US4550546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilizable perforated packaging material
Assignee: Tredegar Film Products LLC
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Filing: 1984-09-17
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Granted: 1985-11-05
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Expires: 2004-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A sterilizable, preferably fiber-free, perforated packaging material which can be utilized to make a package to hold an item which can be sterilized while it is inside the package comprising a first layer of perforated thermoplastic film, preferably extruded film, and having at least one heat-sealable surface, and a second layer of perforated thermoplastic film, preferably extruded film and having at least one heat-sealable surface, the first layer being oriented relative to the second layer so that the perforations in both of the layers are mis-aligned and at least one of the heat-sealable surfaces of one of the layers contacts at least one of the heat-sealable surfaces of the other layer; a package made from the packaging material; and a method of sterilizing an item in a package.
Inventors
- 👤 Garland E. Raley
- 👤 Richard W. Goodrum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:37
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D65/00; B65D65/38; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/12; B65B55/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A method for sterilizing an item in a package comprising: a. placing the item between a fiber-free top sheet and a fiber-free bottom sheet of a sterilizable package, which package comprises said top sheet connected at its edges to said bottom sheet, said sheets being made from a material comprising a first layer of perforated thermoplastic extruded film and a second layer of perforated thermoplastic extruded film, said second layer of said film connected to said first layer of said film, said first layer of said film and said second layer of said film each having protuberances therein in which the perforations are located, and said first layer of said film being oriented relatively to said second layer of said film so that said perforations in said first layer of said film are mis-aligned with said perforations in said second layer of said film; b. subjecting said package to a stream of sterilizing gas sufficient to enter the interior of said package and sterilize the item inside; and thereafter, c. subjecting said package to heat sufficient to seal the areas of said layers of film around said perforations in said package to each other and thereby make said package water-tight and airtight.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
202 words
A method for sterilizing an item in a package comprising: a. placing the item between a fiber-free top sheet and a fiber-free bottom sheet of a sterilizable package, which package comprises said top sheet connected at its edges to said bottom sheet, said sheets being made from a material comprising a first layer of perforated thermoplastic extruded film and a second layer of perforated thermoplastic extruded film, said second layer of said film connected to said first layer of said film, said first layer of said film and said second layer of said film each having protuberances therein in which the perforations are located, and said first layer of said film being oriented relatively to said second layer of said film so that said perforations in said first layer of said film are mis-aligned with said perforations in said second layer of said film; b. subjecting said package to a stream of sterilizing gas sufficient to enter the interior of said package and sterilize the item inside; and thereafter, c. subjecting said package to heat sufficient to seal the areas of said layers of film around said perforations in said package to each other and thereby make said package water-tight and airtight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first layer of perforated film comprises a lamina of polyethylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first layer of perforated film is a layer of polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said protuberances of said first layer face said protuberances of said second layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
the method of claim 1 wherein said protuberances of said first layer interlock with said protuberances of said second layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said protuberances of said first layer face away from said protuberances of said second layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first layer is connected to said second layer by spot sealing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first layer is connected to said second layer by gluing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first layer is heat sealed to said second layer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
226 words
A method for sterilizing an item in a package comprising: a. placing the item between the top sheet and the bottom sheet of a sterilizable package comprising a top sheet connected at its edges to a bottom sheet so that an item to be packaged may be placed between said sheets, said sheets being made from a material comprising a first layer of perforated thermoplastic extruded film having at least one heat-sealable surface, a second layer of perforated thermoplastic extruded film connected to said first layer having at least one heat-sealable surface, said first layer of said film and said second layer of said film each having protuberances therein in which the perforations are located, and said first layer of said film being oriented relative to said second layer of said film so that said perforations in said first layer of said film are mis-aligned with said perforations in said second layer of said film and said heat-sealable surfaces of each of said layers of film face each other; b. subjecting said package to a stream of sterilizing gas sufficient to enter the interior of said package and sterilize the item inside; and thereafter, c. subjecting said package to heat sufficient to fuse said first layer and said second layer together and thereby seal the perforations in said package to make said package water-tight and airtight.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
226 words
A method for sterilizing an item in a package comprising: a. placing the item between the top sheet and the bottom sheet of a sterilizable package comprising a top sheet connected at its edges to a bottom sheet so that an item to be packaged may be placed between said sheets, said sheets being made from a material comprising a first layer of perforated thermoplastic extruded film having at least one heat-sealable surface, a second layer of perforated thermoplastic extruded film connected to said first layer having at least one heat-sealable surface, said first layer of said film and said second layer of said film each having protuberances therein in which the perforations are located, and said first layer of said film being oriented relative to said second layer of said film so that said perforations in said first layer of said film are mis-aligned with said perforations in said second layer of said film and said heat-sealable surfaces of each of said layers of film face each other; b. subjecting said package to a stream of sterilizing gas sufficient to enter the interior of said package and sterilize the item inside; and thereafter, c. subjecting said package to heat sufficient to fuse said first layer and said second layer together and thereby seal the perforations in said package to make said package water-tight and airtight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said first layer of perforated film comprises a lamina of polyethylene having bonded thereto a lamina of a heat-sealable material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said heat-sealable material is a copolymer of vinyl acetate and ethylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said first and second layers comprise a laminate having at least two laminae, at least one of which is a heat-sealable lamina, said heat-sealable laminae being on the inside of said layers, said two layers being oriented so that said heat-sealable laminae face each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said first layer is connected to said second layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said first layer is connected to said second layer by spot sealing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said first layer is connected to said second layer by gluing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said first layer is heat sealed to said second layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said material is impervious to air.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said material is impervious to water.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-04 | 1989-05-06 | 1989-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-04 | 1993-05-06 | 1993-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-04 | 1997-05-06 | 1997-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |