US3090089A

US3090089A - Thermometer dispenser and sterilizer

Info

Publication number: US3090089A
Application number: US2640A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin E Emerson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-01-15
Filing date: 1960-01-15
Publication date: 1963-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 1980-05-21

Description

May 21, 1963 E. E. EMERSON 3,090,089

THERMOMETER DISPENSER AND STERILIZER Filed Jan. l5, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 21, 1963 E. E. EMERSON THERMOMETER DISPENSER AND sTERILIzER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. l5, 1960 Figs H//AN/ /I J IN VEN TOR. Bfznn//NEEMEMON May 21, 1963 E. E. EMERSON THERMOMETER DISPENSER AND STEEILIZER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 15, 1960 IN VEN TOR. bW/NEEME/Qso/v 47m/@NHS l Il) May 21, 1963 E. E. EMERSON THERMOMETER DISPENSER AND sTERILIzER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. l5, 1960 v INVENTOR. A fonf/NfE/wfso/v United States Patent O 3,090,039 TIERMUMETER DiS/PENSER AND STERILIZER Edwin E. Emerson, Osalris, Minn. Filed Ian. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 2,640 zo claims. (ci. 21s7) This invention relates to a novel device for storing, sterilizing and dispensing instruments and particularly clinical thermometers. At the present time, clinical thermometers in a physicians office are commonly sterilized by immersing the thermometers in some form of receptacle containing a bath of sterilizing iiuid, where the thermometers are grouped together haphazardly, with no orderly arrangement provided for insuring that the therinometers will remain in the fluid or sterilizing bath a suliicient length of time to completely sterilize and decontaminate the thermometers after use since all of the thermometers are mixed together at the time a used thermometer is returned to the bath. Thus, a thermometer last returned .to the sterilizing bath may be the one next used by the physician when he withdraws one of the group of thermometers from the bath, and, if he is using them in quite a rapid succession it is quite likely that the thermometer next used will not have been in the sterilizing bath a suicient length of time.

Another disadvantage associated with presently available thermometer sterilizers is the fact that they either do not provide for complete submersion of the thermometers in the bath or if they do, they require that the physician insert his iingers into the -sterilizing solution to remove -a thermometer therefrom, ythereby inconveniently wetting the fingers of the physician and unduly increasing the degree of contamination `of the sterilizing fluid.

Therefore, an important object of my invention is a novel device which is capable of performing the multiple functions of storing, sterilizing and mechanically dispensing clinical thermometers.

Still another object is a sterilizing and dispensing device of the class described which is adapted to maintain a plurality of thermometers in a completely submerged condition in a bath of sterilizing uid until they are dispensed for use.

Still another object is a thermometer sterilizing and dispensing device which insures complete sterilization and decontamination of a thermometer before the re-use thereof and which permits the thermometers to be conveniently and mechanically dispensed one at a time from the dispenser without requiring the inser-tion of the physicians ngers into the sterilizing bath.

Still another object is a thermometer sterilizer and dispenser with warning means for forcefully drawing the physicians attention to the fact that the fluid level of the sterilizing bath has sunk to an undesirably low level.

Still another object is Va thermometer, sterilizer yand dispenser of the class described which insures that a desirable minimum of thermometers be maintained in the sterilizing bath at all times.

Still another object is a thermometer, sterilizer and dispenser of the class described which insures that a used thermometer inserted therein cannot be re-obtained for re-use until all of the preceding thermometers located in the dispenser are first used thereby insuring a variable but significant time interval between uses of each indi- 3,090,089 Patented May 21, 1963 ICC vidual thermometer for proper and complete sterilization thereof.

Still -another object is a thermometer sterilizer and dispenser of the class described in which the dispensing action causes agitation of the sterilizing solution and increases fthe cleansing action thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, :and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred form of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a side fview in vertical longitudinal section of FlG. l;

FIG. 3 is a broken top plan View in partial section of FIG. 1 lwith the cover removed;

FIG. y4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4 4 of PIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is :a partial side view in vertical section of the apparatus of FIG. l showing the ejector mechanism when the supply of liquid has become inadequate;

FIG. 6 is a partial vertical longitudinal side sectional view of the front end of an alternate form of my invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan vielw of the alternate form of my invention as shown in FIG. 6;\

FIG. 8 is a side view partly in section and partly in elevation of still another form of my invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial top View partly in plan `and partly in section of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side View in vertical longitudinal section of still another form of my invention;

FIG. ll is a side view in ver-tical longitudinal section of another form of my invention; y

' FIG. 12. is a transverse vertical section of FIG. l1;

FIG. 13 is a side view in vertical longitudinal section of still another form of my invention;

FIG. 14 is ya top view partially in plan and partly in section of FIG. 13;

FIG. l5 is a horizontal cross sectional view of any alternate form of the invention shown in FlG. 13;

FIG. 16y is a partial vertical section taken on the line d-ld of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a partial View in vertical section taken along the line 17-17 of FiG. 14.

Reference is now made to the drawings for a more complete description of my invention. One preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in FIGS. l through 7 inclusive and comprises a boxlike container or housing D having a tray-like bottom portion itl and a removable cover 11, the container being of any suitable water proof rigid construction such as plastic and adapted to confine a bath of suitable sterilizing fluid or germicidal liquid 12 therein. The main body portion or bottom portion 10 of the dispenser is provided with a pair of elongate longitudinally disposed laterally spaced apart upstanding interior -guide panel members d3 which are spaced inwardly from the outer side lwalls 114 of the dispenser, each of the guide panels 13 being provided with a generally U-shaped thermometer receiving guide slot y15 which provides a track upon which the thermometers 16 rest for guided movement into and out of the dispenser. Each of the guide slots 15 include the generally vertically disposed section a located towards the back of the dispenser, a generally horizontal middle section 15b and an upwardly and forwardly inclined front section 15C, the back section 15a extending to the upper marginal edge of the guide panel 13 and being in alignment with a used instrument return opening in the cover 11, the front section 15e extending to the front marginal edge of the guide panels 13 to provide a discharge opening therein. It lwill be noted that the point of juncture between the various sections of the guide slots are suitably rounded or curved as at 17 to break or resist the shock of the falling thermometers down Vthe vertical slot 15a and direct them forwardly into the slot 15b and at -18 so as to prevent any interference with the free movement of the thermometers along the track provided by the guide panels 13 and the 4slots -15 when the thermometers are slid or rolled back and forth on the track and in the guide slots.

