GB1291365A - Sterile package - Google Patents

Abstract

1291365 Sterile packages G W PONCY 23 Feb 1970 8574/70 Heading B8C An open ended transparent sheath into which a thermometer or probe is to be inserted has a sterile outer surface enclosed by a cover which may be torn from the sheath so that the latter, containing the thermometer or probe, may be inserted into a body cavity without risk of infecting the patient. As illustrated, the packaged sheath comprises inner transparent thermoplastics layers 12 and 14, and outer layers 10 and 11 of paper or cloth having coatings 10a and 11a of heat sealable material. The layers are connected along a heat seal line 16 which defines the shape of the sheath. When the outer layers are pulled apart from the closed end of the sheath, the package parts at the heat seal line 16 so that the sheath, formed by those parts of the layers 12 and 14 lying within the seal line, is exposed. The outer waste portions of the layers 12 and 14 are sealed at their ends to the layers 10 and 11 and are therefore torn away with them. The outer surfaces of the layers 12 and 14, and the inner surfaces of the layers 10 and 11 are sterilized using ultra-violet light either before or after assembly of the package. Packages are formed by superimposing strips of the various materials, sealing them along the edges of the strips, forming the heat seals 16 so that the sheaths extend across the strips, and severing the strips to form the individual packages. The strips forming the layers 10 and 12 are wider than the strips forming the layers 11 and 14 so that each package has a tab at each end to facilitate tearing. The layers 12 and 14, and the coatings 10a and 11a may be of ethylene vinyl acetate. Alternatively, the layers 12 and 14 may be of ethylene vinyl acetate and the coatings 10a and 11a of pressure sensitive adhesive.