Sterilization container with releasable and permanent lock

• US 8,418,872 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2010
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: O&M Halyard, Inc. (Owens and Minor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Tara Denise
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Brijesh V
• Application Number:
  US12/974,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20120152957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 220 2387- 2388, 220/315, 220/324, 220/326, 220/345.2, 220/495.01, 220/784, 220/788, 220831-832, 206/439, 206/807, 206/1.5
• US Class Current: 220/495.01
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2255/20 with coacting elements, e.g. ratchet and pawl, formed integrally in the container and closure or dispensing device, e.g. spout, for permanently preventing removal of the latter
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/0012 having straight sides, e.g. with curved corners
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00296 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00435 Lids secured to an intermediate ring or like annular member fixed to the container mouth
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00564 indirect by means of a gasket or similar intermediate ring
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0216 inside a peripheral U-shaped channel in the mouth of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/02 Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure B65D41/32 takes precedence; protective covers for bottles B65D23/08; protective cap-like outer covers for bottle or jar closures B65D41/62; pressure-applying means B65D45/00; closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal of closures B65D50/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/444 Swinging catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/50 Special application
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5549 Cover-carried lock

Abstract

A container for sterilizing and storing surgical materials and preserving surgical materials in a sterilized condition is provided. The container can include a lid and tray that may be used to contain an instrument basket for sterilization. The container has a lock that releasably holds the lid and tray together and that can rotate into a second position, after it is released, and non-releasably lock into the second position.

Claims

1. A locking container for sterilizing and preserving surgical materials in a sterilized condition, the container comprising:

a lid comprising a central portion and a continuous lip, the lid comprising a permeable filter providing a path for a sterilant to enter the container from outside the container and for maintaining aseptic conditions inside the container after sterilization;

a tray comprising a base, sides and a continuous tray rim, the tray adapted to receive a basket for containing surgical instruments such that the lid lip and tray rim together form a barrier to inhibit the passage of microorganisms into the chamber, and;

a lock having a hinge for releasably securing the lid and tray together in a first lock position and a non-releasably locked second lock position that does not secure said lid to said tray.

2. The locking container of claim 1 wherein said lock comprises a bayonet tab with a detent and a mating component.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein said lock may be non-releasably locked to the lid.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters, thermoplastic polyurethanes, olefinic copolymers, aluminum, copper and various alloys.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein said tray is disposable and is made from aluminum.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the rim of the lid includes a material which is heat activated during steam sterilization to secure the lid and the tray.

7. The container of claim 6 wherein said material for inclusion in the rim includes hot melt adhesives made from polyolefins, block copolymers, resins, waxes and combinations thereof, that have a melting point below 270°

F. (132°

C.).

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid has a gas permeable filter is in the central portion of the lid.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the filter material is selected from the group consisting of medical grade paper, polyolefin meltblown materials and nonwoven laminate materials such as laminates of spunbond materials and meltblown materials.

10. The container of claim 9 wherein said gas permeable filter material is permeable to water vapor and has a minimum water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of about 200 g/m² /16 hours, calculated in accordance with ASTM Standard E96-80.