposed at the bottom of the vessel and in direct fluid communication with the inside of the vessel.