Patent AU-2015230841-B2 (AU)
Title: Flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly with bolsters
Inventor: BRICKER ERIC T
IPC: A61L2/26
Filed: 2015-09-28
Granted: 2016-10-13
Abstract: FLEXIBLE MULTI-PANEL STERILIZATION ASSEMBLY WITH BOLSTERS A disposable flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly comprising: a barrier panel (102) comprising a permeable sheet material (104) having barrier properties, the barrier panel (102) including: a first surface (110) and a second opposing surface (112), a first end (114) generally defining a pre-determined fold line (116), a second end (118) opposite the first end (114), a first edge (120) that is generally perpendicular to the pre-determined fold line (116), a second edge (122) that is generally opposite the pre-determined fold line (116), a third edge (124) that is generally perpendicular to the pre-determined fold line (116), the barrier panel (102) having a having a width that is the distance from the first edge (120) to the third edge (124) and a length that is the distance from the first end (114) to the second end (118), the barrier panel (102) having a midpoint along the length and extending between the first edge (120) and the third edge (124) to generally delineate the barrier panel 102) into a content receiving region extending from the pre-determined fold line (116) to the midpoint and a content covering region extending from the midpoint to the second edge (122); barrier panel bolsters (400) at or adjacent at least a portion of the first edge (120) and third edge (124) of the barrier panel (102), a panel attachment means (106) between the pre-determined fold line (116) and the midpoint of the barrier panel (102) and at or near the first edge (120) or the third edge (124); the panel attachment means (106) being joined to the barrier panel (102) at a pre-determined position to identify the barrier panel's content receiving region and further to join the barrier panel's first edge (120) and third edge (124) to each other or to a portion of the content covering region after the barrier panel (102) has been folded at or near its midpoint such that its second end (118) is brought near its first end (114); and a fold protection panel (108) in juxtaposed communication with the barrier panel (102), the fold protection panel (108) comprising a permeable sheet material, the fold protection panel (108) including: a proximal end (142) generally adjacent the pre-determined fold line (116), a distal end (144) generally opposite the proximal end (142); and at least a first edge (146) and a second edge (148) extending from the proximal end (142) to the distal end (144), the fold protection panel (108) having a width that is the distance from the first edge (146) to the second edge (148) and a length that is the distance from the proximal end (142) to the distal end (144), such that, after the barrier panel (102) has been folded at or near the barrier panel's midpoint so the barrier panel's second end (118) is brought near its first end (114) and its first and third edges (120, 124) are joined to each other or to its content covering region to form a package, the fold protection panel (102) is configured to fold at or near the pre-determined fold line (116) to cover at least the first edge (120) and the third edge (124) of the folded barrier panel (102), wherein the barrier panel bolsters prevent the first and third edges (120, 124) of the barrier panel (102) from folding back on itself during unfolding of the barrier panel (102).