Abstract: A light bulb includes a light guide, light source, and housing. The light guide is configured as an open-ended hollow body surrounding an internal volume and defining a longitudinal axis. The light guide has inner and outer major surfaces. The light source is configured to edge light the light guide. The housing is at one end of the light guide. In one embodiment, fins extend from the housing adjacent the outer major surface, each fin separated from the outer major surface by an air gap to allow air flow between the fin and outer major surface. In another embodiment, a heat sink is disposed in the internal volume and configured as a hollow body with a branched cross section. Each branch extends outward from a common center and defines an air flow channel that terminates in an orifice aligned with a respective through-slot of the light guide.

Abstract: A light bulb has a light guide configured as a hollow body surrounding an internal volume. The light guide is open at its proximal and distal ends, and has inner and outer surfaces and an end surface at the proximal end that provides a light input edge. A solid-state light source is optically coupled to the light input edge of the light guide such that light from the solid-state light source travels in the light guide by total internal reflection. The solid-state light source is thermally coupled to a housing at the proximal end of the light guide. The housing contains vents for air flow and convection cooling through the internal volume. Light-extracting optical elements at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the light guide are for extracting light from the light guide.

Abstract: A light bulb includes a light guide, light source, and housing. The light guide is configured as an open-ended hollow body surrounding an internal volume and defining a longitudinal axis. The light guide has inner and outer major surfaces. The light source is configured to edge light the light guide. The housing is at one end of the light guide. In one embodiment, fins extend from the housing adjacent the outer major surface, each fin separated from the outer major surface by an air gap to allow air flow between the fin and outer major surface. In another embodiment, a heat sink is disposed in the internal volume and configured as a hollow body with a branched cross section. Each branch extends outward from a common center and defines an air flow channel that terminates in an orifice aligned with a respective through-slot of the light guide.

Abstract: A light bulb has a light guide configured as a hollow body surrounding an internal volume. The light guide is open at its proximal and distal ends, and has inner and outer surfaces and an end surface at the proximal end that provides a light input edge. A solid-state light source is optically coupled to the light input edge of the light guide such that light from the solid-state light source travels in the light guide by total internal reflection. The solid-state light source is thermally coupled to a housing at the proximal end of the light guide. The housing contains vents for air flow and convection cooling through the internal volume. Light-extracting optical elements at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the light guide are for extracting light from the light guide.

Abstract: The invention described herein includes a support assembly for a dual latch mechanism on a sterilization container, wherein the support assembly has improved structural rigidity and integrity for repeated usage. The support assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart blocks welded directly onto the exterior surface of the tray component of a sterilization container; wherein each of the blocks hingedly receive a lower latch plate of the dual latch mechanism. The invention further provides a dual latch mechanism for a sterilization container comprising the improved support assembly. The invention also provides a manufacturing process for sterilization containers having a lid component and tray component and dual latch mechanism, wherein the process comprises directly spot-welding two blocks in spaced apart position onto the exterior surface of the tray component.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides a card holder device that can be attached to another object and hold a card therein in a fixed position relative to the object in a readily viewable position during the handling and/or processing of the object to which it is attached. The attachable card holder device comprises a generally planar face portion structured to receive and secure a card therein, the planar face portion having a first attachment leg extending from a first end of said face portion and a second attachment leg extending from a second end of said face portion, wherein the wherein said planar face portion, first and second attachment legs collectively form an overall bracket configuration. The planar face portion comprises a card receiving structure that can comprise a multi-sided frame surrounding an open central area, and a flexible back plate integrally hinged at one end, wherein the back plate is biased outward.

Abstract: The invention described herein includes a support assembly for a dual latch mechanism on a sterilization container, wherein the support assembly has improved structural rigidity and integrity for repeated usage. The support assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart blocks welded directly onto the exterior surface of the tray component of a sterilization container; wherein each of the blocks hingedly receive a lower latch plate of the dual latch mechanism. The invention further provides a dual latch mechanism for a sterilization container comprising the improved support assembly. The invention also provides a manufacturing process for sterilization containers having a lid component and tray component and dual latch mechanism, wherein the process comprises directly spot-welding two blocks in spaced apart position onto the exterior surface of the tray component.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides a card holder device that can be attached to another object, such as to the exterior of a sterilization container for medical devices, and hold a card therein in a fixed position relative to the object in a readily viewable position during the handling and/or processing of the object to which it is attached. The invention provides an attachable card holder device comprising: a generally planar face portion structured to receive and secure a card therein, said planar face portion having a first attachment leg extending from a first end of said face portion and a second attachment leg extending from a second end of said face portion, wherein the wherein said planar face portion, first and second attachment legs collectively form an overall bracket configuration. Each of the attachment legs comprises coupling elements.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a filter system for sterilization containers which secures a gas permeable filter onto a vented portion of the container. The filter system of the invention includes a locking mechanism that is comfortable and easy to use, and that requires a simple sliding movement of the users hand to lock and unlock the filter system components in place. The invention further includes a filter system structured such that the openings of the filter system plates permit transport of air across the filter while at the same time the openings are arranged to reduce or prevent undesirable physical perforation of the filter. By virtue of its structure, the need for particular rotational positioning of filter components in relation to one another is significantly reduced. The filter system of the invention also reduces or eliminates the need for perimeter gaskets.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is an improved semi-rigid flexible retainer clip which is adapted for securing components, such as posts, within a sterilization container. The sterilizable, flexible retainer clip comprises a generally “U” shaped planar body having a first planar portion, second planar portion, and an integral hinge portion. Each of the planar portions have two lateral edges and a front end located opposite the hinge portion. The first planar portion and the second planar portion are biased apart from one another. The clip comprises a pair of centrally located apertures, including a first aperture on the first planar portion and a second aperture on the second planar portion. A pair of elongated narrow ridges is located on the surface of the first planar portion, each ridge being adjacent to the first aperture. The first aperture comprises a widened region and narrow region (e.g., keyhole shape). The invention also includes an instrument sterilization system including the clip.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a filter system for sterilization containers which secures a gas permeable filter onto a vented portion of the container. The filter system of the invention includes a locking mechanism that is comfortable and easy to use, and that requires a simple sliding movement of the users hand to lock and unlock the filter system components in place. The invention further includes a filter system structured such that the openings of the filter system plates permit transport of air across the filter while at the same time the openings are arranged to reduce or prevent undesirable physical perforation of the filter. By virtue of its structure, the need for particular rotational positioning of filter components in relation to one another is significantly reduced. The filter system of the invention also reduces or eliminates the need for perimeter gaskets.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a filter system for sterilization containers which secures a gas permeable filter onto a vented portion of the container. The filter system of the invention includes a locking mechanism that is comfortable and easy to use, and that requires a simple sliding movement of the users hand to lock and unlock the filter system components in place. The invention further includes a filter system structured such that the openings of the filter system plates permit transport of air across the filter while at the same time the openings are arranged to reduce or prevent undesirable physical perforation of the filter. By virtue of its structure, the need for particular rotational positioning of filter components in relation to one another is significantly reduced. The filter system of the invention also reduces or eliminates the need for perimeter gaskets.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is an improved semi-rigid flexible retainer clip which is adapted for securing components, such as posts, within a sterilization container. The sterilizable, flexible retainer clip comprises a generally “U” shaped planar body having a first planar portion, a second planar portion, and an integral hinge portion, each of said planar portions having two lateral edges and a front end located opposite said hinge portion; a pair of apertures, said first planar portion comprising a first aperture and said second planar portion comprising a second aperture, each of said apertures being centrally located on the respective planar portions; and a pair of elongate, narrow ridges located on the first surface of said first planar portion, each ridge adjacent to said first aperture. The first planar portion and the second planar portion are biased apart from one another.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a filter system for sterilization containers which secures a gas permeable filter onto a vented portion of the container. The filter system of the invention includes a locking mechanism that is comfortable and easy to use, and that requires a simple sliding movement of the users hand to lock and unlock the filter system components in place. The invention further includes a filter system structured such that the openings of the filter system plates permit transport of air across the filter while at the same time the openings are arranged to reduce or prevent undesirable physical perforation of the filter. By virtue of its structure, the need for particular rotational positioning of filter components in relation to one another is significantly reduced. The filter system of the invention also reduces or eliminates the need for perimeter gaskets.

Abstract: A spray device for use as an alternate water discharge to a faucet has a body with a handle and a spray head. The spray head has a first central water discharge in the form of a localized stream and a second peripheral spray type water discharge. There is a trigger which is movable on the body between an inoperable position, a first operable position, and a second operable position. In the first operable position water passes through the spray head central discharge and in the second operable position water passes through the peripheral spray. There is a chamber within the body which communicates with the first and second water discharges and there is a water passage in the handle communicating with the chamber. A piston is movable within the chamber and there is a water passage within the piston which may connect to the handle water passage. A stem is positioned within the chamber and is connected to and movable with the piston. The stem has a seal for closing the piston water passage.