An autoclave and a latching and locking device therefor

An autoclave is disclosed that comprises a vessel 10 defining a chamber (16, Fig. 3A) and an opening for gaining access to the chamber, said vessel including a surround 18 disposed around said opening. A door 40 is adapted to cooperate with said surround for closing the chamber. A compressible seal 20 is disposed between the door and the surround. A door mounting device is provided for mounting the door adjacent the vessel. The mounting device is adapted to allow the door to rotate about an axis 27, such that upon opening the door can swing from a closed position in which the door abuts the surround through a small arc sufficient to move the door clear of the surround, and to move translationally in a direction parallel to the axis to move the door clear of the opening to allow access to the chamber. Hook-shaped abutment members 60 are adapted to hold the door in a fully closed position. Also claimed is latching and locking device comprising a first latching device 80 mounted on one of the autoclave vessel or the door comprising a reciprocating engaging member 82 which engages a catch 70 which is mounted on the other of said door or vessel. A second high-load locking device comprising a first rotatable coupling member 91 adapted to be mounted on one of the vessel and door and a second coupling member (92, Fig. 10) said first member being rotatable between a disengaged position and an engaged position in which the first member engages the second member when the door is fully closed for holding the door in said fully closed position during operation of the autoclave. The locking device includes an automatic operating mechanism for operating said latching and locking devices according to a predetermined sequence for opening and closing the autoclave.