U.S. patent application number 11/453404 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-19 for cassette and delivery system.
Invention is credited to Michael Hahs, Edward V. Quoss, Su-Syin Wu.
Application Number | 20060233677 11/453404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24963761 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060233677 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hahs; Michael ; et
al. |
October 19, 2006 |
Cassette and delivery system
Abstract
A cassette is received within a sleeve having an open end.
Specially folded flaps at the open end are applied to center the
cassette in the sleeve and to reduce a width of the open end of the
sleeve.
Inventors: |
Hahs; Michael; (San
Clemente, CA) ; Wu; Su-Syin; (Irvine, CA) ;
Quoss; Edward V.; (Claremount, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP S. JOHNSON;JOHNSON & JOHNSON
ONE JOHNSON & JOHNSON PLAZA
NEW BRUNSWICK
NJ
08933-7003
US
|
Family ID: |
24963761 |
Appl. No.: |
11/453404 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09737399 |
Dec 15, 2000 |
7101512 |
|
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11453404 |
Jun 15, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
422/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 2/208 20130101;
A61L 2/24 20130101; A61L 2202/122 20130101; A61L 2/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/104 |
International
Class: |
B01L 9/00 20060101
B01L009/00 |
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A method for supplying a cassette encased in a sleeve for a
machine, the machine having an opening sized to accommodate
cassettes having a first fixed dimension between first and second
sides thereof and to accommodate sleeves containing the cassettes
having a second fixed dimension between first and second sides
thereof, the difference between the second and the first dimensions
being substantially greater than twice the thickness of the sleeve,
the method comprising the steps of: providing the cassette with the
first dimension between the first and second sides thereof;
providing the sleeve with the second dimension between the first
and second sides thereof; folding a first tab inwardly from the
sleeve first side and a second tab inwardly from the sleeve second
side to create a space equaling the first fixed dimension between
the first tab and the second tab; and containing the cassette
within the sleeve between the first tab and the second tab.
10. A method according to claim 9 and further comprising the steps
of folding a retaining member inwardly of the sleeve from a first
edge thereof, and abutting a surface on the cassette with the
retaining member to hold the cassette within the sleeve.
11. A method according to claim 9 wherein the first and second tabs
are folded from adjacent a first end of the sleeve.
12. A method according to claim 9 further comprising the step of
centering the cassette in the sleeve between the first and second
sides of the sleeve.
13. A method according to claim 9 further comprising the step of
folding at least one flap on the first tab inwardly toward the
sleeve first side and folding at least one flap on the second tab
inwardly toward the sleeve second side.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a system for storing and
delivering cassettes to a device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,876, incorporated herein by reference,
discloses a sterilization system in which an agent such as hydrogen
peroxide is introduced into a evacuated sterilizing chamber where
it is vaporized and allowed to disperse onto the items to be
sterilized. After a desired period of time, electrical energy is
applied to the chamber to ionize the gas and form a plasma field at
a power level sufficient to achieve sterilization.
[0003] This system has been successfully commercialized as the
STERRAD.RTM. Sterilization System and is available from Advance
Sterilization Products, Division of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.,
Irvine, Calif. The system is used in hospitals and other
environments where it is operated repeatedly throughout the day by
personnel having a widely varying range of understanding of the
apparatus. To ensure simple and automatic operation with adequate
safeguards with respect to human error, the system employs an
automated delivery system for delivering the liquid sterilant to
the sterilization chamber. Measured portions of the sterilant, in
this case hydrogen peroxide but many other sterilizing agents could
be substituted therefor, are provided in rupturable cells within a
rigid cassette housing. A transport system maneuvers the cassette
within the STERRAD.RTM. sterilizer and releases the given quantity
of hydrogen peroxide into the sterilization chamber automatically.
One form of cassette and operation of the deliver system are more
fully described in the Williams et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,800
issued Apr. 4, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,196 issued Apr. 3, 1990;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,262 issued Jul. 3, 1990; and U.S. Pat. No.
4,941,518 issued Jul. 17, 1990, all of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0004] An improved cassette and delivery system is shown in the
Williams et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,611 directed to a sleeve which
retains and protects the cassette and U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,716
directed to an indicia system on a cassette sleeve. Each of these
patents are incorporated herein by reference. The '611 patent
describes a sleeve having an inner layer of corrugated cardboard
and an outer layer of pressboard, producing a sleeve of
considerable thickness.
[0005] The present cassette and sleeve employ a single layer sleeve
which eases manufacturing and reduces the expense of the sleeve and
employs a pair of folded tabs so accommodate both the present type
of cassette and sleeve and that shown in the '611 patent in the
same machine by providing that the important external dimensions of
the cassette and sleeve can be the same for each system even though
the present system employs a sleeve with different thickness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A cassette assembly for delivering a substance according to
the present invention comprises a cassette having at least one cell
therein containing a quantity of the substance and a protective
sleeve containing the cassette. The cassettes has a first side, a
second side opposite the first side and a first end and the sleeve
has a first side, a second side opposite the first side and a first
end. A first tab at the sleeve first end extends inwardly from the
first side toward the second side and abuts the cassette's first
side. A second tab at the sleeve first end extends inwardly from
the second side toward the first side and abuts the cassette's
second side. The cassette has a first lateral dimension between its
first side and its second side which is smaller than a second
lateral dimension between the sleeve first side and the sleeve
second side.
[0007] Preferably, the cassette further comprises a first face
between its first side and its second side and the sleeve further
comprises a first edge at its first end between its first side and
its second side with the sleeve having a retaining member connected
to the sleeve by a hinge at the sleeve first edge and abutting the
cassette first face, and with the first tab and the second tab
extending inwardly from respective first and second lateral edges
of the retaining member.
[0008] Preferably, the first and second tabs have at least one flap
folded inwardly toward the sleeve sides. Preferably, the sleeve is
formed of absorbent stock, as for instance cardboard or a coated
cardboard, so that a small quantity of the substance on the
cassette can be absorbed into the stock.
[0009] An indicator strip can be provided on the sleeve for
indicating the presence of substance thereon. Identifying indicia
on the cassette can be provided along with and an aperture through
the sleeve in registry with the indicia whereby the indicia can be
read through the aperture.
[0010] A method, according to the present invention, supplys a
cassette encased in a sleeve for a machine, the machine having an
opening sized to accommodate cassettes having a first fixed
dimension between first and second sides thereof and to accommodate
sleeves containing the cassettes having a second fixed dimension
between first and second sides thereof, the difference between the
second and the first dimensions being substantially greater than
twice the thickness of the sleeve. The cassette is provided with
the first dimension between the first and second sides thereof and
the sleeve is provided with the second dimension between the first
and second sides thereof. A first tab is folded inwardly from the
sleeve first side and a second tab inwardly from the sleeve second
side to create a space equaling the first fixed dimension between
the first tab and the second tab and the cassette is contained
within the sleeve between the first tab and the second tab.
Preferably, the cassette is centered in the sleeve between the
first and second sides of the sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cassette and sleeve
according to the present invention, in preparation for entering a
sterilization apparatus;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of a receiver on the sterilization
apparatus of FIG. 1 for receiving the cassette and sleeve of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1,
but showing only the cassette without the sleeve;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an unfolded blank for forming the
sleeve of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the cassette and
sleeve;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1
and showing a retaining tab on the sleeve;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a detail view a portion of FIG. 1 showing the
folding of tabs on the sleeve;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the cassette and sleeve
of FIG. 1; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an unfolded blank for forming an
alternative embodiment of a sleeve according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a sterilization or other machine 10
and receiver 12 for receiving a cassette 14. The cassette 14 is
received within a protective sleeve 16 which will later be
described in more detail. Such a machine and receiver generally
comprises a pair of motorized wheels 18 for driving the cassette 14
out of the sleeve 16, a position sensing switch 20 for detecting
the presence of the cassette 14 within the receiver 12, a bar code
reader 22 or other device for reading indicia (to be described
later) on the cassette 14 and a controller 24 for controlling the
receiver 12. The cassette 14 has a plurality of cells 26 containing
a liquid 28 to be dispensed into the machine 10 (see also FIG. 3)
through a hollow piercing needle 30. In the preferred embodiment,
the machine 10 is a sterilizer having a sterilization chamber 32
capable of being lowered to subatmospheric pressures, preferable
about 10 Torr or less, and the liquid 28 is hydrogen peroxide which
vaporizes in the chamber 32 to create a sterilizing vapor. Such
systems are described in more detail in the aforementioned
patents.
[0022] Certain such machines 10 are already commercially available
and employ cassettes 14 encased in a thick two layer sleeve such as
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,611. The present cassette 14 is
essentially the same as described in the '611 patent. However, the
sleeve 16 of the present invention is of a single layer. As shown
in FIG. 4, the sleeve 16 is folded from a blank 34 of material such
as pressboard or other suitable material and folded into a
configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Preferably, it is absorbent
so that after the spent cassette 14 is returned to the sleeve 16
any droplets of the liquid 28 are absorbed by the sleeve 16.
However, any number of cellulosic or polymeric materials, coated or
uncoated, among others, are suitable for the stock.
