CLOSING MECHANISM WITH LOCKING DEVICE FOR STERILE CONTAINERS AND STERILE CONTAINERS THEREWITH

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a closure mechanism for a sterile container with a container tray and a container lid that can be locked to the container tray by means of the closure mechanism, wherein the closure mechanism has a locking element for undercutting engagement with an engagement element forming an undercut on the container tray or on the container lid, wherein the locking element can be positioned in a closed position in which it is in undercutting operative engagement with the engagement element, and in a release position in which the locking element and the engagement element are disengaged.

[0002] Sterile containers as described above are known from the prior art. These containers have a container tray that can be hermetically sealed by means of a container lid, as well as a locking mechanism that locks the lid to the tray in a fluid-tight manner. The so-called clip closure is known for this purpose. This has a pivoting operating lever, for example, mounted on the lid, to which a clip or claw / clamp is hinged. This clip engages with a strip projecting laterally, for example on the container tray, and thus pulls the container lid against the container tray when the operating lever is folded down. A sealing ring is arranged between the lid and the tray. When the lid is tightened, this sealing ring is squeezed against the tray and the lid, thus sealing the contact area between the tray and lid. This can even compensate for small tolerances.

[0003] For example, WO 2020 / 011 932 A1 describes a closure or locking mechanism for a sterile container. This mechanism causes a container lid to be pulled against a container tray. US Pat. No. 6,592,000 B1 also discloses a closure mechanism for a (sterile) container.

[0004] For sterile containers, it is important that their internal pressure is at a predetermined ratio to the ambient pressure. To achieve this, sterile containers are known to be equipped with a pressure equalization valve. To allow fluid (air, gas) to flow from the environment into the container interior (via a disinfecting filter device) and / or fluid (air, gas) to flow out of the container interior into the environment (bypassing the filter device), it is known to install a valve device, for example, in the container lid. A key factor for the correct functioning of such a valve device is a secure and fluid-tight locking of the lid onto / at the container hull to prevent unwanted leaks into / from the container at the contact point between the hull and the lid.

[0005] Another possibility for achieving pressure equalization in such sterile containers is to design a locking mechanism such that the lid can lift slightly from the container trough to compensate for excessive internal pressure in the container, even when locked, so that fluid can flow out of the interior. For this purpose, a sterile container with a locking / locking mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the locking mechanism), a container trough, and a container lid that can be locked to the container trough by means of the locking mechanism is known.The locking mechanism has an actuating lever, which is preferably pivotably mounted on the container lid or container hull, a tensioning yoke / claw / clamp (hereinafter referred to as tensioning yoke), which is directly or indirectly coupled to the actuating lever, and an engagement element forming an undercut on the container hull or container lid, with which the tensioning yoke can be brought into undercutting engagement in order to exert a tensile force on the engagement element in the direction in which the lid is placed on the container upon actuation of the actuating lever. The tensioning yoke is mounted so as to be displaceable transversely, preferably at a right angle to the tensile force to be exerted.A pre-tensioning element, for example in the form of a spring, is also provided, which is arranged in an operative position relative to the tensioning bracket in such a way that it only applies a compressive force to the tensioning bracket in the direction of the tensile force to be exerted, i.e. in the direction in which the lid is placed on the container, when the actuating lever is in a predetermined actuating position and consequently a predetermined / predeterminable displacement position of the tensioning bracket, in which the tensioning bracket already engages behind the engagement element.

[0006] It is important for locking mechanisms and sterile containers that to protect the container tub / the container base and / or the container lid / the container top and / or the locking mechanism from damage as a result of improper / incorrect operation of the locking mechanism, in particular if the locking mechanism is provided with a lever function, which can result in very large forces, despite the locking mechanism the largest possible area remains free on the front side of the container base for marking the container / sterile container, accidental opening of the locking unit is prevented as far as possible, even larger manufacturing tolerances can be compensated and a minimum tightening force between the lid and tub is guaranteed.

