The present disclosure relates to the field of sterile equipment handling. In particular, the present disclosure provides a sterilization apparatus-friendly reconfigurable container for storage and transportation of sterile equipments.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. [0003] Disorganized placement of items to be sterilized in a sterilization apparatus leads to improper and ineffective sterilization. In addition, transportation of the items to the sterilization apparatus and back from the sterilization apparatus after the process of sterilization is a difficult task, because of the fragile and contaminable nature of the items. Besides, manual evacuation of the sterile items immediately after sterilization can cause hazards like burning of a user's hand. Therefore it would be beneficial if a container can be designed to store items to be sterilized in an organized manner and the container can be facilitated to be transported without causing damage to the items and the user. [0004] Existing literature describes a wheel mounted mobile sterilization cabinet with shelves for storing sterilizable items. Another self-contained sterilization apparatus has been disclosed, the apparatus having functionalities of storing and transporting surgical trays. Transportation mechanism for a containment device for reusable medical equipments has also been disclosed. A remotely controllable high pressure sterilization chamber. Another portable high pressure sterilization pot has been disclosed that has moving wheels for transportation. However, none of the disclosures describe reconfigurable sterilization-friendly chambers adapted to store sterile items in optimally organized assembly.

[0005] The proposed invention describes a reconfigurable container adapted to store sterilizable items in organized manner such that each item is optimally exposed to sterilization. Residual water and steam is allowed to be drained through said container. The proposed container has heat resistant material coated handle for avoiding possible burning of user's hand. Transportation of the sterile items can be performed safely without the need for manual intervention using a wheeled base of said container.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments before,
during and after sterilization.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that
includes one or more hollow drums adapted to store fragile glassware and
equipments for sterilization.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that
enables the one or more hollow drums to be accommodated inside a sterilization
apparatus.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that
facilitates holes in the walls of the one or more hollow drums.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that
facilitates the one or more hollow drums to be coupled to each other in the form of
a stack, the coupling elements being attached to the walls of the one or more
hollow drums.

[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that
includes one or more detachable trays coupled to one or more predetermined
locations inside the one or more hollow drums.
[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that
enables the one or more detachable trays to accommodate the glassware and
equipments in a set of slots in a predetermined assembly.
[0014] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that
enables one or more detachable trays and a locomotive base to be securely
positioned inside the one or more hollow drums at one or more predetermined
angles with the horizontal.
[0015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that
includes one or more grasping units coupled to the one or more hollow drums, the
one or more grasping units being configured to be held by hand of a user.
[0016] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that
enables the one or more grasping units to have at a predetermined location one or
more layers of thermal insulation for protection from heat.
[0017] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that
includes wheels coupled to the locomotive base detachably coupled to a second
open end of one or more hollow drums, the locomotive base being configured to
facilitate transportation of the sterile glassware and equipments.
SUMMARY
[0018] The present disclosure relates to the field of sterile equipment handling. In particular, the present disclosure provides a sterilization apparatus-

friendly reconfigurable container for storage and transportation of sterile
equipments.
[0019] An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a reconfigurable
container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments, the
equipments being handled before, during and after sterilization.
[0020] In an aspect, the reconfigurable container for organized storage and
transportation of sterile equipments may include one or more hollow drums that
may be adapted to store fragile glassware and equipments for sterilization.
[0021] In an aspect, the one or more hollow drums may be adapted to be
accommodated inside a sterilization apparatus.
[0022] In an aspect, the one or more hollow drums may be configured to be
coupled to one another in form of a stack, the coupling elements being attached to
the walls of the one or more hollow drums.
[0023] In an aspect, walls of the one or more hollow drums may comprise a
set of holes.
[0024] In an aspect, walls of the one or more hollow drums may be made up
of one or more layers of light-weight, durable, heat-resistant and anti-corrosive
material of predetermined composition.
[0025] In an aspect, the reconfigurable container for organized storage and
transportation of sterile equipments may include one or more detachable trays that
may be attached to the one or more hollow drums at one or more predetermined
locations.
[0026] In an aspect, the one or more detachable trays may comprise a set of
slots, configured to accommodate sterile glassware and equipments in a
predetermined assembly.
[0027] In an aspect, the one or more detachable trays may be securely
positioned at one or more predetermined angles with the horizontal.
[0028] In an aspect, the reconfigurable container for organized storage and
transportation of sterile equipments may include one or more grasping units
coupled to the one or more hollow drums, the one or more grasping units being
configured to be held by hand of a user.

[0029] In an aspect, the one or more grasping units may be configured to have
one or more layers of thermal insulation for protection from heat.
[0030] In an aspect, the reconfigurable container for organized storage and
transportation of sterile equipments may include a wheeled locomotive base that
may be detachably coupled to a second open end of one or more hollow drums.
[0031] In an aspect, the locomotive base may be configured to facilitate
transportation of the sterile glassware and equipments.
[0032] In an aspect, a plurality of wheels attached to the locomotive base may
be coupled to one or more actuators that may be activated by user inputs, the one
or more actuators being enabled to provide motion to said reconfigurable
container (100).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0033] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the present disclosure.
[0034] The diagrams described herein are for illustration only, which thus are
not limitations of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary block diagram of the proposed
reconfigurable container for organized storage and transportation of sterile
equipments (100), to elaborate upon its working in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 2A-2C illustrates exemplary views (200) of the proposed
reconfigurable container for organized storage and transportation of sterile
equipments (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. [0038] If the specification states a component or feature "may", "can", "could", or "might" be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic. [0039] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0040] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described in the accompanying drawings, the embodiments are offered only in as much detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure and are not intended to limit the numerous equivalents, changes, variations, substitutions and modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0041] The present disclosure relates to the field of sterile equipment handling. In particular, the present disclosure provides a sterilization apparatus-friendly reconfigurable container for storage and transportation of sterile equipments.
[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary block diagram of the proposed reconfigurable container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments (100), to elaborate upon its working in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0043] In an embodiment, the proposed reconfigurable container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments (100) (interchangeably referred to as the container (100), herein) may include one or more hollow drums (102) that may be adapted to store sterilizable fragile glassware and equipments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sterilizable items may pertain to any or a combination of clinical, pharmaceutical, surgical, industrial and laboratory related glassware and equipments such as beakers, test tubes, slides, burettes, flasks, watch glasses, pipettes, reactors, cutting tools, grasping tools, suturing tools, retracting tools, suctioning tools, dilating tools, measuring tools and mixing tools. The glassware and equipments may be placed in the one or more hollow drums (102) and the one or more hollow drums (102) may be accommodated inside a sterilization apparatus such as an autoclave. In an embodiment, the one or more hollow drums (102) may be enabled to store the sterilizable items before, during and after sterilization process.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more hollow drums (102) may have a first and a second open end, the first and the second open end being positionally opposite to each other and vertically oriented. The first open end may be located at the top of the one or more hollow drums (102) and the second open end may be located at the bottom of the one or more hollow drums (102). In vertical orientation, a first one or more hollow drums (102) may be detachably coupled to a second one or more hollow drums (102) in the form of a stack. The second open end of the first one or more hollow drums (102) may be coupled to the first open end of the second one or more hollow drums (102). The coupling elements may be attached to the walls of the one or more hollow drums (102). By way of example, the coupling elements may include any or a combination of clasps, clips, hooks, clamps, velcro, spring and coil couplings, threaded couplings, jaw couplings, sleeve couplings, tire couplings, disc couplings, diaphragm couplings, grid couplings and the likes.
[0045] In an embodiment, in between the first and the second open ends, the one or more hollow drums (102) may comprise one or more compartments of predetermined geometry and dimensions. Walls of the one or more hollow drums (102) may be made up of one or more layers of light-weight, durable, fall-protection enabled, heat-resistant, and anti-corrosive material of predetermined composition. The composition of the material of the one or more hollow drums (102) may be compatible with the sterilization apparatus that may subject the

contents of the sterilization apparatus to temperature of around 121°C, pressure of 15 psi and 100%. Humidity. By way of example, the one or more hollow drums (102) may be made up of any or a combination of stainless steel, polypropylene, polycarbonate, plastic and the likes. The cross sectional geometry of the one or more hollow drums (102) may pertain to shapes like but not limited to circle, oval, square, rectangle, polygon and he likes. By way of example, height of the one or more hollow drums (102) may range between 20cm -29 cm, for completely fitting inside the sterilization apparatus.
[0046] In an embodiment, the walls of the one or more hollow drums (102) may have a set of holes. Any or a combination of features of the set of holes, including but not limited to umber, spacing, shapes and sizes may be predefined. By way of example, the walls of the one or more hollow drums (102) may be made up of stainless steel meshes.
[0047] In an embodiment, the container (100) may include one or more detachable trays (106) that may be coupled to the one or more hollow drums (102) at one or more predetermined locations inside the one or more hollow drums (102). The one or more detachable trays (106) may be configured to accommodate the sterilizable glassware and equipments in a predetermined assembly, the assembly pertaining to organized arrangement of the sterilizable items and optimal exposure of the sterilizable items to water and steam in the sterilization apparatus. The one or more detachable trays (106) may be removed and reattached to the one or more hollow drums (102) at the one or more predetermined locations to facilitate optimal allocation of space to the sterilizable items in single sterilization cycle. By way of example, the coupling between the one or more detachable trays (106) and walls of the one or more hollow drums (102) may include hinges, slide rails, clasps, clips, hooks, screws and the likes. [0048] In an embodiment, the one or more detachable trays (106) may pertain to predetermined shape, dimension, material and thickness. By way of example, the one or more detachable trays (106) may be circular in cross section having diameter ranging between 25cm-32 cm and thickness ranging between 2cm-4cm.

[0049] In an embodiment, the one or more detachable trays (106) may be attached to the one or more hollow drums (102) at one or more predetermined angles with the horizontal. By way of example, the angle of inclination of the one or more detachable trays (106) may range between 0-2 degrees with the horizontal. In an exemplary embodiment, alternate one or more detachable trays (106) may be tilted in opposite directions pertaining to any of clockwise and anticlockwise rotation. The predetermined angle of tilt of the one or more detachable trays (102) may facilitate drainage of water and steam during sterilization. The drainage of excess water may aid in quick drying of the glassware sheaths that may help to avoid contamination of the sterile items. [0050] In an embodiment, the container (100) may include one or more grasping units (108), coupled to the one or more hollow drums (102), the one or more grasping units being configured to be held by hand of a user before and after sterilization. The one or more grasping units may facilitate placement and removal of the one or more hollow drums (102) into and from the sterilization apparatus. The one or more grasping units (108) may be enabled to have at a predetermined location on the one or more grasping units (108), one or more layers of thermal insulation such as Bakelite, polypropylene and the likes, the thermal insulation being facilitated to provide protection to the user's hand from burning and avoiding contamination of the sterile items. By way of example, the one or more grasping units (108) may pertain to stainless steel handles that may have space organization features like but not limited to folding, flipping, detaching, swiveling and the likes. The insulation layers may be located at the center of the one or more grasping units (108).
[0051] In an embodiment, the container (100) may include a locomotive base (110) that may be detachably coupled to the second open end of one or more hollow drums (102), the one or more hollow drums (102) being vertically stacked. The locomotive base (110) may be inclined at a predetermined angle to the horizontal. The locomotive base (110) may be configured to perform function of a platform for supporting the container (100). The locomotive base (100) may be attached to a plurality of wheels, the plurality of wheels being facilitated to enable

easy transportation of the container (100) containing the sterile items. Motion of the locomotive base may be restricted by a user using stoppers coupled o the plurality of wheels. By way of example, the stoppers may be made up of any or a combination of steel, polypropylene, polycarbonate, plastic, rubber and the likes. The plurality of wheels may pertain to any or a combination of rollers, rigid casters, swivel casters power trains, belt drives, differential wheels and the likes. [0052] In an embodiment, the locomotive base (110) may be coupled to one or more input units and one or more actuators communicatively coupled to the one or more input units. The one or more actuators may be operatively coupled to the plurality of wheels, the one or more actuators being enabled to be activated by user inputs received by the one or more input units. Activation and deactivation of the one or more actuators may be facilitated to provide and restrict automatic motion to the said container (100) in response to the user inputs. By way of example, the one or more actuators may pertain to direct current motors, permanent magnet moving coil motors, electro magnet motors, stepper motors, servo motors, linear actuators, relays, spring loaded mechanical actuators and the likes. The one or more input units may pertain to sliding switches, push switches, on-off switches, tact switches, limit switches, and the likes. In an exemplary embodiment the one or more actuators coupled to the plurality of wheels of the locomotive base (110) may be activated as long as the one or more input units are configured to receive inputs from the user. In another embodiment, the one or more input units may trigger activation of the one or more actuators, the activation pertaining to a predetermined duration.
[0053] FIG. 2A-2C illustrates exemplary views (200) of the proposed reconfigurable container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0054] In an illustrative embodiment in FIG. 2A, side, bottom and top views of the proposed reconfigurable container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments (100) may be given. The container (100) may include one or more hollow drums (102) that may be stacked vertically using clips. The one or more hollow drums may include one or more compartments, that may be

separated by one or more detachable trays (106) attached to the one or more hollow drums (102) at predetermined locations with the help of hinges. The base of the one or more hollow drums (102-2) may be supported by a locomotive base (110), hat may be coupled to a plurality of wheels for facilitating movement of the container (100). Walls of the one or more hollow drums (102) may be made of wire mesh to provide protection to the sterile items contained in the one or more hollow drums (102) from accidental fall. One or more grasping units (108) may be coupled to the one or more hollow drums (102) for facilitating placement and removal of the container (100) into and from a sterilization apparatus. [0055] In an illustrative embodiment in FIG. 2B, isometric view of the container (100) and cross sectional vies of the one or more detached trays (106-1, 106-2, 106-3) may be given. The one or more detachable trays (106) may be configured to have a set of slots that may be enabled to accommodate the sterilizable fragile glassware and equipments of different shapes and sizes. The one or more detached trays (106-1,106-2) may be coupled to the one or more hollow drums (102-1,102-2) at predetermined locations. The one or more hollow drums (102) may be coupled to one or more grasping units (108-1,108-2). A locomotive base (110) may be coupled to a second opening of the one or more hollow drums (102-2), the locomotive base being coupled to a plurality of wheels that may be enabled to provide motion to the container (100). [0056] In an embodiment in FIG. 2C exemplary dimensions of the container (100) may be illustrated. The one or more detachable trays (106-1,106-2,106-3) may be configured to have a circular cross section with a diameter ranging between 25cm-32 cm and thickness ranging between 2cm-4cm. The one or more detachable trays (106) may have a set of slots for accommodating the sterilizable glassware and equipments. Diameter of the set of slots may range from 1.5cm to 30cm that may be configured to accommodate items of different shapes and sizes. In an exemplary embodiment, spacing between the one or more detachable trays (106) may range between 5cm-15cm depending on the size and number of the sterilizable items. Exemplary spacing between the set of slots may range between 1.5 cm-15 cm. Height of the one or more hollow drums (102) may range between

20cm-30cm, diameter of the one or more hollow drums (102) being selected between 25cm-32 cm. Exemplary spacing between the one or more detachable trays (106) may range between 5cm-15cm, the one or more detachable trays being enabled to be tilted at angles ranging between 0.5-2degrees. [0057] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean "communicatively coupled with" over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[0058] The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only. Many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the subject matter, which is intended to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.
[0059] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0060] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments before, during and after sterilization.

