Patent ID: 7198760
Filing Date: 2007-04-03
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. A sterilization container for holding items to be passed through a sterilization process that includes a conditioning phase, a high temperature sterilization exposure phase, a vacuum drying phase and a ventilation phase, the container capable of remaining hermetically sealed and maintaining a vacuum established during the sterilization process; the container having a valve arrangement permitting a medium exchange between an inside and an outside of the sterilization container during the sterilization process, the valve arrangement comprising: an open position of the valve arrangement to permit the exchange of the medium and a closed position of the valve arrangement to prevent the exchange of the medium; a valve body movable in response to a pressure increase outside the container and outside the valve arrangement, to urge the valve arrangement to the closed position; a stop in the valve arrangement, the stop having a stop position to prevent the valve arrangement from moving to the closed position; and a temperature sensor coupled to the stop and operable to urge the stop away from the stop position based on a set temperature without also causing the valve to close the container.