Method and apparatus for loosely retaining instruments in a washing system rack assembly
US5749385A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 12, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB08B3/024
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A plurality of spray arms (26, 28) are rotatably supported in a washing chamber (14) for spraying a washing and rinsing fluid. An instrument basket (32) is positioned within the washing chamber for retaining instruments or equipment (44) to be washed. An instrument holder (38) associated with the instrument basket loosely holds an instrument (44). The instrument holder includes a tube body (74) having a cavity (80) for receiving an end portion of the instrument (44) and a flange (86) positioned on an external surface of the tube body (74). A retainer cap (76) has an outer wall (116) biased resiliently outwardly over the flange (86) and resilient end wall (118) covering an open end portion of the cavity (80). The end wall has a central aperture (120) which resiliently yields to the end portion of the instrument (44) when inserted in the cavity (80) and which loosely retains the end portion of the instrument in the cavity (80) during a washing and rinsing operation. The end wall (118) also includes at least one slit (122) which defines a number of flap portions (124) which resiliently yield to the instrument when inserted in the cavity (80) and which loosely retain the end portion in…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.