GB2485377A - A peel-open sterilisable pouch - Google Patents

A peel-open sterilisable pouch Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2485377A
GB2485377A GB1019082.5A GB201019082A GB2485377A GB 2485377 A GB2485377 A GB 2485377A GB 201019082 A GB201019082 A GB 201019082A GB 2485377 A GB2485377 A GB 2485377A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
pouch
gas permeable
permeable membrane
patch
panel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1019082.5A
Other versions
GB201019082D0 (en
Inventor
Gary Leonard
Barry Moore
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
STERIPACK MEDICAL Ltd
Original Assignee
STERIPACK MEDICAL Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by STERIPACK MEDICAL Ltd filed Critical STERIPACK MEDICAL Ltd
Priority to GB1019082.5A priority Critical patent/GB2485377A/en
Publication of GB201019082D0 publication Critical patent/GB201019082D0/en
Publication of GB2485377A publication Critical patent/GB2485377A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5855—Peelable seals
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/008—Standing pouches, i.e. "Standbeutel"
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B2050/005—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers with a lid or cover
    • A61B2050/0065—Peelable cover
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A61B2050/314—Flexible bags or pouches
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2202/18—Aseptic storing means
    • A61L2202/181—Flexible packaging means, e.g. permeable membranes, paper
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/20—Targets to be treated
    • A61L2202/24—Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps

Abstract

A peel-open sterilisable pouch (1) comprises a front panel (2) and an associated rear panel (3) joined together by an outer peelable seal (4) to define a pocket between the panels (2, 3). A centrally located opening (7) is provided in the front panel (2) and a gas permeable membrane patch (8) is mounted across the opening (7) on a rear face of the front panel (2) and is secured to the front panel (2) by an annular patch seal (10). An outer periphery of the gas permeable membrane patch (8) is located inboard of the outer peelable seal (4) joining the panels (2, 3). The gas permeable membrane allows sterilisation of the pouch contents (15) after it has been placed in the pouch.

Description

"A Peel-Open Sterilisable Pouch"
Introduction
This invention relates to peel-open sterilisabte pouches.
The invention particularly relates to such peel-open open sterilisable pouches and the like containers used in medical packaging applications and in other packaging applications where it is necessary to sterilise an interior of a closed pouch and to maintain sterility therein prior to opening the pouch after sterilisation. It is well known to provide such pouches which essentially comprise a front panel and a rear panel joined by a thermally formed seal extending about a periphery of the panels to define a pocket between the panels within which is mounted a medical device such as a syringe for example. The panels can be gripped and peeled apart to expose the sterilised contents for use. To allow sterilisation after mounting the device within the pouch and seating the device within the pouch, typically one of the panels is formed of a surgical grade paper or spun-bonded olefin such Tyvek (Registered Trade Mark). Thus, this paper panel is gas permeable to allow sterilisation of the pouch interior and contents by a sterilising gas and the paper panel subsequently forms a bacteriological barrier to maintain sterility within the pouch after sterilisation and prior to opening the pouch to use the contents.
However it can be difficult to achieve a clean fibre free peel using uncoated papers and Tyveks, and there is a limit to the seal strength with which you will achieve a fibre free peel. Further, when peeling open the pouch to access the contents, even if one is extremely careful fibres from the paper panel tend to be released into the atmosphere as the panels are torn apart which is particularly undesirable in a sterile room such as an operating theatre in which such pouches are often opened.
The present invention is directed towards overcoming these problems.
Statements of Invention
According to the invention there is provided a peel-open sterilisable pouch comprising: a front panel and a rear panel joined together by an outer peelable seal to define a pocket between the panels, an opening in one of the panels, a gas permeable membrane patch mounted across said opening and sealed to the panel about the opening, a periphery of the gas permeable membrane patch being located inboard of the outer peelable seal.
In one embodiment of the invention the gas permeable membrane patch is mounted on an inside face of the panel. Alternatively the gas permeable membrane patch may be mounted on an outer face of the panel.
In another embodiment the gas permeable membrane patch is centrally located between the sides of the panels.
In another embodiment an outer portion of the gas permeable membrane patch overlaps a peripheral band of panel material extending about the opening and an endless patch seal bonds the gas permeable membrane patch to the panel at the band.
In a further embodiment said endless patch seal is located intermediate an inner edge and an outer edge of the band.
In another embodiment the endless patch seal is centrally located in the band.
In another embodiment the width of the endless patch seal is in the range 25% to 50% of the width of the band.
In a further embodiment the width of the gas permeable membrane patch is in the range 30-60% of the width of the panel.
In another embodiment the gas permeable membrane patch is circular.
In another embodiment the endless patch seal is annular.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is an elevational view of a peel-open sterilisable pouch according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side sectional elevational view of the pouch shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a bottom end elevational view of the pouch shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the pouch, shown in use; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the pouch in use being peeled open to reveal the contents for use; and Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the pouch.
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a peel-open sterilisable pouch according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The pouch 1 comprises a front panel 2 and as associated rear panel 3 joined together by an outer peelable seal 4 to define a pocket 5 between the panels 2, 3. An opening 7 is provided in the front panel 2. A gas permeable membrane patch 8 is mounted across the opening 7 on a rear face of the front panel 2 and is secured to the front panel 2 by an annular patch seal 10. It will be noted that an outer periphery of the gas permeable membrane patch 8 is located inboard of the outer peelable seal 4 joining the panels 2, 3.
The gas permeable membrane patch 8 is circular as is the associated opening 7 in the front panel 2. As can be seen in the drawings, the diameter of the gas permeable membrane patch 8 is somewhat larger than the diameter of the opening 7. Thus, an outer portion of the gas permeable membrane patch 8 overlaps a peripheral band B (Fig. 1) of panel material extending about the opening 7. In the particular example illustrated, the annular endless patch seal 10 is located generally centrally intermediate an inner edge and an outer edge of the band B. By way of non-limiting example in the product illustrated the diameter of the gas permeable membrane patch 8 is 60 mm, the diameter of the opening 7 is 30 mm and the width of the annular patch seal 10 is about 3-6 mm. A register mark 12 is provided on the front panel 2 to facilitate correct alignment of the gas permeable membrane patch 8 with the opening 7 in the front panel 2 during manufacture.
It will be noted that during manufacture of the pouch 1, the bottom edge 14 is left open as shown in Fig. 1 to allow insertion of a device 15 into the pouch 1 prior to sealing the bottom edge 14 with a bottom transverse peelable seal 4 as shown in Fig. 4.
It will be noted also at an upper end of the pouch 1, the peelable seal 4 forms a chevron shape between the sides of the pouch 1. This facilitates initially starting to peel the panels 2, 3 apart. Upper portions of each panel 2, 3 above the chevron cross-seal portion of the peelable seal 4 form flaps 16, 17 which can be gripped to peel the panels 2, 3 apart. Spot seals 20 at the top corners hold the flaps 16, 17 together until it is desired to grip the flaps 16, 17 and open the pouch 1.
Any suitable materials may be used for the gas permeable membrane patch. For example a surgical grade paper, or more preferably a spun-bonded olef in such as Tyvek (Registered Trade Mark) can conveniently be used.
Various plastics materials can be used for the front panel 2 and rear panel 3 such as low density polyethylene for example. It will be appreciated that by creating the peelabie seal 4 between front and rear panels of thermoplastics material a higher seal strength and a better peel-open action is achieved. Furthermore, there is no tearing of the gas permeable membrane patch material which is located remote from the peel-away seal 4 and thus during opening fibres are not released from the gas permeable membrane patch 8 into the atmosphere.
In use, a device 15 is mounted through the bottom edge 14 into the pocket 5 formed between the panels 2, 3. The bottom edge 14 is then sealed with the peelable seal 4 as shown in Fig. 4. When ready to use the device 15 a user simply grips the flaps 16, 17 at a top of each panel 2, 3 and pulls them apart breaking the spot seals 20 and initiating peeling at the chevron shaped peelable seal band 4 adjacent a top of the pouch 1. The two panels 2, 3 can then be peeled apart in a controlled manner as shown in Fig. 5.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (12)

  1. CLAIMS1. A peel-open sterilisable pouch comprising: a front panel and a rear panel joined together by an outer peelable seal to define a pocket between the panels, an opening in one of the panels, a gas permeable membrane patch mounted across said opening and sealed to the panel about the opening, a periphery of the gas permeable membrane patch being located inboard of the outer peelable seal.
  2. 2. A pouch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gas permeable membrane patch is mounted on an inside face of the panel.
  3. 3. A pouch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gas permeable membrane patch is mounted on an outer face of the panel.
  4. 4. A pouch as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gas permeable membrane patch is centrally located between the sides of the panels.
  5. 5. A pouch as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an outer portion of the gas permeable membrane patch overlaps a peripheral band of panel material extending about the opening and an endless patch seal bonds the gas permeable membrane patch to the panel at the band.
  6. 6. A pouch as claimed in claim 5 wherein said endless patch seal is located intermediate an inner edge and an outer edge of the band.
  7. 7. A pouch as claimed in claims 6 wherein the endless patch seal is centrally located in the band.
  8. 8. A pouch as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the width of the endless patch seal is in the range 25% to 50% of the width of the band.
  9. 9. A pouch as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the width of the gas permeable membrane patch is in the range 30-60% if the width of the panel.
  10. 10. A pouch as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gas permeable membrane patch is circular.
  11. 11. A pouch as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the endless patch seal is annular.
  12. 12. A peel-open sterilisable pouch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.M7275-&spec.oct22-1 0
GB1019082.5A 2010-11-11 2010-11-11 A peel-open sterilisable pouch Withdrawn GB2485377A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1019082.5A GB2485377A (en) 2010-11-11 2010-11-11 A peel-open sterilisable pouch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1019082.5A GB2485377A (en) 2010-11-11 2010-11-11 A peel-open sterilisable pouch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201019082D0 GB201019082D0 (en) 2010-12-29
GB2485377A true GB2485377A (en) 2012-05-16

Family

ID=43431305

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1019082.5A Withdrawn GB2485377A (en) 2010-11-11 2010-11-11 A peel-open sterilisable pouch

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2485377A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9427710B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-08-30 Bemis Company, Inc. Radial filtration vent and medical device packaging

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3547257A (en) * 1968-01-22 1970-12-15 American Hospital Supply Corp Package for sterile article
GB1569479A (en) * 1976-04-13 1980-06-18 Cordis Dow Corp Sterile artifical kidney dialyzer package
US5551781A (en) * 1995-04-21 1996-09-03 Wilkes; Kenneth R. Sterilizable container and method of fabrication
US6594971B1 (en) * 1998-12-30 2003-07-22 Ethicon, Inc. Sterile packaging for flexible endoscopes
WO2005073091A2 (en) * 2004-01-20 2005-08-11 Avantec Vascular Corporation Package of sensitive articles
JP2007276803A (en) * 2006-04-04 2007-10-25 Seiko Sangyo:Kk Packaging label for medical device
JP2010035917A (en) * 2008-08-07 2010-02-18 Manii Kk Package for medical supplies

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3547257A (en) * 1968-01-22 1970-12-15 American Hospital Supply Corp Package for sterile article
GB1569479A (en) * 1976-04-13 1980-06-18 Cordis Dow Corp Sterile artifical kidney dialyzer package
US5551781A (en) * 1995-04-21 1996-09-03 Wilkes; Kenneth R. Sterilizable container and method of fabrication
US6594971B1 (en) * 1998-12-30 2003-07-22 Ethicon, Inc. Sterile packaging for flexible endoscopes
WO2005073091A2 (en) * 2004-01-20 2005-08-11 Avantec Vascular Corporation Package of sensitive articles
JP2007276803A (en) * 2006-04-04 2007-10-25 Seiko Sangyo:Kk Packaging label for medical device
JP2010035917A (en) * 2008-08-07 2010-02-18 Manii Kk Package for medical supplies

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9427710B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-08-30 Bemis Company, Inc. Radial filtration vent and medical device packaging

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201019082D0 (en) 2010-12-29

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)