The middle section 15b of the guide slot 15 maybe of any length desired but is preferably of a length suiiicient to hold an adequate number of thermometers which will insure that the thermometersv remain in the germicidal fluid long enough to complete the sterilization thereof.' It has been found that a middle section 15b of suflcient length to hold anywhere from 1l to 17 thermometers in parallel side-by-side relationship is adequate for the average lphysician. The horizontal sections 15b of the guide slots 15 are preferably disposed slightly above the bottom of the dispenser to insure com-plete submersion of the thermometers in the sterilizing fluid 12 and to insure proper Afunctioning of the ejector or impeller locking mechanism hereinafter to be described.

The top marginal edge of the front |wall 19 of the dispenser is disposed beneath and in spaced apart relationship with the upper marginal edge of the front guide slot section 15e to provide the thermometer discharge opening 20 therebetween. The upper marginal edge of the front wall 19 is beveled or tapered as at .19a to provide a continuous uninterrupted track with the lower edge of the front guide slot 15C. The front of the guide panels y13 are provided with a fonwardly extending overhanging portion 21 providing a catch or abutment for the thermometers being dispensed, the under portion of the overhang 21 having a semi-circular recess pontion 22 in alignment with the slot 15C and which is adapted to receive and against which the leading thermometer abuts when the entire group of thermometers are pushed forwardly for ejection from the dispenser. The inner end of the semi-circular recess y22 is preferably disposed in substantial alignment lwith the outer marginal edge of the front wall y19. Thus,V when the thermometers are pushed forwardly for dispensing of one of them, the leading thermometer 16 is pressed into the semi-circular recess 22 and momentarily held thereagainst by the remaining thermometers. Upon release of the ejector mechanism, the thermometer next adjacent the leading thermometer and all of the succeeding thermometers fall by gravity back down the front guide slot 15C to the middle guide slot 15b. Upon disen` gagement of the leading thermometer 'with the next `adjacent thermometer', the leading thermometer -16 falls directly downwardly through the opening 23v between the front wall 19 and the depending lip 21a onto the spaced apart forwardly extending rest members 24 .which are mounted on the front wall 19. The upper marginal edge of the rest members 24 slightly decline forwardly and terminate in an opstanding abutment member 24a against which the dispensed thermometer comes to rest. Thus, located, the thermometer 16 which has been dispensed is suspended between the rest members 24 and may be readily grasped by the fingers of the physician. A drip pan 25 is mounted on the front wall -191beneath the rest members 24 and is adapted to receive any excess sterilizing fluid which may drip from the dispensed thermometer resting on the restrrnembers 24. Y

{The ejector or impeller mechanism for dispensing or Vejecting the thermometers consists of an I-shaped member indicated generally by E, said member having a vertical shank portion Z6, a horizontally disposed upper supporting plate 27 and a lower horizontally disposed thermometer engaging ejector plate 2S. The leading edge 23 of the ejector plate is disposed in horizontal alignment with the middle guide slot section 15b and is adapted to engage and bear against the rearwardmost of the thermometers inv slot 15b to push the entire group of thermometers forwardly along the guide slot for ejection and dispensing thereof. The ejector is adapted for free reciprocating movement longitudinally of the dispenser. The ejector is suspended from the cover il, with the upper supporting plate Q7 overlying the top of the cover 11 and freely slidable thereon. The vertical shank portion 26 extends downwardly through an elongate longitudinally disposed slot 29 provided in the cover 11 and is guided thereby during its longitudinal reciprocating movement. The vertical shank 26 is also provided with guide members Sil on each side thereof which are adapted to underlie the cover l1 in contiguous relationship therewith, the guide members 39 substantially preventing any substantial vertical movement of the ejector, the guide members 39 and the upper supporting plate 27 cooperating to define guide slots for receiving the cover 1l.

For convenience in operating the ejector mechanism, a thumb hold or grip member 3l is mounted atop the cover 11 adjacent the forward end of the slot 29. A linger grip mem-ber 32 is mounted atop the upper supporting plate 27 so that the thumb grip 31 and the iinger grip 32 may be conveniently grasped and pulled together to enable the ejector to be pulled forwardly to eject a thermometer -from the dispenser.

A spring member 33 is provided which is connected :at one end to the vertical shank portion 26 and at the other end t-o the back wall 34 of the dispenser to retract the ejector after a thermometer has been dispensed and the

grips

31 and 32 released. The cover is also provided with a transversely disposed used instrument return slot 35 which intersects the longitudinal slot 29. The slot 35' is in alignment with and registers with the vertical guide slot section 15a to provide an inlet opening for returning a used ythermometer to the lsterilizing bath.

The leading edge of the vertical shank 26 is provided with 4an abutment member 36 having a downwardly and rearwardly inclined portion 36a, the lower edge of which is disposed adjacent the plane of the upper edge of the guide slot section 15b and .is adapted and designed to push or press a thermometer still remaining in the vertical guide slot 15a which for one reason or another .may not have been able to completely descend into the horizontal guide slot 15b. The inclined surface translates the forward-ly applied force to a generally downwardly applied force or resultant force against the thermometer still located in the vertical slot `15a to force the same down- Wardly into the horizontal .slot 15b during forward ejecting motion or movement and thereby prevent either jamming of the mechanism or possible breakage lof the thermometer still located in the vertical slot 15a, which would occur if the inclined surface 36a was not provided.

The cover 11 is provided with depending side flange members 11 which 4are vadapted to contiguously overlic the upper edge portions of the outer side walls 14- to permit guided sliding movement of the cover with respect thereto. The front marginal edge of the cover is provided with a depending flange 11b which is adapted to abut with the overhang 21 of the guide panel 13 to limit the rearward movement of the cover with respect to the bottom portion of the dispenser and to insure that the transverse return slot 35 in the cover will always be in proper alignment with the vertical guide slot `section 15. The back marginal edge of the cover is not provided with any depending flange members to enable the cover to be freely slid forwardly with respect to the bottom portion of the dispenser to at least partially openV the bottom to enable sterilizing fluid to be added thereto, and to enable the `cover to be easily completely removed or slid unto the bottom tray when desired.

