Sterile container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sterile container (1) having a container tray (2), a container lid (3) which can be placed vertically with respect to the container tray (2) on said container tray, and a sealing system (4) between the container tray (2) and the container lid (3) for sealing a placement gap (5) between a container tray front edge (6) and the container lid (3). The sealing system (4) which seals the placement gap (5) is designed as a sealing system (4) acting horizontally with respect to the container tray (2).

Description

[0001] Sterile container

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a sterile container according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular a sterile container with a container tub, a container lid which can be placed vertically on the container tub and a sealing system between the container tub and the container lid for sealing a gap between a container tub end edge and the container lid, in particular an underside of the container lid.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Commercially available sterile containers of the aforementioned design feature a sealing element, typically located in the container lid, to create a sterile barrier. When closing the sterile container, the lid is placed onto the container base and secured with a closure to form a reliable sterile barrier. All known sterile containers have closures that press the lid against the container base by applying a force vertical to the base. The seal in the closed state of the sterile container is thus achieved vertically. The closures on these known sterile containers are typically located on the end faces of the lids or on the end faces of the container base.Due to the counterforce of the seal when clamping it onto the container tray, and also due to pressure changes affecting the container lid, forces are exerted on the lid that can lead to elastic deflection. This means the lid deflects, primarily along its length. This results in a partially reduced contact pressure of the seal against the container tray, which can lead to potential leakage of germs in that area. Lid deflection can occur in various situations during daily clinical practice, such as atmospheric pressure changes inside or outside a sterilizer, or during transport and storage of the sterile container. Stacking multiple sterile containers also creates pressure loads, which can cause the lids to be pressed excessively onto the trays.Carrying the sterile container by the container lid can lead to bending and thus, in particular, to the partial lifting of the container lid from the container base and a resulting, undetectable lack of sterility of the sterile container.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] From DE 20 2009 004 204 U1, a sterile container with a sealing system is known, which has two separate sealing elements arranged separately from each other between the container lid and the container bowl when the sterile container is closed. The two sealing elements are spatially and functionally separated from each other and form two completely independent sterile barriers. A first sealing element seals the gap between the end edge of the container bowl and the container lid. The sterile container has closures that press the container lid onto the container bowl by applying a force vertical to the container bowl. The sealing of the gap is thus achieved by means of the first sealing element in the vertical direction, with the first sealing element being arranged in and filling the gap.The second sealing element seals one end of the container lid against the container basin. It does not seal the gap between the lid and the container, as this gap is already sealed by the first sealing element. This two-element sealing system is complex in design and manufacturing, resulting in correspondingly high costs.

[0008] Brief description of the invention

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a sterile container that reduces or eliminates the problems of the prior art. In particular, it should enable the sterile sealing of a container interior using simple means and reliably even when the sterile container is under load. AE2104P-WG-0003

[0010] 3 / 20

[0011] This problem is solved by a sterile container according to claim 1.

[0012] Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0013] More precisely, the problem is solved by designing a sealing system that seals the mounting gap as a sealing system acting horizontally with respect to the container trough.

[0014] Preferably, the sealing is carried out exclusively horizontally. In other words, the sealing system preferably operates exclusively horizontally.

[0015] In particular, the base of the container tray always lies in a horizontal plane, even when the sterile container is moved, so this horizontal plane can also be referred to as the tray plane. Due to the sealing system acting horizontally with respect to the container tray, the sealing plane is shifted from the end edge of the container tray and the adjacent end face of the container tray facing the container lid to the surrounding side wall of the container tray. When the container lid is placed onto the container tray, the sealing system slides along the container lid and / or the container tray. For example, the container lid slides along the sealing system attached to the container tray. Alternatively, the container lid, with the sealing system, could slide along the side wall of the container tray.The advantage of the sealing system acting horizontally with respect to the container bowl is that, under all load conditions of the closed sterile container, sufficient and uniform pressure is exerted on the sealing system between the container lid and the container bowl. Elastic lid deflection, for example during pressure changes or due to the counterforce of the sealing system from closing closures, does not negatively affect the sealing effect, as the sealing system can move along the inner circumference of the container lid and / or the side wall of the container bowl.

