EP3820538A1

EP3820538A1 - Sterile container unit having an information carrier which can be rigidly fixed by means of a closure element

Info

Publication number: EP3820538A1
Application number: EP19742148.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefan Thomas; Frank Weller
Original assignee: Aesculap AG
Current assignee: Aesculap AG
Priority date: 2018-07-13
Filing date: 2019-07-11
Publication date: 2021-05-19
Also published as: US20210268137A1; WO2020011933A1; DE102018117045A1; CN112384250A

Abstract

The invention relates to a sterile container unit (1) for receiving items which are sterilised or are to be sterilised, comprising a container tray (2) and a container lid (3), which can be coupled to the container tray (2) by a closure element (4) that can be actuated by means of a pivoting movement (21, 22), and comprising an information carrier (5) which can be preferably interlockingly fastened to the container tray (2) and is set up to display information regarding the content of the sterile container unit (1), wherein the container tray (2), the closure element (4) and the information carrier (5) are adapted to one another such that, following the pivoting movement (21, 22) of the closure element (4), the information carrier (5) is rigidly fixed/locked on the container tray (2).

Description

description

Sterile container unit with a by means of a closure element

rigidly fixable information carrier

The present invention relates to a sterile container unit, such as one

Sterile container, according to the preamble of claim 1. Generic

Sterile container units are used in hospitals, clinics, laboratories or similar facilities in order to transport items that are sterilized or to be sterilized, for example medical, in particular surgical, tools / utensils.

Background of the Invention

The sterile container unit represents a sterile barrier to the environment for the container contents, which prevents contamination of the transported objects. As soon as a container lid of the sterile container unit is opened, that sterile barrier is no longer applicable, so that the opening either results in a new sterilization or an immediate use of the transported objects. To im

closed state an operator / viewer about the content of the

The sterile container unit must therefore be clarified on the outside of the container unit

Information carrier attached.

These are external when transporting sterile container units

Influencing factors such as shocks, vibrations and drafts are exposed. These can cause the information carrier to be detached from the rest of the sterile container unit, as a result of which the content with which the

Container unit is filled. This makes it necessary to open the container unit, as a result of which the contents are contaminated and, accordingly, a sterile reprocessing in a sterilizer / autoclave is required. As a result, additional costs (reprocessing, transport) as well as wasted time (surgical postponements) come to light, which the Reduce economy and logistics in the corresponding hospitals, clinics, laboratories or similar facilities.

State of the art

In order to prevent the information carrier from becoming detached, it can be attached to the container unit, for example by gluing, riveting, welding or the like. Although a robust mounting of the information carrier is realized, they are correspondingly heavy, usually only destructive, to be decoupled from the sterile container unit.

Furthermore, it is possible for the information carrier, for example in the form of a label or an RFID badge, to be attached integrally to the sterile container unit

To place the receiving device, such as an insert or a clamp, as is known, for example, from DE 10 2012 215 121 A1. This either has the disadvantage that the information carrier is easily detachable or, if this is not the case, that it can only be connected to the container unit with great difficulty.

The attachment of an external information carrier in the manner of a

Suitcase labels represent a solution known from the prior art. However, this is not able to guarantee a long service life, since their elasticity means that they have no permanent stability.

In order to avoid the problem of solving the information carrier, direct labeling of the sterile container unit is also conceivable. This has the disadvantage that a sterile container unit can only be used for one batch of objects due to the durability of a label, which drastically reduces its flexibility.

Ultimately, DE 10 2016 123 864 A1 discloses an information carrier which can be positively coupled to a container trough. That document, however, contains a statement regarding a possibility, as the information carrier in the Transport condition can be reliably fixed to the container pan or the entire remaining container unit.

Brief description of the invention

In view of this prior art, the present invention is based on the object of eliminating or at least alleviating the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular of such a sterile container unit

To provide, on the one hand, a secure, robust and permanent fixation of the information carrier and, on the other hand, the information carrier is designed to be reversibly detachable from the rest of the sterile container unit in order to provide a container trough in various states with various information on the information carrier over its lifespan.

This is achieved according to the invention by means of a sterile container unit with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of

Dependent claims.

