Patent US3339992A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4854475A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4854475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Instrument cassette
Assignee: Hu Friedy Manufacturing Co LLC
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Filing: 1988-02-22
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Granted: 1989-08-08
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Expires: 2008-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A cassette for sterilization and storage of instruments, incorporating improved instrument-locating and retaining means and improved hinge and latch mechanisms. The cassette is fabricated of metallic materials having superior heat resistance, and is designed to be stored in stacked relationship with other such cassettes.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Riihimaki
- 👤 Richard D'Amico
- 👤 Karl Zoll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/26; A61B; A61B50/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A cassette comprising: a lower tray member and an upper cover member cooperating to form an enclosure; a hinge mchanism for hinging said tray and cover members together for opening and closing rotative motion of said cover member relative to said tray member; said hinge means including first J-shaped hinge means on at least one of said members and second hinge means on the other of said members arranged to be encircled by said first hinge means to prevent separation of said cover member from said tray member over a range of rotative cover member positions from fully closed to partially open relative to said tray; and to permit separation of said cover member from said tray member upon continued rotation of said cover member past said partially open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A cassette comprising: a lower tray member and an upper cover member cooperating to form an enclosure; a hinge mchanism for hinging said tray and cover members together for opening and closing rotative motion of said cover member relative to said tray member; said hinge means including first J-shaped hinge means on at least one of said members and second hinge means on the other of said members arranged to be encircled by said first hinge means to prevent separation of said cover member from said tray member over a range of rotative cover member positions from fully closed to partially open relative to said tray; and to permit separation of said cover member from said tray member upon continued rotation of said cover member past said partially open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
A cassette as in claim 1 wherein said first hinge means is associated with said upper cover member, said second hinge means is associated with said lower tray member, said first hinge means is hooked under said second hinge means when said cover is closed, and is arranged to rotate to the top of said second hinge means at a predetermined degree of opening of said cover member defining said partially open position, said first hinge means being upwardly releasable from said second hinge means for ready separation of said cover member by lifting said cover member upwardly from said tray member at said predetermined cover member position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising means on said tray and cover members arranged to abut each other at said predetermined cover member position, in such manner that further rotation of said cover member in the opening direction causes said cover member to rotate about said point of abutment on said tray member in a manner to lift said first hinge means upwardly free of said second hinge means to automatically separate said cover member from said tray member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said second hinge means is also J-shaped and said first and second hinge means are arranged for mutually hooking engagement over a range of cover member positions from fully closed to partially open.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said hinge mechanism is formed of a metallic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said cassette and said hinge mechanism are formed of a metallic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising means projecting from one of said cassette members into the other of said cassette members and interfitting therewith in a manner to prevent misalignment between said cassettes members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising spring-loaded latch means for releasably securing said cassette members to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said latch means is made of a metallic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said cassette members are made of a metallic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said latch means is self-closing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
An instrument cassette comprising: at least one elongated instrument retaining member having a first portion adapted to support said instruments; a second portion of said retaining member being formed with mounting cavity means; and elongated supporting means mounted within said cassette, said retaining member being mounted over said supporting means with said supporting means received within said mounting cavity means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
An instrument cassette comprising: at least one elongated instrument retaining member having a first portion adapted to support said instruments; a second portion of said retaining member being formed with mounting cavity means; and elongated supporting means mounted within said cassette, said retaining member being mounted over said supporting means with said supporting means received within said mounting cavity means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said mounting cavity means is re-entrant and comprises entrance and exit means connecting to the exterior of said retaining member, said retaining member being formed of a sufficiently flexible material to permit said supporting means to enter into and be withdrawn from said mounting cavity means through said entrance and exit means, whereby said retaining member is removably and replaceably mounted on said supporting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said supporting means is a substantially cylindrical rod mounted within said cassette, and said mounting cavity means is a substantially cylindrical cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said rod is made of a metallic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 15 wherein said cassette is made of a metallic material.
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) | 1992-08-07 | 1993-02-06 | 1993-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-07 | 1997-02-06 | 1997-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-07 | 2001-02-06 | 2001-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |