JPH0133504Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Background of the Invention (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a packaging container that sterilizes and stores a plurality of infection-free, disposable probe covers that are applied to temperature-sensitive probes of electronic thermometers.

(Prior art and its problems) Measuring the patient's temperature is very important, but
It is necessary to prevent cross-infection between patients using thermometers, and it is also necessary to reduce the workload of nurses who take temperature measurements. Therefore, in recent years, many methods have been developed, including electronic thermometers and glass thermometers, in which a cover is attached to the probe, which is the temperature sensing part, and the cover is removed after temperature measurement. Disinfecting the temperature-sensing part is an essential but troublesome task to prevent infection, and is usually done by soaking it in an aqueous solution of chlorhexidine gluconate. However, especially with electronic thermometers, there is a risk of moisture or chemicals entering the temperature-sensing part. In order to avoid this, it is desirable to use a probe cover to reduce the disinfection work.

Several conventional examples of attaching a probe cover will be listed and explained. The device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 108673/1983 is a rubber sac, which has the disadvantage that it is difficult to attach and detach it from the probe. A nipple-shaped probe cover is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 51-66475, but the cover portion that covers the probe portion is thick and has a large heat capacity, making it particularly unsuitable for electronic thermometers. In addition, soft sheaths for glass thermometers are mainly used in US Patent Nos. 3092252, 3215265,
It is disclosed in No. 3295675, No. 3752309, etc.

In addition, in the conventional electronic thermometer, as shown in FIG.
It consists of an electronic thermometer main body 3 connected with Representative examples thereof are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 52-19988 and 56-6499. In this case, in order to save the effort of disinfecting the temperature sensitive part of the thermometer, the probe 1 is inserted into the disposable disinfected probe cover 4 in the box 5, and the fitting part 6 of the probe 1 and the probe cover 4 are fitted. After the used probe cover 4 is removed, the next probe cover 4 is attached and the temperature is measured in sequence. After taking your temperature,
The probe cover 4 is removed from the temperature sensing section 1 by pressing the button 8. This temperature measurement system restricts the positional relationship between patients and nurses using cords, which not only makes it extremely difficult to operate;
When dealing with a large number of patients, the overall temperature measurement time is the sum of the individual temperature measurement times, which increases the time and does not take advantage of the electronic thermometer's ability to measure quickly.

Cordless electronic thermometers have recently become commercially available, but one that allows easy attachment and detachment of probe covers and that can measure the body temperature of a large number of patients in a short period of time has not yet been developed.

Therefore, the present inventor developed a probe cover for electronic thermometers that is easy to put on and take off and that can measure the body temperature of multiple patients in a short time, as will be described in detail later.
(see Publication No. 70042). Even with this probe cover or many of the above-mentioned probe covers, a packaging container that accommodates this probe cover in a sterile state with good operability has not yet been developed. Conventional packaging containers are used for thermometers and test tubes.
49-40491, 1987-138989, 1987-
163039 is known, but it cannot be applied directly to the probe cover.

Purpose of the invention The purpose of the invention is to create a probe cover for an electronic thermometer that can be attached to and removed from the temperature-sensing part of the electronic thermometer with a single touch, making it possible to measure the body temperature of a large number of patients in a short time. A large number of electronic thermometers can be stored in a sterile state, and after opening the package, the electronic thermometer can be installed by simply inserting it into the sterilized probe cover without contaminating or damaging the electronic thermometer and probe cover.
To provide a packaging container for a probe cover for an electronic thermometer that can be stored again after temperature measurement, easily detached from a probe cover that has contaminated the electronic thermometer, and can be thrown away together with the used probe cover.

