Two layer edge joined sterilization wrap

Abstract

There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of first and second sheets or layers of sterilization material. Each sheet has first, second, third and fourth edges. Each sheet includes a central portion. The first edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the first edge of the second sheet; the second edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the second edge of the second sheet; the third edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the third edge of the second sheet; and the fourth edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the fourth edge of the second sheet. The central portions of the first and second sheets are substantially not bonded together. Thus, two layers of sterilization material are provided for an article to be sterilized.

1 . A sterilization wrap comprising: 
 first and second layers of sterilization material; each of said layers includes a central portion; said first layer being in register with said second layer; said first layer has first, second, third and fourth edges; said second layer has first, second, third and fourth edges;    said first edge of said first layer joined with said first edge of said second layer; said second edge of said first layer joined with said second edge of said second layer; said third edge of said first layer joined with said third edge of said second layer; said fourth edge of said first layer joined with said fourth edge of said second layer; and    said central portion of each layer being substantially not bonded to one another.    
     
     
         2 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first edge of each layer being bonded to one another; said second edge of each layer being bonded to one another; said third edge of each layer being bonded to one another.  
     
     
         3 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the bonding is formed by ultrasound.  
     
     
         4 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the bonding is formed by heat.  
     
     
         5 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the bonding is formed by mechanical embossing.  
     
     
         6 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sterilization material is SMS.  
     
     
         7 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sterilization material is taken from the group consisting of SMS, two bonded layers of medical grade paper, the combination of medical grade paper and SMS, the combination of tissue, polyethylene and tissue, and the combination of tissue, polypropylene and tissue.  
     
     
         8 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the adjacent edges of each layer do not diverge from one another.  
     
     
         9 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first, second and third edges of said first layer are respectively continuously bonded to said first, second and third edges of said second layer.  
     
     
         10 . A sterilization wrap comprising: 
 first and second layers of sterilization material forming said sterilization wrap;    each layer including a central portion; said first layer in register with said second layer; said first and second layers at least having first, second and third edges;    said first edge of said first layer being in register with and bonded to said first edge of said second layer, said second edge of said first layer being in register with and bonded to said second edge of said second layer, said third edge of said first layer being in register with and bonded to said third edge of said second layer, thereby forming first, second and third edges of said wrap; said wrap further including a fourth edge;    said first layer being joined to said second layer along said fourth edge of said wrap;    said central portion of each layer being substantially not bonded to one another.    
     
     
         11 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the bonding is formed by ultrasound.  
     
     
         12 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the bonding is formed by heat.  
     
     
         13 . A sterilization wrap as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the bonding is formed by mechanical embossing.  
     
     
         14 . A wrapped package formed by the combination of sterilization wrap and an article to be sterilized comprising: 
 an article to be sterilized; said article to be sterilized being at least one reusable medical instrument;    first and second layers of sterilization material; each layer having first, second, third and fourth edges; each layer having a central portion; said first edge of said first layer being in register with and joined to said first edge of said second layer; said second edge of said first layer being in register with and joined to said second edge of said second layer; said third edge of said first layer being in register with and joined to said third edge of said second layer; said fourth edge of said first layer being in register with and joined to said fourth edge of said second layer; said central portion of said first layer not substantially bonded to said central portion of said second layer; said first layer having an outer surface; said article to be sterilized positioned on said outer surface of said first layer; said first layer having an inner surface; said inner surface of said first layer not contacting said article to be sterilized; said article to be sterilized being wrapped by said first and second layers, whereby two layers of sterilization material are provided for said article to be sterilized; an open space between said central portions of each layer, where the said open space is substantially sealed by the joining along said edges of said layers.    
     
     
         15 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said sterilization material is SMS.  
     
     
         16 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said sterilization material is taken from the group consisting of SMS, two bonded layers of medical grade paper, the combination of medical grade paper and SMS, the combination of tissue, polyethylene and tissue, and the combination of tissue, polypropylene and tissue.  
     
     
         17 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the adjacent edges of each layer do not diverge from one another.  
     
     
         18 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said first, second and third edges of said first layer are respectively continuously bonded to said first, second and third edges of said second layer.  
     
     
         19 . A wrapped package formed by the combination of sterilization wrap and an article to be sterilized comprising: 
 an article to be sterilized; said article to be sterilized being at least one reusable medical instrument;    first and second layers of sterilization material; each layer having first, second, third and fourth edges; each layer having a central portion; said first edge of each layer being in register and joined together; said second edge of each layer being in register and joined together; said third edge of each layer being in register and joined together; said fourth edge of each layer being in register and joined together; said first layer having an outer surface; said article to be sterilized positioned on said outer surface of said first layer; said first layer having an inner surface; said inner surface of said first layer not contacting said article to be sterilized; said article to be sterilized being wrapped by said first and second layers whereby two layers of sterilization material are provided for said article to be sterilized; said central portion of said first layer not substantially bonded to said central portion of said second layer; an open space between said central portions of each layer wherein the said open space is substantially sealed by the joining along said edges of said layers, whereby the region between central portions of each layer is substantially protected from contaminates.    
     
     
         20 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said sterilization material is SMS.  
     
     
         21 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said sterilization material is taken from the group consisting of SMS, two bonded layers of medical grade paper, the combination of medical grade paper and SMS, the combination of tissue, polyethylene and tissue, and the combination of tissue, polypropylene and tissue.  
     
     
         22 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the adjacent edges of each layer do not diverge from one another.  
     
     
         23 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said first, second and third edges of said first layer are respectively continuously bonded to said first, second and third edges of said second layer.  
     
     
         24 . A wrapped package formed by the combination of sterilization wrap and an article to be sterilized comprising: 
 an article to be sterilized; said article to be sterilized being at least one reusable medical instrument;    first and second layers of sterilization material; each layer having first, second, third and fourth edges; each layer having a central portion; said first edge of each layer being in register and joined together; said second edge of each layer being in register and joined together; said third edge of each layer being in register and joined together; said fourth edge of each layer being in register and joined together; said central portion of each layer being substantially not bonded together, whereby said edges are readily grasped by the person wrapping the article to be sterilized; said first laying having an outer surface; said article to be sterilized positioned on said outer surface of said first layer; said first layer having an inner surface; said inner surface of said first layer not contacting said article to be sterilized; said article to be sterilized being wrapped by said first and second layers whereby two layers of sterilization material are provided for said article to be sterilized; an open space between said central portions of each layer wherein the said open space is substantially sealed by the joining along said edges of said layers.    
     
     
         25 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said sterilization material is SMS.  
     
     
         26 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said sterilization material is taken from the group consisting of SMS, two bonded layers of medical grade paper, the combination of medical grade paper and SMS, the combination of tissue, polyethylene and tissue, and the combination of tissue, polypropylene and tissue.  
     
     
         27 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the adjacent edges of said layers do not diverge from one another.  
     
     
         28 . A wrapped package as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said first, second and third edges of said first layer are respectively continuously bonded to said first, second and third edges of said second layer.