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US5490975A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Sterilization and storage container tray

Assignee: Symmetry Medical USA Inc
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Filing: 1994-12-14
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Granted: 1996-02-13
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Expires: 2014-12-14
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Abstract

Abstract A sterilization tray assembly for sterilizing, transporting and storing surgical instruments, having top and bottom mating enclosures. The mating enclosures each have a plurality of ports for permitting ingress and egress of gaseous sterilant. A rack is rotatably mounted within the enclosure, and has a plurality of spaced apertures into which surgical instruments may be removably inserted.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gary T. Dane

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 15:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/26

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 97 words
In a sterilization tray assembly for sterilizing, transporting and storing surgical instruments comprising top and bottom mating enclosures, said mating enclosures each including a plurality of ports for permitting ingress and egress of gaseous sterilant; and means for locking said mating enclosures to one another, the improvement which comprises a rack rotatably mounted within the bottom enclosure, said rack having a plurality of spaced apertures into which surgical instruments may be removably inserted, said rotatable rack comprising an aperatured core member and including an apertured resilient, flexible cover member surrounding said core member at least in part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 97 words
In a sterilization tray assembly for sterilizing, transporting and storing surgical instruments comprising top and bottom mating enclosures, said mating enclosures each including a plurality of ports for permitting ingress and egress of gaseous sterilant; and means for locking said mating enclosures to one another, the improvement which comprises a rack rotatably mounted within the bottom enclosure, said rack having a plurality of spaced apertures into which surgical instruments may be removably inserted, said rotatable rack comprising an aperatured core member and including an apertured resilient, flexible cover member surrounding said core member at least in part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
In a tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the apertures in said core member and the apertures in said cover member overlap each other, in part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
In a tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein said cover member has three walls and apertures are provided in opposite walls of said cover member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
In a tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the apertures in said core member are tapered.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 87 words
In a sterilization tray assembly for sterilizing, transporting and storing instruments, and comprising top and bottom mating trays, an instrument tray fitted within the bottom tray, and means for locking said mating trays to one another, the improvement which comprises a rack rotatably mounted on said instrument tray, said rack having a plurality of spaced apertures into which surgical instruments may be removably inserted, said rack comprising an aperatured core member and including an apertured resilient, flexible cover member surrounding said core member at least in part.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 87 words
In a sterilization tray assembly for sterilizing, transporting and storing instruments, and comprising top and bottom mating trays, an instrument tray fitted within the bottom tray, and means for locking said mating trays to one another, the improvement which comprises a rack rotatably mounted on said instrument tray, said rack having a plurality of spaced apertures into which surgical instruments may be removably inserted, said rack comprising an aperatured core member and including an apertured resilient, flexible cover member surrounding said core member at least in part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
In a tray assembly according to claim 5, wherein said apertures in said core member vary in size.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
In a tray assembly according to claim 5, wherein the apertures in said core member and the apertures in said cover member overlap each other, in part.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
In a tray assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cover member has two walls and apertures are provided in opposite walls of said cover member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
In a tray assembly according to claim 5, wherein the apertures in said core member are tapered.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 25 words
In a tray assembly according to claim 5, wherein said rack is rotatably mounted to the instrument tray on end pins carried by the rack.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US4783321A Cited
US4643303A Cited
US4798292A Cited
US5098676A Cited
US5098676B1 Cited
US5098676B2 Cited
US5215726A Cited
US5172810A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-02-12 1999-08-14 2000-02-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-02-12 2003-08-14 2004-02-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-02-12 2007-08-14 2008-02-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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