[0016] Advantageously, the sealing system that seals the gap has a sealing element or is a sealing element which, when the container lid is placed vertically onto the container trough, preferably exclusively abuts an outer circumference of a side wall of the container trough forming the outer circumference and preferably exclusively an inner circumference of a side wall of the container lid forming the inner circumference.

[0017] The sealing element can be located on the container lid or the container bowl. If the sealing element is located on the container lid, it moves with the lid when it is placed on the container. If the sealing element is located on the container bowl, the container lid slides over the sealing element when it is placed on the container. When the sterile container is closed, the sealing element seals the gap between the lid and the container without making contact with the areas of the container bowl or lid that form the gap, so that the gap remains free of any sealing elements. When the sterile container is closed, the sealing element is elastically deformed, in particular compressed, so that a contact force acts between the sealing element and both the container bowl and the container lid, at least partially, and preferably entirely, in a direction horizontal to the container bowl.

[0018] Preferably, the sealing element, by elastically stretching the sealing element during its assembly on the container trough, in the assembled state of the sealing element, causes a force from each section of the sealing element onto the side wall of the container trough in the direction of a side of the side wall opposite a container interior.

[0019] Preferably, the sealing element is an elastic sealing element, wherein the sealing element can be elastically prestressed in the assembled state.

[0020] The sealing element is thus clamped onto the container basin. A force then acts from the sealing element inwards, towards the interior of the container, on the side wall of the container basin. Clamping the sealing element in this way is easy to implement, especially easier than clamping it into the inner circumference of the side wall of the container lid. Even with very simple designs, AE2104P-WQ-0003

[0021] 5 / 20

[0022] Sufficiently high forces can be generated between the sealing element and the container basin using sealing elements.

[0023] Preferably, the wall of the container trough has a groove running vertically offset from the mounting gap relative to the container trough and / or a horizontally recessed area running inwards relative to the container trough, in which the sealing element is received and / or on which the sealing element is supported.

[0024] The groove and / or the recessed area determines the position of the sealing element. Furthermore, installation of the sealing element is simplified because it can be supported by the groove and / or the recessed area, particularly during elastic expansion during the installation process. Additionally, the groove and / or the recessed area provides at least partial positive locking of the sealing element in its installed position.

[0025] According to another embodiment of the sterile container, the sealing element is designed in the form of a sealing ring with a preferably circular cross-section.

[0026] Sealing rings, especially those with a preferably circular cross-section, are easy to manufacture and therefore inexpensive to procure. Despite their low cost, they provide a good seal. Such sealing rings are insensitive to sliding along the sides of the container or the container lid, for example, when the lid is placed on the container, especially compared to sealing lips.

[0027] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the sterile container, the sealing element is located, preferably exclusively, on the container lid in a circumferential collar area.

[0028] The circumferential collar area, when the container lid and container bowl are connected, is essentially aligned parallel to the opposite side wall of the container bowl. The sealing system, which acts horizontally with respect to the container bowl, is made possible in particular by this circumferential collar area.

[0029] It can be advantageous if the container lid has a lid area forming a lid plane, which transitions into the surrounding collar area oriented at an angle of 45° to 90° inclusive to the lid plane. The collar area is designed to be slipped over the container basin when the container lid is placed on top.

[0030] When the container lid is placed on the container tray, the lid plane lies essentially in a horizontal plane, or parallel to the tray plane. The gap is then formed between the front edge of the container tray and the lid area of ​​the container lid.

[0031] Preferably, the wall of the container basin has an end region facing the container lid, in which the sealing element contacts the wall. Each section of the end region is inclined at an angle between 0° and 45° towards a side of the wall opposite the interior of the container, or each section of the end region is aligned parallel to the section on the opposite side.

[0032] When the container lid and container are connected, the end region of the container basin lies essentially parallel to the opposite collar region of the container lid. Particularly when the end region is inclined at an angle greater than 0° and the collar region at a corresponding angle of less than 90°, it is conceivable that the contact forces between the sealing element and the collar region, as well as between the end region, each have a component perpendicular to the horizontal plane. Nevertheless, the sealing system as a whole can still be considered to act horizontally, especially since a major component of the aforementioned contact forces also acts in the horizontal direction. According to a further embodiment of the sterile container, the end region has a substantially constant wall thickness.