The present invention is used by being attached to an electronic thermometer that has a temperature-sensing part at the tip and a base following the temperature-sensing part. A packaging container for storing a plurality of probe covers having flanges formed therein in a sterile state, the packaging container comprising a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped outer container and an inner container held with the probe cover attached thereto. The outer container is configured to be opened by cutting its top piece along a perforation line along the outer periphery, and the inner container has a top piece having a plurality of probe cover insertion openings, and a plurality of probe cover insertion openings in the inner container top piece. It has an intermediate piece having a plurality of openings formed corresponding to the openings, and the top piece of the inner container holds the flange of the probe cover inserted through the opening between it and the top piece of the outer container. Provided is a packaging container for a probe cover for an electronic thermometer, which is configured to be held so that there is substantially no rattling, and to be supported so that the tip thin contact portion of the held probe cover is supported in a non-contact state with the bottom piece of the packaging container. It is something to do.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A packaging container for a probe cover for an electronic thermometer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows the probe cover 10 attached to the electronic thermometer 1.
1, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 2. As can be clearly understood from FIG. 2, the probe cover is attached to the distal side of the temperature display window 12 of the electronic thermometer 11, and the distal end is closed, but the proximal end is open for insertion, which is almost the distal end of the electronic thermometer. It forms a shape that envelops.
As shown in FIG. 3, its cross-sectional shape is a thin contact portion 14 with no rigidity that adheres to the temperature sensing portion 13 at the tip of the electronic thermometer 11 or even the vicinity thereof, and continues to the temperature sensing portion 13 at the tip of the electronic thermometer 11. part 15
It has a rigid loose-fitting part 16 that encloses the rigid part without being in close contact with the rigid part, and a rigid flange 17 provided at the end of the rigid part.

The probe cover 10 is preferably molded from polyethylene, polypropylene, soft vinyl chloride, methylpentene resin, polyamide resin (6-nylon), polyacetal, silicone resin, or the like.

Thin contact portion 14 at the tip of the probe cover 10
has a thin wall and is in close contact with the thermometer 11 in order to improve heat transfer to the temperature sensing part 13 of the electronic thermometer 11.
Its wall thickness is 0.10~0.30mm, preferably 0.10~0.20
It is better to set it to mm. If the wall thickness of the thin-walled contact part is less than 0.10 mm, molding defects such as pinholes will occur when molding with the above-mentioned material, and if it exceeds 0.30 mm, thermal conductivity will deteriorate and the heat capacity will increase, especially when predicted. In the case of the type electronic thermometer, if the heat capacity is large, the prediction of the equilibrium temperature may be erroneous, leading to erroneous judgments, so the thickness of the thin contact portion is limited to the above range.

A rigid loosely fitting portion 16 following the thin-walled close-fitting portion 14 of the probe cover 10 is loosely fitted to the electronic thermometer 11 without coming into close contact with the electronic thermometer 11 to facilitate attachment and detachment of the electronic thermometer 11.
Furthermore, the probe cover 10 must be rigid in order to maintain its shape and keep its insertion opening 18 open. Further, the flange 17 is provided to facilitate the removal and removal of the electronic thermometer 11, and may also perform other similar functions.

An example of the structure of the packaging container of the present invention that accommodates the above-mentioned or similar type of probe cover will be described below.

The packaging container 20 of the electronic thermometer probe cover of the present invention consists of an inner container 21 and an outer container 22.
FIG. 4 shows a developed view of the inner container 21, and FIG. 5 shows an assembled state in which the inner container 21 is folded along the fold line a. The top piece 23 has a large number (10 pieces in the drawing) of probe covers 1
0, and the intermediate piece 25 has a small opening 26 at a position corresponding to the opening 24 of the top piece 23, into which the probe cover 10 is inserted. As can be seen from the assembled state of the inner container in FIG. Although it extends after passing through the thin wall contact part 1
The tip 27 of 4 does not touch the bottom piece 28,
It is important that it extends slightly above the bottom piece. This protects the thin contact part 14, which is a necessary part of the probe cover 10, from damage, and protects the temperature sensing part 14 from damage when the probe cover 10 is attached to the thermometer 11.
3 in a non-contact manner, the thin contact portion 14 is in close contact with the bottom piece 28 of the inner container 21 to prevent deformation of the thin contact portion 14, and furthermore, the probe cover 10 can be kept in a sterile state without being touched. This is to bring the temperature sensing portion 13 into sufficient contact with the thin contact portion 14.

The small opening 26 of the intermediate piece 25 is simply for guiding the probe cover 10, and the thin contact portion 14 may come into contact with the side piece 29 etc. when the packaging container 20 swings or falls during the distribution process. It is necessary to have a size that will not damage the thermometer, and also a size that will prevent the thermometer from falling over when it is loaded into the probe cover 10 and transported, as will be described later. . Further, the position where the intermediate piece 25 contacts and supports the probe cover 10 may be any position as long as it is the rigid fitting part 16 other than the thin-walled contact part 14 of the probe cover 10, but in reality, it is approximately in the middle of the probe cover 10. It is better to take the position. Note that the arrangement and number of the openings 24 and 26 formed in the top piece 23 and the middle piece 25 are arbitrary.

