Robert Lewayne Lewis
Engineering at Auston Xing Dr, Charlotte, NC

5570845, Nov 5, 1996

Aug 3, 1995

8/511027

Robert W. Lewis - Charlotte NC
Randall G. McKee - Lebanon IN
William Jones - Lebanon IN

Sterile Technology Industries, Inc. - West Chester PA

B02C 1912

241 21

Containerized medical waste is treated by a process in which the materials are carried by a conveyor under a negative pressure to a multiple-stage shredder. Sodium hypochlorite is added at several points in the shredder section of the apparatus. The output of the shredder is compressed and the liquid component which is separated out is recirculated. The compressed solid is conveyed through a conveyor in which the temperature is maintained at a level just under 212. degree. F. by the introduction of steam. The pressure is maintained at or below atmospheric pressure at all points in the system to prevent release of contaminated materials into the atmosphere. By using the combination of sodium hypochlorite and steam, it is possible to eliminate live microorganisms entirely while still taking advantage of low pressure to avoid accidental release of contaminated materials. Heating by steam takes place in a conveyor which is controlled by temperature sensors so that it moves only when its temperature reaches a predetermined level, e. g. 205. degree. F. The intake conveyor is also controlled so that it does not feed waste into the treatment apparatus unless the temperature in the steam conveyor is at least at a predetermined minimum level.

8518340, Aug 27, 2013

Sep 27, 2007

11/904417

Robert W. Lewis - Charlotte NC, US
Timothy A. Barrett - Douglassville PA, US

A61L 2/00, F16K 24/00

422295, 137583

A steam autoclave has a main drain line and an auxiliary drain line through which condensate in the autoclave chamber is drained, the auxiliary drain line having a conduit extending therethrough defining a path for condensate to move through the auxiliary drain line, and at least a portion of the conduit having a cross-section sized to permit effective draining of condensate through the conduit while the autoclave chamber is pressurized without substantial loss of steam pressure in the autoclave chamber. A sensor may be positioned in the autoclave chamber for sensing a pressure drop during condensate draining while the autoclave chamber is pressurized and for initializing insertion of additional pressurized steam into the autoclave chamber as needed to maintain adequate steam pressure in the autoclave chamber.

8318104, Nov 27, 2012

Mar 15, 2011

13/065154

Robert W. Lewis - Charlotte NC, US
Timothy Barrett - Douglassville PA, US

A61L 2/00, B09B 3/00, B08B 1/02, B08B 3/00

422298, 422295, 422297, 422299, 422300, 422305, 422308, 422309, 588312, 588321, 588900, 134 30, 134 31, 134 32, 134 48, 261DIG 10, 261DIG 65, 261DIG 76

An apparatus for treating waste comprises a gravity drop steam heating tower for heating the waste to the biological kill temperature using pressurized steam, a first feed member for feeding the waste to be sterilized to the gravity drop steam heating tower, and a vaporization system. The vaporization system includes a heating chamber for facilitating vaporization of liquids in the waste, a conveying member for conveying the waste from the lower end portion of the gravity drop steam heating tower into and through the heating chamber, and a vaporization chamber for receiving the waste from the heating chamber and for releasing vapor entrained in the waste into the vaporization chamber.

8546132, Oct 1, 2013

Nov 1, 2010

12/925894

Robert W. Lewis - Charlotte NC, US
Timothy A. Barrett - Douglassville PA, US

C12M 1/34, C12M 3/00

4352874, 422 50, 422292

An apparatus for safely and conveniently placing and retrieving biological indicators and/or computerized data tracers from deep within loads of Regulated Medical/Infectious Waste comprises a rod with a cavity for holding the biological indicators and/or computerized data tracers. Preferably, the rod is tapered to a point on one end, has a handle on the opposite end, and has a cover to enclose the cavity. Additionally, it is preferred that the rod is fitted with a movable sealing ring of soft material for sealing the area where the rod penetrates the waste load.

7931860, Apr 26, 2011

May 10, 2006

11/431260

Robert W. Lewis - Charlotte NC, US
Timothy Barrett - Douglassville PA, US

A61L 2/08, A61L 2/00

422 26, 422292, 422295

An apparatus for treating waste comprises a gravity drop steam heating tower for heating the waste to the biological kill temperature using pressurized steam, a first feed member for feeding the waste to be sterilized to the gravity drop steam heating tower, and a vaporization system. The vaporization system includes a heating chamber for facilitating vaporization of liquids in the waste, a conveying member for conveying the waste from the lower end portion of the gravity drop steam heating tower into and through the heating chamber, and a vaporization chamber for receiving the waste from the heating chamber and for releasing vapor entrained in the waste into the vaporization chamber.