[0007] In addition, it would be desirable if the pulling force does not increase suddenly but continuously as the operating lever is moved, in particular to avoid damage to the locking mechanism and / or the seal, the locking mechanism can also simultaneously take on a pressure relief valve function, the operating lever is located in an easily accessible place, preferably on the top side of the container lid, in order to avoid lateral protrusion even during the opening / closing process and not to cover the front side of the container tub, the locking mechanism is fixed as stably as possible in its closed / locked end position and is secured against unwanted / accidental opening and the locking mechanism can be opened particularly quickly and easily from the closed / locked end position when intentionally actuated.

[0008] The disadvantage of known closure mechanisms or sterile containers is that they cannot achieve all of the properties mentioned above.

[0009] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to reduce the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned, in particular to provide a locking mechanism which is fixed as stably as possible in its closed end position (locking position) and is secured against unwanted / accidental opening, which can be opened particularly easily and quickly from the closed end position / lock position when intentionally actuated and in which all of the above-mentioned properties can be achieved as far as possible.

[0010] The core idea of the present invention essentially consists in equipping the container locking mechanism according to the invention with a clamping claw or claw-like slider / locking element which is slidably mounted, for example, on a container lid, the claw section of which projects beyond the container lid edge (preferably in principle, i.e. in every sliding position). At least one compression spring element is arranged between the slider / locking element and the container lid, which presses the slider / locking element increasingly away from the container lid (upwards), i.e. lifts it, with increasing sliding movement from its release position (far outside the container lid edge) to its closed position (near the container lid edge).

[0011] Furthermore, at least one return spring is arranged, which preloads the slider / locking element towards its release position.

[0012] Finally, the slider / locking element or the compression spring element (connected to the slider for a common sliding movement) is provided with / constructed a (preferably manually operable or releasable) holding element / holding section which is connected to a (preferably manually operable or releasable) locking / engaging element on oron the side of the container lid when / when the closed position is reached (immediately and latching) can be brought into holding engagement in order to hold the slide in the closed position against the pretensioning force of the return spring, in which the claw section engages under a container tub edge and pulls the container lid against the container tub edge due to the spring force of the at least one compression spring element, until the locking / engagement element on the side of the container lid or the holding element / holding section on the side of the compression spring element is manually actuated to release the slide / locking element and the slide / locking element springs back into its release position due to the return spring.

[0013] In other words, the above object is achieved according to the present invention by a closure mechanism according to claim 1, i.e. a closure mechanism for a sterile container(s) with a container tray and a container lid which can be locked to the container tray by means of the closure mechanism, wherein the closure mechanism has a claw-like locking element / slider for undercutting engagement with an engagement element forming an undercut (container tray edge / edge collar) on the container tray oron the container lid, wherein the locking element / slider can be positioned in a closed position in which it is in undercutting operative engagement with the engagement element, and in a release position in which the locking element and the engagement element are disengaged, wherein the locking mechanism has a blocking element which is operatively connected or operatively connectable to the locking element / slider and which is integrated into the locking mechanism in such a way that it locks the locking mechanism in this closed position when the closed position is reached, in particular automatically / without separate user-time intervention. The blocking element has a latching structure, in particular in the form of a shoulder or a hook.When the locking mechanism reaches the closed position or is in the closed position, this locking structure engages with a counter-locking structure arranged or formed as a rod on the locking element, thus locking the locking mechanism in the closed position in a simple and reliable manner. Locking or unlocking preferably occurs in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the locking element, i.e., in particular, transverse to the container lid plane or parallel to it.

[0014] The object is also achieved by a sterile container with a container lid and a container tray and a closure mechanism according to the invention, in particular with a closure mechanism according to one of the appended claims.

[0015] It is a particular advantage of the invention that the locking mechanism can be and is automatically secured in the closed position due to the built-in locking element. In this case, the locking mechanism can in particular be designed such that the locking element inevitably performs its locking function when the locking element is moved from the release position into the closed position, for example by being arranged in a fixed position relative to the container lid and coming into operative engagement with the locking element directly or indirectly, or by being arranged in a fixed position relative to the locking element and coming into operative engagement with a counter-latching structure arranged in a fixed position directly or indirectly on the container lid. In this way, accidental or unintentional opening of the locking mechanism can be prevented in a simple and safe manner.