During use, the sterilizing fluid in the dispenser ultimately becomes depleted to a point where the iluid level is below the top of the thermometers and the thermometens are no lo-nger completely immersed in the sterilizing fluid. To warn and advise the physician when this situation occurs, a float member is provided. In the form shown, the oat includes a horizontally disposed elongate generally C-shaped buoyant member 37 having a longitudinally disposed opening or slot 37a therein for receiving and partially enclosing the vertical shank 26 of the ejector permitting free reciprocating movement of the shank therein.

rI`he main `body portion 37 of the float is provided with a pair of depending legs 3S. The float member is of such size las to extend substantially to full width of the interior between the panels 13 so that substantial lateral movement thereof is prevented so that the vertical shank 26 is always adapted to move freely in the slot 37a. The float `member is adapted to normally oat :on the sterilizing fluid when a .sufhcient amount of uid i-s in the bath so as not to interfere with the operation `of the ejector and the free reciprocating movements thereof. However, when the level of the sterilizing fluid reaches` a predetermined undesirably `low level so that it no longer adequately covers the thermometers, the flo-at sinks to a level where the leading edges 38a of the legs 38 engage the rear marginal edges 28th of the ejector plate 2S and thereby prevents complete retraction thereof, causing .the upper supporting plate 27 to overlie the transverse return slot 35 in the cover 11 to prevent return of the used thermometers to the dispenser until such time as a sutil-cient amount of sterilizing fluid has been added to the bath to raise the float and move it out of locking position. When this occurs, the physician is immediately notiiied of the undesirably low level of the sterilizing fluid in the dispenser when he iinds himself unable to return a used thermometer to the dispenser.

-It will also be noted that the device is so .arranged that all .of the thermometers cannot be dispensed from the dispenser by the ejecting mechanism since it travels only to the forward end of lthe slot b. The arrangement is such that more thermometers are required than the number which will iill the forward inclined guide slot 15e to capacity to enable the dispensing :of a thermo-meter. Thus, when the number of thermometers in the dispenser has been reduced to a predetermined minimum allowable amount, the dispenser will no longer function to eject the remaining thermometers therefrom. and the physician is placed on notice that an insufficient number of thermometers remain in the dispenser to insure a suitable time interval for proper :and complete sterilization thereof and the number of thermometers in the dispenser must be added to and built up to a number which will again permit the dispensing of the thermometers from the mechanism.

A pair of triangular guide members 95 may be mounted atop the cover 1i, said members providing a downwardly and rearwardly inclined track 95a terminating adjacent the return slot 35 to guide the used thermometers thereinto. A pair of opposing float stop 4members 96 may al-so be provided adacent the guide panels 13 so as to flank the ejector plate 28 in non-interfering relationship therewith but being disposed in front of the float member 37 so as to prevent the float from moving forwardly and confining the float to the back of the dispenser.

In operation, a thermometer is dispensed from the dispenser D lby simply grasping the

grips

31 and 32 between the thumb and foreiinger and pulling the same together, thereby causing the ejector to move forwardly and the ejector plate 2S to push the thermometers from the normal solid line rest position, best seen in FIG. 2., on the slot section 15b to and up the inclined slot 15e to assume the broken line position of FIG. 2, whereupon the leading thermometer 16 is pushed into the recess 22. Upon release of the grips, the spring 33 returns the ejector to its normal position at the rear of the dispenser, causing all of thermometers except the leading one to fall by gravity back down the slot 15C to the slot 15b. This releases the leading thermometer 16 and permits it to fall downwardly unto the rest members 24 where it may be readily grasped by the physician. After use, the dispensed thermometer is returned to the dispenser through the return opening 35 to take its place at the rear of the group of thermometers and await its turn for re-dispensing, which cannot take place until all of the preceding thermometers have been dispensed, thereby insuring that the thermometer will remain in the germicidal bath long enough to complete the sterilization thereof. It will also be noted that the movement of the ejector and thermometers through the bath during each dispensing operation agitates the bath to effect a more thorough cleaning of the thermometers.

If the level of the bath falls to Ia predetermined undesirably low point such that there is an insufficient amount of germicidal liquid remaining in the dispenser, the float member sinks to a level where it engages the back edge 2gb of the ejector plate 28 and prevents complete return of the ejector to its normal position. This causes the upper supporting plate 27 to overlie the return opening 3S as in FIG. 5 and prevents the return of any further thermometers to the dispenser, thereby advising the physician to reiill the dispenser with liquid. If the thermometers after dispensing are not returned for one reason or another, such as breakage or neglect, the number of thermometers in the dispenser are depleted to a number which will no longer iill the slot 15C to capacity, thus preeventing further dispensing until more thermometers have been added to the dispenser. This is an important feature since there should be a predetermined minimal number of thermometers in the bath at all times to prevent the used theromometers from being reused until sterilization ha sbeen completed.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternate form of the dispenser D shown in FIGS. 15 inclusive. In this alternate form of FIGS. 6` and 7, the dispenser has been modified to the extent of eliminating the drip pan 25 and providing means for permitting the excess uid on the dispensed thermometer to be returned directly to the germicidal bath in the dispenser. In this alternate form, the front guide slot ISC communicates with a discharge opening or slot 97 in the cover 11, the guide track for the thermometers being dispensed being extended above the cover 11 by means of a pair of rest member 98 mounted on the cover 1li adjacent the front marginal edge thereof. The rest members provide an inclined track '93a which is in direct alignment with the track surface of the slot 15C and terminates in a recessed portion 99 formed in the rest members '98 for receiving and holding the dispensed thermometer in readily available position above the dispenser. A transverse drain opening or slot 100 in the cover is positioned directly below the recess or pocket '99, and permits the excess fluid on the dispensed therometer to fall directly unto the bath 12 disposed therebelow. Guide members 101 are mounted atop the cover 12 in spaced apart opposition to the track 9&1 of the rest members 98 to deiine an extension of the guide slot 15e to guide and coniine the thermometers as they are pushed upwardly towards the pocket 99. A slightly downturned lip lilla is provided for directing the thermometers into the pocket 99, the

members

98 and 101 cooperating to permit only a single thermometer to be dispensed and received in the pocket 99 at one time.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another alternate form of my invention in which the dispenser D1 containing the usual bath of sterilizing iluid 12 is provided With a generally U-shaped guide slot 39 formed in the interior guide panels 13 which terminates at one end in the instrument return or entrance opening or slot 4,0; and terminates at the other end in the discharge or delivery opening or slot 41. Spaced apart upstanding guide members 4Z which are similar tothe guide members 101 of FIGS. 6 and 7 and rest members 43 which` are similar to the rest members '9S of FIGS. 6 and 7 are mounted atop the top or cover 44 of the dispenser and dene therebetween a vertical guide slot 39a which is a continuation of the guide slot 39 and terminates in the recessed portion 45 where the dispensed thermometer rests within easy reach of the physician. To eject or dispense the thermometers from the container D1, an actuating knob 46a is mounted on the tranversely disposed rotatable shaft 46 which carries thereon thermometer engaging arms 47 having downturned lips 47a at the outer end thereof for engaging the rearwardmost of the thermometers resting at the bottom of the guide slot 39 so as to push all of the thermometers forwardly upon rotation of the knob and arms to force all of the thermometers upwardly along the forward portion of the guide slot or track 39 and deliver` the leading thermometer to the recessed portions 4S. The knob and arms are spring loaded by any suitable means such as the spring d8 and is adapted to resist the turning dispensing movement of the arms and actuating knob and return them to their normal position upon release thereof after one of the thermometers has been dispensed as desired.

