Special receptacle or package – For body treatment article or material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-02
2001-05-29
Bui, Luan K. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For body treatment article or material
C206S370000, C206S447000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237770
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to packages, and more particularly to sterile packages having a plurality of sterile articles therein. Still more particularly, it relates to the carriage of products within such packages.
2.The Background Art
Sterile packages for retaining a plurality of sterile articles are known. Typically, such packages have a tray with recesses, with the sterile articles being received in the recesses. The recesses are commonly covered with a cover permeable to the passage of a sterilization gas and impermeable to the passage of bacteria. The tray and articles are rendered sterile by passing the sterilization gas through the cover and onto the articles and tray. The covered trays may then be stored and transported while maintaining the sterile barrier in the tray. At the time of a medical procedure, the cover is removed by operating personnel to expose the sterile articles for use in the procedure. For larger sterile articles, a large container may be used with a tray retaining the sterile articles being received in a cavity of the container.
In a suitable form, such containers may be vacuum formed, by a process in which a plastic sheet is clamped to a frame, and the sheet is heated and drawn down into a mold by a vacuum. Since the entire package is preferably disposable, it is desirable to minimize the thickness of its walls in order to reduce the cost and bulk of the container. This also aids in allowing the sheet to conform to the mold. However, the vacuum formed container may have regions of weakness due to a reduced thickness of the wall induced by the vacuum forming process. In this case, the region of weakness may rupture or tear, thus exposing the sterile articles to the atmosphere which may cause contamination of the tray unknown to the attending operating personnel, with possible deleterious results to the patient.
In one form, the plastic sheet and corresponding container walls may be made thicker, but, in that case all of the walls in the container will also be thicker which is actually unnecessary, adding to the cost of the sterile container, as well as its bulk, and complicating the vacuum forming process. Hence, it is desirable to provide a sterile container at minimum cost and thickness and maximum strength to prevent contamination of the sterile articles which are used in the procedure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a package includes a container having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a sidewall defining a cavity having an opening to the exterior of the container. The container has an inner support tab in the cavity defining a recess in the outer surface of the container. A stiffening material is placed in the recess to add strength to the support locking tab. The support tab or tabs support an article or product disposed in the container. In a preferred form, the package of which the container is a part is sterile, and retains sterile articles for use in a medical procedure. Such sterility is achieved by the inclusion of a removable seal member covering and sealing the opening in the container. In a preferred form, the seal member is permeable to a sterilization gas and impermeable to the passage of bacteria.
FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
A principle feature of the present invention is the provision of an improved sterile package.
A feature and advantage of the invention is that outer recesses of the locking or support tabs are filled with a stiffening material.
Another feature and advantage of the invention is that the stiffened locking or support tabs are much more resistent to tear or rupture of the container in the region of the locking or support tabs than when they are left unstiffened.
Yet another feature and advantage of the invention is that the stiffened locking or support tabs reduce the likelihood that the sterile barrier of the package will be compromised during normal handling.
A further feature and advantage of the invention is that the walls of the container may be made of a reduced thickness to minimize the cost and bulk of the package without thereby compromising the strength and survivability of the package.
These and many other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3314741 (1967-04-01), Litner
patent: 3416703 (1968-12-01), Chmielowiec
patent: 4482053 (1984-11-01), Alpern et al.
patent: 4697703 (1987-10-01), Will
patent: 4750619 (1988-06-01), Cohen et al.
patent: 5266763 (1993-11-01), Colombo
patent: 5375735 (1994-12-01), Huvey et al.
patent: 5393539 (1995-02-01), Reskow
patent: 5441707 (1995-08-01), Lewis et al.
patent: 5971152 (1999-10-01), Bowsman
Bui Luan K.
Ray Products, Inc.
Ritchie David B.
Thelen Reid & Priest LLP
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