Abstract:
The present invention concerns a packaging for an item of medical equipment made by folding a sheet so as to form a cradle for receiving the contents, formed from two flaps hinged together in the shape of a clamp, a cover element hinged on one of the flaps of the cradle and closing means themselves hinged transversely on at least one of the flaps of the cradle and/or the cover element, characterised by the fact that the closing means are designed to be fixed together by simple mechanical engagement and in that, when urged to open, the cover element exerts a force on said closing means mechanically engaged with each other, making them automatically separate, and thus opening the packaging.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to the field of packaging for items of medical equipment. 
         [0002]    It relates to many applications for medical purposes. However, it is particularly applicable to gauze tents or knits used in surgery, without being limited thereto. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    Many types of packaging designed to contain items of medical equipment have already been proposed. 
         [0004]    To reduce contamination risks, surgical equipment is generally preserved in aseptic packaging. However, once such a packaging is open, the item of equipment contained inside is no longer in an aseptic environment. 
         [0005]    In some cases, the practitioner opens the packaging themselves before taking hold of and using the medical equipment it contains. 
         [0006]    In other cases, during a surgical operation for example, the packages are first opened by medical staff, and their contents are then handed to the practitioner who can take hold of the contents. 
         [0007]    In all cases, the opening of the package and then the extraction of its contents must require a minimum amount of handling of the packaging itself, it being necessary to perform this handling in such a way that the sterile nature of the contents is guaranteed. 
         [0008]    A known example of packaging is described in the document U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,392. This document describes a packaging made by folding a sheet so as to form a cradle for receiving the contents, made of two flaps hinged together in the shape of a clamp, a cover element hinged on one of the flaps of the cradle and closing means, themselves hinged transversely on the flaps of the cradle and/or the cover element. The closing means are fastened by sealing. The appended  FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a step in the opening of such a packaging after separating and deploying the side closing means. 
         [0009]    An examination of the  FIG. 1  will show that the use of such a packaging does not give full satisfaction insofar as it is difficult to open because part of it must be carried out blind, one of the hands of the operator holding the clamp-shaped cradle which encases the contents to be picked up, while the other hand must be positioned under the packaging in order to take hold of the cover element to deploy it. 
       Overview of the Invention 
       [0010]    The aim of the invention is to improve on the known techniques of the prior art. 
         [0011]    In particular, the aim of the invention is to propose a new packaging which, while being simple to manufacture and reliable, allows easy and safe access to the contents, without any particular excess cost. 
         [0012]    This aim is achieved according to the present invention with a packaging for an item of medical equipment produced by folding a sheet so as to form a cradle for receiving the content, made of two flaps hinged together in the shape of a clamp, a cover element hinged on one of the flaps of the cradle and closing means, themselves hinged transversely on at least one of the flaps of the cradle and/or the cover element, characterized by the fact that the closing means are designed to be fixed together by simple mechanical engagement between them and that, when urged to open, the cover element exerts a force on said closing means mechanically engaged with each other, making them automatically separate and thus opening the packaging. 
         [0013]    One advantage of the present invention is that the opening of the packaging is carried out in a single, instinctive, and fast hand gesture, without any risk of the handler directly touching the contents of the packaging. 
         [0014]    Another advantage lies in the fact that no additional fastening means such as glue, adhesive or any other kind are required to close the packaging. The invention is advantageously completed by the following features, taken alone or in any technical possible combination:
       at least one of the closing means is hinged transversely on the cover element by a transverse fold line,   at least one of the closing means is a driving closing means hinged transversely on one of the flaps of the cradle and on the cover element by a driving transverse fold line,   the cover element is hinged to a base flap of the cradle by a longitudinal fold line secant with each transverse fold line,   each driving closing means is traversed by an extension of the longitudinal fold line of the closing element on the base flap, allowing it to form a dihedron when the cover element is in the folded position,   the packaging includes two closing means, at least the first of which is a driving closing means in the shape of a dihedron, the mechanical engagement between them in their folded position being effected by encasing a section of the second closing means within the dihedron formed by the first driving closing means,   both closing means are driving and in the shape of a dihedron, both driving transverse fold lines are perpendicular to the longitudinal fold line of the cover element on the base flap, and the edges of the dihedrons touch each other in at least one segment when the closing means are engaged inside each other in their folded position,   the cover element includes a covering flap comprising a free edge opposite a longitudinal fold line, wherein is formed at least one notch leaving a section of the surface of the cradle uncovered when the cover element is in the folded position,   the cover element includes a covering flap comprising at least one transverse edge including a transverse section connected to a closing means and a free transverse section adjacent to a free edge,   the closing means are folded down against the cradle and partly cover it in such a way as to leave a section of the surface on the cradle uncovered,   the cradle includes a protective flap folded down on a base flap by a protective fold line, the two surface sections left uncovered on the cradle extending on either side of this protective fold line so as to be simultaneously taken hold of in a clamping movement,   at least one driving closing means is symmetrical with respect to the extension of a longitudinal fold line that traverses it, in such a way that the two faces of the dihedron that it forms when the cover element is in the folded position coincide,   the packaging is made of a non-woven textile material, preferably polyethylene fiber.       
 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows the known packaging described above. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  represents a preferred embodiment of the invention seen in top view and handled manually. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  represents an outline of the same embodiment in top view before shaping by folding. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 4 to 7  represent various steps of preparation of a packaging according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 :
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the aforementioned packaging, whose receiving cradle is in the process of being shaped;     FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the aforementioned packaging, with the shaping of its holding cradle finished, before the folding of the cover element;     FIG. 6  represents a front perspective view of the aforementioned packaging, with the cover element in folded position;     FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  respectively represent a front perspective view and a back view of the aforementioned packaging, with its closing means in the process of being closed;       
 
           [0035]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  respectively represent a back and front view of the aforementioned packaging in the closed position. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 9   a  to  9   c  represent different states of a packaging according to the embodiment in  FIG. 3  in the process of being opened:
         FIG. 9   a  represents a front view of the aforementioned packaging, wherein the cover element is stressed;     FIG. 9   b  represents a front view of the aforementioned packaging, with the closing means in the process of unfolding;     FIG. 9   c  represents a front perspective view of the aforementioned packaging, in the open position, permitting access to its contents.       
 
           [0040]      FIGS. 10 to 17  represent variant embodiments of the packaging according to the invention:
       the variants illustrated in  FIGS. 10 to 13  are outlines in top view, before they are shaped;     FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b  represent a same variant embodiment, in top view before shaping, and in back view after shaping, respectively;     FIG. 15  illustrates a variant embodiment during folding from a top perspective view;     FIGS. 16 and 17  represent variants in top view.       
 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    A preferred embodiment will first be detailed, illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 9   c.    
         [0046]    The packaging  1  is made from a sheet, cut and folded to form several parts providing different functions illustrated in  FIG. 3 : a receiving cradle  2  intended to house and isolate M from any outside contact, a cover element  3  movable in relation to the housing cradle, and making it possible to shut the housing cradle, and closing means  4 ,  5  capable of holding the packaging closed. 
         [0047]    The housing cradle  2  can consist of two flaps: a base flap  26  and a protective flap  27  hinged with the base flap  26  by a protective fold line  28  allowing the receiving cradle to form a clamp. The base  26  and protective  27  flaps have substantially rectangular outlines, the protective fold line  28  being placed on one of their long sides. Where applicable the protective flap  27  has both angles opposite the fold line of the protective fold line  28  rounded. Moreover, the protective flap  27  can have a width, taken perpendicular to the fold line  28 , less than that of the base flap  26 . Once folded about the fold line  28 , the protective flap  27  covers the base flap  26 , the contents M to be protected being placed in a casing  20  formed between the base flap  26  and the protective flap  27 . 
         [0048]    The cover element  3  is hinged with the base flap  26  of the receiving cradle  2  along a longitudinal folding line  24  located on an opposite edge to that of the protective fold line  28 , and preferably parallel to it. The cover element  3  comprises a covering flap  30 , which itself includes a free edge  35  opposite the edge where the longitudinal fold line  24  is found. 
         [0049]    The covering flap  30  preferably has an outline substantially identical to that of the base flap  26 , advantageously rectangular, such as for example in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Once folded about the fold line  24 , the covering flap  30  covers the protective flap  27  and consequently the receiving cradle  2  housing the contents M. 
         [0050]    However, the free edge  35  of the covering flap  30  is preferably not rectilinear but has a recess  33  allowing access to the underlying cradle  2 . For example, the covering flap  30  is recessed on its free edge  35  by at least one notch  33  of any shape but of a suitable size to let through the end of a gripping tool, or the finger of a handler as seen in  FIG. 2 , to take hold of the underlying cradle  2 . 
         [0051]    Each closing means  4 ,  5  is connected to at least one of the flaps of the receiving cradle  2  (preferably the base flap  26 ), and/or to the cover element  3 . 
