US2585312A - Sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 12, 1952 FIG.|.

R. B. HARKNESS ETAL STERILIZING RECEPTACLE FOR LIGATURE TUBES Filed Aug. 13, 1949 Patented Feb. 12, 1952 STERILIZING RECEPTACLE FOR LIGATURE TUBES Reed B. Harkness and Eleanor E. Lacey, 'St. Louis,

Mo., assignors to The C. Dewitt Lukens Surgical any, St. Louis, Mo., a cor-.-

Manufacturing Comp poration of Missouri Application August 13, 1949, Serial No. 110,202

7 Claims. (01. 21-87) This invention relates to sterilizing receptacles for ligature tubes and more particularly to receptacles forcontaining ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution.

The invention, in general, comprises a receptacle for containing ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution having a label within the receptacle visible from the outside of the receptacle for indicating the type of ligatures contained in the tubes within the receptacle. The label' is resistant to the sterilizing solution, both as to the material of which it is composed, and the printing thereon, so that it is unaffected by immersion in the sterilizing solution. The provision of the label within the receptacle, rather than onthe outside of the receptacle, has the advantage that the label is protected and remains clearly readable so that there is never any dificulty in determining the type of ligatures contained in the ligature tubes in the receptacle. In a more specific aspect of the invention, the receptacle is provided with a partition or partitions to provide compartments for holding different types of ligatures and label holders are provided on the partition or partitions removably to hold labels so that the type of ligature in a particular compartment may be quickly and accurately determined by viewing the labels from the outside of the receptacle. Other features will be in part apparen and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the. scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a sterilizing receptacle embodying the invention, viewed in the plane of a partition therein, the receptacle being partly broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2; and, Y

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. V p Similar reference characters indicate correspending parts throughout the several views .of the drawing. Referring to the drawing, there is shown at I a receptacle or container consisting of a cylindrical glass jar having a convex bottom 3 and a mouth 5 of reduced diameter. A metal cover] fits over the mouth of the jar. The space within the jar is divided into four compartments 9, I I, l3 and I5, open at the top, by a partitioning unit consisting of a pair of partitioning members [1 and I 9. The member I! comprises agenerally rectangular sheet metal blank which is bent to have a fiat narrow vertical central section 2.l' Land wing walls 23-and 25 diverging .fromthejsidesqf the central section. As shown, the wing walls are approximately at right. angles to oneanot her. At the lower end of .the .flat central section 2.| 'is an upwardly directed hook 21. Thi is formed from an integral portion of theshleetfmetal blank bent upward fromthe lower endof theflat cer'itral section 2| opposite the wing wall's'l'lie member. l9 comprises a generally .rectangu 'ar sheet metal blankbent to have a flatnarrow vertical central section 3 l and wing walls 33 andf35 diverging from thesides of theucentral section. Like wing walls 23 and 25, the wing walls '33anjd 35 are approximately. at right angles to. one

another. At the upper end of the flat central section 3| is a downwardly directed hook 31.. 'I h is is formed by bending an integral portion of tlie sheet metal blank downward from the upper end of the flat centralsection 3l1opposite thawin Walls33and35. f: The partitioning members, l1 and ill areassembled withinthe jar with the wing walls 23,2 5, 33 and 35 formingpartitions defining the compartments 9, I I, I3 and I5, by placingthe fiat central section 3| of member (9 againstthe flat central section 2i of member I1, with the member l9 higher than the member l1, and sliding the member l9 downward to engage the lower, endof section 3| in thehook 21 and. the upper end of section 2| in the hook 31. Each wing wall ismade of such width that, with the members, I! and i9 assembled as described, the wing wallsradiate from the approximate 'center of the jar-substantially to the cylindrical wall of the jar The height of the wingwalls is somewhat less] than the height of'the jarto the botto'mfof its reduced- .diameter mouth 5. The diameter-of the assembly of members IT and I9 is greater than the diameter of the mouth of the jar so that the assembly cannot be removed except by disassembling the members I! and [9 within the jar and tilting them so that member [9 may be removed through the jar mouth. The members I! and I9 are placed and assembled within the jar by slightly tilting them. Both the bottom and top edges of the wing walls are curved to conform to the convex shape of the bottom 3 of the jar so that members I! and [9 are reversible. The outer edges of the wing walls extend vertically, closely adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall of the jar.

At the outer vertical edges of the wing walls 23, 25, 33 and 35, and located at the mid-height thereof, are label holders 43, 45, 53 and 55, respectively. Each label holder is identically formed, consisting of a tongue 51, integral with its respective wing wall, bent to extend laterally at such an angle to the wing wall as to face the cylindrical wall of the jar. The upper and lower margins of the tongue are bent over upon the outer face of the tongue to form upper and lower channels 59 and GI adapted slidably to receive a label 53. The tongues are curved in plan, i. e.. as viewed from above, and extend at such an angle to the planes of their respective wing Walls that they resiliently press against the cylindrical wall of the jar when the members I! and Hi are assembled within the jar. This holds the assembly oi members 11 and I9 tightly in the jar and prevents it from rattling. With this arrangement, the label holders also eliminate any possibility of ligature tubes slipping past the outer edges oi the wing walls from one compartment to another.