[0033] Preferably, the sealing element is bonded to the outer circumference of the container's side wall.

[0034] This improves the connection between the sealing element and the container. The risk of the sealing element slipping due to forces, for example when the container lid is fitted, is minimized or at least reduced. Besides this bonding, other connection mechanisms are conceivable, some of which have already been described above.

[0035] Furthermore, the sealing element preferably lies completely in the sealing element plane, which is horizontal with respect to the container basin, even when the container lid is elastically deformed due to external load, as a result of its elastic elongation during assembly.

[0036] The connection between the sealing element and the container shell, achieved through friction, positive locking, and / or adhesion, is so strong that the sealing element does not slip even when the container lid is elastically deformed. Despite the elastically deformed lid, sufficiently high contact pressures are present on the sealing element to achieve the required sealing effect. The sealing element plane lies essentially parallel to the shell plane and / or to the lid plane when the lid is in place.

[0037] It can also be advantageous if a germ barrier is formed by means of the sealing element, so that an end face of the container tray facing the container lid, namely a container tray rim, lies in the sterilizable interior of the container.

[0038] The end face of the container tray is adjacent to the mounting gap and bounded by the tray's edge. A sterilized tray rim offers significant advantages, as it improves aseptic presentation in the operating room. Contact with this tray rim by protective clothing, surgical instruments, and / or implants then does not lead to contamination. AE2104P-WQ-0003

[0039] 8 / 20 of these. Subsequent re-sterilization of these surgical instruments and / or implants or a change of protective clothing can be avoided, which saves resources and leads to more efficient workflows.

[0040] In summary, such a sterile container is suitable for a wide range of applications, such as in surgery, particularly for sterilizing and / or storing surgical instruments and / or implants in a sterile manner.

[0041] In another aspect, the sealing system can be designed to be spaced away from a container opening.

[0042] In other words, the rim of the container cannot be part of the sealing system, or the sealing element cannot be formed on or at the rim of the container.

[0043] Such a design of the seal prevents damage to the sealing system, since objects placed on the edge of the container do not come into direct contact with the seal, thus preventing localized pinching of the seal.

[0044] In another aspect, the sealing system can be designed to be spaced away from the edge of the lid.

[0045] In other words, the lid edge cannot be part of the sealing system, or the sealing element cannot be formed on or at the lid edge.

[0046] This type of sealing design prevents damage to the sealing system, as the lid, when placed on a surface, does not make direct contact with the surface where the sealing system is located. Furthermore, this prevents foreign matter and contaminants from adhering to the sealing system, which could compromise its effectiveness. AE2104P-WG-0003

[0047] 9 / 20

[0048] In another aspect, a germ barrier can be formed between the container lid and the container tray, spaced away from the edge of the container tray.

[0049] In another aspect, the germ barrier can enclose a larger area than the rim of the container tray when viewed from above the container opening.

[0050] In other words, the germ barrier can have a (circular) ring-shaped geometry that completely encloses the container opening when viewed from above. The ring-shaped geometry need not be circular; rather, it refers to a closed geometry that can have any geometric shape.

[0051] In another aspect, the rim of the container can be a crimped rim, and the sealing system can be located on the outer crimped surface, i.e., a surface facing away from the interior of the container. Alternatively, the sealing system can be designed to make contact with the outer crimped surface when the sterile container is closed.

[0052] In another aspect, when the sterile container is closed, the mounting gap can have a predetermined extent in the container height direction, and the sealing of the container interior can be spaced apart from the mounting gap in the container height direction.

[0053] Brief description of the characters

[0054] Preferred embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0055] Fig. 1a schematically shows a first embodiment of a sterile container in a side view with a partially transparent container lid. Fig. 1b schematically shows the first embodiment of the sterile container from Fig. 1a with an elastically deformed container lid, whereby the representation and in particular the lid bend shown are not to scale, but rather the lid bend is shown greatly exaggerated for clarity.

[0056] Fig. 2a schematically shows a section of a second embodiment of the sterile container in a sectional view in a still open state.

[0057] Fig. 2b schematically shows a section of the second embodiment of the sterile container in a sectional view in a closed state.

[0058] Fig. 3a schematically shows a container tray with a sealing element mounted on it of a third embodiment of the sterile container in a three-dimensional view.

