Abstract: A sterilization container for holding medical or surgical items during steam (or gas) sterilization procedures is formed entirely of resin-treated nonwoven material which provides a bacterial filter. The container includes a tray and a cover having correspondingly shaped seal flanges formed to provide a double seal and a tortuous path establishing a bacterial barrier. The lid and tray each have body portions adapted to be firmly gripped or handled with separate hands and the body portions are spaced from and related to the seal flanges in such a manner that the sterilized container may be opened and its contents presented or dispensed while maintaining sterile technique. The container is soft yet semi-rigid even after being subjected to steam sterilization.

Abstract: A vapor outlet valve for packages, consisting of a valve film welded to the inner surface of the capping film of the package in such a way that it is exposed when a predetermined section of the capping film is torn off.

Abstract: Blood platelet pH is maintained between 6.0 and 7.6 for up to at least five days in relatively low gas permeability containers, e.g., standard polyvinyl chloride containers, by exposing the container to an atmosphere having an oxygen content greater than about 21%.

Abstract: A bag in which an oxygen absorbent is sealed, is characterized in that at least part of the material constituting the bag is composed of a film having a plurality of fine openings, and being gas-permeable, but water-impermeable at one atmospheric pressure, and a container sealing member in which the bag is in a space inside the member are disclosed. The bag is used for preserving an aqueous liquid or semi-liquid material, such as foodstuffs and other materials.

Abstract: A sterilizable pouch comprising a plastic web and a paper web marginally heat sealed around all sides thereof, a slit in one of said webs for receiving the package contents and an adhesive strip adhered to the web; said adhesive strip being positioned to cover and seal both lips of the slit, and along with the web to which it is attached forming an assembly which acts as means for opening the slit for insertion of an article.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a safety device for packagings which contain pyrophoric metallic catalysts that emit hydrogen. The apparatus consists of a hollow stopper, open upward, in the bottom of which a pressure relief valve is fitted, an oxidation catalyst arranged in the stopper, and a gas-permeable closure covering the upper side of the stopper.

Abstract: A pouch and method for making a pouch are disclosed wherein the pouch comprises first and second webs secured together at least partially around an interior portion of the webs and wherein a sealing strip extends across the pouch. The sealing strip has a carrier member with a first portion secured to the first web and with an unsecured second portion. Adhesive is provided on the second portion of the carrier member and the second portion is covered with a release paper which can be removed so that the carrier member can be secured over the pouch opening by adhering the carrier member second portion to the second web to form a closure seal at the pouch opening.

Abstract: A fiber free, fast breathing tear strip for a gas sterilizable package which comprises a sandwich of a gas permeable membrane impervious to bacteria, and a perforated, or slit plastic sheet. The sandwich is peelably sealed around the access opening of a bag. One seam of the tear strip can be made non-peelable so that the tear strip becomes non-detachable. Particular embodiments of gas sterilizable packages which utilize the invented tear strip are disclosed.

Abstract: A sterilizable pouch is provided with first and second opposing webs which are initially sealed together except for a region defining an open mouth. At least one of the webs has a strip of adhesive adjacent the mouth with a peelable release strip superposed upon and adhering to the adhesive strip for masking the adhesive strip from external contact before the pouch is closed and sealed. The peelable release strip includes an indicator means for indicating its exposure to a predetermined sterilization condition. The indicator means has an initial appearance signifying that the indicator means has not been subjected to the predetermined sterilization condition and is adapted to change to a final appearance after exposure to the predetermined sterilization condition for indicating such exposure.

Abstract: A package comprised of a first wall member adhered to a second wall member to form a storage zone with the first wall member having a window surrounded by border portions. The window and border portions are covered with a peelable flap member which protects the border portion after sterilization of the package so that an article placed within the package can be removed in a sterile condition.

Abstract: A bag for cultivating mushrooms constructed at least in part from a microporous film which has gas-permeability but does not pass bacteria and infectious microbes.

Abstract: A medical pouch comprised of two separate web materials, one web material being notched and cut at an openable pouch end and the second web, along a line aligned essentially with the cut line of the first web, being cut in the line portions overlying the unnotched portions of the first web and serrated in the line portions overlying the notched portions of the first web. The pouches are manufactured by a process including the steps of removing at least one notched zone from one of the webs prior to sealing the two webs together and then cutting through both webs along a transverse line passing through the center of the notched zone, such cutting occurring only in the line portions corresponding to the unnotched areas of the first web and simultaneously serrating the second web along a line essentially conforming to the aforementioned cut line only in the line portions corresponding to the notched zone of the first web.

Abstract: A devious path bacterial barrier for providing an air/gas pathway to a sterile environment from an external environment, including a flat member lying within a plane and having spaced openings extending into the flat member and with one of the openings for communicating with the exterior environment and with the other of the openings for communicating with the sterile environment, a pathway extending between the openings and with the pathway extending within the flat member and along the plane of the flat member for interconnecting the openings and providing an air/gas pathway between the one opening of the flat member and the other opening, and the pathway including a plurality of bends along its length and with each bend providing an area to trap any bacteria introduced into the pathway from the exterior environment communicating with the one opening and with all the bacteria trapped at a distance along the pathway before the other opening communicating with the sterile environment.

Abstract: A frangible bonding system utilizes blush lacquer as the frangible link in a system for bonding a substrate to a surface, such as the surface of a cover layer. The system is particularly adapted for packaging sterilized products. A substrate, such as paper, is coated with a layer of blush lacquer and dried. An adhesive, such as heat seal material, is superposed. A cover layer is overlaid, with a product between the layers. The package is then sealed and sterilized. Opening of the package is by peeling the cover layer and substrate from one another, breaking the cohesive internal bonds of the blush lacquer.

Abstract: A sterilizable pouch comprising first and second opposing webs sealed together along two peripheral side edges. An unsealed edge of the first web extending beyond the opposing lip edge of the second web to form a flap. One of the webs having sealing means disposed adjacent to and spaced from the lip edge of the second web. The sealing means having sufficient width to permit sealing of both (a) the space on the web with the sealing means defined by the border of the sealing means and the lip edge of the second web and (b) an area on the web without sealing means adjacent the lip edge sufficient to form a contaminant-proof seal when the flap is closed and sealed.

Abstract: A skin testing system for in vivo intracutaneous use which comprises a novel injection unit and multiple applicator means, each of the units carrying biological or chemical substances for skin testing, at least one of the units carrying a plurality of different antigens in admixture. Test substances are deposited intracutaneously by piercing the skin with each injection to predetermined depth; and the pierced skin is observed for response to the various substances and dermographia.Each of the injection units includes a handle portion, hilt portion and a scarifier portion having means for carrying testing substances.The preferred applicator means comprises points carrying groups of admixed allergens selected from tree allergens, mold allergens, grass allergens, ragweed allergens, weed allergens, dust, epidermals and foods together with histamine control, and diluent control.

Abstract: Disposable receptacles for storing articles in sterile condition and having small breathers integral with the walls thereof, as well as apparatus and methods for making such receptacles and the materials therefor, are disclosed. The receptacles are fabricated of a pre-laminated material comprising a layer of breathable barrier material such as paper and a layer of thermoplastic, polymeric material such as polyethylene.The breathers may be made by heat sealing the thermoplastic layers of a pair of laminated sheets together at small, selected areas and then separating the sheets causing localized delamination of the layers and the formation of ruptured, blister-like projections in the thermoplastic layers at the heat seal positions.

Abstract: A package of, for example, a medical instrument adapted to be sterilized by ethylene oxide gas, which comprises a package body in which a paper substrate is coated with a polyester resin emulsion layer, and a thermoplastic resin emulsion layer, and a thermoplastic resin emulsion layer is laminated on said polyester resin emulsion layer, and a covering sheet heat-sealed to the thermoplastic resin emulsion layer around a packed material, thereby hermetically sealing the package, said package having an indicator enabling the completion of disinfection to be visibly recognized.

Abstract: A skin testing system for in vivo intracutaneous use which comprises a novel injection unit and multiple applicator means, each of the units carrying biological or chemical substances for skin testing, at least one of the units carrying a plurality of different antigens in admixture. Test substances are deposited intracutaneously by piercing the skin with each injection to predetermined depth; and the pierced skin is observed for response to the various substances and dermographia.Each of the injection units includes a handle portion, hilt portion and a scarifier portion having means for carrying testing substances.The preferred applicator means comprises points carrying groups of admixed allergens selected from tree allergens, mold allergens, grass allergens, ragweed allergens, weed allergens, dust, epidermals and foods together with histamine control, and diluent control.

