Abstract: Seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility. An exemplary seal indicator includes an invertible projection formed with the container gasket that is not visible from outside the container until inverted, due to force applied by the lid, to extend through an opening in the container body. Closure mechanisms for sterilization containers also are provided.

Abstract: Seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility. An exemplary seal indicator includes an invertible projection formed with the container gasket that is not visible from outside the container until inverted, due to force applied by the lid, to extend through an opening in the container body. Closure mechanisms for sterilization containers also are provided.

Abstract: Seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility. An exemplary seal indicator includes an invertible projection formed with the container gasket that is not visible from outside the container until inverted, due to force applied by the lid, to extend through an opening in the container body. Closure mechanisms for sterilization containers also are provided.

Abstract: Indicators for indicating the integrity of a seal of a sterilization container are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in one state and displays a first indicium, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in another state and displays a second indicium. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, such that the user may be assured that the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility of the articles post-sterilization. Further, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state if the seal is subsequently broken, to signal to the user that the seal and the sterility of the container interior has been compromised.

Abstract: Closure mechanisms for closing and sealing sterilization containers and indicators for indicating the seal integrity sterilization containers are provided. For example, a container closure mechanism may be configured to distribute a closure force along a gasket to seal a container lid to a container body. Further, a seal indicator may visibly indicate at the container exterior whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is a first state, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in a second state. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a state change when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed or from sealed to unsealed, such that a user can ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility or whether the seal and sterility of the container have been compromised.

Abstract: Closure mechanisms for closing and sealing sterilization containers and indicators for indicating the seal integrity sterilization containers are provided. For example, a container closure mechanism may be configured to distribute a closure force along a gasket to seal a container lid to a container body. Further, a seal indicator may visibly indicate at the container exterior whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is a first state, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in a second state. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a state change when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed or from sealed to unsealed, such that a user can ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility or whether the seal and sterility of the container have been compromised.

Abstract: Closure mechanisms and seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a closure mechanism comprising at least one handle and at least two arms is provided with a sterilization container lid to apply a more uniform or evenly distributed force to a container gasket. A container body defines an inner lip on which the gasket and lid are received such that the sealing interface is recessed within the container. Further, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility.

Abstract: A sterilization wrap system with features for protecting a sterilization wrap and/or a sterilization tray of the sterilization wrap system is provided. Such features include strap or belt protectors, edge protectors, corner protectors, and/or expandable protectors, which each may provide protection of one or more areas of the sterilization wrap and/or tray when positioned against an outer surface of the wrap and/or between an inner surface of the wrap and a container for holding implements to be sterilized. A size-selectable protection system also is provided. The size-selectable protection system provides a material having a plurality of perforations such that a length of the material may be selected and detached from the rest of the material. The selected length of material may be used with a sterilization wrap system to protect a sterilization wrap and/or sterilization tray from cuts, tears, or the like.

Abstract: Sterilization packaging systems with features for sealing a volume against an ingress of contaminants are provided. Such features include a sealing assembly including a gasket and a sheet of filter material. The sealing assembly seals a lid to a seal rim of a base. The gasket has an upper surface, outer edge, and inner edge. The sheet of filter material extends from an inner edge of the gasket, and the gasket completely surrounds the sheet of filter material. The upper surface of the gasket comprises a plurality of indentations that define channels to facilitate delivery of a sterilization agent through the filter material. A sterilization assembly including a lid having a plurality of protrusions in its upper surface and a sliding-lock system for sealing and locking the lid to a container base is also provided.

Abstract: A sterilization wrap system with features for protecting a sterilization wrap and/or a sterilization tray of the sterilization wrap system is provided. Such features include strap or belt protectors, edge protectors, corner protectors, and/or expandable protectors, which each may provide protection of one or more areas of the sterilization wrap and/or tray when positioned against an outer surface of the wrap and/or between an inner surface of the wrap and a container for holding implements to be sterilized. A size-selectable protection system also is provided. The size-selectable protection system provides a material having a plurality of perforations such that a length of the material may be selected and detached from the rest of the material. The selected length of material may be used with a sterilization wrap system to protect a sterilization wrap and/or sterilization tray from cuts, tears, or the like.

