SCREEN BASKET AND COVER FOR SAID SCREEN BASKET

Abstract

A screen basket for the preparation of medical instruments. The screen basket having a substantially rectangular base area and an open upper side. The screen basket including: a first container part and a second container part, the first container part and the second container part each being open at an end face and each comprise a screen-like wall, the first container part being configured for insertion into the second container part; and at least one locking pin configured to be pushed through each of two or more push-through openings provided in one or more of the first container part and the second container part, the at least one locking pin selectively locking the first container part and the second container part together in at least two different positions with respect to each other.

Claims

1. A screen basket for the preparation of medical instruments, the screen basket having a substantially rectangular base area and an open upper side, the screen basket comprising: a first container part and a second container part, the first container part and the second container part each being open at an end face and each comprise a screen-like wall, the first container part being configured for insertion into the second container part; and at least one locking pin configured to be pushed through each of two or more push-through openings provided in one or more of the first container part and the second container part, the at least one locking pin selectively locking the first container part and the second container part together in at least two different positions with respect to each other.

2. The screen basket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking pin is fixed on one of the first and second container part as a shaft, the shaft protruding out of the screen-like wall with a latching element at a head end and the other of the first container part and the second container part comprises the at least two push-through openings.

3. The screen basket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking pin comprises a shaft with a holding element at a foot end and a latching element at a head end for pushing through aligned the at least two push-through openings in each of the first container part and the second container part.

4. The screen basket according to claim 3, further comprising a guide provided between the first container part and the second container part, the guide being configured to prevent a relative movement of the first container part and the second container part perpendicularly to the open upper side.

5. The screen basket according to claim 2, wherein the latching element of the at least one locking pin is configured to be releasable in a tool-free manner

6. The screen basket according to claim 3, wherein the latching element of the at least one locking pin is configured to be releasable in a tool-free manner

7. The screen basket according to claim 1, wherein the two or more push-through openings are formed separate from a perforation of the screen-like wall or are a component part of the perforation of the screen-like wall.

8. A screen basket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking pin comprises at least two locking pins.

9. A screen basket according to claim 1, wherein the first container part and the second container part are at least in part formed from one of a perforated plate, a wire mesh and a welded wire netting.

10. A screen basket according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one locking pin, the first container part and the second container part are formed from stainless steel.

11. A cover for a screen basket comprising: a first cover part and a second cover part, the first cover part and the second cover part being arrangeable in at least two different positions with respect to one another; and at least one locking pin configured to be pushed through each of two or more push-through openings provided in one or more of the first cover part and the second cover part, the at least one locking pin selectively locking the first cover part and the second cover part in at least two different positions with respect to each other.

12. The cover according to claim 11, further comprising a guide arranged on the first cover part and the second cover part, the guide providing displacement of the first cover part relative to the second cover part.

13. The cover according to claim 11, wherein the at least one locking pin comprises a shaft with a holding element at a foot end and a latching element at a head end for pushing through an aligned one of the two or more push-through openings in both of the first cover part and the second cover part.

14. The cover according to claim 11, wherein the at least one locking pin is configured non-releasably on one of the first cover part and the second cover part as a shaft which protrudes from the screen-like wall thereof with a latching element at a head end and the other of the first cover part and the second cover part comprises the at least two push-through openings.

15. The cover according to claim 13, wherein the latching element of the at least one locking pin is configured to be releasable in a tool-free manner

16. The cover according to claim 14, wherein the latching element of the at least one locking pin is configured to be releasable in a tool-free manner

17. The cover according to claim 11, wherein the two or more push-through openings are formed separate from a screen-like perforation of the first cover part and the second cover part or are component parts of the perforation of the first cover part and the second cover part.

18. The cover according to claim 11, wherein the at least one locking pin comprises two or more locking pins.

19. The cover according to claim 11, wherein the first cover part and the second cover part are formed at least in part from a perforated plate, a wire mesh or welded wire netting.

20. The cover according to claim 11, wherein one or more of the at least one locking pin, the first container part and the second container part are formed from stainless steel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention is now described in more detail as an example by way of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIGS. 1a-1d illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a screen basket;

[0022] FIGS. 2a-2g illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of a screen basket;

[0023] FIGS. 3a-3e illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a cover for a screen basket similar to the embodiment of screen basket illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2g; and

[0024] FIGS. 4a-4c illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of a cover for a screen basket similar to the embodiment of screen basket illustrated in FIGS. 1a-1d.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIGS. 1a-1d show a first exemplary embodiment of a screen basket 1 for the preparation of medical instruments. In this case, FIG. 1a shows the two container parts 4, 4 of the screen basket 1, separated from one another, whilst in FIGS. 1b and 1c the two container parts 4, 4 are telescoped and locked in different positions with respect to one another. FIG. 1d shows a detail of the locking of the two container parts 4, 4.