6 and 7 respectively show a developed view of the outer container 22 and a semi-assembled state folded along the fold line b. A perforation line 33 is formed between the top piece 30 of the outer container 22 so that it can be separated from the adjacent opposing side pieces 31 and 32. Further, a starting part 34 for cutting off the top piece 30 along this cutting line 33 is provided on the top piece 30 or the side pieces 31, 32 so as to be continuous with the cutting line 33, and in the illustrated example, the cutting starting part 34 is in half. It is formed in a circular shape. The cutting start part 34 is the packaging container 2
The arrangement direction of the probe cover 10 of No. 0, that is,
It is preferable to form the packaging container so that it can be opened in the longitudinal direction, and for this purpose, the cutting start part 34 is preferably formed on the side piece 32 side of the top piece 30 or on the side piece 30 side of the side piece 32. . This outer container 22
To assemble the bottom piece 35 and the side piece 31, glue the bottom piece 35 and the side piece 31 together, and then attach the small piece 37 and the convex piece 3.
8 inward and adhere the side piece 32 onto the convex piece 38. FIG. 7 shows a state in which only one side piece 32 is glued, and the assembly of the inner container 21 with the probe cover 10 attached is inserted from the other side opening 39, and this side piece 32 is also attached as described above. Seal it in the same way.

The packaging container of the present invention may be made of a thin metal material, plastic, paper, etc., but paper is best for making it disposable.

Next, a method of assembling a packaging container for a probe cover for an electronic thermometer according to the present invention will be briefly described.

Fold the stamped paper pattern along the fold line a as shown in FIG. 4, assemble it as the inner container 21 as shown in FIG. Set to . At this time, the thin contact portion 14 of the probe cover 10 will not come into contact with the bottom piece 28 of the inner container 21 and be damaged. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the stamped paper pattern is appropriately folded along the fold line b and the cutout line 33, and assembled as the outer container 22 as shown in FIG. 7, and the probe cover is assembled as shown in FIG. The inner container 21 loaded with 10 is inserted through the side opening 39 of the outer container 22, and after insertion, the side opening 39 is sealed as described above. After sealing, the inner container 21 and outer container 22 containing the probe cover 10 are completely sterilized by ethylene oxide gas or gamma rays.

When the inner container 21 is housed in the outer container 22, it is better that the internal probe cover 10 does not shake. Therefore, the bottom pieces 28 and 35 of the inner container 21 and the outer container 22 come into contact with each other, but the top piece 23 of the inner container 21 and the top piece 30 of the outer container 22 do not rattle the flange 17 of the probe cover 10. Hold it in place.

Specific Effects of the Invention Next, the manner of use of the packaging container for the electronic thermometer probe cover according to the invention will be briefly described.

After the probe cover 10 is set in the inner container 21 as described above, it is inserted into the outer container 22, sealed, and sterilized before being generally supplied.
In use, the cutting start part 34 is pushed in with a finger to break it, the top piece 30 is grasped with the fingers through the opening formed by this, and the state in which it is opened upward is shown in FIG. After setting the state as shown in FIG. 8, each probe cover 10 is loaded with an electronic thermometer 11. At this time, the electronic thermometer 11 is inserted into the probe cover 10 without touching the probe cover 10, but the temperature sensing part 13 is inserted into the rigid loose fitting part 16.
When the probe cover 10 passes through and comes into contact with the thin contact portion 14, insertion resistance of the thermometer occurs, and the flange portion 17 of the probe cover 10 contacts the top piece 23 of the inner container 21.
Apply a pressing force to the Although the top piece 23 undergoes some deformation, it withstands this pressing force and holds the probe cover 10 until the temperature sensing part 13 of the thermometer 11 comes into complete contact with the inner surface of the thin contact part 14. Therefore, the thin contact portion of the probe cover 10 is connected to the inner container 21.
Contact with the bottom piece 28 can prevent deformation and damage. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the top piece 30, which is the cut piece, is completely separated from the outer container 22, and all the probe covers 10 are fitted with the electronic thermometers 11 as described above. After completing this work, place the packaging container 20 of the present invention in another carrying container 42 having a mounting groove 40 and a neck strap 41 as shown in FIG. 10, or place it in the state shown in FIG. The patient is placed on a wagon or the like and goes to a place where a patient whose temperature is to be measured is present, and the electronic thermometer 11 with a probe cover is sequentially provided to the patient. After the temperature measurement is completed, return the electronic thermometer 11 to which the probe cover 10 contaminated by the temperature measurement is attached to its original position as shown in FIG. 8, grasp the electronic thermometer 11, and lightly press the flange 17 of the probe cover 10. Then, only the electronic thermometer 11 is collected. The packaging container 20 containing the remaining contaminated probe cover 11 is discarded as is.

