DE9321473U1 - Securing element for a sterilization container - Google Patents

Description

STERILIZATION CONTAINER

The invention relates to a card-like securing element for a sterilization container for surgical instruments or the like, which has a lower part, a sealed lid that can be placed on the lower part, a latch that fixes the lid to the lower part and can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position, wherein the securing element can be fixed to the container and, near the closed position of the latch, dips into the path of movement of the latch.

Such a sterilization container is known from the German patent 35 41 309. The card-like security element is normally used at the same time as a data carrier on which essential data about the container contents and the type of treatment are recorded. The known design has the advantage that an unauthorized opening of the latch after a sterilization process damages the security element, so that any unauthorized opening of the container can be subsequently recognized by this damage. The damage in known security elements consists in a

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punching, which is clearly visible on the removed security element, but is difficult to see when the security element is inserted and held on the container, as it is covered by the punching element held on the latch.

It is the object of the invention to further develop a security element for a sterilization container of the type described at the outset in such a way that the inserted security element immediately indicates whether an unauthorized opening of the container has taken place or not.

This task is solved according to the invention in a safety element for a sterilization container of the type described at the beginning in that the part of the safety element that is immersed in the movement path of the latch can be elastically bent out of the plane of the safety element and only immerses itself in the movement path of the latch so deeply that it slides back behind the latch when the latch is pivoted into the open position and is taken along by the latch when the latch is closed and is covered by the latch when the latch is closed. A part of the safety element that is in front of the latch after the container has been closed is thus bent forwards by the latch when the latch is opened and then slides behind the latch so that it is covered by the latch when the latch is closed again. This makes it possible to see at first glance whether the latch has been opened. This is only excluded if the part that enters the path of movement of the bolt is in front of the bolt and is not covered by it.

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It is advantageous if the part that enters the path of movement of the bolt is a tab that protrudes laterally from the card-like securing element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the part of the card-shaped security element that dips into the path of movement of the bolt is connected to the rest of the security element by means of a predetermined breaking point and by means of a fixed flexible connection, and that the predetermined breaking point is designed and positioned in such a way that it breaks when the bolt takes the part of the security element that dips into its path of movement with it when it is pivoted into the open position, while the fixed connection is maintained. This special design leads on the one hand to the fact that damage to the predetermined breaking point causes a permanent change to the security element as soon as the bolt is pivoted into the open position, while on the other hand the part of the security element that dips into the path of movement of the bolt remains connected to it, so that when the bolt is closed again, this part is taken behind the bolt and covered by it despite the damage to the predetermined breaking point.

The part that dips into the movement path of the bolt can be connected to the rest of the securing element via two connecting webs of different widths. In another embodiment, it is also possible that an opening is arranged in the securing element next to the part that dips into the movement path of the bolt, which is located between the part that dips into the movement path.

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corresponding part and the remaining securing element forms a wide and a narrow connecting web.

It is particularly advantageous if the narrower connecting bar can be torn open by a lateral extension of the bolt, which engages between the two connecting bars when the bolt is pivoted into the open position.

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves to explain it in more detail in conjunction with the drawing. They show:

Figure 1: a perspective top view of a sterilization container with a locking closure and a card-shaped securing element;

Figure 2: an enlarged partial view of the holder of the securing element cut parallel to the container side wall;

Figure 3: a sectional view along line 3-3 with a locking element before opening the latch;

Figure 4: a view similar to Figure 3 with the locking element after opening and reclosing the latch;

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Figure 5: a view similar to Figure 2 of another preferred embodiment of a locking mechanism and

Figure 6: a view similar to Figure 3 of the embodiment according to Figure 5.

