U.S. patent application number 13/771128 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-11 for sterile container.
This patent application is currently assigned to AESCULAP AG. The applicant listed for this patent is Aesculap AG. Invention is credited to Wilhelm Gleichauf, John Gray-Dreizler, Mariana Jakab, Stefan Schuster, Stefan Thomas.
Application Number | 20130175276 13/771128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43571364 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130175276 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gleichauf; Wilhelm ; et
al. |
July 11, 2013 |
STERILE CONTAINER
Abstract
A sterile container for the sterilization of surgical
instruments is provided. The sterile container has a bottom wall, a
side wall and a lid which, in a closed position of the sterile
container, has a lid rim which engages over a free rim arranged on
a side of the side wall that faces away from the bottom wall. At
least one projection element is arranged between the bottom wall
and the free rim. The projection element projects from the side
wall in the direction of an outside of the sterile container at
least as far as the lid rim and is located at a shorter distance
from the bottom wall than the lid rim. The side wall, in a wall
area between the at least one projection element and the free rim,
does not protrude in the direction of a center of the sterile
container over the side wall.
Inventors: |
Gleichauf; Wilhelm;
(Tuttlingen-Moehringen, DE) ; Jakab; Mariana;
(Tuttlingen, DE) ; Schuster; Stefan;
(Villingen-Schwenningen, DE) ; Thomas; Stefan;
(Tuttlingen, DE) ; Gray-Dreizler; John; (Rottweil,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aesculap AG; |
Tuttlingen |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
AESCULAP AG
Tuttlingen
DE
|
Family ID: |
43571364 |
Appl. No.: |
13/771128 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2011/065960 |
Sep 14, 2011 |
|
|
|
13771128 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/324 ;
220/672 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2050/0066 20160201;
A61B 50/30 20160201; B65D 45/22 20130101; A61L 2202/182 20130101;
B65D 1/40 20130101; A61B 2050/007 20160201; A61B 2050/006 20160201;
A61L 2/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/324 ;
220/672 |
International
Class: |
B65D 45/22 20060101
B65D045/22; B65D 1/40 20060101 B65D001/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 20, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 037 659 |
Claims
1. Sterile container for the sterilization of surgical instruments,
comprising a bottom wall, a side wall and a lid which, in a closed
position of said sterile container, with a lid rim engages over a
free rim arranged on a side of the side wall that faces away from
the bottom wall, said sterile container having at least one
projection element arranged between the bottom wall and the free
rim on the side wall, the projection element projecting from the
side wall in the direction of an outside of said sterile container
at least as far as the lid rim and being located at a shorter
distance from the bottom wall than is the lid rim, and the side
wall, in a wall area between the at least one projection element
and the free rim, not protruding in the direction of a sterile
container center of said sterile container over the side wall in a
wall area between the at least one projection element and the
bottom wall.
2. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein the side
wall in the wall area between the at least one projection element
and the free rim protrudes in the direction of an outside of the
sterile container over the side wall in the wall area between the
at least one projection element and the bottom wall.
3. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least
one projection element projects beyond the lid rim in the direction
of an outside of the sterile container from the side wall.
4. Sterile container in accordance with claim 3, wherein at least
one projection element engages the lid rim from behind at a side
that faces away from the side wall.
5. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least
one projection element comprises or forms an abutment element for
the lid rim.
6. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein the side
wall comprises at least one projection element.
7. Sterile container in accordance with claim 6, wherein the
projection element is formed integrally with the side wall.
8. Sterile container in accordance with claim 6, wherein the
projection element is formed by reshaping the side wall.
9. Sterile container in accordance with claim 6, wherein the
projection element is a bead formed in the side wall.
10. Sterile container in accordance with claim 6, wherein the
projection element is formed by bending the side wall over at the
free rim in the direction of an outside of the sterile
container.
11. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least
one projection element is formed separately from the side wall and
is fixed thereto.
12. Sterile container in accordance with claim 11, wherein the
projection element is releasably fixed to the side wall.
13. Sterile container in accordance with claim 11, wherein the
projection element is an elongated profile.
14. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at
least one projection element is sterilizable.
15. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least
one projection element is made at least partly of metal.
16. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least
one projection element is made at least partly of plastic
material.
17. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least
one projection element is arranged on a longitudinal side of the
sterile container.
18. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least
one projection element is arranged on a transverse side of the
sterile container.
19. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least
one projection element extends along an entire circumference or
substantially along an entire circumference of the sterile
container.
20. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least
one projection element extends along a continuous peripheral line
along a circumference of the sterile container.
21. Sterile container in accordance with claim 20, wherein a
plurality of projection elements respectively extend along a
continuous peripheral line along a circumference of the sterile
container and are spaced from one another in the circumferential
direction.
22. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
sterile container comprises precisely one projection element.
23. Sterile container in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
sterile container comprises a plurality of projection elements.
24. Sterile container in accordance with claim 23, wherein all of
the projection elements of the sterile container are of identical
construction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of international
application number PCT/EP2011/065960 filed on Sep. 14, 2011 and
claims the benefit of German application number 10 2010 037 659.0
filed on Sep. 20, 2010, which are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety and for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a sterile container for the
sterilization of surgical instruments, comprising a bottom wall, a
side wall and a lid which, in a closed position of the sterile
container, with a lid rim engages over a free rim arranged on a
side of the side wall that faces away from the bottom wall.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The surgical instruments that are to be sterilized are
placed in such sterile containers, and the lid is slipped over the
side wall in order to close the sterile container. By means of
attachment elements, for example, in the form of clasps, the lid is
fixed to the side wall so as to obtain as good a sealing as
possible between the side wall and the lid in the closed state of
the sterile container. This is important because an exchange of gas
between the container interior and the atmosphere should take place
solely through filter elements fitted in the side wall and/or in
the lid. In practice, it may, however, happen that an operator
inadvertently strikes the lid rim of the closed container or grips
it from below in such a way that an exchange of gas between the
container interior and the atmosphere is also possible through a
gap between the free rim and the lid rim. Owing to the exchanged
gas not having been filtered, this has a negative effect on the
sterilization results.
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a generic
sterile container having greater ease of handling, while producing
the best possible sterilization results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In an aspect of the invention, a sterile container for the
sterilization of surgical instruments comprises a bottom wall, a
side wall and a lid which, in a closed position of the sterile
container, with a lid rim engages over a free rim arranged on a
side of the side wall that faces away from the bottom wall. The
sterile container has at least one projection element arranged
between the bottom wall and the free rim on the side wall, the
projection element projecting from the side wall in the direction
of an outside of the sterile container at least as far as the lid
rim and being located at a shorter distance from the bottom wall
than is the lid rim, and the side wall, in a wall area between the
at least one projection element and the free rim, not protruding in
the direction of a sterile container center of the sterile
container over the side wall in a wall area between the at least
one projection element and the bottom wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0006] The foregoing summary and the following description may be
better understood in conjunction with the drawing figures, of
which:
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of a first
preferred embodiment of the sterile container in accordance with an
aspect of the invention in the open state;
[0008] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view in a transverse center plane
of the sterile container from FIG. 1 in the closed state; and
[0009] FIGS. 3 to 11 show detailed views of a second to a tenth
preferred embodiment of the sterile container in accordance with an
aspect of the invention in a representation corresponding to detail
A in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not
intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various
modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range
of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the
invention.
[0011] The present invention relates to a sterile container for the
sterilization of surgical instruments, comprises a bottom wall, a
side wall and a lid which, in a closed position of the sterile
container, with a lid rim engages over a free rim arranged on a
side of the side wall that faces away from the bottom wall. The
sterile container has at least one projection element arranged
between the bottom wall and the free rim on the side wall, the
projection element projecting from the side wall in the direction
of an outside of the sterile container at least as far as the lid
rim and being located at a shorter distance from the bottom wall
than is the lid rim, and the side wall, in a wall area between the
at least one projection element and the free rim, not protruding in
the direction of a sterile container center of the sterile
container over the side wall in a wall area between the at least
one projection element and the bottom wall.