Abstract: A receptacle for medical articles or the like is disclosed and includes confronting walls of impermeable, polymeric films portions of which sandwich a membrane impermeable to bacteria and other microorganisms but comparatively highly permeable to sterilizing vapor. The membrane is bonded to the receptacle walls so as to define with the walls a tortuous path aiding in the prevention of entry of contaminating microorganisms. The entire membrane is interposed between the walls so that virtually all surfaces of the membrane are protected against contamination. Various wall-to-membrane sealing configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved sterilizable, sterility maintaining, peelable package for sterile products constructed of an envelope, a peeling film inserted in and extending from one end of the envelope and a closure around the exterior of the package which hermetically seals the package, and seals the peeling film to the envelope. The peeling film is constructed of a sheet of sterilizable plastic film having a density appreciably dissimilar from the density of the envelope.

Abstract: An optically clear sterile intraocular lens packaging system which allows inspection and measurement of the lens without breaking sterility. The packaging system includes an outer case, an inner case within the outer case, and means for mounting the lens within the inner case. The inner and outer cases both have tops and bottoms, wherein at least a portion of the tops and bottoms have optically flat transparent surfaces parallel to each other. The mounting means is adapted to mount the lens in a plane parallel to the transparent surfaces of the inner and outer cases.

Abstract: A package for sterilization providing for sterilization by gas and also by steam which comprises a base plate formed of a laminate of a paper layer and a plastics layer mainly consisting of butyral resin; and a plastics covering sheet whose edge is heat-sealed to said base plate around a packaged article.

Abstract: A sterilizable package for medical or surgical instruments or the like, said package consisting essentially of a rigid or semi-rigid container including a filter element made of porous plastic and adapted to allow the passage of a sterilizing gas therethrough, but prevent the entry of bacteria into the package.

Abstract: A light-sensitive and oxygen-sensitive liquid such as an adrenalin solution for ophthalmic use is sealed within a polymer vessel provided with a dropper spout, the closed vessel itself being sealed within a light-tight gas-impermeable envelope which is purged with a non-reactive gas or is under vacuum. The envelope is preferably a three-component laminate of nylon aluminum foil and polypropylene.

Abstract: A heat sealable plastic bag for retaining articles in a sterile atmosphere and which includes gussets and a flap in a remote location such that when the bag is opened by pulling open the flap, the bag opening and its contents are protected by the flap from contaminating contact with the flap exterior and/or the user to insure a continued completely sterile atmosphere for the bag opening and its contents.

Abstract: It has been found that the shelf life of stored whole blood may be doubled by adding a buffer which maintains a desired pH level. However, this buffer causes the generation of CO.sub.2 which, if not removed at a controlled rate, causes the pH value of the blood to decrease, which shortens the useful life of the blood. This invention provides a blood storage bag which permits the CO.sub.2 to be diffused out at a controlled rate into the atmosphere, thereby maintaining the desired pH value while providing a bag strong enough to permit handling thereof.

Abstract: A sterile container, including a container body having an open end for receiving an item to be maintained in a sterile environment and with the container body including a flange portion extending around the entire container body at the open end, a sealing cavity formed within the flange portion of the container body and extending throughout the length of the flange portion and with the cavity including an opening having a particular dimension across the opening and with at least a portion of the cavity within the cavity having a larger dimension across the cavity than the particular dimension across the opening, a cover for closing the open end of the container body and with the cover including a flange portion extending around the entire cover, and a sealing cavity formed within the flange portion of the cover and with one of the sealing cavities nested within the other when the cover seals the open end of the container body and with the shape of the sealing cavity in the flange portion of the cover compleme

Abstract: A sterilizable package or pouch is made from a plastic member, generally transparent, which is marginally heat sealed around three sides to a paper member so as to leave an opening at one end for inserting the package contents. The paper member has a portion which extends beyond the area to be enclosed by the marginal heat seal when completed. This portion bears indicia, generally printed on the paper, that changes color upon sterilization (either steam or gas sterilization). The indicia bearing portion is adapted to be separated from the package and inserted therein together with the package contents before the marginal heat seal is completed and the package contents are sterilized.

