초록 ▼

A system for treating articles, preferably with a sterilizing, gas is disclosed. The system includes a chamber into which the articles are received and valves for supplying the sterilizing gas to the chamber and for removing the gas from the chamber after a predetermined time period. The sterilizing

A system for treating articles, preferably with a sterilizing, gas is disclosed. The system includes a chamber into which the articles are received and valves for supplying the sterilizing gas to the chamber and for removing the gas from the chamber after a predetermined time period. The sterilizing gas is generated on site from at least two components, thus minimizing problems in the transportation of the gas to the location. The sterilizing gas generated on site is preferably chlorine dioxide and the two components may be chlorine gas and sodium chlorite. The system includes a programmed microprocessor controller for controlling the valves executing a predetermined sequence of instructions. The predetermined sequence of instructions define a state diagram for the system having a plurality of successive states. In order to provide for system safety, the controller preferably employs a plurality of abort states to which the system returns in the event of a failure. Depending on the nature of the failure, the system automatically moves to the proper abort state.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for treating articles with a gas, comprising: chamber means for receiving an article to be treated; means for supplying a gas to the chamber means comprising first valve means coupled to the chamber means for supplying the gas to the chamber means, means for removing the gas from the chamb

Apparatus for treating articles with a gas, comprising: chamber means for receiving an article to be treated; means for supplying a gas to the chamber means comprising first valve means coupled to the chamber means for supplying the gas to the chamber means, means for removing the gas from the chamber means after a predetermined time interval, means for measuring a plurality of measured parameters in said chamber means and for generating a plurality of electrical signals associated with ones of the measured parameters, electronic control means receiving said plurality of electrical signals associated with ones of the measured parameters from said chamber means for controlling said valve means and said means for removing, said electronic control means comprising computer means for cycling said apparatus through a plurality of states in accordance with a predetermined sequence of instructions, said computer means including means for aborting the operation of said apparatus to one of a plurality of defined failure states having predefined conditions in response to a failure of said apparatus, said selected failure state dependent on the state in said cycle in which the failure occurred, and further comprising means for cycling said apparatus in accordance with said predetermined sequence to a further defined state once one of said defined failure states is reached, said further defined state comprising one of the states in accordance with said predetermined sequence of instructions, said further defined state being dependent on the defined failure state reached and being a state which maintains said apparatus within acceptable standards of safety.