[0012] The sterile container in accordance with an aspect of the
invention has at least one projection element on the side wall,
which is arranged between the free rim and the bottom wall, i.e.,
between the upper side and the lower side of the side wall, in
relation to a position of use of the sterile container, in which it
rests with the bottom wall on a set-down surface. The projection
element is spaced at a shorter distance from the bottom wall than
is the lid rim engaging over the free rim, i.e., it is arranged
below the lid rim when the sterile container is closed. In
addition, it projects on the outside of the sterile container from
the side wall at least so far that it reaches the lid rim. In this
way, it is possible to reduce the risk that an operator will
inadvertently strike the lid rim or grip it from below in such a
way that, even if only to a slight extent, the lid will also become
detached from the sterile container so as to allow an exchange of
gas to pass through between the lid and the free rim. On the one
hand, this directly ensures good sterilization results, which, on
the other hand, influences the handling of the sterile container as
inadequate sterilization results require the operator to sterilize
the surgical instruments again.
[0013] In addition, the side wall, in the sterile container in
accordance with an aspect of the invention, in a wall area above
the at least one projection element does not protrude in the
direction of the sterile container center over the side wall in a
wall area below the at least one projection element. Therefore, the
container interior does not become narrower in the wall area
between the at least one projection element and the free rim of the
side wall. Consequently, it is possible to significantly reduce the
risk that an operator, when removing the surgical instruments from
the container interior, will strike and even get caught on the
upper wall area between the at least one projection element and the
free rim. This has a direct advantageous effect on the handling of
the sterile container. Furthermore, the probability is
significantly reduced that an instrument will escape the operator's
grasp due to striking or getting caught, and, in the worst case,
will even fall on the floor, which will impair its sterility and
make a new sterilization process necessary. If the surgical
instruments are accommodated in the container interior in a
perforated basket, the risk that an instrument will be ejected from
the perforated basket and become contaminated is largely avoidable.
This also ensures the sterility of the instruments.
[0014] It is advantageous if the side wall in the wall area between
the at least one projection element and the free rim protrudes in
the direction of an outside of the sterile container over the side
wall in the wall area between the at least one projection element
and the bottom wall. As a result, the container interior widens in
the upper wall area between the at least one projection element and
the free rim. This makes it easier for the operator to insert
instruments into and remove them from the sterile container.
[0015] It is preferable for at least one projection element, in
particular, all projection elements, to project beyond the lid rim
in the direction of an outside of the sterile container from the
side wall. This further reduces the probability that an operator
will inadvertently strike the lid rim or grip it from below.
Consequently, there is also less probability that an undesired
exchange of gas will take place between the container interior and
the atmosphere by it passing through between the lid and the free
rim.
[0016] It is advantageous if at least one projection element
engages the lid rim from behind at a side that faces away from the
side wall. It is thus possible to further reduce the probability
that an operator will strike the lid rim or grip it from below and
cause an undesired exchange of gas between the container interior
and the atmosphere. For example, the lid rim engages a recess in
the shape of a groove formed between the side wall and the at least
one projection element.
[0017] It is advantageous if at least one projection element,
preferably all projection elements, comprises or forms an abutment
element for the lid rim, for example, an abutment surface, on the
upper side of which the lid rim may rest. As a result, the lid may
also assume a specially defined position relative to the sterile
container in the closed state. The lid is supported on the side
wall via the at least one projection element such that in the
closed state the lid can also be fixed to the sterile container
with a greater tensile strength than has been possible so far. A
higher degree of tightness between the lid and the free rim of the
side wall is thereby also achievable.
[0018] In a different kind of advantageous embodiment of the
sterile container in accordance with the invention, it may be
provided that the lid rim, in the closed position of the sterile
container, is spaced relative to the at least one projection
element. It is thus possible, for example, for an excess pressure
occurring during the sterilization process in the sterile container
to be relieved by the lid being raised somewhat and/or becoming
deformed as a result of the excess pressure and an auxiliary flow
path thereby being opened up between the side wall and the lid.
[0019] The side wall preferably comprises at least one projection
element and, advantageously, all projection elements. This enables
a constructionally simple design of the sterile container.
[0020] An even simpler constructional design of the sterile
container is enabled if the at least one projection element
comprised by the side wall is formed integrally with the side
wall.