[0016] The locking element is preferably a molded part / stamped part made of metal or a plastic part. It can in particular be hook-shaped, with a hook section projecting beyond a side edge of the container lid for engaging behind the engagement element and a section / slider section adjoining the hook section and projecting into the lid plane, which is guided / mounted on the container lid so as to be positionable parallel to the lid plane. The locking element is preferably displaceable parallel to the lid plane, specifically between the release position, in which the hook section and the engagement element are not engaged with one another, and the closed position, in which the hook section and the engagement element are engaged with one another, the locking mechanism is locked, and the container lid is secured to the container trough.One can therefore also say that the locking element is secured and locked in the closed position by the locking element.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are claimed in the subclaims and are explained in more detail below.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism can have a base plate designed and intended for arranging / fastening the locking mechanism to the container lid. The base plate, which is designed in particular as a stamped / molded metal part, can have a bearing structure for the locking element, preferably in the form of bent edge sections or collar sections. These preferably have elongated holes or grooves formed in them, in which the locking element or a bearing structure connected thereto is received and guided / mounted. The locking element is mounted so that it can be linearly positioned parallel to the lid plane. In addition, it can be pivotable transversely to the lid plane, so that arranging / engaging the locking element with the engagement element of the container trough is / is facilitated.

[0019] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking mechanism has a spring element that preloads it into the release position. This spring element causes the locking mechanism or the locking element, without being secured by the locking element, to automatically assume the release position due to the preload. According to the invention, the locking element also prevents an unwanted / accidental transition of the locking mechanism from the closed position to the release position in this embodiment. Such a transition / movement is only possible due to the invention if the locking element is unlocked, for example, as a result of user activation.It is particularly advantageous and user-friendly that, after the locking element is unlocked, the locking mechanism automatically transitions from the closed position to the release position due to the preload of the spring element, without any further user intervention. The spring element can, in particular, act directly on the locking element, for example, by being arranged / supported on the locking element on the one hand, and by being arranged / held in a defined / stationary position relative to the container lid on the other.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the locking element can be designed and / or arranged to be elastic, at least in sections. Alternatively, it can be designed completely elastic. It can be designed, for example, as a locking spring element or a locking spring-damper element, in particular by a leaf spring element. It is particularly advantageous if the locking element is designed to be elastically prestressed. In particular, it can be designed as an elastically prestressed locking lever element (rocker lever) or an elastically prestressed locking push button. The locking element is preferably designed and arranged such that, when the locking position of the locking mechanism / latching element is reached, its prestress causes it to assume the locking position which locks the locking mechanism / latching element in the closed position.It is also advantageous if the locking element is designed and arranged in such a way that it can be moved from the locking position into a release position releasing the locking mechanism / locking element by actuation by the user against its pre-tension.

[0021] The locking mechanism according to a further embodiment of the invention can have an actuating lever pivotably mounted on the container lid or container hull. This actuating lever can be directly or indirectly coupled to the locking element in such a way that the locking element can be positioned at least in the closed position by means of the actuating lever, and according to a further embodiment, can be positioned between the closed position and the locked position.

[0022] A further embodiment is characterized in that the locking element is designed and arranged such that, when operatively engaged with the engagement element, it exerts a force (tensile force or compressive force) on the engagement element, causing the container lid to be pressed against the container hull. It is preferably designed and arranged such that it exerts such a force when the locking mechanism is in the closed position. In this way, a particularly secure and tight fit of the lid on the container hull can be achieved, for example by arranging / designing an in particular elastic seal therebetween, which provides an additional sealing effect as a result of the contact force caused by the locking mechanism according to the invention.

[0023] A further embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the locking element has a spring section. This can be arranged in the force flow between the container lid and the locking element. It can then advantageously exert a force on the locking element when the locking mechanism is in the closed position, which force causes the locking element to be pressed against the engagement element. This force is then directed counter to the contact force exerted by the locking mechanism between the container lid and the container trough. A particularly firm and secure fit both between the lid and container and between the locking element and engagement element is a particular advantage of this embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment the spring section orThe locking element provides a type of compensating element that ensures that the force exerted between the locking element and the engagement element in the closed position does not exceed a specified maximum value. This maximum value is determined by the spring characteristics and / or damper characteristics of the spring section or the locking element and can be individually selected such that a critical load on the container hull and / or container lid and / or locking mechanism is not reached. In this embodiment, it is advantageous if the locking element can be pivoted transversely to the lid plane.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the locking element is formed by a leaf spring. At least the spring portion of the locking element can be formed by a leaf spring. With such a leaf spring-like locking element, the locking structure and the spring portion can be formed particularly efficiently and compactly in the form of a one-piece component, in particular a sheet metal part made of a spring material, such as spring steel.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the locking element can be a rocker arm arranged in a defined position on the container lid. This rocker arm can, in particular, be pivotable relative to the locking element between a locking position that locks the container in the closed position and a release position. The rocker arm is preferably pre-tensioned into the locking position, for example by means of a separate pre-tensioning element in the form of a spring / coil spring / leaf spring. It is particularly advantageous if the rocker arm can be moved from the locking position to its release position by actuation away from the container lid and the container tub, since this makes it easy and safe to prevent the locking mechanism from being accidentally unlocked by stacking several sterile containers on top of one another.

[0026] In summary, the invention can provide the following advantages in particular: It provides a closure unit for closing a container top / container lid with a container bottom / container trough, wherein preferably on one end of the container bottom / container lid, despite the closure unit, as large an area as possible is free and available, for example for marking the container. By gripping / re-gripping or pulling on the container front, there is in particular no risk of the closure unit accidentally opening or of accidental actuation from the front. Due to the effect of the locking element / compensating element / spring section, the closure unit can also advantageously compensate for tolerances between the container top / container lid and the container bottom / container trough.The upper container part / container lid can in particular be pressed onto the lower container part / container trough with a defined minimum force. Within the scope of one embodiment of the invention, a rotary movement of a folding bracket / actuating element of the closure unit can be transformed into a trajectory of the locking element / slider, during which the force exerted by the closure on the container seal can increasingly increase. If there is an overpressure inside the container in relation to the outside of the container (or in other words, if there is a negative pressure on the outside of the container in relation to the inside of the container), in one embodiment a relative movement of the upper container part / container lid in relation to the lower container part / container trough can take place. This can advantageously open up a bypass between the upper container part / container lid and the lower container part / container trough.An actuating element / hinged handle for opening can be located, in particular, on the top of the container top / container lid. This results in optimized space at the front and corresponding options for labeling the containers / containers on the front. The distance from the hinged handle / actuating element to the container opening is dimensioned such that sufficient distance to the interior of the container is guaranteed, which is important, for example, for so-called aseptic preparation in the operating room. This improves aseptic preparation of the contents of the container / container. When the closure is closed, it is stabilized / fixed / secured / locked in the end position / closed position. Accidental / unintentional opening of the closure can be easily and safely avoided / prevented.From the locked position, the lock can be opened particularly easily and in a user-friendly manner by actuating / unlocking the locking element.

[0027] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary and non-limiting description of the figures. These are merely schematic in nature and serve only to facilitate understanding of the invention. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a locking mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention in the open position, i.e. in the completely unlocked state, Fig. 2 an enlarged detailed view of the locking mechanism of the Figure 1 , Fig. 3 a perspective view of the locking mechanism of the Figures 1 and 2 in the closed position, i.e. completely closed, Fig. 4 an enlarged detailed view of the locking mechanism of the Figure 3 , Fig. 5a perspective view of the locking mechanism of the Figures 1 to 4 with a cover cap, Fig. 6 a perspective view of a second embodiment in the open position, i.e. in the completely unlocked state, Fig. 7 a perspective view of a third embodiment in the open position, i.e. completely unlocked state, Fig. 8 a perspective view of a fourth embodiment in the open position, i.e. in the completely unlocked state, Fig. 9 a perspective view of a fifth embodiment in the open position, i.e. in the completely unlocked state, Fig. 10 a perspective view of a sixth embodiment, which is not part of the open position, i.e. in the completely unlocked state, Fig. 11 a sectional view of a locking mechanism according to a further embodiment, which is not part of the open position, and Fig. 12 a sectional view of the locking mechanism of the Figure 11 in the closed position.