A float member 49 is also provided which is adapted to warn the physician ywhen the liquid level has fallen to an undesirable predetermined low to Warn him to refill the container. The oat member 49 is adapted for free oating vertical movement, but is restrained from any substantial horizontal movement by means of the float re straining and guiding members 162 which are secured to the cover or may be secured to the tray like bottom portion of the dispenser. The top portion of the iioat is provided with a forwardly extending abutment portion 49a which normally is disposed above and out of the way of a catch member 193 carried by the shaft 46 and which extends upwardly from said shaft when in normal inactive position, the catch normally swinging freely in the area beneath the abutment portion 49a. `However, when the fluid level sinks to a predetermined. point wherein it is deemed advisable to refill the dispenser with germicidal solution, the iioat also sinks correspondingly therewith, the abutment 49a thereupon becoming disposed opposite said catch 103 to engage the same and prevent turning movement of the knob 46a and shaft 46, the physician thus being warned by this Vinability to turn knob 46a to rell the dispenser. A stop member 1111 extends inwardly from the guide panels i3 and is adapted to engage and limit the dispensing movement of the arms 47 to prevent dispensing of all of the thermometers and insure that a predetermined minimum number of thermometers will be .present in the dispenser at all times, the physician being advised that more thermometers should be added when the mechanism fails to dispense a thermometer.

Thus, the principle'employed in this form of my invention is the same as that for the forms of the invention previously described, the only difference being in the actuating mechanism for ejecting the thermometers from the sterilizing bath and the container. Y

The form of my invention illustrated in FIG. 10 is still another alternate form of those previously above described which employs the same principles but employs a somewhat different and more simplified actuating or ejection mechanism. In the form shown, the dispenser D2 having a bath of sterilizing fluid 12 and a cover 56 is provided with guide panels having a U-shaped thermometer guide slot and track 51 which communicatesY at one end thereof with the instrument return slot 52 in the cover and communicates at the other end with the delivery or dispensing slot 53 also provided in the cover. The thermometers are adapted to be maintained in a generally horizontal side by side position beneath the level of the sterilizing fluid so as to be completely immersed therein to suitably cleanse and decontarninatel the used thermometers, the used thermometers being inserted into the container through the return slot 52 and dispensed therefrom one at a time through the delivery slot 53. The delivery slot communciates with a rest receiving unit indicated' generally by 54 similar to those previously hereinabove described for suspending the dispensed thermometer above the top of the container within easy reach of the physician and permit-ting the same to drip excess sterilizing iiuid back into the bath through a suitable drain slot 55 provided in the cover. The dispensed thermo-meter receiving pocket or recess `Sdu is adapted to receive a single thermometer at a time, and the curved guide track portion 54h for directing the leading thermometer into the pocket 54a also insures that the remaining thermometers other than that dispensed will fall back into the bath when the ejector is released.

The actuating mechanism for this form of my invention comprises a spring loaded plunger 56 having an actuating knob 57 and adapted for vertical reciprocation and continuously urged upwardly into normal non-actuating position by any suitable means such as the coil spring 58. The ejector consists of a float member 59 disconnected from the plunger 56 and having a forwardly extending downturned thermometer engaging hook portion 60, said float being adapted for free floating vertical movement but limited in its horizontal movement. The float member is guided in its vertical reciprocating movement by the recessed truncated triangular cut-outs 61 in the sides of the iioat and suitable vertical guide members 62, which prevent any substantial horizontal' movement except for the tilting thereof. To dispense a thermometer, the plunger is simply pressed downwardly against the float 59. The float 59 is thereby pushed downwardly and tilted forwardly in its downward movement by the plunger which is positioned forwardly of the vertical center line of the oat 59 causing the float to tilt forwardly to the broken line position a sho-wn and the hook portion 6G thereof to overlie and move into engagement with the rearwardmost and uppermost of the thermometers, the continued downward movement of which pushes ail of the thermometers down one side of the guide slot and up the other and causes the leading thermometer 16' to be pushed through the delivery slot 53 and retained on the recess Searof the rest receiving unit 54 in the manner hereinbefore described. When the level of the sterilizing iiuid 4becomes too low, the oat S9 fails to rise above the last Vof the thermometers in the slot 51 upon its upward return after having been released by the plunger S6. When this occurs, the front face 6th: of the hook is disposed opposite to the thermometers rather than above them as when there is enough fluid in the dispenser. Thus, when the plunger is depressed to dispense another thermometer, the front face 66a of the hook portion is pressed against the thermometers and fails to engage them, as shown by the broken line position b of FIG. l0, and instead of being tilted forwardly as during usual dispensing operation, the iioat simply rides downwardly `between the back of the thermometers and the vertical guides 62, failing to engage and dispense the thermometers, and thereby advising the physician that the dispenser needs refilling. When the number of thermometers in the dispenser is reduced below the minimum needed to insure the dispensing of a thermometer, the dispenser will also fail to dispense a thermometer upon actuation ofthe plunger, thereby warningthe physician of the necessity for adding more thermometers to -the device.

, The form of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 1l and l2' illustrates still another form of my invention employing the same -basic principles as the mechanisms hereinbefore described but functioning in a somewhat different manner. In this form of my invention, the dispenser D3, having a cover 63, contains the usual bath of sterilizing iiuid l2. The cover is provided with a longitudinally extending ejector Aguide and return slot 64 and a delivery slot 65 in alignment with slot 64 as well as an upstanding stationary nger hold 66 and a reciprocating upstanding finger hold 67 which is adapted for reciprocating movement towards and away from the finger hold 66. The thermometers 16 are adapted to be inserted vertically into the container through the return slot 64 and are maintained in that position by a pair of vertically disposed spaced apart perforate guide panels 68 defining a vertical longitudinal guide slot 69 within the dispenser for receiving and holding the thermometers in a generally vertical position therebetween, the thermometers resting on a supporting surface or track 70. Theejection mechanism includes a vertically disposed plate-like ejector member or shank 71 which is adapted for free sliding guided movement in the guide slot 69 between the panels 68, so that the leading edge 71a thereof may engage and push forwardly the latter most of the thermometers standing in the slot 69 and push all of the thermometers therein forwardly Ito dispense one of the thermometers therefrom. The ejector 7-1 is connected at its upper end to the lfinger hold 67 so as to be reciprocated thereby by gripping the holds 66 and 67 between the thumb and forefinger and pulling them together. The ejector is also provided with a suitable `spring member 72 for automatically retracting the ejector after a thermometer has been dispensed and the

holds

66 and 67 released. The ejector is provided with a pair of laterally extending guide members or keys 73 which travel in suitable longitudinally extending guide slots, openings or keyways 74 in the guide panels 68 to guide the ejector 71 in its reciprocating movements and prevent vertical displacement thereof. A float catch or arm 7S extends laterally from lthe side of one of the guides or keys 73.

