Method and apparatus for loosely retaining instruments in a washing system rack assembly

摘要

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 the cavity during a washing and rinsing operation. The washer (10) also includes a second instrument basket (42) removably positioned within the instrument basket (32). The second instrument basket (42) includes a second instrument holder (40) similar to the first instrument holder (38).