[0059] Fig. 3b schematically shows a section of the third embodiment of the

[0060] Sterile container in a sectional view while still open.

[0061] Fig. 3c schematically shows a section of the third embodiment of the

[0062] Sterile container in a sectional view in a closed state.

[0063] Fig. 4a schematically shows a fourth embodiment of the sterile container in a sectional view.

[0064] Fig. 4b schematically shows a section of the fourth embodiment of the sterile container in a sectional view.

[0065] Description of preferred embodiments

[0066] Figures 1a to 4b each show at least part of a sterile container 1, namely a sterile container 1, among other things, with a container tray 2, a container lid 3 that can be placed vertically onto the container tray 2, and a sealing system 4 between the container tray 2 and the container lid 3 for sealing a gap 5 between a container tray end edge 6 and the container lid 3. The gap 5 is formed vertically in one direction relative to the container tray 2. When the container lid 3 is placed onto the container tray 2, the sterile container 1 is in a closed state. The container lid 3 can be removed from the container tray 2 from this closed state, so that the sterile container 1 is in an open state after removal. It is conceivable that the container lid 3 can be locked to the container tray 2 in the closed state by means of at least one locking system, which is not shown here.By means of such a locking system, the container lid 3 is secured against unwanted detachment from the container basin 2. Furthermore, it is conceivable that by means of such a locking system a contact force on the sealing system 4 in the direction of action of the sealing system 4 can be increased or generated.

[0067] The sealing system 4 sealing the mounting gap 5 is designed as a sealing system 4 acting horizontally with respect to the container trough 2.

[0068] The sealing system 4 thus operates in a plane horizontal to the container tray 2, so that this horizontal plane can also be referred to as the tray plane E2. The orientation of this tray plane E2 is defined in particular by the base of the container tray 2 and lies in or parallel to the base. The contact gap 5 remains free of the sealing system 4 and is nevertheless sealed by the sealing system 4 from the surroundings of the sterile container 1.

[0069] The sealing system 4, which seals the mounting gap 5, has or is a sealing element 7 which, when the container lid 3 is placed vertically onto the container trough 2, seals against an outer circumference of a side wall 8 of the container trough 2 forming the outer circumference and against an inner circumference of a side wall 9 of the container lid 3 forming the inner circumference.

[0070] The mounting gap 5 remains free of the sealing element 7 and is nevertheless sealed by the sealing element 7. According to Figs. 1a to 4b, the sealing system 4 has only a single sealing element 7. The sealing element 7 is circumferential and / or annular. The sealing element 7 completely surrounds the side wall 8 of the container 2 in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the sealing element 7 is completely surrounded in the circumferential direction by the side wall 9 of the container lid 3 when the sterile container 1 is closed. The bottom of the container 2 transitions into its side wall 8. The side wall 8 projects upwards from the bottom. The side wall 8 is preferably substantially perpendicular to the bottom.

[0071] The sealing element 7, by elastically stretching the sealing element 7 during its assembly on the container 2 in the assembled state of the sealing element 7, causes a force from each section of the sealing element 7 onto the side wall 8 of the container 2 in the direction of a side of the side wall 8 opposite a container interior 10.

[0072] The sealing element 7 is thus clamped onto the side wall 8 of the container 2 during its installation. The aforementioned force exerted by each section of the sealing element 7 on the side wall 8 therefore results from the elastic restoring force of the sealing element 7, whose contraction into a stress-free state is prevented by the side wall 8.

[0073] Alternatively, the sealing element 7 could also be connected to the inner circumference of the side wall 9 of the container lid 3, which is shown as optional in Fig. 2a with dashed lines.

[0074] According to Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a and 4b, the side wall 8 of the container trough 2 has a circumferential groove 11 offset vertically to the mounting gap 5 with respect to the container trough 2 and / or a circumferential area set back horizontally inwards with respect to the container trough 2, in which the sealing element 7 is received and / or on which the sealing element is supported.

[0075] The sealing element 7 protrudes from the groove 11. The groove 11 defines the position of the sealing element 7 on the side wall 8. The side walls of the groove 11 prevent the sealing element 7, which is arranged in the groove 11, from slipping. AE2104P-WQ-0003

[0076] 13 / 20 the sealing element 7 is held at least partially in a form-fitting manner on the side wall 8.

