US5294413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilization and storage cassette
Assignee: Hu Friedy Manufacturing Co LLC
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Filing: 1992-12-24
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Granted: 1994-03-15
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Expires: 2012-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A sterilization and storage cassette formed of heat-resistant plastic and having two identical tray halves. In one embodiment, at least one tray half includes a rotatable retaining member for retaining dental instruments within the tray. In a second embodiment, a clamping member is inserted in one tray and at least one and preferably a plurality of instrument supports is inserted into the other tray. When the trays are closed together, the clamping member presses down upon and retains dental instruments placed on the supports. The trays are detachably connected through a hinge mechanism. Each tray has separate, distinct hinge members on one of its sides, and a set of separate, distinct latch members on another of its sides.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy E. Riihimaki
- 👤 James M. Kudla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/26; A61B; A61B50/00; A61B50/30; A61B50/33; A61L2/02; A61L2/04; A61L2/06; C; C08; C08L; C08L83/00; C08L83/04; A61B2050/005; A61B2050/0051; A61B2050/0056; A61B2050/3009; A61B50/31; A61B2050/311
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette comprising: first and second substantially identical, trays, each of said trays being formed of heat resistant plastic, each of said trays defining a plurality of sterilization openings, wherein said trays are connectable to each other to form a bounded sterilization region; least one of said trays; and a rotatable retaining member located within said at least one tray, said retaining member being rotatably connected to opposite said sides of tray so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation between an open position and an instrument retaining position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette comprising: first and second substantially identical, trays, each of said trays being formed of heat resistant plastic, each of said trays defining a plurality of sterilization openings, wherein said trays are connectable to each other to form a bounded sterilization region; least one of said trays; and a rotatable retaining member located within said at least one tray, said retaining member being rotatably connected to opposite said sides of tray so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation between an open position and an instrument retaining position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said trays contains one of said retaining members and at least one of said instrument supports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said trays includes a plurality of said instrument supports.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette in accordance with claim 1 wherein said retaining member is formed in part of steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said trays includes a detent for holding said retaining member in said instrument retaining position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette in accordance with claim 1 wherein said retaining member includes a clamping member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette in accordance with claim 1 including a latch mechanism on said cassette for latching said trays together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette in accordance with claim 7 wherein said latch mechanism includes a slotted receiving member and a rotatable key member that is insertable into said slotted receiving member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette in accordance with claim 8 wherein each of said trays includes one of said slotted receiving members and one of said rotatable key members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette in accordance with claim 1 including a hinge connection between said first and second trays.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette in accordance with claim 10 wherein said hinge connection includes an aperture defined on one of said trays and a hinge pintle extending from the other of said trays for insertion into said aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A cassette as in claim 1 wherein said instrument support has first and second ends and wherein said retaining member is attached to said selected tray at first and second pivot points with each said pivot point located adjacent to a respective one of said ends.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cassette as in claim 1 wherein said retaining member includes an instrument retaining bar spaced from said axis of rotation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette comprising: first and second molded, plastic, sterilizable, substantially identical trays wherein said trays may be coupled together and wherein at least one of said trays carries a rotatably mounted retaining member coupled to said one tray at first and second spaced apart pivot points which define an axis of rotation and wherein said retaining member includes an instrument retaining bar spaced from said axis of rotation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
An instrument sterilization and storage cassette comprising: first and second molded, plastic, sterilizable, substantially identical trays wherein said trays may be coupled together and wherein at least one of said trays carries a rotatably mounted retaining member coupled to said one tray at first and second spaced apart pivot points which define an axis of rotation and wherein said retaining member includes an instrument retaining bar spaced from said axis of rotation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cassette as in claim 14 wherein said one tray carries an elongated instrument support member having first and second ends wherein each of said pivot points is located adjacent to a respective one of said ends.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cassette as in claim 14 wherein at least a portion of said instrument retaining bar is deflectable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
117 words
A cassette formed of two substantially identical elements wherein each element comprises: a molded, sterilizable tray having spaced apart bounding sides joined by a closing panel; first and second complimentary hinge members carried on a selected one of said sides, wherein said first and second hinge members are spaced apart from each other; a latch member carried on another side wherein said tray can be rotatably coupled to a second substantially identical tray by said complimentary hinge elements and latched thereto by said latch member; and a retaining member movably mountable on said tray at first and second spaced apart regions wherein each of said regions is adjacent to a respective opposite one of said bounding sides.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
117 words
A cassette formed of two substantially identical elements wherein each element comprises: a molded, sterilizable tray having spaced apart bounding sides joined by a closing panel; first and second complimentary hinge members carried on a selected one of said sides, wherein said first and second hinge members are spaced apart from each other; a latch member carried on another side wherein said tray can be rotatably coupled to a second substantially identical tray by said complimentary hinge elements and latched thereto by said latch member; and a retaining member movably mountable on said tray at first and second spaced apart regions wherein each of said regions is adjacent to a respective opposite one of said bounding sides.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cassette as in claim 17 wherein said retaining member includes a deformable resilient instrument retaining portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cassette as in claim 17 wherein said retaining member is rotatably movable relative to said tray.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-14 | 1997-09-13 | 1998-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-14 | 2001-09-13 | 2002-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-14 | 2005-09-13 | 2006-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |