EP3886752A1

EP3886752A1 - An adhesive closure

Info

Publication number: EP3886752A1
Application number: EP19890478.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Amy Leedham; Sean Yu
Original assignee: Multigate Medical Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Multigate Medical Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-26
Filing date: 2019-11-26
Publication date: 2021-10-06
Also published as: AU2019388263A1; CN113347941A; AU2018101825A4; EP3886752A4; WO2020107054A1

Abstract

An adhesive closure for holding a wrap in a closed position, the adhesive closure comprising: a first area having adhesive characteristics configured to adhere the first area of the closure to the wrap; a second area having adhesive characteristics configured to adhere the second area of the closure to the wrap; and, a middle area disposed between the first area and the second area, wherein in use, when the wrap is in the closed position, adherence of the middle area to the wrap is prevented/limited.

Description

An Adhesive Closure

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an adhesive closure. In particular, the present invention relates to an adhesive closure for medical use, such as for use on medical wraps, or the like.

Background of the Invention

The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

Presently, in a medical environment, such as in a hospital operation theatre, clinic, or the like, surgical and medical packs containing dressings or other surgical or medical items are provided to users wrapped in a sterilisation wrap. Wraps are thus used to package surgical and medical instruments and equipment and keep them sterile until they are ready to be used. Once opened, the wraps typically provide a sterile area on which the medical items are placed and accessed by medical professionals.

It is important when opening a wrap to follow procedure so that the contents therein remain aseptic or sterile. Wraps are typically closed by folding or tucking an opening corner into the folded wrap. Thus, often it is difficult to open the wrap in a way that maintains asepsis. The present invention seeks to provide an adhesive closure which may ameliorate the foregoing shortcomings and disadvantages or which will at least provide a useful alternative. Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided herein an adhesive closure for holding a wrap in a closed position.

In one example, the adhesive closure comprises: (a) a first area having adhesive characteristics configured to adhere the first area of the closure to the wrap; (b) a second area having adhesive characteristics configured to adhere the second area of the closure to the wrap; and, (c) a middle area disposed between the first area and the second area, wherein in use, when the wrap is in the closed position, the middle area does not adhere to the wrap or adherence to the wrap is prevented/limited.

Thus, in one example, the non-adherence of the middle area to the wrap allows for the adhesive closure to be torn away from the wrap in an easier manner, to thereby assist in the opening of the wrap.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the non-adherence of the middle area to the wrap can provide a greater area of weakness around a means for assisting tearing, such as a perforated line or the like, which upon opening the wrap, will reduce the amount of tension placed upon the adhesive areas of the sticker and can thereby prevent or limit the wrap from tearing. That is, in one example, if the middle area were to adhere to the wrap as the first and second areas do, this can at times cause the aseptic field to tear and therefore to no longer provide asepsis. Furthermore, non-adherence of the middle area can also assist with applying the adhesive closure more reliably and robustly in the first place, to thereby allow for the wrap to be opened in a more efficient manner. Thus, according to one example, adherence of the middle area to the wrap is prevented by any one of: (a) the middle area not having adhesive characteristics; or (b) the middle area having intervening means disposed substantially between the middle area and the wrap to thereby prevent adherence of the middle area to the wrap. According to a specific example, when the middle area does not have any adhesive characteristics, and when the adhesive closure is not in use, the adhesive closure can include release paper (or any other form of cover which is releasable or peelable from the first and second areas) to substantially cover the first and second areas. However, in this example, as the middle area does not have any adhesive properties, or the adhesiveness of the middle area is limited, then the middle area does not have to be covered by any form of cover. Thus, in this example, the cover is limited only to the first and second areas. According to another example, the middle area has means for assisting tearing apart of the adhesive closure when the wrap is being opened.

In yet further examples, the means includes any one or a combination of: (a) an area of weakness provided in the middle area; (b) a reduced height in the middle area compared to a height of the first area and of the second area; and, (c) an indentation in one or more edges of the middle area to guide tearing of the adhesive closure.

According to more specific aspects, the area of weakness can be perforated, and yet further, the area of weakness can be a perforated line disposed along the height of the middle area. According to another example, when the means includes an area of weakness provided in the middle area, the area of weakness is a perforated line.

According to yet another example, when the means is includes an indentation in one or more edges of the middle area, the indentation is v-shaped. However, it will be appreciated that the indentation can be any shape, and in one example, further assists tearing of the adehisve closure to thereby assist in opening of the wrap.

In yet another example, the means can include an indentation on either or both of a top-facing edge and a bottom-facing edge of the middle area, where the means further includes a perforated line extending between the indentations on the top-facing and bottom-facing edges.

In another example, when the adhesive closure is applied to the wrap, to keep the wrap in the closed position, the first area adheres to a first folded side of the wrap, and the second area adheres to a second folded side of the wrap such that the means is aligned with the opening of the wrap, where the opening is formed between the first folded side and the second folded side. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that placement of the adhesive means such that the tearing means (or portion) is substantially aligned with the opening of the wrap, can allow for the wrap to be opened in a manner which can maintain sterility of the items therein. Thus, in this example, the means can be aligned with an opening of the wrap in use.

According to yet another example, the wrap is a sterile medical wrap for wrapping/holding medical instruments/products. In yet a further example, the wrap is used for wrapping medical tools/items, and the wrap can be sterile. It will be also appreciated that the adhesive closure can also be sterile at least prior to opening.

In a further example, the adhesive closure is generally obround in shape or has rounded edges in the first area and/or second area. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that any combination of features described herein is included within the scope of the present specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment, in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of an example of an adhesive closure;

Figures 2A and 2B are top views of another example of an adhesive closure where there is a curved indentation in the middle area, and in particular, Figure 2A shows the adhesive closure having an obround shape, whereas Figure 2B shows the adhesive closure having a rectangular shape; Figures 3A and 3B are top views of another example of an adhesive closure where there is a curved indentation in the middle area, one side of the curved indentation having a larger gradient than the other, and in particular, Figure 3A shows the adhesive closure having an obround shape, whereas Figure 3B shows the adhesive closure having a rectangular shape;

Figures 4A and 4B are top views of another example of an adhesive closure where there is a v-shaped indentation in the middle area, and in particular, Figure 4A shows the adhesive closure having an obround shape, whereas Figure 4B shows the adhesive closure having a rectangular shape;

Figure 5A is a top view of another example of an adhesive closure, where there is a trapezoidal-shaped indentation in the middle area, and in particular, Figure 5A shows the adhesive closure having an obround shape; Figure 5B is a top view of another example of an adhesive closure, where there is a rectangular-shaped indentation in the middle area, and in particular, Figure 5B shows the adhesive closure having a rectangular shape;

Figure 6A is a top view of another example of an adhesive closure, where there is a trapezoidal-shaped indentation in the middle area, the indentation being wider than that of Figure 5A;

Figure 6B is a top view of another example of an adhesive closure, where there is a rectangular-shaped indentation in the middle area, the indentation being wider than that of figure 5B; Figures 7A and 7B are top views of another example of an adhesive closure where there is a v-shaped indentation on one side of the middle area, and in particular, Figure 7A shows the adhesive closure having an obround shape, whereas Figure 7B shows the adhesive closure having a rectangular shape;

Figure 8A is a top view of another example of an adhesive closure, the adhesive closure being of obround shape;

Figure 8B is a top view of another example of an adhesive closure, the adhesive closure being of rectangular shape; Figure 9 is a top view of an example of an adhesive closure in use with a wrap;

Figure 10 is a top view of an example of an adhesive closure in use with a wrap, the adhesive closure being pulled to open the wrap;

Figure 11 is a top view of an example of an adhesive closure in use with a wrap, the adhesive closure being torn in a middle area to open the wrap; and,

Figure 12 is a top view of an example of a user opening the wrap.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

An example of an adhesive closure 10 is shown in Figures 1 to 8B, and further examples of the adhesive closure 10 in use with a wrap 65 is shown in Figures

9 to 12.

According to a particular example, as shown in Figure 1 , the adhesive closure

10 comprises a first area 15, a second area 20, and a middle area 25.

In the examples shown in the figures, the first area 15 and the second area 20 have adhesive characteristics which are configured to adhere the first area 15 and the second area 20 of the closure to the wrap. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the adhesive characteristics can include any form of glue or the like, which is disposed or pre-disposed onto the first area 15 and the second area 20. Alternatively, the adhesive characteristics of the first area 15 and the second area 20 can be as a result of the material from which the closure 10 is made.

The middle area 25 is typically disposed between the first area 15 and the second area 20, and is formed such that the middle area 25 does not adhere to the wrap (or adherence is prevented/limited), when the adhesive closure 10 is in use. Thus, the adhesive closure 10 can be used for holding a wrap in a closed position. According to one particular example, the wrap is a medical wrap which can be used to wrap medical tools, such as surgical tools, and is only opened before surgery or medical procedure.

According to one example, the non-adherence of the middle area 25 to the wrap allows for the adhesive closure 10 to be torn away from the wrap in an easier manner, to thereby assist in the opening of the wrap.

Thus, in one example, adherence of the middle area 25 to the wrap is prevented by the middle area 25 not having adhesive characteristics. Thus, for example, the middle area 25 may not have any glue or the like disposed on the surface, as opposed to the first and second areas 15 and 20, which have glue disposed thereon.

In an alternative example, the middle area 25 can have intervening means disposed substantially between the middle area 25 and the wrap to thereby prevent adherence of the middle area 25 to the wrap. Thus, if for example, glue or the like, is disposed along the entire adhesive closure 10, then the middle area 25 can be limited from adhering to the wrap by having an intervening means such as a cover, or the like, disposed thereon, thereby not exposing the middle area 25 to the wrap. In an alternative example, when the adhesive closure 10 is not in use, the adhesive closure 10 can include release paper (or any other form of cover which is releasable or peelable from the first and second areas) to substantially cover the first and second areas 15, 20. However, in the example where the middle area 25 does not have any adhesive properties, or the adhesiveness of the middle area 25 is limited, then the middle area 25 does not have to be covered by any form of cover. Thus, in this example, the cover is limited to the first and second areas 10, 15 only.

According to another example, the middle area 25 has means for assisting tearing 30 (which can be alternatively referred to as a tearing mechanism or tearing means), which can assist in the tearing apart of the adhesive closure 10 when the wrap is being opened.

The means for assisting tearing 30, can be for example, an area of weakness provided in the middle area 25, such as a perforated line 35, as shown in Figure 1. The perforated line 35, in the example shown in Figure 1 is disposed along a height 40 of the adhesive closure 10.

In yet further examples, the means for assisting tearing 30, can include a reduced height 45 in the middle area 25 compared to a height 40 of the first area 15 and of the second area 20. The means for tearing 30 can further include one or more indentations 50 in one or more edges 55 of the adhesive closure 10.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that any form of the means for assisting tearing 30, whether a perforated line 35, a reduced height 45, or one or more indentations 50 (or a combination of these) can guide the user to tear the adhesive closure 10 within the middle area 25, thereby assisting in opening of the wrap. In one example, the adhesive closure 10 can include an indentation on either or both of a top-facing edge and a bottom-facing edge of the middle area, where the means further includes a perforated line extending between the indentations on the top-facing and bottom-facing edges. It will further be appreciated that many different shapes of indentations 50 may be possible. Examples of different shapes are shown in Figures 2A to 8B, wherein:

- Figure 2A to 3B show the indentations 50 being sloped inwardly from the edges 55, at different gradients from the edge 55;

- Figures 4A and 4B, and 7A and 7B show the indentations 50 being v- shaped;

Figures 5A and 6A show the indentations 50 being trapezoidal in shape; and, - Figures 5B and 6B show the indentations 50 being rectangular in shape.

Figures 2A to 8B also show that the adhesive closure 10 can itself be of any shape. In particular, Figure 8A shows the adhesive closure being of an obround shape, where the sides 60 are rounded, whereas Figure 8B shows the adhesive closure 10 being of rectangular shape. Furthermore, Figures 8A and 8B show that the indentations 50 can be in one or more of the edges 55 of the adhesive closure 10.