[0021] The projection element is preferably formed by reshaping the
side wall. For example, it projects from a plane also defined by
the side wall in the direction of an outside of the sterile
container. This makes it possible, for example, to impart a more
rigid construction to the side wall.
[0022] The projection element is advantageously a bead formed in
the side wall. As a result, the projection element can be formed
integrally with the side wall in a constructionally particularly
simple way and, in addition, a desirable increase in rigidity of
the side wall can be achieved. The bead may be a full bead or a
half bead, and the bead may, for example, have a U-shaped, a
rectangular, a triangular, a wave-shaped or a pulse-shaped cross
section.
[0023] In a different kind of embodiment of the sterile container,
in which the projection element is formed integrally with the side
wall, the projection element may preferably be formed by bending
the side wall over at the free rim in the direction of an outside
of the sterile container. The projection element can thereby also
be formed in a constructionally simple way, while increasing the
rigidity of the side wall.
[0024] In a different kind of embodiment of the sterile container
in accordance with the invention, it is advantageous for at least
one projection element, for example, also all projection elements,
to be formed separately from the side wall and fixed thereto. This
makes it possible, for example, with use of different materials for
manufacturing the side wall and the at least one projection
element, to form these in accordance with the specific requirements
for the intended use. Savings in costs for the manufacture of the
sterile container and/or a more robust design of the sterile
container may possibly be achieved as a result. The projection
element is fixed, in particular, to the outside of the side wall
with force locking, positive locking and/or substance-to-substance
bonding, for example, by adhesive bonding, riveting, screwing or
welding. The use of a clamp connection, a latch connection or a
plug connection for fixing the projection element to the side wall
is conceivable.
[0025] It may be provided that the projection element is releasably
fixed to the side wall.
[0026] The projection element is, advantageously, an, in
particular, elongated profile, for example, an L-profile or a
J-profile, and it may be configured as a grid profile or as a
perforated plate profile. The rigidity of the side wall can be
increased significantly by means of a profile fixed to the outside
thereof.
[0027] In a different kind of embodiment of the sterile container
in accordance with the invention, it may be provided that at least
one projection element is pin-shaped, with the pin projecting in
its longitudinal direction outwards from the side wall. The
pin-shaped projection element may be comprised by the side wall
and, in particular, formed integrally with it, or it is formed
separately from it and fixed to it.
[0028] It is preferable for the at least one projection element to
be sterilizable so as to enable use of the sterile container for
the intended purpose.
[0029] It may be provided that at least one projection element is
made at least partly of metal, and, in particular, entirely of
metal, for example, of aluminum, titanium or high-grade steel. Use
of a metal alloy for the projection element is also possible.
[0030] Furthermore, it may be provided that at least one projection
element is made at least partly of plastic material, and, in
particular, made entirely of plastic material, for example, of a
polyetheretherketone (PEEK), of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) or of a
silicone material.
[0031] The at least one projection element is preferably, at least
partly, arranged in a horizontal plane extending parallel to the
bottom wall and/or parallel to the lid. If more than one projection
element is present, these may be arranged in different horizontal
planes.
[0032] At least one projection element is preferably arranged on a
longitudinal side of the sterile container, and it is advantageous
for it to extend along the entire longitudinal side. This further
reduces the probability that an operator will inadvertently grip
the lid rim from below or strike it.
[0033] In a corresponding manner, it may be provided that at least
one projection element is arranged on a transverse side of the
sterile container and, in particular, extends along the entire
transverse side of the sterile container. In this case, too, the
probability that an operator will inadvertently grip the lid rim
from below can be reduced.
[0034] It is advantageous for at least one projection element to
extend along an entire circumference or substantially along an
entire circumference of the sterile container. In this embodiment,
the projection element extends all the way or substantially all the
way along the side wall enclosing the container interior. The lid
rim is thereby protected along the entire or substantially the
entire circumference of the container interior against being
inadvertently struck or gripped from below.
[0035] It may also be provided that at least one projection element
extends along a continuous peripheral line along a circumference of
the sterile container, for example, when attachment elements for
fixing the lid on the sterile container are also arranged on the
side wall beyond the projection element.
