Sealed package and method of making

Abstract

A sealed package ( 10 ) encloses a pad ( 14 ) which has an impervious backing layer which may optionally be the base layer ( 10 b ) of the package ( 10 ). At least the interior of the package ( 10 ) and the sealed pad ( 14 ) are made of materials which are substantially free of micro-contaminants. The package is openable by separating the cover layer ( 1 Oa) from the base layer ( 10 b ) and thereby breaking the seal ( 12 ). The pad ( 14 ) may be dry or it may be impregnated with any suitable treatment substance, such as a solvent, which facilitates cleaning and which dissipates electrostatic charges. When the sealed pad ( 14 ) is dry, a suitable liquid or gel treatment substance, such as a solvent, may be applied to the pad or to a portion of it. A retainer hole ( 20 ) may be provided in the package ( 10 ) in the extra-peripheral area ( 11 ) outside the seal ( 12 ) to hold an optic fiber connector with which the package ( 10 ) may be sold as a unit.

1 . A sealed package comprising:
 an impervious base layer having a pad-receiving surface on which is disposed a liquid-permeable pad;   an impervious cover layer having a pad-facing surface, the cover layer being secured to the base layer by a rupturable seal, with the pad-facing surface fully overlying the pad, the pad-facing surface, the pad-receiving surface and the pad being free of micro-contaminants, whereby the pad is hermetically sealed within the package in an environment which is free of micro-contaminants, and may be exposed for use by at least partly separating the cover layer from the base layer.   
     
     
         2 . The sealed package of  claim 1  wherein the liquid-permeable pad is affixed directly to the pad-receiving surface of the base layer. 
     
     
         3 . The sealed package of  claim 1  wherein the pad is a dry pad and the sealed package is free of liquid agents. 
     
     
         4 . The sealed package of  claim 1  wherein one or more suitable liquid agents are impregnated in the pad within the sealed package. 
     
     
         5 . The sealed package of any one of  claims 1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  wherein the pad has a periphery and the base layer and the pad are configured so that the base layer extends beyond the entire periphery of the pad to leave a continuous peripheral portion of the base layer uncovered by the pad. 
     
     
         6 . A sealed package comprising:
 an impervious base layer having a pad-receiving surface on which a liquid-permeable pad having a periphery is affixed, the pad being selected from the group consisting of one or more of non-woven and washed woven materials, the base layer and the pad being configured so that the base layer extends beyond the entire periphery of the pad to leave a continuous peripheral portion of the base layer uncovered by the pad;   an impervious cover layer having a pad-facing surface and secured to the peripheral portion of the base layer by a rupturable, peripheral seal, with the pad-facing surface fully overlying the pad, the pad-facing surface, the pad-receiving surface and the pad being free of micro-contaminants, whereby the dry pad is hermetically sealed within the package in an environment which is free of micro-contaminants, and may be exposed for use by at least partly separating the cover layer from the base layer by pulling the respective layers apart to rupture at least a portion of the peripheral seal.   
     
     
         7 . The sealed package of  claim 6  wherein the pad is a dry pad and the sealed package is free of liquid agents. 
     
     
         8 . The sealed package of  claim 1  or  claim 6  wherein the rupturable seal is a peripheral seal which encircles the pad and defines an extra-peripheral area of the package lying outside the seal, with at least a portion of the extra-peripheral area left unsealed so that the base and cover layers are readily separable from each other to expose at least part of the pad for use. 
     
     
         9 . The sealed package of any one of  claims 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  or  6  wherein the pad comprises a single layer of material and lies flat and unfolded within the package. 
     
     
         10 . The sealed package of  claim 1  or  claim 6  wherein the pad comprises a 100% polyester fabric which is free of chemical binders, salts, detergents, surfactants, glue, bleach, starch and cellulose. 
     
     
         11 . The sealed package of  claim 10  wherein the pad comprises a fabric having a basis weight of from about 2.7 to 4 ounces per square yard. 
     
     
         12 . The sealed package of  claim 10  wherein the pad is comprised of a non-woven fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The sealed package of  claim 1  or  claim 6  wherein both the base layer and the cover layer comprise aluminum foil having adhered to the entirety of their respective pad-receiving and pad-facing surfaces a plastic film. 
     
     
         14 . The sealed package of  claim 1  or  claim 6  wherein the rupturable seal encloses and defines a sealed area of the package, and further comprising a retention opening outside the sealed area, the retention opening being configured to receive and retain therein a length of optic fiber having a connector affixed to at least one end thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making the sealed package of any one of  claim 1 ,  claim 2 ,  claim 3 ,  claim 6  or  claim 7  comprising:
 preparing an impervious base layer having a pad-receiving surface which is free of micro-contaminants;   affixing to the pad-receiving surface a pad which is free of micro-contaminants;   preparing an impervious cover layer having a pad-facing surface which is free of micro-contaminants and securing the cover layer to the base layer by a rupturable seal with the pad-facing surface fully overlying the pad;   whereby the pad is hermetically sealed within the package in an environment which is free of micro-contaminants and may be exposed for use by at least partly separating the cover layer from the base layer.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the steps of preparing the cover layer and the base layer each includes securing one or more plastic layers to an aluminum layer, one of the plastic layers comprising the pad-receiving surface and another of the plastic layers comprising the pad-facing surface, and the pad comprises a non-woven polyester material.