[0023] The receiver 12 is adapted to receive the cassette 14 having
a first fixed lateral dimension 36 and the sleeve having a second
wider fixed lateral dimension 38. In the prior cassette/sleeve
combinations having a two layer sleeve, the cassette 14 fit closely
within the sleeve and the sleeve had a thickness of about 0.086
inch due to its two layer construction employing a layer of
corrugated cardboard. Sleeves of a smaller dimension due to a
thinner construction would not operate suitably in the receiver 12.
Accordingly, the sleeve 16 of the present invention has a unique
folded opening 40 with first and second inwardly extending tabs 42
and 44 whereby to provide a sleeve 16 having the same second fixed
lateral dimension 38 as the prior sleeves with the two wall
construction yet which properly receive the cassette 14 having the
first fixed lateral dimension 36. Additionally, the tabs 42 and 44
provide the needed mechanism to center the cassette 14 in the
sleeve 16.
[0024] A lateral fold line 66 at a forward end 68 (at the sleeve
open end 40) of the bottom panel 50 forms a hinge 70 about which
rotates a retaining flap 72. The retaining flap 72 extends from the
fold line 66 to terminate in a tang 74, a terminal edge 76 of which
engages the cassette 14 to retain the cassette 14 within the sleeve
16. (See also FIG. 7). An annular post 78 surrounds each of a
plurality of piercing apertures 80 in the cassette 14 such that
each aperture 80 extends axially through the post 78. The post has
a vertical annular sidewall 82 against which the terminal edge 76
abuts. The retaining flap 72 holds the cassette 14 within the
sleeve 16. Additionally, the tabs 42 and 44 can further reinforce
the retaining flap 72 to secure the cassette 14 in the sleeve 16
during shipping or after use. Even fairly vigorous shaking will not
dislodge the cassette 14 from the sleeve 16. They are assisted by a
pair of central tabs 84 centrally located on the bottom panel 50
which fold inwardly and rearwardly about fold lines 86 to abut an
edge (not shown) on the cassette 14 to further hold the cassette 14
within the sleeve 16. Additional functions of central tabs 84 are
fully disclosed in the incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,611.
[0025] The first tab 42 extends laterally from a first side 90 of
the retaining flap 72 and the second tab 44 extends laterally from
a second side 94 of the retaining flap. Each of the first and
second tabs 42 and 44 comprise a proximal portion 96 attached to
the retaining flap and a distal portion 98 extending forwardly from
the proximal portion 96 and separated therefrom by a fold line 100.
The proximal portions 96 are folded inwardly toward each other and
the distal portions 98 are folded outwardly over the proximal
portions 96 as best seen in FIG. 8. This creates the second lateral
dimension between the first tab 42 and second tab 44 which
accommodates the cassette 14 which has a width slightly smaller
than the second lateral dimension.
[0026] The sleeve 16 contains several additional features, such as
openings 102 through the bottom and side panels through which
driving wheels (not shown) in the receiver 12 can access the
cassette 14. A pair of chemical indicator strips 104 shows whether
the sleeve 16 has been exposed to hydrogen peroxide (or, as
adapted, to whatever is stored therein). The cassette 14 and sleeve
16 are preferably supplied within a non-permeable overwrap (not
shown), such as a sealed clear plastic wrap. If the indicator
strips 104 show a color change then the operator knows that the
hydrogen peroxide contained in the cassette 14 has leaked and
should not open the overwrap. Instructions to this effect are also
provided on the sleeve 16. A bar code 106 can provide machine
readable information on what is contained in the cassette 14, lot
numbers, expiration dates, serial numbers and the like. Each
cassette 14 can have a unique identification number or code encoded
into the bar code 106. A used cassette 14 can be easily recognized
by storing and comparing the unique identification number or code
in the memory of the controller 24 each time a cassette 14 is
placed in the receiver 12. Used cassettes 14 can thus be rejected.
Turning also to FIG. 9, a window 108 through the sleeve 16 can show
printed indicia 110 on the cassette 14 indicative of lot numbers
and expiration dates and the like.
[0027] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a sleeve
200 according to the present invention. It is similar in most
respects to the sleeve 16. However, it employs tabs 202 similar to
tabs 42 and 44 but which do not fold upon themselves. They are but
a single layer. Of course, the tabs could alternatively be
structured to fold more than once so as to produce a tab of three,
four or more layers depending upon the thickness of the material
and the desired dimensions.
[0028] While the invention has been described with regard to a
particular embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will
understand, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto
since modifications can be made by those skilled in the art,
particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Reasonable
variation and modification are possible within the foregoing
disclosure of the invention without the departing from the spirit
of the invention.
* * * * *