A float member 76 is provided and adapted to float upon the surface of the bath 12. The float member has a leg 76a depending therefrom, the leg 76a having an enlarged lower end portion 7612. A float retaining member 104 extends inwardly from the side wall of the dispenser and has a collar 104e mounted on the outer end thereof, which collar loosely encloses the depending float leg 76a to limit the horizontal movement thereof while permitting the oat 76 and leg 76a to move lfreely up and down. When the level of the bath is high enough to completely cover the thermometers, the leg 76a and enlarged portion 76b are disposed above the `float catch 76 so as not to become engaged therewith. However, when the supply of germicidal liquid becomes inadequate and the bath level falls below the tops of the thermometers so that they are no longer completely submerged therein, the `float `sinks correspondingly with the bath level and the enlarged lower end 76b of the leg moves into alignment with the lloat catch 75 so as to engage the same and thereby either limit the `forward movement of the ejector or prevent the return thereof to its normal inactive position at the rear of the dispenser, thereby preventing further dispensing of thermometers and notifying the physician that the time has come to relill the dispenser.

To move the thermometer being dispensed from completely submerged condition to a raised delivered dispensed position, a `forwardly and upwardly inclined guide track 77 is provided which is in direct communication and alignment with the main supporting surface or track 70 and which progressively raises the thermometers as they are pushed thereover by the ejector until the leading thermometer 16' is caught and held in the recessed portion or pocket 78 provided at the upper end of the guide track 77. Thus, when the ejector is pushed lforwardly to dispense a thermometer, the entire mass of thermometers are moved forwardly, the leading ones being pushed up the inclined guide track 77 until the forwardmost of the thermometers is caught and held in the recess 78, the ejector then Ibeing released to return to its normal position and the remaining thermometers returning to their normal position due to gravity for continued complete submersion in the sterilizing iluid. In its raised position, the top portion of the dispensed thermometer 16 is disposed above the cover 63 and may be readily grasped by the physician. The device may also be tilted at a slight angle on the order of five degrees to facilitate the return movement of the thermometers.

The rear end of the thermometer supporting surface or track 70 terminates in a raised portion or ledge 105 having an abutment notch or recess 105el disposed somewhat ahead of the leading edge 71a of the ejector when the same is in normal fully retracted position to prevent the thermometers from piling up or massing along the front edge of the ejector when they fall back following the dispensing stroke. 'Ihis leaves an open space between the front edge 71a of the ejector and the rearwardmost of the thermometers for receiving a used thermometer through the `slot 64 and positioning same at the rear of the line of thermometers and also prevents the returned used thermometer from falling on the thermometers already in the dispenser and causing breakage thereof. The lower end of the front marginal edge 71a of the ejector is provided with a notch or recess 71b to engage the bulb of the thermometer and prevent the thermometers from riding or climbing up the ejector during the dispensing stroke. As in the `other forms of my invention hereinbefore described, the ejector will not operate to dispense a thermometer unless a predetermined minimum number of thermometers are present in the dispenser, again advising the physician to replenish his supply of thermometers to insure tha-t the thermometers will not be re-used until they have remained in the bath a sufficient length of time to complete the sterilization thereof.

The form of my invention shown in FIGS. l3 through 16 inclusive illustrates still yanother form of my invention in Iwhich the thermometers are vertically maintained in the bath but are -serially and :independently moved along a circular track rather than a linear one. In this form of my invention, the dispenser D4 :contains the usual sterilizing bath, the removable cover 79 of which is provided with a return opening 80 and -a delivery slot 81 both of which `are maintained on the same radius from the lcenter of the container. A rotatable actuating knol) 32 is disposed atop the cover 79 and is mounted on a vertical rotatable spindle 83. The spindle carries a pair of circular vertically spaced apart plate mern'bers 84 which have vertically aligned openings therein for receiving and maintaining the thermometers in a vertical position. The openings 85 are equidistant from one another and from la common radial axis represented by the axis spindle 83 and follow a common circular path thereabout, `and are adapted for disposition directly below the return opening S0 Iand delivery slot 81. A tubular lguide member 86 is mounted on the cover yand depends therefrom in alignment with and communication with the used instrument return open-ing 80 and terminates shortly above the uppermost of the guide plates 84 in alignment with one of the apertures or openings 85. 'Ihe tubular guide S6 is adatpted to insure that the thermometer returned to the dispenser through the return opening 80 will be guided into the vertically aligned openings `8S of the plates 84. When the used thermometers are returned to the dispenser `through the return opening 80' they immediately fall downwardly to rest on and be received by the circular recessed V-shaped track 88 on the bottom 87 of the container. As the knob is rotated the plates S4 carry or move the thermometers held in the openings S5 around the circular track 88 provided in the ibottom 87. The leading thermometer as it reaches the delivery end of the track is progressively raised to a delivered dispensed position :by means of an upwardly inclined semi-spiral guide track S9 which terminates in a recess :gestiona` 11` portion or pocket 90 for holding the dispensed thermometer in a raised position with the upper end thereof extending above the top of the dispenser so that it may be readily vgrasped and removed by the physician.