[0028] A locking mechanism according to Fig. 1 to 5 has a base plate 1, which is arranged on the upper side of a container lid 2 and is fastened, for example, by means of rivets 3. The base plate 1 is a stamped sheet metal part and has collar sections 4 on both sides bent upwards by approximately 90° to the plane of the container lid 2. In each of these collar sections, a guide slot 5 or a guide groove 5 is introduced, the longitudinal direction of which extends essentially parallel to the plane of the container lid 2.

[0029] The locking mechanism also comprises a hook-shaped locking element 6, for example in the form of a tension yoke / a claw / a clamping claw / a locking slide 6. The locking element 6 is mounted on the upper side of a container lid 2 by means of a rod 8 / axis 8 / shaft 8 which passes through the guide slots 5 of the base plate 1 and can be displaced parallel to the latter. It can also be pivoted within a certain range around the longitudinal axis of the rod 8 transversely to the plane of the container lid 2. One can therefore say that the collar sections 4 with the guide slots 5 form guide slots 7 or a bearing 7 for the locking element 6. By means of this bearing 7, the locking element 6 can be moved between an open position, which is in the Figures 1 and 2 shown, and a closed position shown in the Figures 3, 4 and 5 shown, with the rod 8 sliding in the guide slots 7.

[0030] The locking element 6 has / forms, at its end projecting freely beyond the peripheral edge of the container lid 2, a hook or claw section 9 which is bent towards the underside of the lid or a container trough 10. The hook or claw section 9 is designed and intended to come into operative engagement with a strip 11 formed on the circumference of the container trough 10 as an engagement element 11, cutting under the latter when the locking mechanism is in the closed position. If the locking mechanism is in the release or open position, the hook or claw section 9 and the engagement element 11 are not in engagement with one another and the container lid 2 can be removed from the container trough 10. In the closed position, the container lid 2 is secured / fastened to the container trough 10.

[0031] The locking mechanism of the first embodiment of the Figures 1 to 5further comprises a sheet metal part 12. This has several functions. Firstly, it forms a locking element / locking section 13 within the meaning of the invention. Secondly, it forms a leaf spring element / leaf spring section 14 for pre-tensioning / bracing the locking element 6 relative to the engagement element 11 / bar 11 of the container trough 10. While the locking element 13 and the leaf spring element 14 are formed integrally by the sheet metal part in the present exemplary embodiment, they can also be formed in multiple parts, in particular in two parts, by a plurality of sheet metal parts within the scope of the invention.

[0032] The locking element 13 is in the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 5formed by a freely projecting arm of the sheet metal part 12, which has spring properties. It has a locking structure 15, here in the form of a recess 15, which forms a contact shoulder 16. The width of the recess 15 is slightly greater than the thickness of the rod 8. The distal free end of the locking element 13 is designed as an actuating element 17. On the side of the recess 15 opposite the distal free end, the locking element 13 is provided with a run-on bevel 18 for the rod 8. Due to the spring properties of the locking element 13, it is preloaded into a rest position protruding from the base plate 1. From this position, it can be resiliently displaced against its spring preload in the direction of the base plate 1.

[0033] When the locking mechanism and thus the locking element 6 are in the release position / open position, the rod 8 and the locking element 13 are disengaged. This situation is shown in the Figures 1 and 2The rod 8 is positioned on the side of the recess 15 and the ramp 18 opposite the actuating element 17. As can be seen particularly in the Figures 3 and 4As shown, the rod 8 comes to rest in the recess 15 when the locking element 6 is in the closed position. When the locking element 6 is moved from the release position into the closed position, the rod 8 is displaced together with the locking element 6, specifically in the direction of the locking element 13. The rod 8 thereby runs onto the run-up slope 18 of the locking element 13. Since the locking element 6 and the rod 8 are guided in the guide slot 7 preferably parallel to the plane of the container lid 2, the locking element 13 is displaced by the rod 8 during continued movement into the closed position against its pretension in the direction of the container lid 2 and the base plate 1. One can also say that the locking element 13 compresses in the direction of the base plate 1 or the container lid 2.As soon as the rod 8 overlaps the recess 15, the locking element 13 springs back into its rest position, spaced from the base plate, due to its spring properties. The rod 8 then comes to rest in the recess 15 and engages the shoulder 16. The locking element 6 is thus secured in the closed position by the locking element 13. In this way, the recess 15 and the shoulder 16 form a locking structure, and the rod 8 forms a cooperating counter-locking structure within the meaning of the invention.

[0034] The locking mechanism also has two coil springs 19 as spring elements 19, which preload the locking element 6 into the release / open position. The coil springs 19 are supported on the one hand by the locking element 6 and on the other hand by the base plate 1. When the locking element 6 is moved into the closed position, the coil springs 19 are compressed against their spring tension. To move the locking mechanism and the locking element 6 from the closed position to the release position, the user must actuate the actuating element 17, which is pressed and displaced against the spring tension of the locking element 13 in the direction of the base plate 1 or the container lid 2. As a result of this displacement, the shoulder 16 and the rod 8 are disengaged, and as a result of the tension of the coil springs 19, the locking element 6 is moved from the closed position back into the release position.

[0035] The leaf spring element 14 formed by the sheet metal part 12 has a run-up surface 20 which projects away from the plane of the container lid 2 and is formed by a wave-shaped or roof-shaped region 21. This roof-shaped region 21 also projects away from the plane of the container lid 2 or the base plate 1 and into a recess 22 / window 22 formed in the locking element 6. An edge 22a delimiting the recess 22 interacts with the run-up surface 20 of the region 21 when the locking element 6 is moved into the closed position and runs onto it. This may lead to an elastic deformation of the roof-shaped region 21 orthe run-up surface 20 in the direction of the base plate and, on the other hand, to a displacement of the hook or claw section 9, since the locking element 6 is only guided on its distal free side by means of the rod 8 and the guide 7 relative to the base plate 1 and the container lid 2, but is otherwise rotatable about the rod 8. The kinematics are designed and coordinated in such a way that a pivoting of the hook or claw section 9 away from the base plate 1 as a result of the interaction with the run-up surface 20 only takes place or begins when the hook or claw section 9 engages behind the strip 11 of the container trough 10.In this way, the locking mechanism, on the one hand, causes the hook or claw section 9 to be braced against the strip 11 (and thus ensures a firm fit) and, on the other hand, has a type of overload protection due to the elasticity of the roof-shaped area 21, which defines a pressing of the container lid 2 against the container tub 10 by the spring force acting in this process.

[0036] In Figure 5 It is shown that the Figures 1 to 4 The locking mechanism shown is largely covered by a cover 23 which leaves only the actuating element 17 free.

[0037] Figure 6 shows in a perspective view a further embodiment of the locking mechanism in the open position, which differs from the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 5differs only in the design of the locking element. In this embodiment, a sheet metal part 12 only forms the leaf spring element 14. A rocker arm 24 is formed separately from the sheet metal part 12 and represents a locking element within the meaning of the invention. The rocker arm 24 is arranged on the base plate 1 (or on the container lid 2) in a fixed position and can pivot about a pivot axis 25. It can be positioned between a rest position / locking position, into which it is pretensioned by means of a compression spring 26, and a release position, into which it can be brought by user actuation against the force of the compression spring 26. The rocker arm 24 has a recess 27 or a hook 27 which is open in the direction facing away from the base plate and is designed and intended to receive the interaction with the rod 8 when the locking element 6 is in the closed position.The end of the pivot lever 24 remote from the pivot axis 25 is designed as an actuating element 28 for pressure actuation by a user. The rocker lever 24 can therefore lock the locking element 6 in the locked position and release it for movement in the released position.

[0038] When the locking element 6 is moved into the closed position, the rod 8 runs onto the rocker arm 24. This then pivots against the force of the compression spring 26 in the direction of the container lid 2 / the base plate 1 until the rod 8 overlaps the recess 27 and the rocker arm 24 pivots back into its rest position due to the action of the compression spring 26. In this position, the rod 8 lies in the recess 27, so that the locking element 6 is locked in the closed position. By pressing the actuating element 28 in the direction of the base plate 1, the recess 27 releases the rod 8 and the locking element 6 automatically returns from the closed position to the release position due to the pretensioning by the coil springs 19.

[0039] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the locking mechanism according to another embodiment in the open position. This is essentially similar to that of the Figure 6, but differs in the arrangement of the pivot axis 25 and the orientation of the recess 27 of the rocker arm 24 which is open towards the base plate.

