Patent ID: 8685189

Claim:
A continuous process for making a multi-panel sterilization assembly, the process comprising the steps of: providing a moving, continuous base web having a longitudinal centerline and two opposed edges generally parallel with the centerline; providing a plurality of subassemblies, each subassembly comprising at least two opposed edges and a barrier component that spans between the at least two opposed edges; applying the subassemblies in position on the moving, continuous base web such that the at least two opposed edges of each subassembly are aligned with the two opposed edges of the continuous base web to define repeating portions that incorporate the subassemblies and alternating portions that lack such subassemblies; providing side tabs; applying the side tabs in position on the moving, continuous base web with respect to at least one edge of the portions that incorporate the subassemblies; attaching the subassemblies and the side tabs to the moving, continuous base web to form a continuous work-piece having two opposed edges, a longitudinal centerline, barrier panel portions coinciding with the subassemblies, and fold protection panel portions coinciding with the portions lacking assemblies, the continuous work-piece having a first surface including the subassemblies and an opposed second surface; and separating the continuous work-piece into individual multi-panel sterilization assemblies, each multi-panel sterilization assembly comprising a barrier panel, a fold protection panel and at least one side tab.