A iioat member 91 is provided which freely iioats on the surface of the sterilizng bath and which is connected to and has a depending leg 92 which extends downwardly through the plates 84 through suitable openings 93a` provided therein so as to extend dovmwardly beneath the lower-most of the plates S4. The lower end of the leg 92 is provided fwith an enlarged flared out portion 92a which is adapted to engage the float catch 94 carried by the linclined spiral guide track 89 and extending radially inwardly therefrom, the float 91 and leg 92 traveling a circular path of shorter radius than the thermometers. Thus, the iioat and leg are free to rnove up and down in response to the rise and fall of the bath level, but are limited in their horizontal 'movement by the plates S4. Thus, when the container has a suflicient amount of sterilizing fluid to maintain the level thereof lwell above the top of the thermometers immersed therein, the leg 92 and the catch engaging portion 92a thereof are vdisposed above the oat catch so as not to engage the catch 94 and the ejection mechanism -is free to rotate in the dispenser las the plates 84 are rotated by the turning of the actuating knob 82. However, when the sterilizing fluid has sunk to an undesirable low ylevel so that it no longer completely covers the thermometers, the iioat sinks correspondingly therewith, thereby dropping the arm and the catch engaging portion 92a thereof .beneath the level of the iioat catch so as to cause the iioat aum 92 and lflared portion 92a thereof to enga-ge the iloat catch and prevent further movement of the actuating knob and the plates 84 until the container has been refilled with the necessary amount lof fluid. The return opening 80' and the end of the delivery slot 81 closest thereto are preferably spaced from one another the same distance as the spacing between the openings -85 in `the plates 84 so that each successive indexing of the plates 84 by the actuation of the knob 82 places the opening 85 previously relieved of its thermometer beneath the return slot Si? for receiving the used thermometer next to be returned yto the dispenser.

To prevent the dispenser from operating With too few thermometers, la releasable locking or catch mechanism is provided for preventing rotation of the thermometer carry-ing and ejection mechanism when the number of thermometers present in the dispenser is less than the desired minimum. rlhis mechanism in the embodiment shown, consists of a balance unit which includes a balance ar-m 105 pivotally mounted on a suitable supporting bracket 167 for lfree tilting movement about a. horizontal axis. The arm 06 has a thermometer supporting plate Hi8' mounted onone end thereof, said plate having an Vrecessed track 109 therein adapted to seat in the track 88 and receive the lower ends of the thermometers. The other end of the arm 196 is provided with a countenweight lit). The unit is Ibalanced in such fashion that when a predetermined number of thermometers rest on the plate E68' the weight of the thermometers .is sufficient to olfset the weight of the counterweight 110, thereby maintaining the counterweight lult in raised position `and the plate 133 in lowered position. However, if oneor more of the thermometersv are missing from their customary place in the-dispenser, thecatch mechanism 4becomes unbalanced when one or more of the empty openings 8S is positioned above the plate 133 d-ue to the lack of a sufficient number of thermometers resting on the plate 168 to offset the counterweight 11G, and the catch mechanism thereupon tilts to t-he broken line positionshown, the counterweight 11i) assuming a lowered position and the plate 108 a raised position. 'In this raised position, the plate is disposed in obstructing opposition to the thermometers being moved along the track 88 and prevents further move- 12 ment thereof, thus preventing: further rotation of the plates 84 .and knob 82,A and? advising the physician that additional thermometers are needed in the dispenser.

Another important additional feature of this form of my invention is a reversing catch member 112 disposed in the path of travel of the thermometers and located adjacent the second thermometer position past or beyond the delivery position or the position next adjacent the return opening or position designated by 16a in the drawings. The catch member 112 has a slightly inclined upper face l112er which permits the thermometers to freely travel thereon and pass thereover when moved in the normal direction of dispensing movement. The catch member 112 also has a generally vertically disposed face 112b which stands in the path of reverse travel of the thermometers and provides an abutment or stop for engaging the thermometers and preventing further rotation of the ejection mechanism when so engaged. Thus, situations may occur where several of the thermometers may be dispensed or withdrawn Without being immediately returned to the dispenser, so that the ejection mechanism must be rotated in reverse direction to align the empty apertures 85 with the return opening 80 for insertion of the used thermometers therein. This catch member -112 enables the empty openings 35 to be serially positioned automatically beneath the return opening 80, starting with the empty openings 85 next adjacent the last thermometer to have been returned or inserted in the dispenser. Thus, when this situation occurs where several of the thermometers have not been returned to the dispenser immediately after use in the order in which they were used, the ejection mechanism is simply rotated in reverse direction opposite to normal dispensing movement until the last thermometer in the dispenser engages the vertical face 11217 of catch 112 and prevents further movement thereof. This automatically positions the empty openings 85 immediatly following and next adjacent said last thermometer beneath the return opening 3i) to enable a used thermometer to be reinserted therein. The mechanism is then rotated in normal dispensing direction and indexed so that the next empty opening is positioned beneath the return opening and receives a used thermometer and so on until all of the empty openings 85 have been filled.

It will be noted that all of the hereinbefore described forms of my invention have several important novel features in common. These are:

(l) Complete submersion of the thermometers in the germicidal bath;

(2) Successive serial dispensing of the thermometers in the order in which they are inserted in or returned to the dispenser to insure the thermometers remaining in the bath a significant interval of time to complete the sterilization thereof prior to re-use;

('3) Automatic means for advising or warning the physician that the supply of germicidal liquid has become inadequate to thoroughly clean and completely cover the thermometers; and

(4) Means for insuring thatV at least a desirable predetermined minimum number of thermometers are present in the dispenser at all times to guard against the thermometers being re-used too quickly before sterilization thereof has been completed.

In the light of the foregoing description and the illustrative embodiments of preferred forms of my invention set forth in the accompanying drawings, the advantages, utility and novelty of the instrument sterilizer and dispenser of my invention are readily apparent. The dispenser is capable of storing a large number of thermometers in a compact container, and is easily movable from place to place and exceedingly simple to operate. The provision of a predetermined minimum number of thermometers in the bath at all times and the successive serial dispensing of these thermometers in the order in which they are returned to the dispenser insures that they will remain in the bath a sufficient length of time under normal usage to complete the sterilization thereof prior to re-use. The automatic means for advising the physician when the quantity of germicidal liquid has been depleted to an amount no longer considered adequate to completely immerse and decontaminate the thermometers eliminates the periodic inspection necessary with such devices presently available and avoids the danger of the thermometers being re-used without being completely sterilized because of a lack of suthcient amount of sterilizing solution to provide complete immersion of the thermometers at all times. The devices of my invention also dispense the thermometers in convenient, readily graspable position and insure that only a single thermometer will be dispensed during each individual dispensing operation.

