Flexible Multi-Panel Sterilization Assembly

Abstract

A multi-panel sterilization assembly that includes a barrier panel formed of a permeable material, a fold protection panel, and at least one panel attachment means and which further includes at least one reinforcement element.

1 . A disposable flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly comprising:
 a barrier panel comprising a permeable sheet material having barrier properties, the barrier panel including:
 a first surface and a second opposing surface, 
 a first end generally defining a pre-determined fold line, 
 a second end opposite the first end, 
 a first edge that is generally perpendicular to the pre-determined fold line, 
 a second edge that is generally opposite the pre-determined fold line, and 
 a third edge that is generally perpendicular to the pre-determined fold line, the barrier panel having a width that is the distance from the first edge to the third edge and a length that is the distance from the first end to the second end, the barrier panel having a midpoint along the length and extending between the first edge and the third edge to generally delineate the barrier panel into a content receiving region extending from the pre-determined fold line to the midpoint and a content covering region extending from the midpoint to the second edge; 
   a panel attachment means between the pre-determined fold line and the midpoint of the barrier panel at or near the first edge or the third edge; the panel attachment means being joined to the barrier panel at a pre-determined position to identify the barrier panel's content receiving region and further to join the barrier panel's first edge and third edge to each other or to a portion of the content covering region after the barrier panel has been folded at or near its midpoint such that its second end is brought near its first end; and   a fold protection panel in juxtaposed communication with the barrier panel, the fold protection panel comprising a permeable sheet material, the fold protection panel including:
 a proximal end generally adjacent the pre-determined fold line, 
 a distal end generally opposite the proximal end; and 
 at least a first edge and a second edge extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the fold protection panel having a width that is the distance from the first edge to the second edge and a length that is the distance from the proximal end to the distal end, such that, after the barrier panel has been folded at or near the barrier panel's midpoint so the barrier panel's second end is brought near its first end and its first and third edges are joined to each other or to its content covering region to form a package, the fold protection panel is configured to fold at or near the pre-determined fold line to cover at least the first edge and the third edge of the folded barrier panel; and 
   at least one reinforcement element in the content receiving region that defines an area for receiving content to be sterilized, such reinforcement elements including a polyethylene film.   
     
     
         2 . The sterilization assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the polyethylene film comprises high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         3 . The sterilization assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the polyethylene film further comprises low density polyethylene. 
     
     
         4 . The sterilization assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the polyethylene film further comprises a linear low density polyethylene. 
     
     
         5 . The sterilization assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sterilization assembly demonstrates a reduction in the formation of pinholes over an alternate permeable nonwoven barrier material having a basis weight within about 10% of the basis weight of the barrier panel utilized in the sterilization assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The sterilization assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sterilization assembly demonstrates a reduction in the formation of pinholes over an alternate permeable nonwoven barrier material having a basis weight within about 20% of the basis weight of the barrier panel utilized in the sterilization assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The sterilization assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the addition of the at least one reinforcement element increases the basis weight of the barrier material by less than about 50%. 
     
     
         8 . The sterilization assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the addition of the at least one reinforcement element increases the basis weight of the barrier material by less than about 25%. 
     
     
         9 . A disposable flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly comprising:
 a barrier panel comprising a permeable sheet material having barrier properties, the barrier panel including:
 a first surface and a second opposing surface, 
 a first end generally defining a pre-determined fold line, 
 a second end opposite the first end, 
 a first edge that is generally perpendicular to the pre-determined fold line, 
 a second edge that is generally opposite the pre-determined fold line, and 
 a third edge that is generally perpendicular to the pre-determined fold line, the barrier panel having a width that is the distance from the first edge to the third edge and a length that is the distance from the first end to the second end, the barrier panel having a midpoint along the length and extending between the first edge and the third edge to generally delineate the barrier panel into a content receiving region extending from the pre-determined fold line to the midpoint and a content covering region extending from the midpoint to the second edge; 
   a panel attachment means between the pre-determined fold line and the midpoint of the barrier panel at or near the first edge or the third edge; the panel attachment means being joined to the barrier panel at a pre-determined position to identify the barrier panel's content receiving region and further to join the barrier panel's first edge and third edge to each other or to a portion of the content covering region after the barrier panel has been folded at or near its midpoint such that its second end is brought near its first end; and   a fold protection panel in juxtaposed communication with the barrier panel, the fold protection panel comprising a permeable sheet material, the fold protection panel including:
 a proximal end generally adjacent the pre-determined fold line, 
 a distal end generally opposite the proximal end; and 
 at least a first edge and a second edge extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the fold protection panel having a width that is the distance from the first edge to the second edge and a length that is the distance from the proximal end to the distal end, such that, after the barrier panel has been folded at or near the barrier panel's midpoint so the barrier panel's second end is brought near its first end and its first and third edges are joined to each other or to its content covering region to form a package, the fold protection panel is configured to fold at or near the pre-determined fold line to cover at least the first edge and the third edge of the folded barrier panel; 
   at least one reinforcement element in the content receiving region that defines an area for receiving content to be sterilized, such reinforcement elements including a polyethylene film comprising a high density polyethylene; and   wherein the sterilization assembly demonstrates a reduction in the formation of pinholes over an alternate permeable nonwoven barrier material having a basis weight within about 20% of the basis weight of the barrier panel utilized in the sterilization assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The sterilization assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the polyethylene film further comprises a low density polyethylene. 
     
     
         11 . The sterilization assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the addition of the at least one reinforcement element increases the basis weight of the barrier material by less than about 25%. 
     
     
         12 . The sterilization assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the polyethylene film further comprises a linear low density polyethylene.