All the label holders 43, 45, .53 and 55 are bent to extend in the same direction from the outer vertical edges of the wing walls when the membets .1] and .19 are assembled. As illustrated, the label holder 13 extends from the outer vertical edge oi the wing wall 23 toward the wing wall 25 and fronts the compartment 9 defined by these wing walls. The label holder 45 extends from the outer edge of the wing wall 25 away train the wing wall 23 and toward the wing wall 33., and \thus fronts the compartment ll defined by wing walls 25 .and '33. The label holder 53 extends from the outer edge of the wing wall '33 toward the wing wall 35 and thus fronts the compartment l3 defined by these wing walls. The label holder 55 extends vfrom the outer edge of the wing wall 35 away from the wing Wall '33 and .toward the wing wall 2?, and thus fronts the compartment .l 5 defined by wing walls 35 and '23. Thus, each one of the label holders is positioned in the Iront of its respective compartment so that there is no question as to which compartment the "label therein identifies, and the label holders remain insuch positions relative to their respective --compartments in any rotary position of theassem'bly I] and f9 in the jar. The labels 63 consist simply of printed paper labels, which are usuallysupplied with'the ligature tubes, made of a paper which is not adversely affected by the sterilizing solution is to be used in the jar, and printed with an ink which is insoluble in the sterilizing solution. Such papers and inks are well 'known. The labels are inserted in the label holders before members -'I'I and I9 are placed in the jarbyinserting them endwise into the upper and lower channels 59 and SI 'of the label holders.

In using the receptacle, appropriate labels are placed in the respective label holders to indicate 4 the type of ligatures which are contained in the ligature tubes in the various compartments. Supplies of the proper ligature tubes are placed in the proper compartments, and the jar filled with a standard sterilizing solution to cover the tubes. This sterilizes the interior of the jar, the partitioning members I! and I9 and the outside surfaces of the ligature tubes. The labels are visible through the wall of the jar, and the type of ligatures in the tubes in any compartment may thus be quickly and accurately identified, so that there is no delay in selecting a desired ligature tube.

The invention is particularly useful for the sterile storage of non-boilable ligatures contained in glass ligature tubes. With the invention. supplies of different types of ligatures may be stored in sterile condition in one jar and a desired ligature may be quickly and accurately selected when needed. If the level of the sterilizing solution is lowered by the removal of ligature tubes to such an extent as to expose any tubes, more tubes may be placed in the jar to raise the liquid level, or more sterilizing solution may be added. The provision of a label or labels inside the jar visible from the outside of the jar, whether by having label holders mounted on the partitions, or by providing the labels on the inside of the receptacle in any other way, and whether the receptacle is completely or only partly transparent, is of considerable advantage, as this prevents loss or defacementof the label.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim: 1. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold supplies of ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising a glass jar, partitioning means within the jar dividing the space therein into compartments open at the top, said partitioning means being removable from the jar and having .outer vertical edges closely adjacent the inside of the wall of the jar, and label holders, one for each compartment, extending laterally from the outer edges of the partitioning means closely adjacent and in face-to-iace relationship with the inside of the Wall of the jar in front of the respective compartments, each of said label holders comprising a resilient tongue pressing against the Wall of the jar, and formed to hold a label in vertical position closely adjacent the inside oi-the wall of the jar and facing the outside of the jar.

2. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold supplies of ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising a glass jar, a sheet metal partitioning unit within the jar dividing the space therein into compartments open at the top, said unit being removable from the jar and having outer vertical edges closely adjacent the inside of the wall of the jar, and label holders, one for each compartment, extending laterally from the outer vertical edges of the partitioning unit closely adjacent and in face-to-face relationship with the inside of the wall of .the jar .in frontof the respective compartments and adapted to hold labels facing'the outside of the jar, each label holder comprising a tongue bent to extend laterally at an angle to the respective partition,

the upper and lower margins of the tongue being bent overuponthe outerfaceof the tongue to form upper and lower'channels adapted slidably to receive a label with the label presented'in vertical position closely adjacent the inside of the 'wall of the jar and facing the outside.

3. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold supplies of ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising a glass jar, a sheet metal partitioning unit within the jar dividing the space therein into compartments open at the top, said unit being removable from the jar and having outer vertical edges closely adjacent the inside of the wall of the jar, and label holders, one for each compartment, extending laterally from the outer vertical edges of the partitioning unit closely adjacent and in face-to-face relationshi iwith the inside of the wall of the jar in front of the respective compartments and adapted to hold labels facing the outside of the jar, each label holder comprising a tongue integral with the respective partition bent to extend laterally at an angle to the respective partition, the upper and lower margins of the tongue being bent over upon the outer face of the tongue to form upper and lower channels adapted slidably to receive a label with the label presented in vertical position closely adjacent the inside of the wall of the jar and facing the outside, the tongues extending at such an angle to the partitions as to resiliently press against the wall of the jar.

4. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold supplies of ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising a cylindrical glass jar having a reduced-diameter mouth, a pair of partitioning members within the jar dividing the space therein into four compartments open at the top, each of said partitioning members comprising a generally rectangular sheet metal blank bent to have a flat vertical central section and wing walls diverging from the central section, the members having their central sections in flatwise engagement and their wing walls radiating outward substantially to the cylindrical wall of the jar, the outer edges of the wing walls extending vertically closely adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall of the jar under the reduced-diameter jar mouth, and

tongues integral with the respective wing walls bent to extend laterally at such angles to the wing walls as to face the cylindrical wall of the jar, each tongue having its upper and lower margins bent over upon the outer face of the tongue to form upper and lower channels adapted slidably to receive a label with the label presented in vertical position closely adjacent the inside of the wall of the jar and facing the outside, all the tongues extending in the same direction from the outer vertical edges of the wing walls.

5. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold supplies of ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising a cylindrical glass jar having a reduced-diameter mouth, a pair of partitioning members within the jar dividing the space therein into four compartments open at the top, each of said partitioning members comprising a generally rectangular sheet metal blank bent to have a flat vertical central section and wing walls diverging from the central section, the members having their central sections in fiatwise engagement and their wing walls radiating outward substantially 6 to the cylindrical wall of the jar, the outer edges of the wing walls extending vertically closely adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall of the jar under the reduced-diameter jar mouth, and tongues integral with the respective wing walls bent to extend laterally at such angles to the wing walls as to face the cylindrical wall of the jar, each tongue having its upper and lower margins bent over upon the outer face of the tongue to form upper and lower channels adapted slidably to receive a label with the label presented in vertical position closely adjacent the inside of I the wall of the jar and facing the outside. all the tongues extending in the same direction from the outer vertical edges of the wing walls, the tongues being curved in plan and bent at such angles as resiliently to press against the cylindrical wall of the jar.

6. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold supplies of ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising a cylindrical glass jar having a reduced-diameter mouth, a pair of partitioning members within the jar dividing the space therein into four compartments open at the top, each of said partitioning members comprising a generally rectangular sheet metal blank bent to have a flat vertical central section and wing walls diverging from the central section, one of said members having a hook at the lower end of its central section receiving the lower end of the central section of the other member, the said other member having a hook at the upper end of its central section receiving the upper end of the central section of said one member, the members having their central sections in fiatwise engagement and their Wing walls radiating outward substantially to the cylindrical wall of the jar, the outer edges of the wing walls extending vertically closely adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall of the jar under the reduced-diameter jar mouth, and tongues integral with the respective wing walls bent to extend laterally at such angles to the wing walls as to face the cylindrical wall of the jar, each tongue having its upper and lower margins bent over upon the outer face of the tongue to form upper and lower channels adapted slidably to receive a label with the label presented in vertical position closely adjacent the inside of the wall of the jar and facing the outside, all the tongues extending in the same direction from the outer vertical edges of the wing walls.

7. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold supplies of ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising a cylindrical glass jar having a reduced-diameter mouth, a pair of partitioning members within the jar dividing the space therein into four compartments open at the top, each of said partitioning members comprising a generally rectangular sheet metal blank bent to have a flat vertical central section and wing walls diverging from the central section, one of said members having a hook at the lower end of its central section receiving the lower end of the central section of the other member, the said other member having a hook at the upper end of its central section receiving the upper end of the central section of said one member, the members having their central sections in flatwise engagement and their wing walls radiating outward substantially to the cylindrical wall of the jar, the outer edges of the wing walls extending vertically closely adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall of the jar under the reduced-diameter jar mouth, and tongues integral with the respective wing walls 7 bent t extend laterally at .such angles to the wing walls as to face ithe cylindrical wall act the jar, each ton ue having i s uppe n lower mflr ins bent over upon the outer face of the tongue to form upper and lower channels adapted slidably to receive a label with the label presented in vertical position ,closely adjacent the inside of the wall of the jar and facin the outside, all the tongues extending in the ,same direction irom the outer vertical edges of the wing walls, the tongues .being curved in plan and bent at such angles .as resiliently to press against the nylindrical wall of the jar.

REED B. -I-;IARKNESS.

ELEANOR E. LACEY.

anem a hnmmmcns can file of this patent:

5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,788,104 Hargreaves Jan. 6, 1931 1,971,570 Lukens vAmi. 28, 1934 10 R I am Number Country Date 308,057 Great Britain Mar. 321, 1929

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