[0077] Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide a side wall 8 with a flat outer circumference, as shown in Figs. 2a and 2b. A sealing element 7 mounted on the container 2 is then at least partially held against the side wall 8 by friction and rests against the flat outer circumference.

[0078] Alternatively and / or additionally, the lid can also have a groove which at least partially receives the sealing element in a form-fitting manner.

[0079] The sealing element 7 is designed in the form of a sealing ring with a preferably circular cross-section. It is conceivable that the sealing ring, which initially has a circular cross-section, is slightly deformed by being clamped onto the container trough 2, as shown in particular in Fig. 2a.

[0080] The groove 11 according to Figs. 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a and 4b is preferably adapted to the shape of the sealing element 7, in particular a sealing ring. To match a sealing ring with a circular cross-section, the groove 11 then has a sector-shaped cross-section of substantially the same radius.

[0081] The sealing element 7 rests against the container lid 3 in a circumferential collar area 12. The side wall 9 of the container lid 3 is formed by means of the collar area 12. The container lid 3 has a lid area 13 forming a lid plane E3, which transitions into the circumferential collar area 12 oriented at an angle of 45° to 90° inclusive with respect to the lid plane E3.

[0082] When the sterile container 1 is closed and the container lid 3 is undeformed, the lid plane E3 lies essentially parallel to the basin plane E2 and parallel to the sealing element plane E7. "Essentially" in this context means that a deviation of up to 10° from this parallel alignment is permissible. AE2104P-WG-0003

[0083] 14 / 20

[0084] Figures 1a, 2a, 2b, 3b, and 3c show a 90° angle between the lid area 13 and the collar area 12. According to Figures 4a and 4b, the collar area 12 is angled and thus has an angle of less than 90° to the lid area 13, at least in the angled area. It is conceivable that, in the closed state of the sterile container 1, the collar area 12 rests against the sealing element 7 with its angled portion, or that, in the closed state of the sterile container 1, the collar area 12 rests against the sealing element 7 with an intermediate area formed between the angled portion of the collar area 12 and the lid area 13.

[0085] The side wall 8 of the container trough 2 has an end region 14 facing the container lid 3, in which the sealing element 7 contacts the side wall 8. Each section of the end region 14 is inclined at an angle between 0° and 45° towards a side of the side wall 8 opposite the interior of the container 10, or each section of the end region 14 is aligned parallel to the section of the opposite side.

[0086] Figures 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, and 3c show the parallel alignment. According to Figures 4a and 4b, the end region 14 has an angle greater than 0°. The groove 11 is formed in the end region 14. The end region 14 has a substantially constant wall thickness d. "Substantially" in this context means that the wall thickness d only exhibits such variations in thickness as are caused by the manufacturing process, in particular a deep-drawing process. No intentional differences in wall thickness are intended. To form the groove 11, the end region 14 is bent accordingly and / or produced, for example, in a pressing process or a continuous flanging process. However, machining the corners is problematic, especially if the end region 14 has an angle greater than 0°. In that case, the corners may need to be...First, the sections of the end region 14 of the longitudinal and end faces of the container 2 are notched / cut free, so that only the sections of the end region 14 of the longitudinal and end faces are then inclined. Gaps that form between the inclined sections of the end regions 14 of the longitudinal and end faces can be sealed, for example, by welding or brazing. The container lid 3 and the container 2 are dimensionally stable and / or rigid with respect to the usual loads of the sterile container 1, although negative effects on the sealing of the sealing system 4 in the event of elastic deformation of the container lid 3 and / or the container 2 are avoided by the special design of the sealing system 4.

[0087] The sealing element 7 could be bonded to the container 2 at the outer circumference of the side wall 8 of the container 2. Such bonding would then result in adhesive bonding forces between the sealing element 7 and the container 2.

[0088] Alternatively, the seal can also be attached to the lid, in particular glued to it.

[0089] Due to its elastic expansion, the sealing element 7, even when the container lid 3 is elastically deformed due to external load, lies completely within the sealing element plane E7, which is horizontal to the container basin 2. This container lid 3, deformed due to external load, is shown in Fig. 1b. The deformation is exaggerated to illustrate this point. The sealing element 7 is held in position on the container basin 2 by friction, positive locking, and / or adhesion. The risk of leaks and potential contamination of the container interior 10 is thus further reduced.

