Patent ID: 7300637

Claim:
A sterilization container kit for sterilizing, transporting and storing one or more medical instruments, comprising: an enclosure defining an interior space adapted to house the one or more medical instruments, said enclosure sealed against the ingress of contaminating microorganisms; an opening into the enclosure having associated therewith an adapter; a set of inserts attachable to the adapter, the set comprising: a cover for blocking the opening; a filter for covering the opening, the filter being permeable to vapor phase sterilants and impermeable to contaminating microorganisms; and a self closing valve: wherein the self closing valve comprises a seat at the opening and a closing member engageable with the seat wherein when the closing member is engaged with the seat the closing member blocks fluid communication between the interior space and an environment exterior of the enclosure through the opening and wherein the self closing valve closure further comprises a biasing member urging the closing member toward the seat; and wherein the self-closing valve further comprises an inlet for receiving a projecting member from a source of sterilant, the closing member being positioned with respect to the inlet such that when the projecting member is inserted into the inlet the projecting member abuts the closing member and moves it away from the seat.