US3966408A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilant immersion container with cover actuated tray
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-02-13
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Granted: 1976-06-29
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Expires: 1995-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A unit for sterilizing instruments in a chemical germicide solution having a container for holding the solution and a cover for closing the container. A tray having slots formed in the bottom thereof receives the instruments. A support for the tray is attached between the cover and the bottom of the container and moves the tray and instruments from a first position of immersion in the solution to a second position above the solution as the cover is pivoted upwardly from the container. The slots in the tray allow the solution to drain from the tray and the instruments.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Drennen
- 👤 Keith L. Stutzman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/26; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/70; A61L2/16; A61L2/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
317 words
For effecting the sterilization of instruments in a chemical germicide solution, a sterilizer unit comprising: a container member having a bottom and walls, said walls being joined in end to end fashion and being perpendicularly attached to said bottom, said walls forming an opening, the germicide solution being received through said opeing and held by said walls and said bottom; a cover member pivotally attached to said container and movable to close said opening of said container; a removable tray member having a wide slot and a plurality of narrow slots formed therethrough, said wide slot and said narrow slots being disposed in parallel with respect to each other, the instruments being received and held by said tray; means for supporting, rocking and moving said tray between a first position adjacent said bottom and a second position adjacent said opening, said tray being supported in a horizontally disposed manner at both said first and said second positions, said tray being immersed in the germicide solution at said first position and being elevated above the germicide solution at said second position, the germicide solution draining from said tray through said wide and narrow slots into said container when said tray is in said second position, said tray being rocked through dispositions at an angle to the horizontal while between said first and said second positions, said means for supporting, rocking and moving including first and second pivot support units and at least one cross member, both of said pivot support units being pivotally attached to said bottom of said container, said cross member interconnecting said pivot support units, said tray resting upon said pivot support units; and means connecting said cover member and said means for supporting, rocking and moving, for moving said means for supporting, rocking and moving in response to movement of said cover member, said connecting means for moving being received within said wide slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
317 words
For effecting the sterilization of instruments in a chemical germicide solution, a sterilizer unit comprising: a container member having a bottom and walls, said walls being joined in end to end fashion and being perpendicularly attached to said bottom, said walls forming an opening, the germicide solution being received through said opeing and held by said walls and said bottom; a cover member pivotally attached to said container and movable to close said opening of said container; a removable tray member having a wide slot and a plurality of narrow slots formed therethrough, said wide slot and said narrow slots being disposed in parallel with respect to each other, the instruments being received and held by said tray; means for supporting, rocking and moving said tray between a first position adjacent said bottom and a second position adjacent said opening, said tray being supported in a horizontally disposed manner at both said first and said second positions, said tray being immersed in the germicide solution at said first position and being elevated above the germicide solution at said second position, the germicide solution draining from said tray through said wide and narrow slots into said container when said tray is in said second position, said tray being rocked through dispositions at an angle to the horizontal while between said first and said second positions, said means for supporting, rocking and moving including first and second pivot support units and at least one cross member, both of said pivot support units being pivotally attached to said bottom of said container, said cross member interconnecting said pivot support units, said tray resting upon said pivot support units; and means connecting said cover member and said means for supporting, rocking and moving, for moving said means for supporting, rocking and moving in response to movement of said cover member, said connecting means for moving being received within said wide slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 1 and further wherein both said first and said second pivot support units include a shaft member, spaced apart support arms, and a plurality of sleeve members, each support arm being pivotally attached to said bottom of said container and extending therefrom to attachment with said shaft, each sleeve member being fitted over said shaft and movable thereon between said support arms, said tray resting upon said sleeves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 2 and further wherein said support arms of said second pivot support unit have a beveled edge movable against said walls of said container when said tray is held in said second position, whereby said means for supporting, rocking and moving is braked against further movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 2 and further wherein said slots are perpendicular to said shafts when said tray is resting upon said sleeves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 2 and further wherein said connecting means includes a link arm which initially pivots only said second pivot support unit thereby orienting said tray at an angle to the horizontal, said link arm pivoting both pivot support units upon attaining a perpendicular relationship to said support arms of said second pivot support unit, said tray being reoriented to a horizontal disposition at said second position, whereby a rocking motion is imparted to said tray to positively move the germicide solution over said slots thereby accelerating draining of the germicide solution from the instruments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 5 and further wherein said means for supporting, rocking and moving includes a plurality of uniformly spaced cross members, each cross member having sleeved ends fitted over said shafts, said cross members extending between said shafts and being slideable along said shafts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-29 | 1979-12-29 | 1980-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-29 | 1983-12-29 | 1984-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-29 | 1987-12-29 | 1988-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |