US3604616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Peelable envelope for sterile articles
Assignee: EDWARD WECK AND CO Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-02
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A sterilizable envelope for retaining articles before, during and after sterilization and for maintaining sterility of the contents for extended periods of time. One wall of the envelope is made of an opaque material, such as paper, and the other wall is a transparent material, such as a plastic film, these materials being sealed together around the periphery of the envelope. A portion of the periphery of the envelope is left open for receiving the article to be stored, whereupon the seal may be completed for subsequent sterilization and storage. Another portion of the periphery of the envelope is configured for easy opening by separating a portion of the two walls to expose the enclosed sterile article.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward E Greif
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:00
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D75/00; B65D75/28; B65D75/30; A; A61; A61B; A61B50/00; A61B50/30; A61B2050/005; A61B2050/0065; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S383/00; Y10S383/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An envelope for enclosing and retaining articles before, during and after sterilization, comprising: a unitary first wall of first flexible sheet material comprising a first layer of said first material and a second layer of said first material, said layers being mechanically bonded together; and a second wall of second flexible sheet material being dimensionally similar to said first wall; said second wall being sealed to said first wall around three sides of the periphery thereof to form said envelope having one end open, said seal being in the form of a relatively narrow band.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An envelope for enclosing and retaining articles before, during and after sterilization, comprising: a unitary first wall of first flexible sheet material comprising a first layer of said first material and a second layer of said first material, said layers being mechanically bonded together; and a second wall of second flexible sheet material being dimensionally similar to said first wall; said second wall being sealed to said first wall around three sides of the periphery thereof to form said envelope having one end open, said seal being in the form of a relatively narrow band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The envelope of claim 1 wherein: said second layer of said first flexible sheet material is thin compareD with said first layer and said second wall is arranged in facing relation with and sealed to said second layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The envelope of claim 2, wherein: said seal at the other end of said envelope is displaced inwardly from at least one corner thereof to permit the confronting corners of said walls to be freely separated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The envelope of claim 1, wherein: said sealed areas of said envelope being capable of withstanding sterilization temperatures without deterioration of the seal quality.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The envelope of claim 2, wherein: said first and second layers comprising said first wall are paper and said second wall is a thermoplastic film capable of being heat sealed to said first wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The envelope of claim 4, wherein, said second wall is nylon film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The envelope of claim 3, wherein: the open end of said envelope may be heat sealed to close the interior of said envelope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The envelope of claim 7, wherein: said envelope may be opened by forcibly pulling said second wall from said first wall, wherein said second layer in the vicinity of said seal separates from said first layer and is ruptured from the remainder of said second layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The envelope of claim 2, wherein: said first flexible sheet material has a grain structure and is arranged so that the grain of said first layer is oriented in a transverse direction with respect to said envelope and the grain of said second layer is oriented in a longitudinal direction with respect to said envelope.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The envelope of claim 1, wherein: said first and second walls are permeable to sterilizing gases and steam while being impervious to dust and bacteria, said second wall further being transparent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
152 words
An envelope for enclosing and retaining articles before, during and after sterilization, comprising: a flexible, unitary first wall comprising a first layer of relatively thick paper and a second layer of similar relatively thin paper, said layers being mechanically bonded together; and a flexible second wall of transparent thermoplastic film dimensionally similar to said first wall, said second wall being heat sealed to said second layer of said first wall in confronting relationship therewith, said seal being in the form of a relatively narrow band around three sided of the periphery of said envelope leaving one end thereof open; said seal at the other end of said envelope being displaced inwardly from at least one corner to permit the confronting corners of said walls to be readily separated preparatory to opening said envelope; said first and second walls are permeable to steam and sterilizing gases while being impervious to dust and bacteria.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
152 words
An envelope for enclosing and retaining articles before, during and after sterilization, comprising: a flexible, unitary first wall comprising a first layer of relatively thick paper and a second layer of similar relatively thin paper, said layers being mechanically bonded together; and a flexible second wall of transparent thermoplastic film dimensionally similar to said first wall, said second wall being heat sealed to said second layer of said first wall in confronting relationship therewith, said seal being in the form of a relatively narrow band around three sided of the periphery of said envelope leaving one end thereof open; said seal at the other end of said envelope being displaced inwardly from at least one corner to permit the confronting corners of said walls to be readily separated preparatory to opening said envelope; said first and second walls are permeable to steam and sterilizing gases while being impervious to dust and bacteria.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |