US4405044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dispenser box for packages of sterile sutures
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1981-09-17
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Granted: 1983-09-20
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Expires: 2001-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A dispenser for packages of sterile suture materials. The dispenser will dispense either single packages or a plurality of packages. The dispenser has means for determining the quantity of sutures remaining in the dispenser.
Inventors
- 👤 David I. Flower
- 👤 Michael Schuler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06114; A61B17/06133; A61B17/06061; A61B50/00; A61B50/10; B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A dispenser for a plurality of packages of sterile suture materials comprising a front panel and a rear panel, a top panel and a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels, an opening disposed at the bottom of the front panel and abutting the bottom panel for removing a single suture package from said dispenser, an area of said front panel adjacent said opening panel being easily deflectable to allow for removal of a plurality of suture packages at one time and viewing means disposed vertically in the front panel to allow for ready determination of the amount of packages of sutures remaining in said dispenser.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A dispenser for a plurality of packages of sterile suture materials comprising a front panel and a rear panel, a top panel and a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels, an opening disposed at the bottom of the front panel and abutting the bottom panel for removing a single suture package from said dispenser, an area of said front panel adjacent said opening panel being easily deflectable to allow for removal of a plurality of suture packages at one time and viewing means disposed vertically in the front panel to allow for ready determination of the amount of packages of sutures remaining in said dispenser.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
176 words
A dispenser for a plurality of packages of sterile suture materials, said dispenser comprising a front panel and a rear panel, a top panel and a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels, an opening disposed at the bottom of the front panel and abutting the bottom panel for removing a single suture package from said dispenser, an area of said front panel adjacent said opening, said area being easily deflectable to allow for removal of a plurality of suture packages at one time, said deflectable are being bounded by a scored line extending transverse of the front panel and a pair of weakened or severed areas connecting the front panel to the side panels and extending from the scored line to the opening, viewing means disposed vertically in the front panel to allow for ready determination of the amount of packages remaining in said dispenser, said viewing means extending at least one-fifth of the distance between the top panel and the bottom panel and said dispenser being encased in an easily removable transparent cover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
176 words
A dispenser for a plurality of packages of sterile suture materials, said dispenser comprising a front panel and a rear panel, a top panel and a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels, an opening disposed at the bottom of the front panel and abutting the bottom panel for removing a single suture package from said dispenser, an area of said front panel adjacent said opening, said area being easily deflectable to allow for removal of a plurality of suture packages at one time, said deflectable are being bounded by a scored line extending transverse of the front panel and a pair of weakened or severed areas connecting the front panel to the side panels and extending from the scored line to the opening, viewing means disposed vertically in the front panel to allow for ready determination of the amount of packages remaining in said dispenser, said viewing means extending at least one-fifth of the distance between the top panel and the bottom panel and said dispenser being encased in an easily removable transparent cover.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A dispenser according to claim 2 wherein the viewing opening is disposed adjacent one edge where the front panel meets the side panel and said opening extends into the side panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dispenser according to claim 2 wherein the cover may be removed only in part.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A dispenser according to claim 1, 3, or 4 wherein the deflectable area adjacent said opening is bounded by a scored line extending transverse of the front panel and a pair of weakened or severed areas connecting the front panel to the side panels and extending from the scored line to the opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A dispenser according to claim 1, 3 or 4 wherein the deflectable area comprises an area adjacent the openings, said being unconnected to the side panels but being connected to the front panel by a scored line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A dispenser according to claim 2 including means for removably securing said dispenser to a holding rack for a plurality of dispensers whereby suture packages may be removed from said dispenser with one hand.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dispenser according to claim 7 wherein the means for removably securing said dispenser is a raised area disposed in the top, bottom or side panels of the dispenser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-19 | 1987-03-21 | 1987-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-19 | 1991-03-21 | 1991-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-19 | 1995-03-21 | 1995-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |