# US 2010/0166602 A1 · Circulation and disposal device for multi-purpose sterilization chambers and washing chambers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166602 A1 - Document ID: US20100166602A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/641,470 - Filed: 2009-12-18 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-31 - Assignees: American Sterilizer Company - Inventors: Michael A. Bacik - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166602A1 ## CPC - A61L 2/20: Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours - A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation - B01D 46/10: Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces - A61L 2/202: Ozone - A61L 2/208: Hydrogen peroxide - A61L 2103/15: Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps - A61L 2202/122: Chambers for sterilisation - A61L 2202/13: Biocide decomposition means, e.g. catalysts, sorbents - A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs - A61L 2202/15: Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers - A61L 2202/17: Combination with washing or cleaning means - B01D 2273/14: Filters which are moved between two or more positions, e.g. by turning, pushing - B01D 2279/65: for the sterilisation of air - 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) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract The present invention provides an apparatus for circulating a carrier gas containing a chemical deactivating vapor or gas in a chamber. The apparatus includes a housing defining a flow path therethrough. The housing has an inlet end and an outlet end. A blower is provided for conveying a carrier gas containing a chemical deactivating vapor or gas along the flow path. A filter that includes a filter element is provided. The filter is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the filter element is fluidly isolated from the flow path when the filter is in the first position, and the filter element is disposed in the flow path when the filter is in the second position. An actuator is provided for moving the filter between the first position and the second position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for circulating a carrier gas containing a chemical deactivating vapor or gas in a chamber, said apparatus comprised of: a housing defining a flow path therethrough, said housing having an inlet end and an outlet end; a blower for conveying a carrier gas containing a chemical deactivating vapor or gas along said flow path; a filter including a filter element, said filter is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein said filter element is fluidly isolated from said flow path when said filter is in said first position, and said filter element is disposed in said flow path when said filter is in said second position; and an actuator for moving said filter between said first position and said second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said outlet comprises a plurality of openings disposed in said housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one mounting ring for mounting said housing to a rack. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one support leg for supporting said housing on a floor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said filter element includes a material chemically active with respect to molecules of said chemical deactivating vapor or gas. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said material interacts with molecules of said chemical deactivating vapor or gas by catalysis, physical force, electrical force or chemical reaction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said material is glass frits, precious metals, copper, silver, a transition metal or a transition metal oxide. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said transition metal is platinum or palladium. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said transition metal oxide is an oxide of manganese. ### Claim 10 A system for deactivating biocontamination on devices, said system comprising: a chamber; a rack for holding items to be deactivated, said rack disposed within said chamber; and at least one circulation and disposal device disposed on said rack, said at least one circulation and disposal device comprised of: a housing defining a flow path therethrough, said housing having an inlet end and an outlet end; a fan for conveying a carrier gas containing a chemical deactivating vapor or gas along said flow path; a filter mounted to move within said housing, said filter including a filter element; and an actuator for moving said filter between a first position and a second position, wherein said filter element in said filter is fluidly isolated from said flow path when said filter is in said first position, and said filter element is disposed in said flow path when said filter is in said second position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A system as defined in claim 10, wherein said outlet end of said at least one circulation and disposal device comprises a plurality of openings disposed in said housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A system as defined in claim 10, wherein said housing of said at least one circulation and disposal device includes at least one mounting ring for mounting said housing to a rack. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A system as defined in claim 10, wherein said housing of said at least one circulation and disposal device includes at least one support leg for supporting said housing on a floor of said chamber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A system as defined in claim 10, wherein said filter element of said at least one circulation and disposal device includes a material chemically active with respect to molecules of said chemical deactivating vapor or gas. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A system as defined in claim 14, wherein said material interacts with molecules of said chemical deactivating vapor or gas by catalysis, physical force, electrical force or chemical reaction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A system as defined in claim 14, wherein said material is glass frits, precious metals, copper, silver, a transition metal or a transition metal oxide. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A system as defined in claim 16, wherein said transition metal is platinum or palladium. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A system as defined in claim 16, wherein said transition metal oxide is an oxide of manganese. ### Claim 19 A method for circulating a carrier gas containing a deactivating vapor or gas in a system, said method comprising the steps of: a) locating a filter to a first position wherein a filter element in said filter is fluidly isolated from a flow path defined by said housing, when a system is in a chemical deactivating vapor or gas circulation phase; b) conveying a carrier gas containing a chemical deactivating vapor or gas along said flow path; and c) locating said filter to a second position, wherein said filter element is disposed in said flow path, when said system is in an aeration phase.