초록 ▼

A container lid (12) is held open by a support plate (18) carrying a chamber (20) which expands at a predetermined point in a sterilizing cycle to react against the lid, moving the plate outwardly to permit the lid to drop onto the container base. A resilient gasket (16) prevents fluid flow into the

A container lid (12) is held open by a support plate (18) carrying a chamber (20) which expands at a predetermined point in a sterilizing cycle to react against the lid, moving the plate outwardly to permit the lid to drop onto the container base. A resilient gasket (16) prevents fluid flow into the container after the lid is fallen, but permits fluid flow outwardly past the gasket when interior pressure exceeds exterior pressure. When the container is to be opened, a relief valve (60) relieves the vacuum within the container and filters air entering the container at that time.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for containing items while being sterilized and stored comprising: means forming a container including means providing access to the container interior; support means holding said access means open; means attached to said support means forming an expandable chamber positioned so that expan

Apparatus for containing items while being sterilized and stored comprising: means forming a container including means providing access to the container interior; support means holding said access means open; means attached to said support means forming an expandable chamber positioned so that expansion of said chamber will move said support means to release said access means and permit it to close; and a relief valve in said container for relieving a vacuum within said container to permit the access means to be opened, said relief valve including a filter therein arranged so that any air entering the container through the relief valve must pass through said filter; said relief valve comprises a resilient member having a tubular plug which is inserted into a hole in said container and includes an outer flange secured to said plug and sealed against the outer surface of said container, said tubular plug having a passage open at one end into the interior of said container and open at its other end through a port in the side wall of the said tubular plug adjacent said flange providing communication with the exterior of the chamber when the valve flange adjacent said port is partially pulled away from the container.