[0090] A germ barrier is formed by means of the sealing element 7, so that an end face 15 of the container tray 2 facing the container lid 3, namely a container tray rim, lies within the sterilizable container interior 10. The mounting gap 5 is thus part of the sterilizable container interior 10.

[0091] With the sealing system 4 shown, the sterile seal of the container interior 10 is reliably achieved even under load in the sterile container 1, using simple means such as the sealing element 7. Reference symbol list

[0092] 1 sterile container

[0093] 2 container trays

[0094] 3 container lids

[0095] 4 Sealing system

[0096] 5 Mounting gap

[0097] 6 Container tray end edge

[0098] 7 Sealing element

[0099] 8 Side wall of the container tray 2

[0100] 9 Side wall of the container lid 3

[0101] 10 Container interior

[0102] 11 Nut

[0103] 12 circumferential collar area of ​​the container lid 3

[0104] 13 Lid area of ​​the container lid 3

[0105] 14 End area of ​​the side wall 8 of the container trough 2

[0106] 15 Front side of the container tray 2

[0107] E2 bathtub level

[0108] E3 Cover level

[0109] E7 Sealing element level d wall thickness

Claims

Claims 1. Sterile container (1) with a container tray (2), a container lid (3) which can be placed vertically onto the container tray (2) and a sealing system (4) between the container tray (2) and the container lid (3) for sealing a gap (5) between a container tray end edge (6) and the container lid (3), characterized in that the sealing system (4) sealing the gap (5) is designed as a sealing system (4) acting horizontally with respect to the container tray (2).

2. Sterile container (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing system (4) sealing the mounting gap (5) has or is a sealing element (7) which, when the container lid (3) is placed vertically onto the container tub (2), bears in a sealing manner against an outer circumference of a side wall (8) of the container tub (2) forming the outer circumference and against an inner circumference of a side wall (9) of the container lid (3) forming the inner circumference.

3. Sterile container (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing element (7) exerts a force from each section of the sealing element (7) on the side wall (8) of the container (2) in the direction of a side of the side wall (8) opposite a container interior (10) by elastically stretching the sealing element (7) during its assembly on the container tub (2) in the assembled state of the sealing element (7).

4. Sterile container (1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the side wall (8) of the container tub (2) has a circumferential groove (11 ) offset vertically to the mounting gap (5) with respect to the container tub (2) and / or a circumferential area set horizontally inwards with respect to the container tub (2) in which the sealing element (7) is received and / or on which the sealing element is supported. AE2104P-WQ-0003 18 / 20 5. Sterile container (1 ) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the sealing element (7) is designed in the form of a sealing ring with a preferably circular cross-section.

6. Sterile container (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the sealing element (7) rests against the container lid (3) in a circumferential collar area (12).

7. Sterile container (1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the container lid (3) has a lid area (13) forming a lid plane (E3) which transitions into the circumferential collar area (12) aligned at an angle of 45° to and including 90° to the lid plane (E3).

8. Sterile container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the side wall (8) of the container tub (2) has an end region (14) facing the container lid (3), in which the sealing element (7) contacts the side wall (8) and each section of the end region (14) is inclined towards a side of the side wall (8) opposite the interior of the container (10) at an angle between 0° and 45° or each section of the end region (14) is aligned parallel to the section of the opposite side.

9. Sterile container (1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the end region (14) has a substantially constant wall thickness (d).

10. Sterile container (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the sealing element (7) is bonded to the container tub (2) on the outer circumference of the side wall (8) of the container tub (2).

11. Sterile container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the sealing element (7) due to its elastic elongation during its assembly remains elastically deformed even when subjected to external load. Container lid (3) lies completely in the sealing element plane (E7) which is horizontal with respect to the container basin (2).

12. Sterile container (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that a germ barrier is formed by means of the sealing element (7) and a container opening of the container tub (2) is located in the sterilizable container interior (10).

13. Sterile container (1 ) according to claim 12, characterized in that an end face (15) of the container tub (2) facing the container lid (3), namely a container tub rim, lies in the sterilizable container interior (10).

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