Granted Patent B2

US 8,511,510 · App. 12/753,500 · Granted Aug 20, 2013

Abstract

Claims (42)

1. A method of opening a medical instrument sterilization container, the method comprising the steps of:

rotating a first cover about an axis between a closed position and an open position using at least one rotatable device integral with the first cover;

sliding the at least one rotatable device from a first position to a second position within a first elongate slot formed in a first side of the container, wherein a length of the first elongate slot is positioned substantially perpendicular to a top planar surface of the first cover in the closed position, and wherein the rotatable device is restricted to slide within the first elongate slot;

guiding the first cover between the closed and open positions with at least one guide arm, wherein the guide arm is integral with the first cover and positioned to engage with the first elongate slot and a guiding slot formed within the side of the container, the guiding slot having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is connected to the first elongate slot at a position between the first end and the second end of the first elongate slot, wherein a length of the first portion is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first elongate slot, and wherein the second portion is connected to the first portion, wherein a length of the second portion is positioned substantially parallel to the length of the first elongate slot, and wherein the first elongated slot and the second portion of the guiding slot have a common termination height along the container; and

retracting the first cover into a retracted position, wherein when the first cover is in the retracted position, the rotatable device and the guide arm are positioned within the first elongated slot and the first cover is positioned exterior of the container and parallel to a second side of the container, wherein the second side of the container is substantially perpendicular to the first side.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

rotating a second cover about a second axis between a closed position and an open position using at least one second rotatable device integral with the second cover; and

sliding the at least one second rotatable device from a first position to a second position within a second elongate slot formed in a side of the container, wherein the second rotatable device is restricted to slide within the second elongate slot.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the second cover is rotated independently of the first cover.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising guiding the movement of the second cover with a second guide arm.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising the steps of:

preventing the first cover from sliding within the first elongate slot with the guide arm; and

allowing the first cover to slide within the first elongate slot when the first cover is located in a predetermined position, wherein the predetermined positioned further comprises a position where the first cover is positioned substantially parallel to the second side of the container.

6. The method of claim 2 , further comprising restricting the movement of at least one of the first cover and the second cover with a locking mechanism.

7. A medical instrument sterilization container having a rotatably displacing cover comprising:

a first cover having at least a closed position, an open position, and a retracted position;

a rotatable device integral with the first cover;

a first elongate slot formed within a first side of the container for receiving the rotatable device, wherein a length of the first elongate slot is positioned substantially perpendicular to a top planar surface of the first cover in the closed position, and wherein the rotatable device is slidable within the first elongate slot;

a guiding slot formed within the side of the container, the guiding slot having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is connected to the first elongate slot at a position between the first end and the second end of the first elongate slot, wherein a length of the first portion is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first elongate slot, and wherein the second portion of the guiding slot is connected to the first portion, wherein a length of the second portion is positioned substantially parallel to the length of the first elongate slot, and wherein the first elongated slot and the second portion of the second slot have a common termination height along the container; and

a guide arm integral with the first cover and positioned to engage with the first elongate slot and the first and second portions of the guiding slot, wherein when the first cover is in the retracted position, the rotatable device and the guide arm are positioned within the first elongated slot and the first cover is positioned exterior of the container and parallel to a second side of the container, wherein the second side of the container is substantially perpendicular to the first side.

8. The medical instrument sterilization container of claim 7 , further comprising:

a second cover;

a second rotatable device integral with the second cover; and

a second elongate slot formed within a side of the container for receiving the second rotatable device, wherein the second rotatable device is slidable within the second elongate slot.

9. The medical instrument sterilization container of claim 8 , further comprising a second, wherein the second guide arm guides a movement of the second cover.

10. The medical instrument sterilization container of claim 8 , wherein the guide arm engages at least a portion of the at least one of the first elongate slot and the second elongate slot.

11. The medical instrument sterilization container of claim 9 , wherein the second guide arm engages with the second elongate slot when the second cover is in the closed position, and wherein the second guide arm moves along the length of the second elongate slot when the second first cover is in a retracted position.

12. The medical instrument sterilization container of claim 7 , wherein the rotatable device is restricted from moving within the first elongate slot.

13. The medical instrument sterilization container of claim 7 , further comprising a locking mechanism positioned to restrict movement of the first cover.

14. The medical instrument sterilization container of claim 7 , further comprising:

a plurality of rotatable devices affixed to the first cover; and

a plurality of elongate slots within one or more sides of the container for receiving the plurality of rotatable devices.

15. The medical instrument sterilization container of claim 7 , further comprising a stacking device for stacking a plurality of medical instrument sterilization containers.

16. The medical instrument sterilization container of claim 7 , wherein the rotatable device received in the first elongate slot is removable.

17. A method of manufacturing a medical instrument sterilization container having a plurality of sides and a cover, the method comprising:

affixing a rotatable device to the cover, wherein the cover has at least a closed position and an open position;

securing the rotatable device within an elongate slot, wherein the elongate slot is formed in a first side of the container, and wherein a length of the elongate slot is positioned substantially perpendicular to a top planar surface of first cover in the closed position; and

affixing a guide arm integral with the first cover, wherein the guide arm is positioned to engage with the elongate slot and a slot formed within the side of the container, the guiding slot having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is connected to the first elongate slot at a position between the first end and the second end of the first elongate slot, wherein a length of the first portion is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first elongate slot, and wherein the second portion is connected to the first portion, wherein a length of the second portion is positioned substantially parallel to the length of the first elongate slot, and wherein the first elongated slot and the second portion of the guiding slot have a common termination height along the container; and

retracting the first cover into a retracted position, wherein when the first cover is in the retracted position, the rotatable device and the guide arm are positioned within the first elongated slot and the first cover is positioned exterior of the container and parallel to a second side of the container, wherein the second side of the container is substantially perpendicular to the first side.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

affixing a plurality of rotatable devices to a plurality of covers; and

securing the plurality of rotatable devices within a plurality of elongate slots.

Assignments (17)