[0026] The screen basket 1 for the preparation of medical instruments, with the two container parts 4, 4 assembled in the proper manner, comprises a rectangular base area 2 and an open upper side 3. The two container parts 4, 4 (the first container part 4 and the second container part 4) comprise, in this case, a screen-like wall 5 produced from stainless steel perforated plate and are open at one side in each case. The first container part 4 is configured for insertion into the second container part 4, which is why the outside dimensions thereof are adapted to the inside dimensions of the second container part 4.

[0027] A total of four locking pins 10 (not all of which can be seen) which are configured in one piece and are consequently non-releasable from the second container part 4, are provided on the bottom of the second container part 4. One of the locking pins 10 is shown in detail in the sectional view according to FIG. 1d. The locking pin 10 comprises a shaft 11 which protrudes from the wall 5 of the second container part 4, namely from the bottom thereof, and a latching element 12 is realized on the head end thereof.

[0028] Push-through openings 20, through which the locking pins 10 of the second container part 4 can be guided and latched in, are provided on the first container part 4. In this case, the push-through openings 20 are provided separately from the perforated plate openings and are present in sufficient numbers and arrangement in order to be able to lock the two container parts 4, 4 at least in the relative positions shown in FIGS. 1b and 1c. For assembling the two container parts 4, 4, the second container part 4 is inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow 90 in such a manner into the first container part 4 that the locking pins 10 are introduced into the desired push-through openings 20 and are latched therein. The latching elements 12 are configured such that they can be released in a tool-free manner as a result of applying a predefined breakaway force in the opposite direction to the direction 90.

[0029] FIGS. 2a-2g show a second exemplary embodiment of a screen basket 1 for the preparation of medical instruments. FIG. 2a shows the two container parts 4, 4 of the screen basket 1 in a separated state, whilst FIGS. 2b, 2c and 2d show the screen basket 1 in various size configurations. FIGS. 2e and 2f show two examples of possible locking pins 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment, the use of which is outlined in FIG. 2g.

[0030] As already in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the screen basket 1 for the preparation of medical instruments, with the two container parts 4, 4 assembled in the proper manner, comprises a rectangular base area 2 and an open upper side 3. The two container parts 4, 4 which form the screen basket 1 comprise a screen-like wall 5 produced from stainless steel perforated plate and are open at one side in each case. In addition, the two container parts 4, 4 also comprise a guide 6 which allows the first container part 4 to be inserted into the second container part 4 exclusively in the direction of the arrow 91. To this end, the outside dimensions of the first container part 4 are configured once again to the inside dimensions of the second container part 4.

[0031] Two locking pins 10, which are configured separately from the container parts 4, 4, are provided for locking the two container parts 4, 4 with respect to one another in one of the positions shown in FIGS. 2b, 2c and 2d. FIGS. 2e and 2f show two alternative designs of corresponding locking pins 10. Both locking pins 10 include a shaft 11 with a latching element 12 at the head end. A holding element 13, which prevents the locking pin 10 from slipping through a push-through opening 20, is provided in each case at the foot end. The locking pin 10 according to FIG. 2a is produced from elastic material so that the latching element 12 is able to be compressed manually such that it can be guided through a push-through opening 20 which is adapted to the shaft 11 for releasing the locking pin 10. The locking pin 10 according to FIG. 2f is produced from stainless steel, the latching element 11 comprising two latching lugs which are also able to be compressed by a sufficient distance without any tools, however, for releasing the locking pin 10.

[0032] FIG. 2g outlines the use of a locking pin 10 according to one of FIGS. 2e and 2f. The two container parts 4, 4 are telescoped in the direction 91 such that the openings of the wall 5 produced from perforated plate, which at the same time provide push-through openings 20, are in alignment with one another. The locking pin 10 is then pushed through the push-through openings 20 in both container parts 4, 4. For release, the latching element 12 is compressed in a tool-free manner and pulled out of the push-through openings 20.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 3a-3e and 4a-4c, there are illustrated first and second embodiments of a cover, respectively, which can be used together with the screen baskets 1 described above. The cover, referred to in general by reference numeral 30, includes a first cover part 31 and a second cover part 31, which are configured similarly to the screen basket embodiments of FIGS. 1a-1d and FIGS. 2a-2g. In this regard, the cover 30 of FIGS. 3a-3e is configured similarly to the screen basket configuration illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2g and the cover 30 of FIGS. 4a-4c is configured similarly to the screen basket configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1a-1d, in which similar reference numerals are used to describe similar features. In the cover 30, the first cover part 31 and the second cover part 31 are arrangeable in at least two different positions with respect to one another and at least one locking pin 10, which can be pushed through suitable push-through openings, is provided for selectively locking the cover parts 31, 31 in at least two different positions with respect to each other. All other features described above with regard to the screen baskets 1 are also applicable to the covers 30.

[0034] While there has been shown and described what is considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.