The object of the invention is therefore a sterile container unit for

Inclusion of items to be sterilized or to be sterilized. This consists of a container trough, a container lid, which can be coupled in a sterile manner to the container trough by means of a pivoting movement element, or which seals the container trough, and one, preferably

form-fitting information carrier, which can be attached / attached to the container trough, which can also be referred to as an attachment or front panel and which is prepared for this purpose, information about the contents of the sterile container unit

to take up / carry, as well as to reveal. The information carrier accordingly has a surface such that, for example, a label can be attached and detached efficiently, or that it is suitable for direct labeling. The label could be designed as either a permanent or a disposable label. Alternatively, a clip can also be attached to the information carrier, into which a label can be (temporarily) clamped. According to the invention, the container trough, the closure element and the information carrier are matched to one another in such a way that the information carrier is / is rigidly fixed / blocked to the container trough after / together with the sealing, closing pivoting movement of the closure element, at least in the state of the wasted closure element.

In other words, the invention can be structurally described in such a way that a flattening of the container lid protrudes / protrudes beyond a lateral surface of the container trough running transversely thereto, to which side wall the information carrier is at least partially complementary, and that an at least partially clamp-like closure element projects in such a way onto the

Flattening and its protrusion over the side surface can be clamped / clamped / clipped on, that the information carrier is held rigidly on the side wall by the closure element. For example, the closure element is designed, at least in sections, in the manner of a pretensioned table clamp / tablecloth clamp in order to guarantee that the information carrier is stuck / blocked / fixed in a stable manner on the container trough.

In more concrete terms, the closure element relates to a claw (clamp) which is slidably held on the upper / outer side and which extends over an outer edge of the

Container lid protrudes and can be moved manually towards and away from the outer edge. The container trough also forms a kind of collar or edge, at least in the area of the claw as well as on the circumference of the trough facing the container lid, which is moved by this grip when the claw is displaced towards the outer edge and thereby pulls the container lid against the circumference of the trough, thereby sealing the container interior close. The

As already stated above, the information carrier is on the side surface of the container trough in the effective area of the claw (loose / not yet fixed position)

scheduled / maintained / engaged / depression / etc. and is secured / pressed by the claw during the movement towards the outer edge against the side surface of the container wall (fixed position). It should be pointed out here that the claw mechanism described above also replaces, for example, a locking bracket, sliding or swivel lock, pawl of the same locking element can be provided, provided the closure element is adapted to secure the (initially loosely held) information carrier on the side surface of the container wall when it is transferred from a non-closing position into a closing position.

That configuration makes it possible to transport the

Sterile container unit to prevent unwanted loosening of the information carrier and at the same time easy, uncomplicated attachment and removal of the

Information carrier in various usage situations (loading of the container with attachment of the information on the content, removal of the information at the

Cleaning or separation of content etc.). The one from that

Information which is disclosed to information carriers and can be read by an operator can therefore be changed slightly depending on a changing container content without the entire container unit having to be moved / moved into a labeling position. In this way, the opposite effects of easy solubility /

Reversibility and the reliable bracket are united in a targeted way.

In the context of the invention, the term “rigid” describes such a fixation that does not allow any relative movement of the fixed components to one another. Accordingly, "immovable" or "fixed" could be used as a synonym. "Rigid" does not in any way make a statement as to whether it is a temporary or a permanent condition. When observing the overall teaching, a specialist immediately understands that the fastening of the closure element to the container trough is of a temporary nature.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention that forms

Closure element from at least one locking catch projection, which is prepared to clamply engage an engagement pocket formed by the information carrier after the pivoting movement closing the container unit. This enables the closure element to engage / penetrate / immerse in an opening provided for this in the form of the engagement pocket, which is a defined one

System position and a resulting robust bracket continues to serve. More preferably, the closure element forms two or more of these Locking projections, which reinforces / potentiates their holder accordingly. In order to prevent pivoting / tilting of the closure element, that number of closure latching projections is distributed as far as possible from one another on the closure element.

In that embodiment, the at least one locking catch projection further advantageously has a curved / curved tongue shape, which tongue shape or which, while forming a defined contact point

Contact point in contact with the information pocket on the side of the information carrier causes such a pretension of the locking catch projection that the latter

Information carrier clamped in a force-fitting manner. Thus, there is a frictional connection between the closure element and that caused by the pretension

Realized information carrier, which is supported by the interplay of a (safety) positive locking of the pocket with the tongue shape. that

A positive fit or at least the immersion of the locking latch projection into the pocket also realizes a poka-yoke principle when fixing the closure element, since this can only be locked correctly on the container pan when the pockets are engaged.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the container trough forms a side surface, from which a container collar protrudes in such a way that it has a contact edge / shoulder for the complement, at least in sections

Forms side surface trending information carrier. In this way, the position in the height direction of the container trough is defined for the information carrier, which further facilitates an uncomplicated assembly of the sterile container unit.