[0036] Furthermore, it may be provided that a plurality of
projection elements respectively extend along a continuous
peripheral line along a circumference of the sterile container and
are spaced from one another in the circumferential direction. For
example, attachment elements such as clasps for attaching the lid
may be provided between two projection elements that are spaced
from each other.
[0037] A simple constructional design may be advantageously
imparted to the sterile container by the sterile container
comprising precisely one projection element. In particular, the
precisely one projection element may be a bead that is formed on
the side wall and extends along the entire or substantially along
the entire length of the circumference of the container.
[0038] In a different kind of embodiment of the sterile container
in accordance with the invention, it may be provided that the
sterile container comprises a plurality of projection elements.
[0039] In the latter case, the constructional design of the sterile
container may be made simple by all of the projection elements of
the sterile container being of identical construction.
[0040] A first preferred embodiment of a sterile container in
accordance with an aspect of the invention for the sterilization of
surgical instruments which can be placed loosely or in a perforated
basket in the container interior is shown in perspective in the
open state in FIG. 1 and generally denoted therein by reference
numeral 10. The sterile container 10 comprises a tub 12 with a
bottom wall 14 and a circumferential side wall 16 which has a free
rim 18 on the upper side. "On the upper side" refers in this
context to a position of use of the sterile container 10, in which
it rests with the bottom wall 14 on a set-down surface.
[0041] The sterile container 10 further comprises a lid 20 which
can be transferred from an open position (FIG. 1) to a closed
position (FIG. 2) and vice versa. In the closed position, the lid
20 can be attached to the tub 12 by means of attachment elements,
known per se, in the form of clasps (only one clasp 22 is shown).
The lid 20 is a so-called "slip-over lid", which with a lid rim 24
can engage over the free rim 18 in the closed state of the sterile
container 10 along the entire circumference of the side wall 16
(FIG. 2).
[0042] A sealing element 26 held on the lid rim 24 secures the
sterile container 10 in the closed state against an exchange of gas
between a container interior 28 and the atmosphere, the exchange of
gas passing through a gap between the free rim 18 and the lid 20.
Instead, an exchange of gas between the container interior 28 and
the atmosphere should only take place through filter devices 30 and
32 inserted in the lid 20.
[0043] The sterile container 10 has a plurality of projection
elements 34 to 37 arranged on the side wall 16. The projection
elements 34 and 35 are each arranged on one of the longitudinal
sides of the sterile container 10 on the side wall 16. The
projection elements 36 and 37 are also of identical construction
and are arranged on a transverse side of the sterile container 10
on the side wall 16 and are spaced from each other by the
attachment element interacting with the clasp 22. With reference to
FIG. 2, the projection element 34 will be dealt with below in
greater detail, and the remarks pertaining thereto are to be
directly applied to the projection element 35. The projection
elements 36 and 37 differ only to a minor degree from the
projection element 34, and, therefore, a separate explanation of
the projection elements 36 and 37 will not be given.
[0044] The projection element 34 is a horizontal bead 38 formed by
the side wall 16 and, in particular, integrally therewith, and
extending parallel to the bottom wall 14 and to the lid 20. The
bead 38, furthermore, projects from the side wall 16 in the
direction of the outside of the sterile container 10, as far as the
lid rim 24. In this context, "projects from the side wall 16" means
that the projection element 34 projects from the side wall 16 in
relation to a course which the side wall 16 would follow from the
bottom wall 14 to the free rim 18, were the projection element 34
not present.
[0045] The bead 38 is arranged approximately somewhat above the
middle of the side wall 16. Below the bead 38, the side wall 16 has
a lower wall area 40 as far as the bottom wall 14, and above the
bead 38, the side wall 16 has an upper wall area 42 as far as the
free rim 18. The side wall 16 is of such shape that the upper wall
area 42 does not protrude in the direction of a sterile container
center of the sterile container 10 over the lower wall area 40, but
even remains behind it. The upper wall area 42, therefore,
protrudes with respect to the lower wall area 40 in the direction
of an outside of the sterile container 10. This means that the
container interior 28 widens in the direction of the free rim
18.