It should also be noted that the track 88 provided in the rotary form of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3- 17 inclusive may be replaced by a series of semi-spherical or shallow concave depressions or dimples disposed on a common radius corresponding to that of the track 88 and circumferentially spaced the same distance apart as the openings 85 in the plates 84. These depressions are adapted to receive the lower ends of the thermometers and permit them to readily enter and leave the depressions upon rotation of the plates 84 so as not to interfere with the free movement of the thermometers in the dispenser. These depressions assist in indexing the thermometers as they follow their circular path of travel and properly positioning same to indicate to the operator the completion of any individual indexing of the mechanism due to the slight resistance experienced when the thermometers simultaneously enter or fall into these depressions. These depressions correspond in size and location to the circular broken line positions 16 best seen in FIG. 15.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What l claim is:

l. A sterile instrument dispenser comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a bath of sterilizing uid, ejection mechanism including a vertically disposed shaft mounted for rotation in said bath, instrument engaging means mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith for receiving the instruments and maintaining same in a generally upright position, supporting means for engaging and holding said instruments in submerged condition in said bath and providing a track for the guided movement of said instruments along a generally circular path of travel upon rotation of said shaft `and said instrument engaging means, and upwardly inclined track means disposed in alignment with the path of travel of said instruments and adapted to raise .said instruments at least partially out of said bath in raised dispensed position.

2. The dispenser set forth in claim 1 including a float member adapted to float upon the surface of the sterilizing bath and hav-ing a depending element connected thereto and adapted for engagement with said instrument engaging means for rotation therewith and freely vertically reciprocable with respect thereto, and means adapted to engage said depending member and prevent rotation of said shaft and instrument engaging means when the fluid bath level falls to a predetermined point to advise the user that the receptacle needs refilling with sterilizing uid.

3. The dispenser set forth in claim l including means responsive to the fluctuation in the fluid level of said bath and `adapted to engage said ejection mechanism and prevent dispensing movement thereof when the fluid level falls to a predetermined point.

4. The dispenser set forth in claim l, including means preventing dispensing movement of said ejection mechanism when the number of instruments in said dispenser falls below a predetermined minimum amount.

5. A sterile instrument dispenser comp-rising a yreceptacle adapted to contain a bath of sterilizing fluid and having :a cover therefor, a vertically disposed shaft mounted for rotation in said bath, generally horizontally disposed instrument engaging means mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said means having a series of equally spaced tapant apertures therein for receiving the instruments and maintaining same in a 'generally upright position, said apertures 'bein-g disposed on a common radius with respect to said shaft, said cover having instrument return and delivery openings therein in registration with said apertures, supporting means disposed adjacent the bottom of said receptacle for engaging and holding said instru-ments in submerged condition in said bath and providing a track for the guided movement of said instruments along a generally circula-r path of travel upon rotation of said shaft and said instrument engaging means, upwardly inclined track means disposed in Valignment with the path of travel of said instruments and adapted to raise said instruments at least partially out of said bath and through s-aid delivery opening to successively dispense the instrument first inserted into the dispenser, and retaining means disposed adjacent the upper ends of said inclined track for maintaining -an instrument in raised dispensed position, said return and delivery openings being spaced apart from one another the same distance as the circumferential spacing between the instrument receiving Iapertures so that the aperture immediately preceding that disposed in alignment with the delivery opening is in alignment with the retur-n opening for receiving the last used instrument in the bath.

6. The dispenser set forth in claim 5 and tubular guide means mounted adjacent said return opening and extending into said receptacle from said cover to guide the used instrument through the aperture disposed immediately therebelow.

7. The dispenser s-et forth in claim 5 including oat means ladapted to oat upon the surface of the sterilizing fluid, extending through said horizontally disposed instrument engaging means :through a suitable aperture provided therein for simultaneous `rotation therewith and being freely vertically reciprocable with respect thereto, and leg engaging means adapted to engage said leg member and prevent further rotation of said shaft and said horizontal instrument engaging means when the sterilizing uid falls to la predetermined low level to advise the user to refill the dispenser with sterilizing duid.

8. The dispenser .set forth in claim 5, and means responsive to the number of instruments in said dispenser and adapted to prevent rotation of said shaft when the number of said instruments in the dispenser reaches a predetermined minimum amount.

9. The dispenser set forth in claim 8, wherein said means include a balance unit inc-iuding instrument supporting means and a counterweight interconnected by a pivotally mounted lever arm, said instrument ysupporting means being disposed to normally lie across the path of said instruments and receive Vand support a predetermined minimum number thereof, said support means being adapted to be raised by said counterweight when the number of instruments supported thereby is reduced below said predetermined minimum and disposed in obstructing relationship to the incoming instruments to engage same and prevent further rotation of said shaft and advise the operator that the dispenser must be replenished with additional instruments.

l0. The dispenser set forth in claim 5, including catch means disposed in the path of travel of said instruments and located adjacent the instrument position immediately following the return opening in the normal direction of dispensing movement, said means permitting free movement of said instruments in the normal direction of travel and adapted to engage the instrument last inserted into the dispenser when said instrument is moved in reverse direction, the next suceeding aperture adjacent said last instrument being positioned beneath said retu'rn opening when said last instrument is so engaged by said catch means.

l-l. A sterile instrument dispenser for thermometers and the like comprising a receptacle adapted to hold a bath of sterilizing iluid, guide means adapted to receive said instruments and maintain them in series in a generally vertical upright position in the order in which they are delivered thereto, return and delivery openings provided in said receptacle in registration with said guide means, a main track in alignment with said guide means against which the lower ends of said instruments are adapted to rest to maintain said instruments `in submerged condition beneath the normal level of `the bath, said main track communicating with an upwardly inclined track disposed generally beneath said delivery openings, retaining means immediately adjacent the upper end of said inclined track for receiving and holding a vertically disposed instrument in raised dispensed position at the upper end of said inclined track independently of the other instruments in said receptacle with at least a portion thereof extending above said bath for ready grasping and .removal therefrom, manually movable ejection mechanism adapted for guided movement and adapted `to engage the instruments inserted into the bath through the return opening and move all of the instruments disposed in said guide means along said main and inclined tracks causing the leading instrument of said series to be raised by said inclined track upon actuation by said ejection mechanism and deposited in said retaining means in dispeneed conditi-on.

l2. A sterilizing and dispensing device comprising a structure for housing a bath of sterilizing huid, means providing a track through said bath for guided movement of articles to be sterilized therethrough, ejection means for engaging said articles and moving them along said track for successive dispensing thereof, and oat means responsive to the change in fluid level of sai-d uid for engaging said ejection means and interfering with the normal movement thereof to advise the operator that the dispenser needs refilling with sterilizing uid when the uid level falls to a predetermined level.

