Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Physical type apparatus – Apparatus for treating solid article or material with fluid...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-08
2004-03-30
Thornton, Krisanne (Department: 1744)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Physical type apparatus
Apparatus for treating solid article or material with fluid...
C206S370000, C206S438000, C220S529000, C220S735000, C422S297000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06713029
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a sterilization tray.
Surgical instruments are typically stored, transported and prepared for use in sterilization trays. The trays include rigid enclosing walls to provide protection. The walls are typically perforated with multiple holes to allow ingress and egress of a sterilant, e.g. steam, when the tray is placed in a sterilizer. Typically, the trays are wrapped in paper or cloth to maintain the sterility of the contents in storage. It is desirable for the trays to have smooth exteriors, e.g. rounded corners, ruggedness, light weight, high thermal conductivity, and low cost construction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,612 teaches a sterilization tray having plastic end panels or comer pieces to simplify the construction of the tray. The patent points out that trays are typically constructed of stamped and folded sheet metal and that it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to produce a tray with rounded corners using such a construction.
It is further desirable for the trays to have comfortable gripping surfaces and stackability. Increasingly, such trays are used in conjunction with European DIN standard storage containers. A typical DIN container will contain one or more trays stacked within it. Typical prior art trays include one set of handles for lifting the tray from the DIN container and a second set of handles for carrying the tray.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a sterilization tray having a smooth exterior, ruggedness, light weight, high thermal conductivity, comfortable gripping surfaces, stackability, and low cost construction. The tray is constructed of stamped and folded sheet metal, but in such a way as to provide rounded corners. This construction makes a rugged, lightweight, and low cost tray. A molded handle insert is attached to the ends of the tray to provide multiple utility of reducing the number of handles required, maximizing space utilization, providing a comfortable gripping surface on the outside and inside of the tray, and providing stackability.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5340551 (1994-08-01), Berry, Jr.
patent: 5492671 (1996-02-01), Krafft
patent: 5540901 (1996-07-01), Riley et al.
patent: 5882612 (1999-03-01), Riley et al.
patent: 6099812 (2000-08-01), Allen et al.
Krafft Petrus
Maust Shane E.
Feuchtwang Jonathan D.
Thornton Krisanne
Zimmer Technology Inc.
Zimmer Technology, Inc.
LandOfFree
Sterilization tray does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sterilization tray, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sterilization tray will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3211326