[0046] As mentioned above, the bead 38 projects from the side wall
16 as far as the lid rim 24. It thereby forms on its upper side an
abutment element 44 for a bottom end of the lid rim 24. When the
sterile container 10 is closed, the lid rim 24 can be supported
with its bottom end on the abutment element.
[0047] The sterile container 10 in accordance with an aspect of the
invention has the following advantages:
[0048] Since the lid rim 24 is supported on the bead 38 in the
closed state, it is possible to attach the lid 20 to the tub 12
with a higher tensile force than would be possible without it being
supported. This results in an only extremely low probability of an
undesired exchange of gas occurring in the area of the sealing
element 26 from the container interior to the atmosphere through a
gap between the free rim 18 and the lid 20. Instead, the exchange
of gas takes place, as intended, through the filter devices 30 and
32, which results in an overall improvement in the sterilization
results with use of the sterile container 10.
[0049] In addition, the bead 38 protects the lid rim 24 against
inadvertent striking or gripping of the lid 20 from below in a
direction away from the tub 12. This reduces the probability that
in spite of the improved sealing at the sealing element 26, a gap
will form between the free rim 18 and the lid 20, through which an
exchange of gas is possible from the container interior 28 into the
atmosphere and vice versa. This also has an advantageous effect on
the sterilization results. For, in the case of such an exchange of
gas, it might prove necessary to perform a new sterilization
process in order to kill germs which may enter the container
interior 28 between the free rim 18 and the lid 20 and contaminate
surgical instruments located therein for sterilization purposes.
This, therefore, also improves the handling of the sterile
container 10.
[0050] Its handling is also improved by the upper wall area 42, as
mentioned above, protruding with respect to the lower wall area 40
in the direction of an outside of the sterile container 10, so that
the container interior 28 widens in the direction of the free rim
18. This makes it easier for the operator to insert surgical
instruments and/or perforated baskets with surgical instruments
into the container interior 28 or to remove these from it.
[0051] The probability that an operator will strike or get caught
on the side wall 16 when inserting or removing the instruments is
extremely low. Consequently, these instruments cannot slip out of
the operator's hand and fall onto the floor, which might ruin the
sterilization results. In a corresponding manner, the probability
is extremely low that an operator will strike or get caught on the
side wall 16 when removing a perforated basket full of instruments,
which, at worst, might result in an instrument being ejected from
the perforated basket and becoming contaminated. The fact that the
upper wall area 42 does not protrude with respect to the lower wall
area 40 in the direction of a sterile container center, but even
recedes, therefore also proves to be advantageous in achieving best
possible sterilization results.
[0052] The bead 38 formed integrally with the side wall 16 can be
manufactured in a constructionally simple way, and, in addition, it
increases the rigidity of the side wall 16, so that the sterile
container 10 has a high degree of shape stability.
[0053] In a variant of the sterile container 10, it may be provided
that the lid rim 24 is of such dimensions or that the bead 38 is
arranged on the side wall 16 in such a way that in the closed state
of the sterile container 10, the lid rim 24 is spaced from the bead
38, and the bead 38 does not form an abutment element. This is
helpful in enabling an excess pressure in the interior of the
sterile container 10 to also be relieved by the lid 20 becoming
slightly deformed as a result of the excess pressure and/or being
lifted off the side wall 16 somewhat, thereby opening up an
auxiliary flow path between the lid 20 and the side wall 16.
Accordingly, it may be provided that in variants of the embodiments
46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 60, 66 and 68, explained below, in
accordance with FIGS. 3 to 11 of the sterile container in
accordance with an aspect of the invention, the lid rim 24 is
spaced relative to the respective projection element of the sterile
container.
[0054] In FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, further preferred embodiments 46,
48, 50, 52 and 54 of the sterile container in accordance with an
aspect of the invention are shown in part in a representation
corresponding to detail A in FIG. 2. The sterile containers 46 to
54 each differ from the sterile container 10 solely in how the bead
38 of the side wall 16 is formed. In FIGS. 3 to 7, identical
reference numerals are, therefore, used for the features and
component parts of the sterile container 10 and the sterile
containers 46 to 54. The advantages achievable with the sterile
container 10 are also achievable with the sterile containers 46 to
54.
