Vacuum packaged products and methods for making same

Abstract

A vacuum packaged product and method for reducing tensile strength loss associated with sterilization of polyolefin-based products by gamma radiation, and reducing odors commonly produced by such sterilization.

1 . In combination, a product vacuum packaged in a package to reduce tensile strength loss of the product after sterilization by radiation, comprising:
 a package comprising a layer having an oxygen transmission rate equal to or less than about 0.2 cubic centimeter of oxygen per 100 inches squared per 24 hours, and having an interior, and   a product in the interior of the package,   the interior of the package having a vacuum therein at a pressure equal to or less than about 100 millibars,   the package and the product being sterilized by radiation resulting in the product having a reduction in its tensile strength less than about 20% after radiation.   
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the radiation is gamma radiation. 
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the layer is ethylene vinyl alcohol. 
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 1  the product comprises a polyolefin material. 
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein the polyolefin material is a nonwoven polypropylene material. 
   
   
       6 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the vacuum in the package is about 10 millibars. 
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein the reduction in tensile strength is less than about 14%. 
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 4  further comprising a stabilizer in the polyolefin material. 
   
   
       9 . In combination, a product vacuum packaged in a package to reduce tensile strength loss of the product after sterilization by radiation, comprising:
 a package comprising an ethylene vinyl alcohol layer having an oxygen transmission rate equal to or less than about 0.2 cubic centimeter of oxygen per 100 inches squared per 24 hours, and having an interior, and   a product in the interior of the package, the product comprising a nonwoven polypropylene material,   the interior of the package having a vacuum therein at a pressure equal to or less than about 10 millibars,   the package and the product being sterilized by radiation resulting in the product having a reduction in its tensile strength of less than about 14% after radiation.   
   
   
       10 . The combination of  claim 9  wherein the radiation is gamma radiation. 
   
   
       11 . In combination, a product vacuum packaged in a package to reduce tensile strength loss of the product after sterilization by radiation, comprising:
 a package comprising a layer having an oxygen transmission rate equal to or less than about 2.3 cubic centimeter of oxygen per 100 inches squared per 24 hours, and having an interior, and   a product in the interior of the package,   the interior of the package having a vacuum therein at a pressure equal to or less than about 10 millibars,   the package and the product being sterilized by radiation resulting in the product having a reduction in its tensile strength less than about 17% after radiation.   
   
   
       12 . The combination of  claim 11  wherein the radiation is gamma radiation. 
   
   
       13 . The combination of  claim 11  wherein the layer is ethylene vinyl alcohol. 
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 11  the product comprises a polyolefin material. 
   
   
       15 . The combination of  claim 14  wherein the polyolefin material is a nonwoven polypropylene material. 
   
   
       16 . The combination of  claim 11  further comprising a stabilizer in the polyolefin material. 
   
   
       17 . A method of packaging a product in a package to reduce tensile strength loss of the product after sterilization by radiation, comprising the steps of:
 providing a package comprising a layer having an oxygen transmission rate equal to or less than about 0.2 cubic centimeter of oxygen per 100 inches squared per 24 hours, and having an interior,   providing a product in the interior of the package,   creating a vacuum in the package containing the product to a pressure equal to or less than about 10 millibars, and   thereafter sterilizing the package and product with radiation resulting in the product having a reduction in its tensile strength less than about 14%.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the radiation is gamma radiation. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the layer comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the product comprises a nonwoven polypropylene material.