In addition to the container collar, the information carrier preferably also forms a contact shoulder, which is then prepared to be in flat / planar contact with the container collar, at least in sections. The flat system prevents the information carrier from tilting / wedging to the container trough and, when both surfaces are touched, also provides an operator with a corresponding click that the operator is informed about the correct position of the two components relative to one another. The at least sectionally flat design also includes a knob-covered surface, where only the knobs are in contact with the container collar.

The closure element preferably has a clip section which is prepared to at least partially grip around / under the container collar and the container lid with the information carrier being clamped in. In terms of its functional principle, this gripping resembles that of a table clamp / tablecloth clamp and thus generates a force directed towards one another between the container lid and the tub, which at least has a supportive effect on the sterile barrier created by them.

As soon as the side surface of the container trough at its respective transitions to the adjacent side surface of the container trough, which preferably has a rectangular basic shape, has a bay-like corner bulge, in which at least one cool-shaped container indentation or notch is formed, which in turn is prepared for the positive reception of an information carrier projection Location of the information carrier relative to the container pan not only by the

advantageous surface contact between the contact shoulder and the container collar in the vertical direction, but also by the fixation between the container indentation and the information carrier projection in the lateral direction. This reinforces the definition of the position of the information carrier in relation to the container trough and thus simplifies the coupling thereof. Also preferred in each corner bulge are those with the

Information carriers are in contact, that is, in two corner bulges, two container indentations each in the form of a hollow / recess / pit.

In a further advantageous embodiment, after a reverse pivoting movement of the closure element, that of the closing element

Pivoting movement is opposite, a reversible release of the

Allows information carrier from the container pan. Thus a

Swiveling the closure element in one direction releases a rigid coupling between the information carrier and the container trough and pivoting the closure element in another direction again releases that rigid coupling. This Intuitive operating concept facilitates the handling of the sterile container unit according to the invention.

The container lid preferably forms a primary seal and a secondary seal separate therefrom, which are each prepared for contact with the container trough and thus reliably establish a sterile barrier between the sterile container unit and the environment. Both the primary and the secondary seal preferably run transversely, essentially perpendicularly, to the surface of the container trough against which they rest, thereby realizing efficient sealing.

The one fixing the container lid and the information carrier

Closure element further preferably has a closure lever (which is separate from the clasp section, for example), the pivoting of which rigidly couples the information carrier to the container trough and the container lid. Two functions are thus implemented by the one closure element: the clip section rigidly clamps the container lid to the by interposing the information carrier

Container pan, while the locking lever for stuck the

Closure element ensures. A seal is preferably arranged around the closure element after sterilization, so that it can be seen from the outside immediately whether the sterile container unit has already been opened, which prevents unauthorized removal.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures are only schematic in nature and serve only to understand the invention. The same elements are provided with the same reference symbols. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a closed

Sterile container unit, in which a container lid and a

Information carriers are rigidly coupled to a container trough by means of a closure element;

FIG. 2 shows the sterile container unit from FIG. 1 in a view from below; Fig. 3 is a perspective sectional view through the sterile container unit, in which the closure element, the container lid on the

Container pan fixed;

4 shows a state before the closure element fixes the container lid and the information carrier on the container trough;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the information carrier from one

Front;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the information carrier from one

Back;

7 shows the closure element before it comes into contact with the container trough;

FIGS. 8 to 11, the sterile container unit, in different operating states, in which it can be moved by means of a pivoting movement of the

Closure element is transferred from an open state (FIG. 8) to a closed state (FIG. 11).

1 shows a sterile container unit 1 for receiving sterilized or to be sterilized utensils. It consists of a container trough 2, one

Container lid 3, a closure element 4 and an information carrier 5 together. The container lid 3 can be placed in a sterile sealing manner on the container trough 2. To that connection between the container lid 3 and the

To fix container pan 2, the closure element 4 is also arranged. To make it visible from the outside which utensils are in the (non-transparent)

Container trough 2 are located, the information carrier 5 is necessary. The

Closure element 4 is either a separate component or integral with the

Container lid 3 designed. According to the invention, the information carrier 5 is attached / nestled to the container trough 2 such that the closure element 4, when actuated, in which it fixes / blocks the container lid 3 on the container trough 2, simultaneously fixes the information carrier.

