Abstract: A sterilization assembly for sterilizing an instrument case which is loaded with medical and/or dental instruments includes three primary components which are similarly arranged with flange surfaces and part-circular bosses which define bolt clearance holes. These three components include a base configured with receiving pockets for retaining a liquid sterilant, a collar and a lid which includes a pressure-relief valve. Positioned between the base and the collar is a first elastomeric gasket. Positioned between the lid and the collar is a second elastomeric gasket. By the use of bolts and threaded inserts, the lid and base are securely clamped together, sandwiching therebetween the collar and the two gaskets. This securely joined combination defines a hollow interior which receives therein at least one instrument case. By heating the liquid sterilant to a sufficiently high temperature, a sterilant vapor is created. As the vapor pressure builds, the instruments in the instrument case are sterilized.

Abstract: An autoclavable instrument cassette for receiving and storing medical and dental instruments and equipment includes a separable tray and lid combination. The tray and lid are each configured with a plurality of sterilant apertures in order to facilitate the autoclaving of whatever instruments and equipment may be stored inside. The tray is configured with a plurality of separate compartments which are defined by various dividers. A lift-out rack is included and arranged for retaining a plurality of instruments. The lid is arranged with a finger mat in order to cooperate with the lift-out rack for securing the instruments in position. The lid also includes a plurality of retainers which are moveable and designed to accommodate a variety of instruments which can be retained in the lid. The tray and lid are secured together by a latch pin assembly which is secured to the tray and includes a latch pin which extends through an opening in the lid.

Abstract: A metal autoclave cassette for dental instruments and appliances includes a pair of identical tray halves which are free of any outwardly extending flanges and which are provided with rounded corners and corner edges. Each tray half includes a retaining frame which is riveted in place and which includes a plurality of aligned recesses in the opposite ends. The recesses are used for the receipt of the elongate dental instrument's and a hold down mechanism clamps the instruments into position yet is easily moved out of position to provide access to the dental instruments.

Abstract: An autoclave tray for the sterilization of medical and/or dental instruments, equipment and appliances includes an autoclave tray which is configured with a uniform row and column pattern of crossed-slot sterilant apertures each of which have a geometric center, the pattern being generally uniform in its overall spacing between such geometric centers. Selectively installed in selected ones of the sterilant apertures are instrument holders which begin as extruded lengths of material which are then cut to the desired length and shaped with appropriate relief for the receipt of the items to be autoclaved. The holders are loaded into selected sterilant apertures by pressing an enlarged base portion of the holders into and through the sterilant apertures. By the use of the crossed-slot apertures the holders can be arranged either vertically or horizontally in a top plan orientation or may actually be used at right angles to each other allowing items to be autoclaved to be installed diagonally.

Abstract: A plastic autoclave enclosure for retaining and storing medical instruments and apparata which must be autoclaved includes a molded tray, a molded lid and a pair of oppositely disposed slide latches which are used to secure the molded lid to the molded tray. The molded tray has an outwardly extending flange and disposed therein a pair of spaced-apart keyhole slots. The slide latches are attached to opposite ends of the molded lid and include a protruding pin portion from each latch which has an enlarged head and this enlarged head is received by the corresponding keyhole slot. The base of the molded tray is configured with two spaced-apart ribs and the molded lid has a pair of spaced-apart ribs which define the top surface into three generally rectangular areas. The spacing and length dimension of the tray ribs is such that the base of the tray may be stacked onto the top of the lid thereby allowing a plurality of autoclave enclosures to be stacked one on top of the other.

Abstract: A vacuum-formed storage tray for autoclaving medical and dental instruments includes a base panel surrounded by a plurality of integrally joined sidewalls so as to create an interior storage area. The base panel defines a plurality of sterilant apertures. The base panel and sidewalls are created by a vacuum-forming operation which concurrently creates by vacuum forming a plurality of aperture bosses. The vacuum-formed aperture bosses are closed as formed and must be subjected to a post-forming machining operation to cut off the closed end of each aperture boss. Once the closed ends are cut off, the closed aperture bosses become open sterilant apertures. The creation of a plurality of sterilant apertures by a vacuum-forming operation can replace any drilling operations for sterilant holes and economically allows greater variety as to the style and shape of apertures which can be formed in the base panel of the storage tray.

Abstract: An autoclavable cassette for the receipt and storage of dental and surgical instruments includes a metal tray portion including a base, four sides and two outwardly extending flanges and a metal lid portion which covers the open tray portion and assembles to the outwardly extending latches by means of a cooperating latch and pin combination. The metal cassette tray is configured with a variety of slots, apertures and pins which are used to receive customizing components so that the dentist or surgeon can, by his own selection of specific component options create his own customized cassette. Some of the customizing options include a generally rectangular rack which sets in and can be lifted out of the tray and which includes a series of aligned receiving channels for the receipt of dental or surgical instruments. Another customizing option includes a finger mat which fits within the tray with a snap-in/snap-out feature, providing greater versatility.

Abstract: A plastic autoclave enclosure for retaining and storing medical instruments and apparata which must be autoclaved includes a molded tray, a molded lid and a pair of oppositely disposed slide latches which are used to secure the molded lid to the molded tray. The molded tray has an outwardly extending flange and disposed therein a pair of spaced-apart keyhole slots. The slide latches are attached to opposite ends of the molded lid and include a protruding pin portion from each latch which has an enlarged head and this enlarged head is received by the corresponding keyhole slot. The base of the molded tray is configured with two spaced-apart ribs and the molded lid has a pair of spaced-apart ribs which define the top surface into three generally rectangular areas. The spacing and length dimension of the tray ribs is such that the base of the tray may be stacked onto the top of the lid thereby allowing a plurality of autoclave enclosures to be stacked one on top of the other.

Abstract: An autoclavable cassette for the receipt and storage of dental and surgical instruments includes a metal tray portion including a base, four sides and two outwardly extending flanges and a metal lid portion which covers the open tray portion and assembles to the outwardly extending latches by means of a cooperating latch and pin combination. The metal cassette tray is configured with a variety of slots, apertures and pins which are used to receive customizing components so that the dentist or surgeon can, by his own selection of specific component options create his own customized cassette. Some of the customizing options include a generally rectangular rack which sets in and can be lifted out of the tray and which includes a series of aligned receiving channels for the receipt of dental or surgical instruments. Another customizing option includes a finger mat which fits within the tray with a snap-in/snap-out feature, providing greater versatility.

Abstract: An autoclave tray for sterilization of surgical components and equipment includes slotted, polysulfone holders each having a base portion, a body portion and a connecting portion wherein the connecting portion is narrower than both the base portion and the body portion, the body portion being designed to receive and hold at least one surgical component, a tray arranged with oblong slots for receiving and holding one or more synthetic holders wherein the oblong slots include a narrow channel portion and an enlarged keyhole portion. The holders may be positioned in the oblong slots by passing the leading edge of the base portion through the enlarged keyhole portion of the slot and sliding the connecting portion along and within the narrow channel portion. The tray further includes a plurality of steam holes disposed about the surface of the tray.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle-mounted sequential safety arrow sign which folds to an aerodynamically streamlined configuration when the vehicle is moving and, when erected, provides a sequential lamp, directional indicating display for passing traffic. The display is carried jointly on 3 hinged panels which are folded into a triangular prism configuration by an articulated lever system.