[0040] Figure 8shows a further embodiment in which the recess 27 of the rocker arm 24 is still open at the top (i.e. open on the side facing away from the base plate 1), and the compression spring 26 and the recess 27 are arranged on one side of the pivot axis 25 and the actuating element 28 on the side of the pivot axis 25. A particular advantage of this embodiment is that the actuating element 28 cannot be actuated by pressure in the direction of the base plate 1 and the container lid 2, but can be actuated by pulling in a direction away from the base plate 1 and the container lid 2. In this way, it is avoided that, when several sterile containers 10 are stacked on top of one another, an accidental actuation of the actuating element 28 and an unlocking of the locking element 6 and the locking mechanism can occur.

[0041] Figure 9shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention in the open position. Instead of a rocker arm 24, a push button 29 is provided as a locking element. This push button is designed and intended to interact with the rod in a manner already described with reference to the other embodiments and is biased by a compression spring 30 into a locking position that locks the rod 8.

[0042] Figure 10shows an embodiment which is not part of the invention, in which the locking element is in the form of a locking element 31 which can be positioned transversely to the plane of the container lid 2 and the base plate 1. The locking element 31 is mounted on the rod 8 in the longitudinal direction thereof so as to be relatively positionable between a locking position and a release position. It is also pretensioned into the locking position by means of the spring element 32. In comparison to the other embodiments, the collar section 4 of the base plate 1 is elongated and has a locking recess 33 into which the locking element 31 automatically engages / can engage due to the pretensioning by the spring element 32 when the locking mechanism / latch element 6 is in the closed position.To move the locking mechanism from the closed position to the release position, the locking element 31 is actuated against the spring preload and disengaged from the locking recess 33, so that the locking element 6 changes automatically into the release position due to the tension of the coil springs 19. While in . Figure 10 only one locking element 31 is shown on one side of the locking mechanism, a variant of this embodiment can have two such locking elements 31 arranged on both sides of the locking mechanism.

[0043] Figure 11 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment, which is not part of the open position, which differs from the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 5 differs in that the sheet metal part 12 is not fixed to the container lid 2, but is fixed to the locking element 6. Figure 12 shows a sectional view of the locking mechanism of the Figure 11 in the closed position. The sheet metal part 12 can be connected to the locking element 6, for example, via a rivet or screw connection 34 or a material connection 34 (spot welding, etc.). A locking element 35 can be arranged on the container lid 2 or on the base plate 1, which is designed to interact with the locking element 13 of the sheet metal part 12. Otherwise, the embodiment corresponds to / is similar to the Figures 11 and 12 the Figures 1 to 5 , so that reference is made to the description of further details therein. A particular advantage of this embodiment is that the sheet metal part 12 is almost completely covered and protected by the locking element 6, regardless of the functional position thereof, and that the locking element 13 is unlocked by pulling the actuating element 17 (unlike the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 5, in which pressure is applied towards the container lid), so that unintentional unlocking can be safely avoided when several sterile containers are stacked on top of each other. List of reference symbols

[0044] 1Base plate, base sheet 2Container lid 3Rivet 4Collar sections 5Guide slot, guide groove 6Locking element 7Guide link, bearing 8Rod, axle, shaft 9Hook or claw section 10Container trough 11Engaging element, strip 12Sheet metal part 13Locking element 14Spring element, leaf spring element 15Recess 16Shoulder 17Actuating element 18Running bevel 19Spring element, coil spring 20Running surface 21Roof-shaped area 22Recess, window 22aEdge 23Cover 24Toggle lever 25Pivot axis 26Compression spring 27Recess, hook 28Actuating element 29Push button 30Compression spring 31Locking element 32Spring element 33Locking recess 34Connection, Rivet or screw connection 35 locking element