According to another example, the means for tearing 30 can be aligned with an opening of the wrap in use. It will be appreciated that the adhesive closure 10 can be used, in one example, for a wrap which is used for wrapping medical tools/instruments, where the wrap provides a sterile packaging environment for the tools/instruments.

Examples of the adhesive closure 10 in use with a wrap 65 is shown in Figures 9 to 12.

Figure 9 shows the adhesive closure 10 being used to keep the wrap 65 in a closed position. In this example, the first area 15 adheres to a first folded side 70 of the wrap 65, and the second area 20 adheres to a second folded side 75 of the wrap 65, such that an edge 80 of the first folded side 70 is within the middle area 25. Thus, the means for assisting tearing 30 of the middle area 25 is in this example, substantially aligned with the edge 80. As can be seen in Figures 10 and 1 1 , as the first folded side 70 is pulled away from the second folded side 75, to thereby move the wrap from a closed position to an opened position, the first area is pulled away from the second area 20 of the adhesive closure 10. Thus, as the middle area 25 is not adhered to the wrap 65 and in this example, the middle area 25 has a means for assisting tearing 30, the first area 15 is effectively torn away from the second area 20 (this is shown in Figure 1 1 ), which thereby allows a user to fully open the wrap 65.

An example of a user opening the wrap 65 is further shown in Figure 12. In this example, the user is using a first hand to push down on the second area 20, whilst the other hand lifts the first folded side 70 away from the second folded side 75, thereby tearing the adhesive closure 10 along the means for assisting tearing 30.

Thus, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the adhesive closure and method for opening the wrap described herein can provide an easy and effective manner by which the wrap can be opened whilst maintaining sterility of the medical items within the wrap.

It will be appreciated that any form of the word “comprising”, “comprises”, “comprised”, or the like, as used herein, is used in an inclusive manner and is not used in an excluding or limiting meaning. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

1. An adhesive closure for holding a wrap in a closed position, the

adhesive closure comprising:

a. a first area having adhesive characteristics configured to adhere the first area of the closure to the wrap;

b. a second area having adhesive characteristics configured to adhere the second area of the closure to the wrap; and c. a middle area disposed between the first area and the second area,

wherein in use, when the wrap is in the closed position, adherence of the middle area to the wrap is prevented/limited.

2. The adhesive closure of claim 1 , wherein adherence of the middle area to the wrap is prevented by any one of:

a. the middle area not having adhesive characteristics; or b. the middle area having intervening means disposed substantially between the middle area and the wrap to thereby prevent adherence of the middle area to the wrap.

3. The adhesive closure of claim 1 or 2, wherein the middle area has

means for assisting tearing apart of the adhesive closure when the wrap is being opened.

4. The adhesive closure of claim 3, wherein the means includes any one or a combination of:

a. an area of weakness provided in the middle area;

b. a reduced height in the middle area compared to a height of the first area and a height of the second area; and,

c. an indentation in one or more edges of the middle area to guide tearing of the adhesive closure.

5. The adhesive closure of any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the means is aligned with an opening of the wrap in use.

6. The adhesive closure of claim 4, wherein when the means includes an area of weakness provided in the middle area, the area of weakness is a perforated line.

7. The adhesive closure of claim 6, wherein the perforated line is disposed along the height of the middle area.

8. The adhesive closure of claim 4, wherein when the means is includes an indentation in one or more edges of the middle area, the indentation is v-shaped.

9. The adhesive closure of claim 5, wherein when the adhesive closure is applied to the wrap, to keep the wrap in the closed position, the first area adheres to a first folded side of the wrap, and the second area adheres to a second folded side of the wrap such that the means is aligned with the opening of the wrap, where the opening is formed between the first folded side and the second folded side.

10. The adhesive closure of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wrap is a sterile medical wrap for wrapping/holding medical instruments/products.

11. The adhesive closure of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the

adhesive closure is sterile.

12. The adhesive closure of any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the

adhesive closure is generally obround in shape or has rounded edges in the first area and/or second area.