| 摘要 |
A tamper-proof seal (10, 300) is disclosed for use in connection with sterilization containers. The seal includes a body portion (12, 312) including a sterilization indicating material (16) and a tongue (14, 314) extending from the body portion. The tongue may be in the form of a laminate consisting of a pair of substantially inert outer layers (20, 22, 320, 322) sandwiching a high shrink inner layer (24, 324). The tongue is designed to engage the latch mechanism (106) of a sterilization container (100) when the container is in the closed position and the latch mechanism is in a latched position. Upon exposure of the container to sterilization conditions, the tongue shrinks, causing the outer layers to fold upon themselves to form at least one pleat (200, 390, 392). The container latch mechanism cannot be opened without fracturing the tongue of the seal, thereby providing visible evidence of the latch mechanism being opened. |