         [0052]    In particular, the term “driving” closing means refers to a closing means which is connected to at least one covering flap  30  of the cover element  3 . Below it will be seen that such a closing means provides a function of transmission of mechanical force during the opening of the packaging. Preferably, the packaging includes at least one driving closing means; the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 9   c  contains two thereof. 
         [0053]    More precisely, the closing means  4 ,  5  are preferably each formed of tabs hinged with the base flap  26  and the covering flap  30 , around respective fold lines  42 ,  52 , advantageously mutually parallel and orthogonal to the aforementioned fold lines  24  and  28 . 
         [0054]    Extensions  44 ,  54  of the longitudinal fold line  24  traverse the driving closing means  4 ,  5  thus dividing each of them into two sections, one connected to the covering flap  30  and the other to the base flap  26 . In a preferred but non-limiting way, each driving closing means  4 ,  5  is symmetrical with respect to the extension  44 ,  54  of the longitudinal fold line  24  that traverses it. Moreover, these closing means  4 ,  5  can have identical or different shapes. 
         [0055]    The driving closing means  5  represented on the right in  FIG. 3  extends along a whole transverse edge of the covering flap  30  and a whole transverse edge of the base flap  26  and gradually tapers into a point shape at a distance from the fold line  52 . 
         [0056]    The driving closing means  4  represented on the left in  FIG. 3  is in the shape of a rectangular tab. Unlike the closing means  5 , it covers only part of the transverse edge of the covering flap  30  and only part of the transverse edge of the base flap  26 , leaving only a section of free transverse edge on the base flap  26  and a section of free transverse edge of the same length on the covering flap  30 , both sections of free transverse edge being opposite in relation to the extension  44  of the longitudinal fold line  24 . 
         [0057]    In summary, the outline represented in  FIG. 3  comprises a base flap  26  on either side of which the protective flap  27  to form the receiving cradle  2  and the covering flap  30 , and two tabs  4 ,  5  hinged with the transverse edges of the base flaps  26  and covering flaps  30  about the respective fold lines  42 ,  52  orthogonal to the fold line  24  are respectively hinged about folding lines  28  and  24 . 
         [0058]    There now follows a description of the steps of folding of the packaging  1  according to the invention, once the planar outline represented in  FIG. 3  has been cut out around the described perimeter. 
         [0059]    The covering flap  27  is first folded along the protective fold line  28  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The space between the base flap  26  and the protective flap  27  then forms a casing  20  designed to house the contents M and isolate it from the outside. 
         [0060]    The covering flap  30  is then folded with respect to the longitudinal fold line  24  on the protective flap  27 . In the same movement, the driving closing means are folded back on themselves about the extensions  44 ,  54  of the longitudinal fold line  24 , which gives them the shape of a dihedron  40 ,  50 . 
         [0061]    Once the covering flap  30  is resting against the protective flap  27 , the cover element  3  is in a folded position wherein the dihedrons  40 ,  50  are substantially flat and the notch  33  on the covering flap  30  leaves uncovered a first section of the surface  22  of the protective flap  27 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Note that the protective flap  27  is adapted to cover a surface comprising at least this first surface section  22  left uncovered, in such a way as to prevent direct access to the casing  20  from the notch  33 . 
         [0062]    With reference to  FIG. 7   a , the closing means  4 ,  5  are then folded along the respective longitudinal fold lines  42 ,  52  secant with the longitudinal fold line  24  or even perpendicular to it in the illustrated embodiment as stated previously. 
         [0063]    Hereinafter, the term “driving longitudinal fold line” denotes a transverse fold line connected to a driving closing means. For example, the illustrated embodiment includes two transverse fold lines  42 ,  52  both driving. 
         [0064]    The closing means  4 ,  5  are preferably folded toward the outer surface of the base flap  26 , i.e. opposite to the covering flap  30 , along the transverse fold lines  42 ,  52  as illustrated in  FIG. 7   a , in such a way as to leave totally free the covering flap  30  and for example permit a large marking surface on the covering flap  30 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 7   b  represents the packaging seen from behind while the closing means  4 ,  5  are being folded toward the other along their respective transverse fold lines  42 ,  52 . An end section  46 ,  56  of one of the closing means is then engaged in the dihedron  40 ,  50  formed by the other closing means. 
         [0066]    In the case where the two closing means  4 ,  5  form a dihedron, each dihedron can be housed in the other dihedron according to choice. In  FIG. 7   b , it is the right-hand dihedron  44  which is housed in the left-hand dihedron  54 . Alternatively the reverse could apply. 
