O&m Halyard, Inc.

Tracy J White

Edward B Madsen

Anthony Stephen Spencer

Namita A Mithani

Marshall R Dean

Ruoya Wang

Kun-Chi Wu

Anne E Cote

Vernon Meadows

Nathan Christopher Griffith

Justin Jeffrey Coker

Travis W Klyber

Seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility. An exemplary seal indicator includes an invertible projection formed with the container gasket that is not visible from outside the container until inverted, due to force applied by the lid, to extend through an opening in the container body. Closure mechanisms for sterilization containers also are provided.

Seal integrity indicator for a sterilization container

Indicators for indicating the integrity of a seal of a sterilization container are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in one state and displays a first indicium, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in another state and displays a second indicium. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, such that the user may be assured that the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility of the articles post-sterilization. Further, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state if the seal is subsequently broken, to signal to the user that the seal and the sterility of the container interior has been compromised.

Seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers

Closure mechanisms and seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a closure mechanism comprising at least one handle and at least two arms is provided with a sterilization container lid to apply a more uniform or evenly distributed force to a container gasket. A container body defines an inner lip on which the gasket and lid are received such that the sealing interface is recessed within the container. Further, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility.

Closure mechanism and seal integrity indicator for a sterilization container

The present disclosure provides sterilization containers with features for sealing a volume against an ingress of contaminants. The present disclosure also provides a sterility breach detection system for detecting whether the sterilization container seal has been breached, which potentially could compromise the sterility of any contents of the container. Further, the present disclosure provides a controller system for detecting, tracking, and alerting a user to the state of a sterilization container, such as whether the container seal has been breached. The sterility breach detection system and/or the controller system may utilize a smart gasket to detect breaches in a seal of a sterilization container, and a controller in operative communication with the smart gasket may activate an indicator to alert a user to a detected breach in the seal.

Sterility breach detection system and controller system for a sterilization container

Handles for containers and sterilization containers are provided. For example, a handle for a sterilization container comprises a base portion, a grip portion connected to the base portion, and a stop. The base portion is repositionable with respect to the container to change an orientation of the grip portion with respect to a bottom surface of the container. In some embodiments, a sterilization container comprises a body having a bottom surface, a lid, a first handle attached to a first end of the body, and a second handle attached to a second end of the body. Each handle includes a base portion rotatable within a plane parallel to the respective end of the body to reposition the handle with respect to the body, which changes an orientation of a grip portion of each handle with respect to the bottom surface.

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Cumming, GA, United States of America

Tracy J White