Abstract
A sterile container, in particular for medical use or storage of medical products or articles, includes a tray with an external base surface and a lid with an external top surface. At least one slide support element is attached to the tray or to the lid. The sterile container is stackable with a second sterile container that is identical to the sterile container. The slide support element acts as a spacer and slide rail to prevent direct contact between facing base surfaces and top surfaces when handling or stacking the sterile containers.
Claims
1. A sterile container comprising: a tray with an external base surface; a lid with an external top surface; and at least one slide support element attached to the tray or to the lid, the sterile container being stackable with a second sterile container identical to the sterile container, the at least one slide support element acting as a spacer and a slide rail to prevent direct contact between facing external base surfaces and external top surfaces when handling or stacking the sterile container with the second sterile container.
2. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the tray and/or the lid is made of anodized aluminum.
3. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element is made of a first material, and the tray and/or the lid are made of a second material that is different from the first material.
4. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element is made of metal or plastic.
5. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element is removably or replaceably attached to the tray or to the lid.
6. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element is clamped to the tray or to the lid.
7. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element is clamped into a number of perforation holes in the lid.
8. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element is stretched over the lid and hooked under two opposing edges of the lid or under two undercuts within the lid.
9. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element is clamped into a number of latches associated with a lid closure element or lid fastener.
10. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element rests on the external base surface of the tray or the external top surface of the lid over an extended section or at a plurality of short sections.
11. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element comprises or consists of a bracket or a stirrup.
12. The sterile container according to claim 11, wherein the bracket or the stirrup comprises a substantially oval or polygonal wire frame and a hook.
13. The sterile container according to claim 11, wherein the bracket or the stirrup extends over a longitudinal extent of the tray or the lid.
14. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element comprises or consists of a plate or a stripe.
15. The sterile container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slide support element comprises a label or an inscription.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawings, wherein:
[0052] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a lid of a sterile container according to the disclosure with two slide support elements according to a first major embodiment attached and with a closure element in closed (locking) position;
[0053] FIG. 2 shows a detail cutout of FIG. 1 with the closure element in open (unlocking) position;
[0054] FIG. 3 shows a further detail cutout of FIG. 1 with one of the slide support elements in a temporary position before attachment to the closure element;
[0055] FIG. 4 shows another detail view of the lid and one of the slide support elements;
[0056] FIG. 5 shows the two slide support elements from FIG. 1 separated from the lid and arranged side by side in a top view;
[0057] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a lid of a sterile container with two slide support elements according to a second major embodiment attached, and a detailed cross-section of one of the slide support elements reaching around an edge of the lid;
[0058] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a lid of a sterile container with two slide support elements according to a third major embodiment attached, here clamped to perforation of a filter area within the lid;
[0059] FIG. 8 shows attachment details with respect to FIG. 7 in cross-section (before and after attachment of a slide support element);
[0060] FIG. 9 shows another possibility of attachment in cross-section;
[0061] FIG. 10 illustrates the concept of pre-tensioning of a slide support element prior to attachment to a lid;
[0062] FIG. 11 shows a variation of two slide support elements attached to a lid of a sterile container;
[0063] FIG. 12 shows a detail in connection with a possible attachment process;
[0064] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a lid of a sterile container with a slide support element according to a fourth major embodiment attached;
[0065] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a lid of a sterile container with a slide support element according to a fifth major embodiment attached;
[0066] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view from above of a sterile container according to the disclosure with a number of slide support elements attached;
[0067] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view from below of the sterile container from FIG. 15; and
[0068] FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of a sterile container according to the disclosure in perspective view from above.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0069] FIG. 1 shows a lid 2 of a stackable sterile container 4 for medical applications in a top view. In the example the lid 2 has a rectangular outline with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. In the center there may be a filter area with a plurality of perforation holes 6. In each of the edge regions of the two smaller sides there is a tiltable fastener or closure element 8 with the help of which the lid 2 may be locked to a tub or tray 10. The whole container 4 with the lid 2 placed on the tray 10 is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. In the example the walls of the tray 10 are made of anodized aluminum, and so are the main wall portions of the lid 2 (the closure elements 8 or parts thereof and various inserts inside the container 4 may be made of different materials). That means the (upper) external top surface 12 of the lid 2 and the (lower) external base surface 14 of the tray 10 are protected by an anodized coating or layer which however is quite sensitive to mechanical impacts, scratches, and the like.
[0070] In order to protect the container 4 against such damage and deterioration which could otherwise occur during handling, in particular when stacking one container 4 on another, the stackable sterile container 4 is equipped with a protection which in the example comprises two alike (here: even identical) slide support elements 16, each of them attached to the lid 2 and placed on its top surface 12. Each of the slide support elements 16 acts as a spacer and slide rail when handling or stacking said containers 4, such that a direct contact between facing base surfaces 14 and top surfaces 12 in a stack of such containers 2 is prevented or at least reduced.