Abstract: A package for an elongated catheter comprising, an elongated container of a flexible material resistant to passage of bacteria. The container has at least one elongated generally linear cell extending longitudinally in the container, with the cell having a sufficient length to receive the catheter intermediate ends of the container. The cell also has cross-sectional dimensions of a size sufficiently large to receive the catheter and sufficiently small to maintain the catheter generally aligned in the cell. The container has a sufficient width to prevent excessive flexation of the container throughout a substantial longitudinal extent thereof. The container also has opening means communicating between the cell and the outside of the container. The package has means for closing the opening means, with the closing means being resistant to the passage of bacteria and permeable to the passage of a sterilization medium for sterilization of the catheter through the closing means.

Abstract: Natural or synthetic rubber surgical elements such as tubing, catheters, drains and gloves are "lubricated" so as to prevent sticking during storage, and permit easier emplacement, such as putting on the gloves by a surgeon or nurse, by applying to the surface of the rubber elementA finely divided biodegradable powder consisting essentially ofAn enzymatically degradable form of poly(N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) selected from the group consisting ofPoly[N-acetyl-6-O-(carboxymethyl)-D-glucosamine],Poly[N-acetyl-6-O-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-D-glucosamine],Poly[N-acetyl-6-O-(ethyl)-D-glucosamine], andPoly(N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) itselfThis powder is readily absorbed by living tissue without deleterious tissue reaction, thus minimizing tissue reaction from the transfer of the powder from the element such as a glove to internal sites in a subject. The gloves may be packaged in a strippable laminate package. The polymers are derived from chitin.

Abstract: A sterilizable bag for use in the production of mushroom spawn has at least a panel of microporous plastics sheet material, for example microporous polypropylene or polyethylene, which is a good bacterial filter. In use the bag is filled with a particulate nutrient material, sterilized, inoculated with mycelium, and then stored under incubation conditions for growth of the mycelium through the nutrient material.

Abstract: A flexible bag formed from at least one plastic sheet folded to form a tube and provide overlapping, longitudinally-extending margins, is disclosed. The overlapping margins are joined by a series of longitudinally-spaced bonds, typically heat seals. A membrane permeable to sterilizing vapor and which may comprise a strip of paper having high wet strength is bonded to the tube and overlies the portion of the tube including the overlapping margins. The longitudinally-spaced heat seals preferably secure the overlapping margins to the membrane as well. The various heat seal patterns for joining the overlapping margins and membrane, as well as particular embodiments of the bag for retaining liquid and dry contents, are also disclosed. The sealing arrangement of the invention provides a bag capable of holding, even under autoclaving conditions, bulky, heavy materials which would otherwise rupture the paper strip or the seals joining the strip to the plastic tube.

Abstract: A package is provided for controlling the atmospheric condition of a packaged product and includes first and second package walls sealed at their peripheries to define a product cavity therebetween. One package wall is formed from a gas impermeable material and the second package wall includes a composite of an inner gas permeable layer and an outer gas impermeable layer. The outer layer is adapted for removal from the inner layer without destroying the seal between the first and second package walls so as to allow gases to flow through the inner layer and to thereby change the atmospheric condition of the packaged product.

Abstract: A packaged additive cap adapted for use with containers for parenteral solutions and the like including a continuous side wall, a top, a continuous flange, and a removable backing sheet. The top is integral with the side wall at the upper extremity thereof and the flange is integral with the side wall at the lower extremity thereof. The backing sheet is removably sealed to the underside of the flange to maintain the interior of the cap in sterile condition for use.

Abstract: A system for indicating the presence of water in a sterile package is shown in the illustrative arrangement by the use of a water soluble pattern of ink or dye behind a gas permeable barrier provided to such package to enable sterilization of the package contents. The pattern is printed either on the paper of the barrier or on the sealing coating provided on the barrier paper for attachment to the package shell or it is printed on a separate member deposited in the package.

Abstract: A sterile package of weldable plastic foil, has a sealing welding seam, joining two mutually opposite portions of said foil, interrupted by a disc shaped valve element of gas pervious material disposed between said portions and defining at least one through hole.

Abstract: A method and equipment to implement said method for the production of microbes on a solid or liquid substrate, particularly mushroom mycelium growing on a grain substrate, the latter known as "mushroom spawn", are provided wherein the spawn is grown in a transparent, heat sterilizable plastic bag with a temporary screw-on closure thereon. The finished spawn is prepared for market merely by removing the reusable temporary closure and closing the top of the plastic bag container.