[0061] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable container for
organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that includes one or
more hollow drums adapted to store fragile glassware and equipments for
sterilization.
[0062] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable container for
organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that enables the one or
more hollow drums to be accommodated inside a sterilization apparatus.
[0063] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable container for
organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that facilitates the one
or more hollow drums to be coupled to each other in the form of a stack, the
coupling elements being attached to the walls of the one or more hollow drums.
[0064] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable container for
organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that includes one or
more detachable trays coupled to one or more predetermined locations inside the
one or more hollow drums.
[0065] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable container for
organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that enables the one or
more detachable trays to accommodate the glassware and equipments in a set of
slots in a predetermined assembly.
[0066] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable container for
organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that enables a
locomotive base and one or more detachable trays to be securely positioned inside
the one or more hollow drums at one or more predetermined angles with the
horizontal.
[0067] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable container for
organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that includes one or
more grasping units coupled to the one or more hollow drums, the one or more
grasping units being configured to be held by hand of a user.
[0068] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable container for
organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that enables the one or

more grasping units to have at a predetermined location one or more layers of thermal insulation for protection from heat.
[0069] The present disclosure provides for a reconfigurable container for organized storage and transportation of sterile equipments that includes wheels attached to the locomotive base detachably coupled to a second open end of one or more hollow drums, the locomotive base being configured to facilitate transportation of the sterile glassware and equipments.

We Claim:

1. A reconfigurable container for organized storage and transportation of
sterile equipments (100), the container comprising :
one or more hollow drums (102), adapted to store fragile glassware and equipments before, during and after sterilization using a sterilization apparatus, wherein the one or more hollow drums (102) have a first and a second open ends and wherein the one or more hollow drums (102) are configured to be accommodated inside the sterilization apparatus during sterilization;
one or more detachable trays (106), removably coupled to the one or more hollow drums (102) at one or more predetermined locations, wherein the one or more detachable trays (106) are configured to accommodate a predetermined assembly of the glassware and equipments for sterilization;
one or more grasping units (108), coupled to the one or more hollow drums (102), wherein the one or more grasping units are configured to be held by hand of a user before and after sterilization, wherein the one or more grasping units (108) are enabled to facilitate placement and removal of the one or more hollow drums (102) into and from the sterilization apparatus;
a locomotive base (110), detachably coupled to the second open end of one or more hollow drums (102), wherein the locomotive base pertains to a platform configured to support the one or more hollow drums (102), wherein the locomotive base (110) is attached to a plurality of wheels, the plurality of wheels being facilitated to enable transportation of the one or more hollow drums (102) containing the sterile glassware and equipments.
2. The container (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second
open end of the one or more hollow drums (102) are positionally opposite

to each other and wherein between the first and the second open ends, the one or more hollow drums (102) comprise one or more compartments of predetermined geometry and dimensions.
3. The container (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein walls of the one or more hollow drums (102) are made up of one or more layers of light¬weight, durable, heat-resistant and anti-corrosive material of predetermined composition and wherein the walls have a set of holes, the number, spacing, shapes and sizes of the set of holes being predefined.
4. The container (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one or more hollow drums (102) are detachably coupled to each other in the form of a stack, wherein the second open end of a first one or more hollow drums (102) is coupled to the first open end of a second one or more hollow drums (102), the coupling elements being attached to the walls of the one or more hollow drums (102).
5. The container (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more detachable trays pertain to predetermined shape, dimension, material and thickness and wherein the one or more detachable trays (106) comprise of slots for accommodating the glassware and equipments, wherein the slots pertain to predefined number, spacing, shapes, sizes and order of arrangement.
6. The container (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locomotive base (110) and the one or more detachable trays (106) are securely positioned at the predetermined locations inside the one or more hollow drums (102) and inclined at one or more predetermined angles with the horizontal, wherein inclination of the one or more detachable trays (106) facilitates drainage of water and steam during sterilization and enables optimal arrangement of the stored glassware and equipments.
7. The container (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more grasping units (108) are enabled to have one or more layers of thermal insulation at predetermined position on the one or more grasping units

(108), wherein the thermal insulation is facilitated to provide protection to the user's hand from burning. 8. The container (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locomotive base (110) is configured to be coupled to one or more input units and one or more actuators communicatively coupled to the one or more input units, wherein the one or more actuators are operatively coupled to the plurality of wheels and wherein the one or more actuators are activated by user inputs received by the one or more input units, wherein activation of the one or more actuators is facilitated to provide or restrict motion to the plurality of wheels in response to user inputs.