Sterilization tray with base and elastomeric lid

• US 7,544,336 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2005
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Powell
• Original Assignee: Andrew Powell
• Inventors: Powell, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): CONLEY, SEAN EVERETT
• Application Number:
  US11/268,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20070104609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,310 Days
• Field of Search: 422/292, 422/294, 422/297, 422/300, 206/263, 206/363, 206/369, 206/370
• US Class Current: 422/297
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/182 Rigid packaging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps

Abstract

The invention relates to product, method and system for materials handling apparatus and more particularly to an integrated design of a vessel for combining sterilization, storage, transport and presentment of dental or surgical instruments or implants using a uniquely designed sterilization tray. Fabrication of the tray and the number of parts required can be greatly cost reduced, due to the simplicity of the design.

Claims

1. A sterilization tray for receipt, storage, and retrieval of dental or medical instruments or implants, said tray comprising;

a foraminous rigid or semi-rigid base attached to and bounded by a front wall, a right wall, a left wall and a rear wall, said rear wall having tray orientation perforations and a removable, stretchable, foraminous elastomeric lid, wherein said elastomeric lid includes at least one elastomeric attachable loop that is a portion of said lid and wherein said lid is attached to said rear wall by inserting orientation nubs into said orientation perforations and wherein said lid is also secured to said base by at least one attachable hook on said base, thereby enclosing at least a portion of said front wall, said right wall, said left wall and said rear wall.

2. The elastomeric lid of claim 1, further including at least one lid instrument retention member, fabricated within said elastomeric lid, said base comprising and integrated with at least one tray bracket, said tray bracket protruding upward from said base wherein at least one instrument is laid upon said tray bracket such that application of a downward force is applied on said instruments when said instruments are secured within said at least one lid instrument retention member and said tray bracket.

3. The elastomeric lid of claim 2, wherein said lid is fabricated with said lid instrument retention member as a single element, such that said lid instrument retention member protrudes toward said base while remaining attached to said elastomeric lid.

4. The elastomeric lid of claim 1, wherein said elastomeric lid includes at least one corner attached to said elastomeric lid, wherein said elastomeric lid is fabricated such that one or more of said corner(s) is extended over a lip feature of said front wall, said right wall, said left wall and said rear wall wherein thereby aiding full or partial covering of said base.

5. The elastomeric lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is fabricated using various colors, thereby providing identification for each of said dental or medical instruments or implants.

6. The elastomeric lid of claim 1, wherein said elastomeric lid is fabricated with silicone rubber, urethanes, and or other stretchable materials and or material composites.

7. The sterilization tray of claim 1, wherein said elastomeric lid comprises features sufficient for stacking of multiple sterilization trays.

8. The sterilization tray of claim 1, wherein said tray is fabricated in combination with said elastomeric, stretchable lid such that a combination of said lid and said tray is a single element, and wherein said tray provides at least one instrument retention member protruding upward from said base of said tray.

9. The sterilization tray of claim 1, wherein an instrument retention mat is fabricated in combination with said elastomeric lid providing a single element, and wherein said instrument retention mat includes fingers that protrude upward from said base.