This principle of operation becomes clear with reference to FIG. 2 with reference to a preferred exemplary embodiment. The closure element 4 encompasses / includes a protrusion between the container lid 3 and the container trough 2 such that the information carrier 5, which is complementary to a side wall of the container trough 2, is clamped. The side wall of the container trough 2 is composed of two corner bulges 12 and one arranged in between

Container end portion 13 together. While the corner bulges 12 protrude convexly outwards / away from the inside of the sterile container, the

For this purpose, the container end section is arranged offset inwards. The information carrier 5 is designed to be adapted to that shape, so that a flat contact, at least in sections, is realized both between the information carrier 5 and the corner bulges 12 and between the information carrier 5 and the container end section 13.

It has a positive effect on the clamping between the container lid 3 and the container trough 2, which is caused by the encompassing of the closure element 4, that the closure element 4 has two tab-like and / or tongue-like

Shaped locking projections 6. These locking latching projections 6 essentially run in a direction that runs transversely to the container end section 13.

Describing the clamping in more detail is made to Fig. 3. This represents a perspective sectional view through the closed sterile container unit 1 along its sagittal plane. The container lid 3 has a flattened portion 10 which, compared to the remaining outer surface of the container lid 3, represents a depression. That flattened portion 10 is prepared so that a clip section 24 of the closure element 4, which is designed in the manner of a table clamp, has a contact point / contact surface on the container lid via a clamping lug 7. The clamping lug 7 of the clasp section 24 ensures a robust hold of the

Closure element 4 on the container lid 3.

In order to bring about the clamping, the locking latching projections 6, one of which is shown in section in the sectional drawing in FIG. 3, are arranged as follows. The locking catch projection 6 engages behind a container collar 11 which is integrally formed by the container trough 2. The clasp portion 24 of the

Closure element 4 is manufactured in such a way that a pre-tension prevails between the locking latch projection 6 and the clamping lug 7, so that the clasp portion 24 of a force which moves the locking latch projection 6 and the clamping lug 7 away from one another is counteracted on account of that tension. The container collar 11 stands transversely, preferably vertically, on the container end section 13, as a result of which the closure element 4 achieves an efficient engagement. The

Information carrier 5 is not shown in FIG. 3 for reasons of clarity.

In addition, the container lid 3 forms a primary seal 8 and one

Secondary seal 9, each of which is prepared to be in contact with the container trough 2 and which, on the basis of the serial ones caused by them

Two-stage speed of sealing a reliable sterile barrier of the sterile container unit 1 to the environment.

4, the sterile container unit 1 is shown in a state in which the closure element 4 is open, ergo has not yet experienced any closing pivoting. That closing pivoting is to be brought about by actuating a locking lever 14. The locking lever 14 and the clip section 24 together form the locking element 4. While the clip section 24 for fixing the information carrier 5 and the container lid 3 on the

Container pan 2 is responsible, the locking lever 14 allows a comfortable pivoting movement about a pivot axis 15 for closing and opening.

5, the information carrier 5 is shown in a perspective view from a first direction. This forms a contact shoulder 16, which for this purpose is prepared to make a flat contact with the container collar 11. The contact shoulder 16 is essentially orthogonal to one

Information carrier end section 18 of the information carrier 5, which is prepared to lie flat against the container end section 13 of the container trough. At the two lateral ends of the information carrier 5 is on the

Information carrier end section 18 each has an arm section 17

educated. This in turn is prepared for flat contact with the respective corner bulge 12.

FIG. 6 shows the information carrier 5 in the opposite direction compared to FIG. 5. There are two on the back of each arm section 18

Information carrier projections 19 arranged. These are approximately wedge-shaped and prepared to engage corresponding counter geometries in the corner bulges 12 of the container trough 2.

The counter geometries can be seen in FIG. 7. You are as one

Container indentation 20 referenced. This serves to determine the location of the

Information carrier 5 on the side wall of the container trough 2 defined positively. The other components shown in FIG. 7 have already been explained in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6, which is why their description is not given here.

Figures 8 to 11 show the placement of the container lid 3 on the

Container trough 2 with the information carrier 5 being fixed / clamped by pivoting the closure element 4. In the state in FIG. 8, the closure lever 14 of the closure element 4 is actuated such that the

Clip section 24 protrudes. Furthermore, the information carrier 5 has not yet been placed on the container trough 2.