Claims

1. A closing mechanism for a sterile container having a container pan (10) and a container lid (2) lockable to the container pan (10) via the closing mechanism, wherein the closing mechanism comprises a bar element (6) provided and configured for displaceable support on the container lid (2) or on the container pan (10) for undercutting engagement with an engagement element (11) forming an undercut on the container pan (10) or on the container lid (2), respectively, wherein the bar element (6) is positionable or displaceable into a closed position, in which it is in undercutting operative connection with the engagement element (11), and into a release position, in which the bar element (6) and the engagement element (11) are disengaged, wherein the closing mechanism has a locking element (13, 24, 29) which is operatively connected or operatively connectable to the bar element (6) and which is integrated into the closing mechanism or interacts therewith in such a way that it locks the closing mechanism in this closed position when the closed position is reached, wherein the locking element (13, 24, 29) has a latching structure (15, 16), in particular in the form of a shoulder or a hook, which, when the closing mechanism is in the closed position, engages with a counter latching structure (8) arranged or formed on the bar element (6) as a rod and thus locks the closing mechanism in the closed position.

2. The closing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized by a spring element or return spring (19) that pre-tensions the closing mechanism, in particular the bar element (6), into the release position.

3. The closing mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (13, 24, 29,) is configured and / or arranged to be elastic, is in particular a leaf spring element (12) or is formed by such an element, or the locking element (13, 24, 29) is configured to be elastically pre-tensioned, is in particular an elastically pre-tensioned lever element or rocker lever (24) or an elastically pre-tensioned press button (29), wherein the locking element (13, 24, 29) is configured and arranged in particular in such a way that, when the closing mechanism reaches the closed position, it assumes a locking state locking the closing mechanism in the closed position due to its pre-tension and can be transferred from the locking state to a release position releasing the closing mechanism by actuation by the user against the pre-tension.

4. The closing mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bar element (6) is configured and arranged in such a way that, in operative connection with the engagement element (11) and in particular when the closing mechanism is in the closed position, it exerts a tensile force or a compressive force on the engagement element (11) that causes the container lid (2) to be pressed against the container pan (10).

5. The closing mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an actuating lever which can be pivotably mounted on the container lid (2) or on the container pan (10), respectively, and which is coupled directly or indirectly to the bar element (6) in such a way that the bar element (6) can be positioned into the closed position via the actuating lever.

6. The closing mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing mechanism has a spring element (14), in particular the locking element (13, 24, 29) has a spring portion (14), which is arranged in the force flow between the container lid (2) and the bar element (6) and exerts a force on the bar element (6) when the closing mechanism is in the closed position, which causes the bar element (6) to be pressed against the engagement element (11).

7. The closing mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (13), at least the spring portion (14) of the locking element (13), is a leaf spring (12) or is configured by a leaf spring (12).

8. The closing mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking element (24) is a rocker lever (24) arranged in a defined position on the container lid (2), which is pivotable relative to the bar element (6) between a locking state that locks it in the closed position and a release position, wherein the rocker lever (24) is preferably pre-tensioned in the locking state.

9. The closing mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (13, 24, 29) can be transferred from the locking state to its release position by an actuation pointing away from the container lid.

10. A sterile container comprising a container lid (2) and a container pan (10) and a closing mechanism according to one of the preceding claims wherein the closing mechanism has the following parts: - a clamping jaw-like or claw fastener-like slider / bar element (6) which is displaceably mounted on the container lid (2), wherein its claw fastener portion (9) projects laterally over the container lid edge, - at least one compression spring element (14), which is arranged between the slider / bar element (6) and the container lid (2) and which presses the slider / bar element (6) increasingly away from the container lid (2) with increasing translational movement from its release position into its closed position, and - at least one return spring (19) which pre-tensions the slider / bar element (6) in the direction of its release position, wherein - the slider / bar element (6) or the compression spring element (14) is provided with or configured with a preferably manually operable retaining element / retaining portion which can be brought into retaining engagement with a preferably manually operable locking / engagement element at or respectively on the side of the container lid (2) upon reaching the closed position, in order to hold the slider / bar element (6) in the closed position against the pre-tensioning force of the return spring (19), in which the claw fastener portion (9) engages under a container pan edge and pulls the container lid (2) against the container pan edge as a result of the spring force of the at least one compression spring element (14), until the locking / engagement element on the side of the container lid (2) or the retaining element / retaining portion on the side of the compression spring element (14) is manually actuated for releasing the slider / bar element (6), and the slider / bar element (6) springs back into its release position due to the return spring (19).