Abstract: A container is disclosed including a relatively rigid tray sealed by a removable cover comprising a pair of plastic, bacteria-impermeable panels defining a generally linear passage for the introduction of sterilizing vapor for sterilizing the contents of the container after sealing thereof. The passage is sealed by a membrane, such as a paper strip, bonded to the panels about the passage. The paper strip is impermeable to bacteria but highly permeable to the sterilizing vapor.The passage may be defined by overlapping margins of the plastic panels. Covers employing panels with overlapping margins may include discrete spaced-apart heat seals joining the margins along the length of their overlap to increase the strength of the cover and insure its removal in one piece. By making the panels of transparent plastic sheet material and using a paper strip having a small surface area relative to the overall surface area of the cover, the contents may be readily identified visually through the panels.

Abstract: A sterile pack blank is provided which comprises an enclosure determined by a substrate of predetermined porosity and a discrete plastic film overlying the porous substrate. The film and porous substrate are adhesively connected by a cohesive or self-sealing adhesive. The porous substrate is printed with a continuous adhesive track, while substantially an entire surface of the plastic film is adhesive coated. An end flap of the film is folded back upon itself along a fold line to provide access to the enclosure interior. After introduction of an instrument into the enclosure, the film end flap is hingedly connected to the substrate, along respective adhesively coated areas thereof, according to the sealing method of the invention. The adhesive is characterized by the fact that it is self-adhering. Therefore, only interfaced areas of the film and substrate that are respectively coated with the adhesive may be adhesively connected.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of a unitary two-compartment package for sterile surgical articles which comprises; two separate and sealed containers, each defined by walls of sheet material which are permeable to a means of bacterial sterilization for surgical articles contained within the containers; and means such as an adhesive strip associated with at least one of the containers for permanently joining the two containers to each other.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method and device for the time release of a fragrance such as a perfume, the odor of the fragrance released being substantially unchanged from the odor of the original fragrance. The fragrance is sealed or otherwise enclosed within a container at least one portion of which comprises a permeable membrane of polyethylene or polypropylene, the membrane having a thickness of no more than about 6 mils (0.01524 cm), the fragrance including a top note, a middle note, an end note and alcohol (such as ethanol) having a molecular weight below 100. Fragrance components slowly pass through the membrane so as to provide an odor adjacent the membrane which is unchanged from the odor of the fragrance within the container.

Abstract: A frangible bonding system utilizes blush lacquer as the frangible link in a system for bonding a substrate to a surface, such as the surface of a cover layer. The system is particularly adapted for packaging sterilized products. A substrate, such as paper, is coated with a layer of blush lacquer and dried. An adhesive, such as heat seal material, is superposed. A cover layer is overlaid, with a product between the layers. The package is then sealed and sterilized. Opening of the package is by peeling the cover layer and substrate from one another, breaking the cohesive internal bonds of the blush lacquer.

Abstract: A pouch made from thermoplastic film and particularly suited for sterilizing and storing medical items has an edge defined by a fold of the film. A cap of porous material is wrapped over the folded edge and is sealed thereto along a continuous line to define an enclosed area on both sides of the edge in which the film and cap are unsealed. An opening, such as a slot, is provided in or adjacent to the fold of the film, with the opening being entirely located within the unsealed area and spaced from the seal line. The construction lessens the possibility of open bacteria paths often found in similar prior art pouches.In the manufacture of the pouch, a web of thermoplastic film is provided with a series of spaced linear openings or slits, a porous sheet material is applied over the openings and the porous material is sealed to the web along a continuous line surrounding the openings.

Abstract: A sterile syringe assembly and method of making same for providing sterile air to be injected into a patient. The syringe assembly includes a syringe mounted on a platform within an enclosure package. The syringe includes a barrel portion and a plunger which is at least partially pulled back from the barrel portion to provide an internal chamber of the barrel portion filled with sterilized air. The package enclosure is opened and the syringe plunger is actuated to inject the contained sterilized air into the patient.

Abstract: A sterilizable, peelable pouch or tray for medical and surgical equipment. The pouch comprises two superimposed sheets, preferably of autoclavable plastic, interconnected by an edge-strip of folded-over plastic affixed to the exterior surfaces of the sheet. The strip extends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the sheet edges and serves to provide a readily separable interconnection between the sheets. The sheets are separated by merely peeling one sheet back, thereby ripping the folded-over strip at the juncture between the two sheets. The tray assembly is similar with an upper plastic sheet removably, peelably affixed to a lower formed plastic cardboard or metal tray by the perimeter strips.