13. A sterilizing and dispensing device comprising structure for housing a bath of steriliz-ing liluid and having article return and delivery openings, track means for supporting a multiplicity of articles in series in :said bath and capable of serially guiding them through said bath from said return to said delivery opening, manually operable ejection mechanism for simultaneously moving all of the articles on said track towards said delivery opening for successive discharge of said articles therefrom, said ejection mechanism being capable of dispensing an article through said delivery opening only when a number of articles in excess of a predetermined minimum plurality are present on said track, said track being capable of carrying a plurality of articles in excess of said predetermined minimum, said ejection mechanism being capable of successively dispensing all of said plurality of articles in excess of said predetermined minimum whereby those articles in excess of said minimum can be successively dispensed by actuation of said ejection mechanism Without the addition of more articles to said track until the number of articles on said track has been reduced to said predetermined minimum.

14. A sterilizing and dispensing device comprising a re- Aceptacle for housing a bath of sterilizing uid and having :article return and delivery openings, means for supporting articles inserted into said bath through said return opening and guiding them through said bath to said delivery opening, ejection mechanism for moving said articles to :said bath to said delivery opening and dispensing them ltherefrom, and means responsive to the fluctuation in the `iluid level of said'bath and adapted to engage said ejection mechanism and prevent dispensing movement thereof when the huid level falls to a predetermined pointto notify the operator that the receptacle needs additional fluid.

15. The device of claimA 14, including means preventing dispensing movementof saidejection mechanism when the number 'of instruments in said device falls below a predetermined minimum amount.

16. A sterilizing and dispensing device comprising a receptacle for housing a bath of sterilizing fluid and having article return and delivery openings, means for supporting articles inserted intosaid bath .through said return opening and guiding them through said bath to said delivery opening, ejection mechanism for moving said articles through said bath to said delivery opening and dispensing them therefrom, and means responsive to the fluctuation in the fluid level of said bath and adapted to prevent normal dispensing movement of said ejection mechanism when the liuid level falls to a predetermined point to notify the operator that the receptacle needs additional fluid.

17. A sterlizing and dispensing device comprising a receptacle for housing a bath of sterilizing fluid having article return and delivery openings, means for supporting articles inserted into said bath through said return opening and guiding them through said bath to said delivery opening, ejection mechanism for moving said articles through said bath to said delivery opening and dispensing them therefrom, and means preventing movement of said ejection mechanism when the number of instruments in said device falls below -a predetermined minimum amount.

18. A sterilizing and dispensing device comprising structure for housing a bath of sterilizing iluid and having an inlet opening for successively inserting articles into the bath and an opening for discharging sterile articles therefrom, means for underlying and supportingly engaging and maintaining a series of articles in substantially completely submerged state in said bath in the order of their insertion therein, track means for guiding said series of articles to said discharge opening, said track means including an upwardly inclined portion adjacent the discharge opening for raising said articles out of said bath to expose at least a portion of each article for ready grasping thereof, manually operable ejection mechanism adapted to move said series of submerged articles simultaneously along said track to successively dispense them through said discharge opening in the order in which .they were inserted into the bath, said ejection mechanism being operated to dispense an article only when a predetermined minimum plurality thereof are present on said track, said track being capable of supporting a plurality of articles in excess of said predetermined minimum, which articles in excess of said predetermined minimum are successively dispensed by actuation of said ejection mechanism, stop means adjacent said discharge opening for engaging and holding the leading article of said series and thereby stopping the dispensing movement of said ejection mechanism, and means adjacent the discharge opening for supporting and maintain-ing said leading article in raised at least partially exposed dispensed position.

19. The device of claim `18, including means responsive to the fluctuation in the tluid level of said bath and adapted to prevent normal dispensing movement of said ejection mechanism when the duid level falls to a predetermined point to notify the operator that the receptacle needs additional iluid.

20. A sterilizing and dispensing device comprising a receptacle for housing a bath of sterilizing iluid and having article return and delivery openings, means for supporting articles inserted into said bath through said return opening and guiding them through said bath to said delivery opening, ejection mechanism for moving said articles through said bath to said delivery opening and dispensing them therefrom, and iloa-t means responsive to the lluctuation in the iluid level of said bath and adapted to engage said ejection mechanism and prevent normal dispensing movement of said ejection mechanism when the iluid level falls to a predetermined point to notify the operator that the receptacle needs additional tluid, said ejection mechanism blocking the return opening and preventing further addition of instruments to the dispenser when engaged by said lfloat means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 655,171 Moon July 3l, 1900 21,721,232 Roach July 16, 1929 1,741,563 Graham Dec. 31, 1929 18 Class Aug. 11, 1931 Wells Aug. 25, 1931 `Corson Jan. 3, 1933 Stebler Sept. 14, 1937 Wardell Apr. l18, 1950 Henderson Oct. 10, 1950 Bludeau May 8, 1951 Thomas Sept. 27, 1955 Edlund Aug. 5, 1958

Claims

13. A STERILIZING DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING STRUCTURE FOR HOUSING A BATH OF STERILIZING FLUID AND HAVING ARTICLE RETURN AND DELIVERY OPENINGS, TRACK MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A MULTIPLICITY OF ARTICLES IN SERIES IN SAID BATH AND CAPABLE OF SERIALLY GUIDING THEM THROUGH SAID BATH FROM SAID RETURN TO SAID DELIVERY OPENING, MANUALLY OPERABLE EJECTION MECHANISM FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVING ALL OF THE ARTICLES ON SAID TRACK TOWARDS SAID DELIVERY OPENING FOR SUCCESSIVE DISCHARGE OF SAID ARTICLES THEREFROM, SAID EJECTION MECHANISM BEING CAPABLE OF DISPENSING AN ARTICLE THROUGH SAID DELIVERY OPENING ONLY WHEN A NUMBER OF ARTICLES IN EXCESS OF A PREDETERMINED MINIMUM PLURALITY ARE PRESENT ON SAID TRACK, SAID TRACK BEING CAPABLE OF CARRYING A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES IN EXCESS OF SAID PREDETERMINED MINIMUM, SAID EJECTION MECHANISM BEING CAPABLE OF SUCCESSIVELY DISPENSING ALL OF SAID PLURALITY OF ARTICLES IN EAXCESS OF SAID PREDETERMINED MINIMUM WHEREBY THOSE ARTICLES IN EXCESS OF SAID MINIMUM CAN BE SUCCESSIVELY DISPENSED BY ACTUATION OF SAID EJECTION MECHANISM WITHOUT THE ADDITION OF MORE ARTICLES TO SAID TRACK UNTIL THE NUMBER OF ARTICLES ON SAID TRACK HAS BEEN REDUCED TO SAID PREDETERMINED MINIMUM.