Trolley for an autoclave

Abstract

The present invention concerns a trolley ( 1 ) for an autoclave. The trolley is furnished with U-shaped profiles ( 7 ) to receive packages ( 6 ), which are to be sterilized in the autoclave simultaneously with their contents. The profiles ( 7 ) have a large number of openings. By the position and the form of the profiles ( 7 ) at least four sides of each package ( 6 ) are reached by steam of the autoclave. The angled sides ( 8 ) of the U-shaped profiles ( 7 ) assists in collecting the cooling water of the autoclave and lead it towards the packages ( 6 ).

1 . A trolley ( 1 ) for receiving packages ( 6 ) to be treated in an autoclave, characterized in that it is furnished with profiles ( 7 ) for the packages ( 6 ) and that at least four sides of each package ( 6 ) can be exposed to steam of the autoclave.  
     
     
         2 . The trolley ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , characterized in that the form and positions of the profiles ( 7 ) are adapted to the form and size of the packages ( 6 ) to be treated.  
     
     
         3 . The trolley ( 1 ) of  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the profiles ( 7 ) are U-shaped, that the profiles ( 7 ) are furnished with holes ( 9 ) and that the sides of the profiles ( 7 ) has an angle (α) of 15° to 30° in relation to a vertical plane and preferably 15° to 20°.  
     
     
         4 . The trolley ( 1 ) of any of the previous claims, characterized in that the diameter of each hole ( 9 ) is between about 3 and 15 mm and preferably between 4 and 10 mm.  
     
     
         5 . The trolley ( 1 ) of any of the previous claims, characterized in that the profiles ( 7 ) are positioned parallel with each other on different heights of the trolley ( 1 ) in such a way that several profiles ( 7 ) are arranged at each height and that the positions of the profiles ( 7 ) are adapted to the size of the packages ( 6 ) to be treated in the autoclave in such a way that there is a distance ( 10 ) between packages ( 6 ) on adjacent profiles ( 7 ) on the same height and a distance ( 11 ) between packages ( 6 ) on adjacent profiles ( 7 ) on different heights.  
     
     
         6 . The trolley ( 1 ) of  claim 5 , characterized in that the distance ( 10 , 11 ) between the packages ( 6 ) on adjacent profiles ( 7 ) is at least 6 mm.  
     
     
         7 . The trolley ( 1 ) of any of the previous claims, characterized in that the trolley ( 1 ) has four wheels ( 5 ) for co-operation with rails in the autoclave.  
     
     
         8 . The trolley ( 1 ) of any of the previous claims, characterized in that the profiles ( 7 ) are arranged on plates which are placed on top of each other.  
     
     
         9 . The trolley ( 1 ) of  claim 8 , characterized in that spacers are placed between the plates.  
     
     
         10 . The trolley ( 1 ) of  claim 9 , characterized in that the spacers are integrated with the plates.