Abstract: A facemask and automated system for producing facemasks is disclosed. The facemask has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The facemask includes a mask body having a generally rectangular shape, a pair of lateral edges extending in the lateral direction, and a pair of longitudinal edges extending in the longitudinal direction. At least one tie is attached to the mask body such that the tie extends away from the mask body in a direction that forms an angle with the longitudinal direction. The angle ranges from about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees.

Abstract: Closure mechanisms and seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a closure mechanism comprising at least one handle and at least two arms is provided with a sterilization container lid to apply a more uniform or evenly distributed force to a container gasket. A container body defines an inner lip on which the gasket and lid are received such that the sealing interface is recessed within the container. Further, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility.

Abstract: A coating composition that is incorporated into a facemask to reduce fogging and glare is provided. For example, in one embodiment, the facemask contains a shield or visor formed from a transparent substrate having at least one surface applied with the coating composition of the present disclosure. The coating composition contains a large amount of nanoparticles, desirably greater than 10 wt %.

Abstract: A sterilization wrap system with features for protecting a sterilization wrap and/or a sterilization tray of the sterilization wrap system is provided. Such features include strap or belt protectors, edge protectors, corner protectors, and/or expandable protectors, which each may provide protection of one or more areas of the sterilization wrap and/or tray when positioned against an outer surface of the wrap and/or between an inner surface of the wrap and a container for holding implements to be sterilized. A size-selectable protection system also is provided. The size-selectable protection system provides a material having a plurality of perforations such that a length of the material may be selected and detached from the rest of the material. The selected length of material may be used with a sterilization wrap system to protect a sterilization wrap and/or sterilization tray from cuts, tears, or the like.

Abstract: Sterilization packaging systems with features for sealing a volume against an ingress of contaminants are provided. Such features include a sealing assembly including a gasket and a sheet of filter material. The sealing assembly seals a lid to a seal rim of a base. The gasket has an upper surface, outer edge, and inner edge. The sheet of filter material extends from an inner edge of the gasket, and the gasket completely surrounds the sheet of filter material. The upper surface of the gasket comprises a plurality of indentations that define channels to facilitate delivery of a sterilization agent through the filter material. A sterilization assembly including a lid having a plurality of protrusions in its upper surface and a sliding-lock system for sealing and locking the lid to a container base is also provided.

Abstract: Closure mechanisms and seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a closure mechanism comprising at least one handle and at least two arms is provided with a sterilization container lid to apply a more uniform or evenly distributed force to a container gasket. A container body defines an inner lip on which the gasket and lid are received such that the sealing interface is recessed within the container. Further, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility.

Abstract: Closure mechanisms and seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a closure mechanism comprising at least one handle and at least two arms is provided with a sterilization container lid to apply a more uniform or evenly distributed force to a container gasket. A container body defines an inner lip on which the gasket and lid are received such that the sealing interface is recessed within the container. Further, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility.

Abstract: Closure mechanisms for closing and sealing sterilization containers and indicators for indicating the seal integrity sterilization containers are provided. For example, a container closure mechanism may be configured to distribute a closure force along a gasket to seal a container lid to a container body. Further, a seal indicator may visibly indicate at the container exterior whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is a first state, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in a second state. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a state change when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed or from sealed to unsealed, such that a user can ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility or whether the seal and sterility of the container have been compromised.

Abstract: Seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility. An exemplary seal indicator includes an invertible projection formed with the container gasket that is not visible from outside the container until inverted, due to force applied by the lid, to extend through an opening in the container body. Closure mechanisms for sterilization containers also are provided.

Abstract: A surfactant treatment is provided that can result in a sterilization wrap that can have a bacterial filtration efficiency of at least 94 percent as determined according to ASTM F2101. The surfactant treatment includes a surfactant consisting essentially of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Wrapping packs in a wrap treated with said surfactant treatment in an amount ranging from greater than 0 to 2 weight percent based on the dry weight of the wrap results in the production of fewer wet packs after steam sterilization compared to when packs are wrapped with an identical wrap without said surfactant treatment. A sterilization wrap comprising a nonwoven fabric and a dried residue surfactant treatment that is essentially free of silicon, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur is also provided, where wrapping packs to be sterilized in the surfactant treated wrap reduces the occurrence of wet packs after steam sterilization compared using an untreated wrap.