[0071] More specifically, in the example the respective slide support element 16 consists of a wire bracket 18 or stirrup made of stainless steel which roughly resembles a coat hanger, as illustrated in FIG. 5 where the two brackets 16 are shown isolated, without the lid 2. Each bracket 18 comprises a polygonal stainless-steel wire frame 20 lying substantially in one plane, with exception of the upwardly inclined end regions 22 (also see FIG. 4). When attached to the lid 2 as in FIG. 1 the bracket 18 extends longitudinally along substantially the entire length of the lid 2. The plane of the central portion of the bracket 18 is parallel to the top surface 12 of the lid, i.e. the bracket 18 lies essentially flat on the lid 2, however protruding slightly upwardly from the top surface 12 and resting on it at least at a number of contact points or regions. If like in the example, the top surface 12 has an elevation profile with some elevations, at least the most elevated portions of the bracket 18 (here: the inclined end regions 22) exceed or overlook the most elevated portions of the top surface 12.
[0072] In the example the respective slide support element 16 is attached to the lid 2 via two wire hooks 24/thorns/spikes or similar connection elements, each of them protruding from the central frame portion and being inserted into a corresponding eyelet 26 of a latch 28 or lug attached to the opening mechanism of one the closure elements 8. This can be seen in more detail in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, wherein in the latter connecting end portion of the hook 24 is shown just before insertion into the eyelet 26. Preferably, the brackets 18 are clamped into the latches 28 or lugs with pre-tensioning. In an alternative version the brackets 18 may be hooked into counterparts in the closure element 8 by means of a form fit.
[0073] In the given example of FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 the two identical slide support elements 16 are arranged symmetrically along the longitudinal sides of the lid 2. The slide support elements 16 can be designed as two separate elements as shown in the illustrations. Likewise, a common bracket/stirrup/formation and more than two elements in further forms of formation are possible. This is also true for the embodiment of FIG. 6, however the attachment of the slide support elements 16 to the lid 2 is different, as explained hereinafter.
[0074] In the case of FIG. 6 the respective slide support element 16, preferably comprising a wire bracket 18, is designed to be hooked under the edge 30 of the container lid 2 instead of being clamped in the closure element 8. The protective wire frames are stretched over the lid 2, hooked under the edge 30 of the lid 2 on the first lid side and snapped in under the edge 30 of the lid 2 on the opposite lid side.
[0075] In the embodiment of FIG. 7 the respective slide support element 16 is fixed in the perforation 32 of the lid 2 (without damaging the perforation of the filter thereunder) via wire hooks/thorns/spikes or similar connection elements 34 protruding from the main wire frame 20 which acts as a spacer and sliding rail. FIG. 8 illustrates how in this case pre-tensioning of the slide support element 16 can lead to a reliable clamping of the connection elements 34 in the associated perforation holes 6.
[0076] Turning to FIG. 9, an optional plastic perforation field cover may be available for certain container types. In a typical configuration this perforation field cover is attached via an undercut geometry in the center of the container lid 2 and is clicked/snapped/clamped into the undercut 36. The slide support elements 16 can also be fastened via this geometry. For this purpose, the slide support element 16 is clicked into the undercut 36 in a similar way to the perforation field cover, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 9.
[0077] To prevent the slide support element 16 from wobbling or rattling, it can be designed in a pre-tensioned version so that it is pressed pre-tensioned onto the lid 2 during assembly and thus always rests on the lid 2. This concept is illustrated schematically in FIG. 10.
[0078] As an alternative to design variants that rest directly on the lid 2, variants are also possible that create a gap between the slide support element 16 and the lid 2 due to their design. This allows a defined gap between the lid 2 and the slide support element 16, which facilitates cleaning and flushing of the system. In this spirit, FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an example where the wire frames of the slide support elements 16 rest on the lid surface only at a number of dedicated connection or support points 40 or regions via corresponding supports or bends in the wire frames.
[0079] For the various clamping attachments in order to be able to hook in the connection elements 34 of the respective slide support element 16 once and without tools, the connection elements 34 may be guided over an inclined surface of an associated mounting element 38. For mounting, the slide support element 16 is pressed down and spread elastically by the inclined surface until the connection elements 34 snap into the corresponding openings. This concept is illustrated schematically in FIG. 12.
[0080] Instead of or in addition to metal slide support elements 16, in particular based on wire frames or brackets 18, plastic slip or slide support elements 16 are possible. In particular, these elements can be flat plastic covers, for example in the shape of plates or stripes or more complex geometries. Examples are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Any method of attachment described in connection with metallic slide support elements 16 may also be applied to plastic slide support elements 16. Again, one-piece or multi-piece versions are possible. The slide support element 16 may be available as surface-mounted or floating version (floating with defined cleaning gap), and the plastic surface can be perforated for better cleanability. In addition, a plastic element can also be used, for example, as a labeling element. The labeling or inscription may be an embossing or an imprint, for example.
[0081] While the foregoing description has focused on slide support elements 16 attached to the lid 2 of a container 4, they may alternatively or additionally be attached to the tray 10 to protect the base surface 14 as well.
[0082] FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of a sterile container 4 according to the disclosure in a perspective view from above. In the example, the lid 2 of the container 4 comprises four cylindrical stacking elements 50, each of them arranged in a corner region of the lid 2 and protruding upwardly. The stacking elements 40 are preferably made of stainless steel and act as slide support elements 16, as described before. The same may be true for a number of rivets 52 arranged in the top surface 12 of the lid 2.