The first step for closing is carried out in Fig. 9: the

Information carrier 5 is applied to the container pan 2. The information carrier projections 19 thus engage in the container indentations 20 (not visible). Furthermore, the container lid 3 is placed on the container trough 2 without that a pivoting movement of the closure element 4 has been carried out.

The tongue-like locking projections 6 have a contact point or line or surface 25, which is provided so that the pretensioning force with respect to the clamping lug 7 is introduced via it.

A first pivoting movement 21, which is now to be carried out for a closure, is indicated in FIG. 9. The state resulting from it is shown in FIG. 10. Here, the locking catch projections 6 of the locking element 4 are already brought close to the engagement pockets 23 formed by the information carrier 5. The respective contact points 25 of the clasp section 24 are prepared to make contact with corresponding mating surfaces of the engagement pockets 23.

For a final closure, a second pivoting movement 22 (see FIG. 10) is now to be carried out, so that the sterile closed state (see FIG. 11) is established. In this, the locking catch projections 6 engage in the engagement pockets 23 in such a way that the information carrier 5 on the rest

Sterile container unit 1 is fixed. To release the information carrier 5, only one of the arrows 21 and 22 is opposite by means of the locking lever 14

Cause pivoting.

Reference list - sterile container unit

- tank pan

- Container lid

- closure element

- information carrier

- Locking tabs

- clamping nose

- primary seal

- secondary seal

0 flattening

1 container collar

2-Eckausbeulung

3- container end section

4-locking lever

5-swiveling

6-landing shoulder

7-arm

8-lnformationsträgerstirnabschnitt

9- Information carrier lead

0 Behältereinbuchtung

1 - First pivoting movement

2-Second pivoting movement

3-pockets

4-clasp portion

5-point system

Claims

Expectations

1. Sterile container unit (1) for receiving sterilized or to be sterilized objects, with a container pan (2) and a container lid (3), which is sealed by a preferably manually operable closure element (4) with the

Container trough (2) can be coupled, and with an information carrier (5), which can be attached to the container trough (2), preferably in a form-fitting manner, and is prepared to provide information about the content of the sterile container unit (1),

characterized in that

the container trough (2), the closure element (4) and the information carrier (5) are matched to one another in such a way that the information carrier (5) is replaced by the

Closure element (4) is / is fixed / secured on / by the actuation thereof for a sealing coupling of the container lid (3) to the container trough (2).

2. Sterile container unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (4) forms at least one locking latching projection (6) which is prepared to reach a sealing pocket (2) formed on / on the information carrier (5) when a sealing closure position is reached. 23)

intervene.

3. Sterile container unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one locking projection (6) to form a

The point of contact (25) is or has a curved spring tongue which, in pressure system with the engagement pocket (23), causes the locking catch projection (6) to be pretensioned such that it clamps the information carrier (5) between itself and the container trough.

4. Sterile container unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container trough (2) has a side surface, from which side surface a container collar (11) protrudes such that it has a

Contact edge / shoulder for the complementary to at least in sections

Forms side surface extending information carrier (5) and preferably also serves as a tub-side engagement section for the cover-side closure element.

5. Sterile container unit (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the information carrier (5) forms a contact shoulder (16) which is prepared to be / come with the container collar (11) in at least partially flat contact.

6. Sterile container unit (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the closure element (4) has a clasp section (24) which is prepared for the container collar (11) and the container lid (3) at least partially with clamping of the information carrier (5).

7. Sterile container unit (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the side surface of the container trough (2) at its respective transitions to adjacent side surface of the container trough (2) has a corner bulge (12) in which at least one cool-like container indentation (20) is formed, which is prepared for the positive reception of a projection (19) formed / arranged on the information carrier.

8. sterile container unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after / with a reverse actuation of the

Locking element (4) unlocked in an opening direction of the information carrier and thus a reversible release of the information carrier (5) from the container trough (2) is made possible.

9. Sterile container unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container lid (3) forms / has a primary seal (8) and a secondary seal (9), which are prepared for contact with the container trough (2) and thus one Establish the sterile barrier between the sterile container unit (1) and the environment.

10. Sterile container unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (4) has a closure lever (14), the pivoting (22) of which rigidly couples the information carrier (5) to the container trough (2) and the container lid (3).