         [0067]    With reference to  FIG. 8   a , the closing means  4 ,  5  bear against the outside of the base flap  26 , and are only held using this mechanical engagement which holds the packaging  1  closed. 
         [0068]    Note that the shape of the closing means  4 ,  5  is designed to meet both requirements. 
         [0069]    Firstly, their respective lengths in the direction of the longitudinal fold line  24  must be adequate to provide the engagement of one in the other. For example, in the case where the transverse fold lines  42 ,  52  are perpendicular to the longitudinal fold line  24 , the sum of the lengths of the closing means  4 ,  5  must be greater than the length of the longitudinal fold line  24 . 
         [0070]    Secondly, the closing means  4 ,  5  held together must leave uncovered at least a second section of surface  22 ′ of the receiving cradle  2 , located on the base flap  26 , so that the gripping of the receiving cradle  2  leaves the closing means  4 ,  5  free. This second uncovered section  22 ′ preferably contains a section symmetrical in relation to the protective fold line  28  to the section  22  of the protective flap  27  left uncovered owing to the notch  33 . 
         [0071]    Preferably, when both closing means  4 ,  5  are driving, the transverse fold lines  42 ,  52  are chosen perpendicular to the longitudinal fold line  24 . Thus, when the dihedrons  40 ,  50  are engaged one inside the other, their respective edges are in contact over at least one segment which improves the rigidity of fastening of the closing means  4 ,  5 . 
         [0072]    Provision can be made for placing the contents M in the packaging during the aforementioned folding process, typically before the step of folding the covering flap  30  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , or for carrying out a phase of fully shaping the packaging by folding as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 8  then re-opening the packaging in order to introduce the contents M therein before re-closing the packaging. 
         [0073]    The opening of the packaging thus prepared will now be detailed with regard to  FIGS. 2 and 9   a  to  9   c.    
         [0074]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a handler takes hold of the packaging manually. 
         [0075]    A first hand clamps the receiving cradle  2  on the sections left uncovered, for example his or her index finger on the uncovered section  22 ′ of the base flap  26  left by the dihedrons  40 ,  50  and his or her thumb on the uncovered section  22  of the protective flap  27  left by the notch  33 . 
         [0076]    The other hand can then take hold of the free edge  35  of the covering flap  30  and push it away from the receiving cradle  2  to raise the covering flap  30 . To make sure of the grip, the handler can slide his or her thumb between the covering flap  30  and the underlying protective flap  27  and thus clamp a gripping area  32  of the covering flap  30  adjacent to the free edge  35 . 
         [0077]    Note that the section of free transverse edge  34 , present on the covering flap  30  permits a peeling of the gripping area  35  without immediately incurring the opening of the packaging  1 , since the urging of the covering flap  30  is limited to this free section  34  of the transverse edge, no stress is transmitted to the closing means  4 ,  5 . 
         [0078]    In  FIG. 9   a , the fingers of the handler are not represented. The free edge  35  of the covering flap  30  is peeled to the left of the notch  33 , the free transverse edge section  34  being located on the left-hand side of the covering flap  30 . 
         [0079]    When the handler raises the covering flap  30 , the gripping area  32  stretches and applies a flexion stress on each driving transverse fold line  42 ,  52 . This flexion stress makes each driving closing means  4 ,  5  undergo a deformation of it dihedron  40 ,  50  simultaneously in the direction of an opening about the fold lines  44 ,  54  and of pivoting about the fold lines  42 ,  52 , which incurs its automatic unfolding along the driving transverse fold line  42 ,  52  associated with it. Beyond a limit angle of rotation of a driving closing means about its driving transverse fold line  42 ,  52 , the other closing means is no longer lodged in its dihedron; the mechanical engagement of the closing means  4 ,  5  with each other is then broken. 
         [0080]    The unfolding of each driving closing means  4 ,  5  along the driving transverse fold line  42 ,  52  continues until the extension  44 ,  54  that traverses it is at least substantially aligned with the longitudinal fold line  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9   c.    
         [0081]    As previously stated, the raising of the covering flap  30  triggers the unfolding of the cover element  3  along the longitudinal fold line  24 , which leads to the unfolding of each dihedron  40 ,  50  along the fold line  44 ,  54 . Once the unfolding of the cover element  3  is finished, the handler still has one hand clamping the now uncovered protective cradle  2 ; he or she can present the packaging  1  to a third-party for the latter to take hold of the contents M encased in the casing  20  using appropriate means, such as sterile tweezers. Alternatively, the handler can perform the extraction of the contents M him or herself with his or her free hand. 
