STERILIZATION INDICATOR FOR A STERILE CONTAINER

摘要

A sterilization indicator for a sterile container includes a shape-memory element in the form of a compression spring, which, when a predetermined temperature is reached or exceeded, subjects an indicating unit to a defined axial compressive force. The indicating unit is biased by a restoring spring in the counter-direction of the shape-memory element by way of a restoring force which is smaller than the defined axial compressive force. A latching mechanism can be actuated by a closing or locking mechanism of the sterile container. Following or during the closing or locking of the sterile container, the latching mechanism retains the indicating unit in a sterile position, once the unit has been moved into the sterile position by the shape-memory element. Upon opening or unlocking of the sterile container below the sterilization temperature, it frees the indicating unit, whereupon the restoring spring moves the indicating unit back into an unsterile position.

主权项

1. A sterilization indicator of a sterile container comprising a shape-memory element in the form of an axially acting compression spring, made of memory material which, when a predetermined sterilization temperature is reached or exceeded, subjects an indicating unit to a defined axial compression force, said indicating unit in turn being biased by means of a restoring spring functioning independently of temperature, in a counter-direction of the shape-memory element by way of a restoring force which is smaller than the defined axial compressive force, and comprising a latching mechanism which is actuated by at least one of: (1) a manually operable closing or locking mechanism, (2) a container cover of the sterile container, and (3) an element attached thereto and designed such that by closing and/or locking of the sterile container it retains the indicating unit in a sterile position, once said unit has been moved into the sterile position by the shape-memory element, and by opening and/or unlocking of the sterile container below the sterilization temperature it releases the indicating unit, whereupon the restoring spring moves the indicating unit back into an unsterile position.