The sterilization container shown in the drawing comprises a tub-shaped lower part 2 and a lid 3 that can be placed on this lower part 2 in a sealing manner. A closure 5 is arranged on a front side wall and possibly also on an opposite side wall not shown in the drawing, with which the lid 3 can be fixed to the lower part 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this closure comprises a latch 6 mounted on the lid 3 so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis, which in a folded-down closed position in which it is arranged essentially parallel to the side wall 4, grips around a locking element 7 on the side wall 4, while it releases this locking element 7 when it is pivoted forwards about the horizontal axis. The nature of the closure is not important for the present invention, so this closure is not explained in more detail. Of course, a wide variety of locking mechanisms can be used here, it is also possible for the latch to be mounted on the side wall rather than on the lid, the only thing that is essential for the present invention is that the closure has a latch that can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position.

• · φ ·

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Next to the latch 6, a slide-in holder 8 for a card-shaped security element 9 is arranged on the side wall 4, which can be arranged in this slide-in holder 8 running parallel to the side wall 4 in a plane that is essentially coplanar with the outside of the latch 6 in the closed position; if necessary, this plane could also be set back slightly in the direction of the container compared to the outside of the latch 6.

The insertion holder 8 has an insertion slot 10 on the side facing away from the latch 6, which is slightly set back from the plane in the direction of the side wall 4 in which the card-shaped security element 9 is held in the insertion holder 8 (Figures 3 and 4). This is achieved in that the insertion holder 8 has an edge 11 bent at a right angle and directed towards the side wall 4 on the side facing away from the latch 6. Immediately next to the insertion slot 10, the side wall 4 forms a deflection surface 12 which deflects the card-shaped security element 9 after it has been inserted into the insertion slot 10 into the plane in which the security element is held in the insertion holder 8.

On the side opposite the insertion slot 10 and thus immediately adjacent to the bolt 6, in the insertion holder 8 there is also a slot 13 arranged in the plane of the insertion holder 8, through which a part 14 of the card-shaped security element 9 protrudes from the insertion holder 8 and enters the path of movement of the bolt 6. This protruding part 14 is in the illustrated

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Embodiment designed as a tab protruding laterally from the card-shaped securing element 9, which is pushed in front of the bolt 6 by a lateral deflection surface 15 on the bolt 6 when the bolt 6 is closed,
wherein the flap is bent obliquely outwards in the manner shown in Figure 3.

The card-shaped securing element 9 has an opening directly next to the part 14 designed as a tab
16, which forms two connecting webs between the part 14 and the remaining area of the securing element 9, namely a narrow connecting web 17 and a wide connecting web 18.

The deflection surface 15 on the latch 6 is also lobe-shaped
and extends with its outer edge 19 into the area of the opening 16 of the securing element 9 inserted into the slide-in holder 8
(Figure 2), so that the edge 19 when opening the latch
enters the opening 16.

When using the sterilization container, first
the container is closed by pivoting the latch 6 into the closed position when the lid 3 is placed on top
After closing the container, a card-shaped security element on which data
about the contents of the container and the necessary treatment steps
may be applied through the
side slot 10 into the slot holder
8 is inserted. The flap-shaped
Part 14 along the deflection surface 12 of the bolt and is positioned in the manner shown in Figure 3
in front of the latch, with the flap slanting outwards.

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It is clearly visible in this position and indicates that the bolt has remained locked.

If the latch is opened, the edge 19 engages in the opening 16 and thereby tears open the narrow connecting bar 17, while the wide connecting bar 18 remains intact. When the latch 6 is pivoted further into the open position, the part 14, which is only connected to the securing element 9 via the wide connecting bar 18, slides along the side edge of the latch and pivots back into the path of movement of the latch behind the latch, so that when the latch is closed again, it takes the part 14 with it and covers it, as can be seen in Figure 4. Because the tab is no longer visible in front of the latch as shown in Figure 3, but is covered by the latch as shown in Figure 4, it is immediately apparent to the user that the latch has been opened unintentionally.

If the security element is pulled out of the slide-in holder 8 through the slot 13 after the latch has been opened, it is immediately apparent from the torn narrow connecting web 17 that the latch has been opened inadvertently during the course of treatment. In this way, complete security is obtained regarding the treatment history of the container contents, especially if, according to a preferred embodiment, a sterilization indicator field is also arranged on the security element 9, i.e. a field that changes color during sterilization. Proper treatment is then

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This can be seen on the container by the fact that the color change has taken place and that the flap is in front of the latch. The correct handling of the security element 9 itself can be seen by the color change and by the fact that both the narrow connecting bar 17 and the wide connecting bar 18 are intact.