Specific Effects of the Invention The packaging container for the electronic thermometer probe cover of the present invention provides many advantages as described below.

(1) The electronic thermometer probe cover of the present invention is manufactured at low cost from a sheet material such as paper that can be easily cut out.
It consists of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped outer container with a simple configuration, and an inner container that is inserted with a probe cover attached to the outer container.Multiple probe cover inserts are formed on the top piece and middle piece of the inner container. The probe cover can be inserted through the two openings, and the inserted probe cover is held between the top pieces of both the inner and outer containers without wobbling, and at the same time, the tip of the probe cover is not attached to the bottom of the packaging container. Since the probe cover is supported in a contact state, the probe cover can be stored without being damaged even by improper handling during distribution. Furthermore, when attaching the probe cover 10 to the thermometer 11, the thin contact portion 14 does not touch the bottom surface and therefore does not deform.Furthermore, the probe cover 10 can be attached to the thermometer 11 without touching it, while maintaining a sterile state. Sufficient contact with the hot part 13 can be achieved. Furthermore, this packaging container is effective when used in conjunction with a cordless type electronic thermometer and a probe cover of a shape corresponding thereto.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional electronic thermometer with a cord.
Figure 2 is a front view of the cordless electronic thermometer with a probe cover attached, and Figure 3 is the -
4 and 5 are respectively a developed view and a perspective view showing the assembled state of the inner container of the packaging container of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively sectional views of the packaging container of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the packaging container of the present invention with the cut-off top piece partially opened for use; FIG. 9 is a continuation of FIG. 8; A perspective view showing the electronic thermometer attached to the exposed probe cover with the cut-off top piece completely cut away; FIG. 10 shows the packaging container of the present invention shown in FIG. 9 set in a carrying container. FIG. Explanation of symbols, 1... Temperature probe part, 2... Cord, 3... Electronic thermometer body, 4... Probe cover, 5... Box, 6, 7... Fitting part, 8... Button, 9 ... Neck strap, 10 ... Probe cover, 11 ... Electronic thermometer, 12 ... Body temperature display window,
13...Temperature sensitive part of electronic thermometer, 14...Thin close contact part, 15...Base of electronic thermometer, 16...Rigid loose fitting part, 17...Flange, 18...Insertion opening, 2
0... Packaging container of the present invention, 21... Inner container, 22
... Outer container, 23 ... Top piece, 24 ... Opening, 2
5...Middle piece, 26...Small opening, 27...Tip, 28...Bottom piece, 29...Side piece, 30...
Top piece, 31, 32... Side piece, 33... Cutting line, 34... Cutting start part, 35... Bottom piece, 36
...Glue allowance, 37...Small piece, 38...Convex piece, 39
... Side opening, 40 ... Groove, 41 ... Neck strap, 42 ... Carrying container.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] Used by being attached to an electronic thermometer that has a temperature-sensing part at the tip and a base following the temperature-sensing part, a thin-walled tight-fitting part that comes into close contact with the temperature-sensing part, a rigid loose-fitting part that loosely fits into the base, and a flange formed at the end thereof. A packaging container for sterilized storage of a plurality of probe covers having a probe cover. The container is configured such that it can be opened by cutting its top piece along a perforation line on its outer periphery, and the inner container has a top piece having a plurality of probe cover insertion openings and a plurality of openings in the inner container top piece. the top piece of the inner container has a middle piece having a plurality of openings formed therein, and the top piece of the inner container substantially shakes the flange of the probe cover inserted through the opening with the top piece of the outer container. In addition to holding it so that there is no
A packaging container for a probe cover for an electronic thermometer, which is configured such that a tip thin contact portion of the clamped probe cover is supported in a non-contact state with a bottom piece of the packaging container.