EP0603789A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packaging and methods for reducing odors and strength loss caused by the irradiation of polyolefin-based products
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1993-12-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-12-20
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a method for reducing or eliminating the odors commonly produced by the sterilization of polyolefin-based products by gamma radiation. In addition, the invention also provides a method for minimizing the amount of fabric strength loss associated with the irradiation process and a method for actually increasing the fabric strength of a polyethylene that has been irradiated. Both the reduction in odors and the minimization of strength or increase in polyolefin strength are achieved in methods comprising the use of an oxygen scavenger. The invention further includes the use of non-gamma stabilized polyolefins. The polyolefinic product may also include an odor mask that may be used to mask any residual odor.
Inventors
- 👤 Julia Teems Ambrose
- 👤 Charles Edward Ii Bolian
- 👤 Stephen Eaton Ellis
- 👤 Jeffery Harold Worthington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/26; A61F; A61F15/00; A61F15/001; A61L2/02; A61L2/08; A61B; A61B50/00; A61B50/30; A61B2050/314; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/903; Y10T; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/659
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
A method for reducing the undesirable side effects associated with the irradiation of a polyolefin-based product comprising the step of exposing said polyolefin-based product to an oxygen scavenger, both of which are in or a part of a sealed container prior to said irradiation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for reducing odors associated with the sterilization by irradiation of polyolefin-based products comprising the steps of: a) inserting a polyolefin-based product into an oxygen impermeable sealable bag; b) inserting an oxygen scavenger into said bag; c) sealing said bag to prevent air from either entering or escaping said bag; and d) sterilizing said sealed bag and its contents with gamma radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of Claim 2, wherein said polyolefin-based product includes an odor mask.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of Claim 2, wherein said method further comprises evacuating substantially all of the air from said bag prior to sealing said bag.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of Claim 2, wherein said polyolefin-based product is a homopolymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of Claim 2, wherein said polyolefin-based product is a copolymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of Claim 2, wherein said polyolefin-based product comprises a fabric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of Claim 2, wherein said polyolefin-based product further comprises a gamma stabilizer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of Claim 2, wherein said method further comprises inserting an odor scavenger into said bag prior to sealing said bag.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of Claim 2, wherein said oxygen scavenger is contained in a carrier means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of Claim 2, wherein said oxygen scavenger is connected to a carrier means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A polyolefin-based product that has been sterilized according to the method of Claim 2.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for reducing strength loss associated with the sterilization of a polyolefin-based product that has a pre-sterilization strength comprising the steps of: a) inserting a polyolefin-based product into an oxygen impermeable sealable bag; b) inserting an oxygen scavenger into said bag; c) sealing said bag to prevent air from either entering or escaping said bag; and d) sterilizing said sealed bag and its contents with gamma radiation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of Claim 13, wherein said method further comprises evacuating as much air as possible from said bag prior to sealing said bag.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of Claim 13, wherein said polyolefin-based product is a homopolymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of Claim 13, wherein said polyolefin-based product is a copolymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of Claim 13, wherein said polyolefin-based product comprises a fabric.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of Claim 13, wherein said polyolefin-based product further comprises a gamma stabilizer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of Claim 13, wherein said method further comprises inserting an odor scavenger into said bag prior to sealing said bag.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of Claim 13, wherein said oxygen scavenger is contained in a carrier means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of Claim 13, wherein said oxygen scavenger is connected to a carrier means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A polyolefin-based product that has been sterilized according to the method of Claim 13.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for increasing the strength of a polyethylene-based product comprising: a) exposing said polyethylene-based product to an oxygen scavenger, both of which are contained in an oxygen impermeable package; and b) gamma-irradiating said package and said product such that the strength of said product is greater than the prior-to-irradiation strength thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A polyolefin-based product that has been sterilized according to the method of Claim 23.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for preventing the formation of oxygenated compounds that are formed after a polyolefinic product is exposed to gamma radiation in the presence of oxygen comprising the steps of placing said polyolefinic product and an oxygen scavenger in a sealed container and irradiating said product and container with gamma radiation at a level of exposure sufficient to sterilize said product.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gamma-irradiated polyolefin-based product that is substantially odor free comprising homopolymers substantially free of oxygenated compounds.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gamma-irradiated polyolefin-based product that is substantially odor free comprising copolymers substantially free of oxygenated compounds.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
A gamma-irradiated polyolefin-based product comprising substantially odor free compounds of the polyolefin family.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The product of claim 28, wherein said polyolefin-based product is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The product of claim 28, wherein said polyolefin-based product is a fabric material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The product of claim 28, wherein said polyolefin-based product is a surgical gown.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
A gamma-irradiated polyolefin-based product comprising a fabric having a strength that is at least 50% of its original prior-to-irradiation strength.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gamma-irradiated polyolefin-based product comprising a fabric having a strength greater than its original prior-to-irradiation strength.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
An oxygen impermeable sealed gamma-irradiated package comprising a polyolefin-based product and an oxygen scavenger, wherein said product is substantially odor free.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The package of Claim 34 further comprising a carrier means for carrying said oxygen scavenger.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
10 words
The package of Claim 34 further comprising an odor scavenger.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The package of Claim 34, wherein said polyolefin-based product is comprised of copolymers.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The package of Claim 34, wherein said polyolefin-based product is comprised of homopolymers
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The package of Claim 34 comprising outer barrier layers and an internal pouch for containing said oxygen scavenger and having a gas permeable inner layer permitting exposure to said polyolefin-based product.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The package of Claim 39 wherein the outer barrier layers and pouch forming gas permeable inner layer are heat sealed.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The package of Claim 39 wherein the package forms a pouch, and said pouch is in the product loading end remote from the product removal end.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
An oxygen scavenger carrier means comprising cellulosic fibers and an oxygen scavenger.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The oxygen scavenger carrier means of Claim 38, wherein said means is connected to a polyolefin-based fabric.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
39 words
A gamma-irradiated aseptically tieable gown comprising a polyolefin-based fabric, an oxygen scavenger, and an oxygen scavenger carrier means, wherein said carrier means is connected to said fabric such that said gown may be aseptically tied using said carrier means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The package of CLaim 34 wherein the polyolefin-based product is a vehicle cover.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The package of Claim 34 wherein the polyolefin-based product comprises a laminate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The package of Claim 34 wherein the polyolefin-based product is a surgical drape.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The package of Claim 34 wherein the polyolefin-based product is a workwear product.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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