         [0082]    To facilitate the extraction of the contents M by a third party, the handler can where applicable apply with his or her free hand a slight flexion to the covering flap  30 , to one of the closing means  4 ,  5  or to the protective flap  27 , in such a way as to clear a larger area of access to the casing  20 . 
       Variants 
       [0083]    Variant embodiments relating to specific features of the packaging will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 17 . These variants can all be combined with one another.
       In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 8 , both closing means  4 ,  5  are driving. In a variant as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the packaging  1  includes a driving closing means  5  and another closing means  4  connected only to the base flap  26 . Upon closing the cover element  3 , only the driving closing means  5  form a dihedron, whereas the non-driving closing means  4  retains a planar shape subsequently inside the dihedron of the driving closing means  5 . The non-driving closing means  4  does not provide any function of transmission of mechanical force during the opening of the packaging: its unfolding along its transverse fold line  42  is mechanically caused by the unfolding of the driving closing means  5  in which it is encased.   As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the packaging in accordance with the present invention is not limited to a rectangular outline. The base flap  26  can for example have the overall shape of a parallelogram, the two protective  27  and covering  30  flaps being hinged on the base flap  26  about the fold lines  24 ,  28 , non-parallel but remaining overall symmetrical to the base flap  26  in relation to these fold lines  24 ,  28 .   As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , at least one of the fold lines  24 ,  28  can be double over at least part of its length to give thickness to the packaging, particularly to the cradle  2  once the packaging has been shaped.   Moreover, the mechanical means of holding without gluing, formed of at least one dihedron according to the previously described embodiment, can be replaced by any equivalent mechanical means, for example the production of at least one longitudinal incision  55  opening onto the free edge of a closing means  5  opposite the hinge line  52  in order to receive the end of the additional closing means  4  as illustrated in  FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b.      The closing means  4 ,  5  can be folded against the base flap  26 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7   a , or in a variant, forward against the covering flap  30  of the cover element  3 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The marking surface on the covering flap  30  is then reduced, but the handler can directly monitor the separation of the closing means  4 ,  5  and therefore have better visual control of the opening of the packaging  1 . Moreover, in this case a marking can be made on the base flap  26 .   The notch  33  can be placed substantially in the middle of the free edge  35 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 9 . In a variant, the notch  33  is placed at the angle of a transverse edge and the free edge  35  of the cover element  3 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 16 . Thus, the surface sections  22 ,  22 ′ left uncovered on the receiving cradle  2  are located in a corner of the protective flap  27  and the base flap  26 . In another variant illustrated in  FIG. 17  the free edge  35  of the covering flap  30  can have a recess  33  which extends continuously between its two ends.   The hole left by the notch  33  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 9  is semi-circular. In a variant, this hole can be of polygonal shape (a trapezoid in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a triangle in  FIG. 12 ), ovoid, or any other appropriate shape.   The closing means  4 ,  5  can have substantially identical lengths in the direction of their fold lines  44 ,  54 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , or else different lengths, as can be seen in the variant embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13 .   The protective flap  27  can have a length, taken perpendicular to the protective fold line,  28 , substantially equal to that of the base flap  26  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in such a way as to totally cover it by folding along the line  28 . In a variant illustrated in  FIG. 12 , this length of the protective flap  27  can be less than that of the base flap  26 , while being greater than the depth of the notch  33  of the covering flap  30  in such a way as to prevent any access to the casing  20  of the cradle  2  when the packaging is in the folded position.   The closing means gradually narrowing into a tapered shape away from the fold line  52  can exhibit curvilinear narrowing, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , or straight narrowing, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 .       
 
       Materials Used 
       [0094]    The sheet of the packaging is made of a material suitable for housing the contents M, for example contents of gauze tent or knit type. It is therefore possible to use a material of medical grade, compatible with various sterilization methods. This material must protect the contents M mechanically (handling, humidity), provide a microbial barrier in order to maintain the sterility of the contents M and generate as few particles as possible. 
         [0095]    To improve the resistance of the sections of the packaging that are subjected to a stress during its opening, the material is preferably tear-resistant, and more flexible than paper. Furthermore, this material is preferably recyclable. Very preferably, this material is a fiber non-woven textile material, for example made of high-density polyethylene. Such a material is known by the name “Tyvek” (registered trademark). One advantage offered by a textile material is that it can exhibit sufficient rigidity to ensure the holding of the closing means  4 ,  5  engaged one inside the other and is smooth which facilitates opening.