Patent US4050576A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4050576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polymeric sterilant assembly
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
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Filing: 1976-08-17
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Granted: 1977-09-27
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Expires: 1996-08-17
Abstract
Abstract Sterilant package including a polyacetal, which contains oxymethylene groups and stabilizing groups therefor, such as oxyethylene groups, which has been irradiated to effect chain cleavage, without depolymerization, whereby upon subsequent heating, the polyacetal is depolymerized with increased release of formaldehyde sterilizing gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel L. Williams
- 👤 Jerry J. Tulis
- 👤 Larry A. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/20; A61L2/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An article of manufacture, comprising: a sterilant package, said sterilant package including in the interior of such package a polyacetal containing oxymethylene groups and stabilizing groups linked to the oxymethylene groups to prevent chain cleavage, said polyacetal having been subjected to high energy irradiation, prior to subjecting said package to heat sterilization, in a dose of from 0.01 to 400 megarads sufficient to effect chain cleavage without depolymerization to increase formaldehyde release upon subsequent heating of the package.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An article of manufacture, comprising: a sterilant package, said sterilant package including in the interior of such package a polyacetal containing oxymethylene groups and stabilizing groups linked to the oxymethylene groups to prevent chain cleavage, said polyacetal having been subjected to high energy irradiation, prior to subjecting said package to heat sterilization, in a dose of from 0.01 to 400 megarads sufficient to effect chain cleavage without depolymerization to increase formaldehyde release upon subsequent heating of the package.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 1 wherein at least an interior portion of the package is formed from the polyacetal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the polyacetal is included as a separate piece in the package.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the package is formed of a polymer film having the polyacetal dispersed therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the package includes an article to be sterilized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the irradiation dose was from 0.1 to 40 megarads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing group is --OR-- wherein R is a divalent radical including at least two carbon atoms directly linked to each other and included within the polyacetal polymer chain between the two valances.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
9 words
The article of claim 7 wherein --OR-- is oxyethylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a process for producing a sterilant package including an article to be sterilized, the improvement comprising: including in the interior of the sterilant package a polyacetal containing oxymethylene groups and stabilizing groups linked to the oxymethylene groups to prevent chain cleavage, said polyacetal having been subjected to high energy irradiation, prior to subjecting said package to heat sterilization, in a dose of from 0.01 to 400 megarads sufficient to effect chain cleavage without depolymerization to increase formaldehyde release upon subsequent heating of the package.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a process for producing a sterilant package including an article to be sterilized, the improvement comprising: including in the interior of the sterilant package a polyacetal containing oxymethylene groups and stabilizing groups linked to the oxymethylene groups to prevent chain cleavage, said polyacetal having been subjected to high energy irradiation, prior to subjecting said package to heat sterilization, in a dose of from 0.01 to 400 megarads sufficient to effect chain cleavage without depolymerization to increase formaldehyde release upon subsequent heating of the package.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the polyacetal is included as a separate piece in the package.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said polyacetal is included by forming an interior portion of the package from said polyacetal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the stabilizing group is --OR-- wherein R is a divalent radical including at least two carbon atoms directly linked to each other and included with the polyacetal polymer chain between the two valences.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
9 words
The process of claim 12 wherein --OR-- is oxyethylene.
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) | 1980-09-26 | 1981-03-28 | 1981-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-26 | 1985-03-28 | 1985-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-26 | 1989-03-28 | 1989-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |