Apparatus for holding and protecting sterilizable instruments

• US 4,342,390 A
• Filed: 01/22/1980
• Issued: 08/03/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pilling Weck Incorporated (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: James G. Mitchell, Winalee G. Mitchell
• Inventors: Mitchell, Winalee G., Mitchell, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOY, JOSEPH MAN
• Application Number:
  US06/114,167
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 206/363, 206/455, 206/372, 206/373, 206/489, 206/523
• US Class Current: 206/363
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/318 Multi-pouches, e.g. strips of side-by-side pouches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/28 Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks

Abstract

An improved holder and protector (10) for sterilizable instruments is disclosed which comprises two layers (12) of heat fusible, reticulated foam material joined to define a plurality of open-ended pockets (18) for receiving instruments and a cover flap (22) for folding over the instruments and pockets to protect them. A strip (20) of the layers below the pockets is fused to provide a smooth surface on which indicia of the contents of the pockets may be provided, as by manual printing.

Claims

1. An improved apparatus for holding and protecting sterilizable instruments, comprising:

a first layer of sterilizable material;

a second layer of sterilizable material overlying a portion of said first layer and being made from a thermally fusible foam material;

a plurality of seams joining said layers and defining a plurality of open-end pockets between said layers; and

means adjacent said pocket, said means comprising a portion of said second layer of foam material in which portion the foam is fused to provide an exterior writing surface for marking with a conventional writing instrument.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both said layers are made from thermally fusible material and said seams are thermally fused.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both said layers are made from thermally fusible material and said means for receiving indicia comprises a portion of both said layers fused together to provide said exterior writing surface.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both said layers are made from thermally fusible foam material.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both said layers are made from thermally fusible foam material and said seams are thermally fused.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first layer extends substantially beyond the open ends of said pockets, whereby said first layer may be folded over said second layer and said pockets.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both said layers are made from thermally fusible foam material and said means for receiving indicia comprises a portion of said layers fused together to provide an exterior writing surface.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said pockets open in one direction and said means for receiving indicia are located adjacent to the opposite ends of said pockets.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first layer extends substantially beyond the open ends of said pockets, whereby said first layer may be folded over said second layer and said pockets.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first layer extends substantially beyond the open ends of said pockets, whereby said first layer may be folded over said second layer and said pockets.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both said layers are thermally fusible foam material;

said seams are thermally fused; and

said means for receiving indicia comprises a portion of said layers fused together to provide an exterior writing surface.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said pockets open in one direction and said means for receiving indicia are located adjacent to the opposite ends of said pockets.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first layer extends substantially beyond the open ends of said pockets, whereby said first layer may be folded over said second layer and said pockets.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pockets open in one direction and said means for receiving indicia are located adjacent to the opposite ends of said pockets.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first layer extends substantially beyond the open ends of said pockets, whereby said first layer may be folded over said second layer and said pockets.