It is also not possible to open the latch without damaging the security element, since the security element can only be removed from the slot holder when the latch is open, and only through the slot 13, since sliding it out in the opposite direction is not possible due to the lateral offset of the slot 10. This ensures the greatest possible security overall.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, only minor changes have been made compared to the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4, and corresponding parts therefore have the same reference numerals.

In the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, the deflection surface 15 that engages under the securing element 9 is followed by a surface that acts as a hold-down device 20, which is separated from the deflection surface 15 by a gap 21 that runs from the outer edge of the bolt 6 inwards parallel to the direction in which the securing element 9 is inserted into the holder 8. When the securing element 9 is inserted into the holder 8, the deflection surface 15 guides the securing element 9 in the area of the deflection surface 15 in front of the bolt.

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in the area of the hold-down device 20, however, behind the latch, whereby the securing element 9 enters the gap 21. The arrangement is selected such that the securing element 9 is pre-tensioned outwards in the area of the gap 21 after being pushed in.

As long as the securing element is undamaged in the manner shown in Figure 5, this pre-stressing leads at most to a slight deformation of the securing element, and the part of the securing element connected to the rest of the securing element via the webs 17 and 18 is therefore essentially parallel to the bolt in front of it, as shown in Figure 5.

However, if the narrow web 17 of the securing element 9 is damaged for any reason, the pre-tension in the area of the gap 21 means that the part now only connected to the securing element 9 via the wide web 18 protrudes outwards, i.e. it is immediately apparent that the securing element is damaged. This also provides protection against the use of a damaged securing element, i.e. it provides an additional check as to whether the securing elements inserted into the holder are faultless.

Claims (6)

Aesculap AG & Co. KG A 54 390 u 2 April 1998 &zgr; - - 11 - PROTECTION CLAIMS 1. Safety element for a sterilization container for surgical instruments or the like, which has a lower part, a lid that can be placed on it in a sealed manner and a latch that fixes the lid to the lower part and can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position, wherein the safety element has a card-like shape, can be fixed to the container and dips into the path of movement of the latch near the closed position of the latch, characterized in that the part (14) of the safety element (9) that dips into the path of movement of the latch (6) can be elastically bent out of the plane of the safety element (9) and only dips into the path of movement of the latch (6) so deeply that it slides back behind the latch (6) when the latch (6) is pivoted into the open position and is taken along by the latch (6) when it is closed and is covered by the latch (6) when it is in the closed position. Aesculap AG & Co. KG A 54 390 u 2 April 1998 &zgr; - - 12 - 2. Security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the part (14) which penetrates into the path of movement of the bolt (6) is a tab which projects laterally from the card-like security element (9). 3. Securing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the part (14) of the card-shaped securing element (9) that dips into the path of movement of the bolt (6) is connected to the rest of the securing element (9) by means of a predetermined breaking point (web 17) and by means of a fixed flexible connection (web 18) and that the predetermined breaking point is designed and positioned in such a way that it breaks when the bolt (6) takes the part (14) of the securing element (9) that dips into its path of movement with it when pivoting into the open position, while the fixed connection is maintained. 4. Securing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the part (14) which penetrates into the path of movement of the bolt (6) is connected to the remaining securing element (.9) via two connecting webs (17, 18) of different widths. 5. Safety element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the safety element (9) in addition to the in the movement path Aesculap AG & Co. KG 2 April 1998 A 54 390 u &zgr; - 223 - 13 - of the bolt (6) immersed part (14) a
opening (16) is arranged between
the part entering the movement path (14)
and the remaining securing element (9) forms a wide and a narrow connecting web (18 and 17 respectively). 6. A securing element according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the narrower connecting web (17) can be torn open by a lateral extension (edge 19) of the bolt (6)
which, when pivoting the latch (6) in
Open position engages between the two connecting webs (17, 18).