[0055] In the sterile container 46 in accordance with FIG. 3, the
bead 38 is hook-shaped. Its abutment element 44 is formed on a
horizontal ledge for the lid rim 24 to rest reliably thereon.
[0056] In the sterile container 48 in accordance with FIG. 4, the
bead 38 is approximately arcuate and of simple construction.
[0057] In the sterile container 50 in accordance with FIG. 5, the
bead 38 is triangular and, in particular, sawtooth-shaped. It also
forms a horizontal ledge with abutment element 44 for the lid rim
24.
[0058] In the sterile container 52 in accordance with FIG. 6, the
bead 38 is pulse-shaped, and it has a horizontal ledge with
abutment element 44 for the lid rim 24. Furthermore, it imparts a
high rigidity to the side wall 16.
[0059] In the sterile container 54 in accordance with FIG. 7, the
bead 38 is wave-shaped, i.e., it has the configuration of a wave
train, thereby imparting a high rigidity to the side wall 16.
[0060] In the sterile containers 46 to 54, the bead 38 is, in each
case, a full bead formed integrally with the side wall 16.
[0061] The beads 38 of the sterile containers 46, 50, 52 and 54
project at the outside beyond the lid rim 24 and protect it
particularly effectively against being struck and/or gripped from
below.
[0062] FIG. 8 shows a further preferred embodiment 56 of the
sterile container in accordance with an aspect of the invention,
the projection element 34 of which is formed integrally with the
side wall 16. In the case of the sterile container 56, the side
wall 16 is bent over at the free rim 18 through 180.degree. in the
direction of the underside of the sterile container 56, at the
outside of the sterile container 56. As a result, the upper wall
area 42 is of double-layered configuration. At a distance from the
free rim 18, the side wall 16 is bent again in the direction of the
outside of the sterile container 56, thereby producing a horizontal
ledge 58, which forms the projection element 34 of the sterile
container 56.
[0063] The side wall 16 of the sterile container 56, which is bent
in the manner described above, has a particularly high rigidity.
With regard to the advantages achievable with the sterile container
56, reference may be made to the above explanations regarding
sterile containers 10 and 46.
[0064] A further preferred embodiment 60 of the sterile container
in accordance with an aspect of the invention, shown in FIG. 9,
comprises a projection element 62 in the form of a profile 64 which
is of stepped and elongated (i.e. extending perpendicularly to the
drawing plane) cross section. The profile 64 is non-detachably
fixed, for example, by adhesive bonding, welding, riveting or
screwing, to the side wall 16 which, in the sterile container 60,
is of planar configuration. Since it is manufactured separately
from the sterile container 60, it may be made of a different kind
of material. This might possibly lead to a saving in manufacturing
costs of the sterile container 60 compared with those of the
sterile container 10.
[0065] Instead of the profile 64, in the sterile container 60, a
profile could be used, which is detachably fixable to the side wall
16, for example, by means of a latch, clamp or plug connection.
[0066] The profile 64 projects from the planar side wall 16 in the
direction of the outside of the sterile container 60 beyond the lid
rim 24 so as to engage it from behind on the side facing away from
the side wall 16. The lid rim 24 is thereby protected in a
particularly reliable way from being struck and/or gripped from
below by an operator.
[0067] In a manner corresponding to the sterile container 60,
preferred embodiments 66 and 68 of the sterile container in
accordance with an aspect of the invention, shown in FIGS. 10 and
11, each comprise a profile manufactured separately from the side
wall 16 and fixed thereto, which projects on the outside over the
lid rim 24. The same reference numerals are used for the respective
profile of the sterile containers 66 and 68 and for the projection
element respectively forming it as in the case of the sterile
container 60.
[0068] In the sterile container 66 in accordance with FIG. 10, the
profile 64 is J-shaped. In the sterile container 68 in accordance
with FIG. 11, the profile 64 is a hollow profile.
[0069] The advantages achievable as explained above with the
sterile container 10 can also be achieved with the sterile
containers 60, 66 and 68, and, therefore, reference may be made in
this respect to the explanations given above.
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