Sterilization tray protection mechanisms

Inventors

Takken, Wendy • Houde, Ajay • Wright, Audra • Lien, Khoa • Cesa, Joe • Spencer, Anthony Stephen • O'Shea, Paige

Assignees

Owens and Minor International Ltd • Rutherford Holdings CV • Owens and Minor Jersey Holdings Ltd • Owens and Minor Ireland ULC • Owens and Minor Distribution Inc • O&M Halyard Inc • Owens and Minor Inc • O&M Worldwide LLC • Owens and Minor International Logistics Inc

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.

Core Innovation

The disclosure provides a sterilization wrap system that includes a sterilization wrap having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a corner protector positioned adjacent a corner of a package wrapped with the sterilization wrap. The corner protector includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the corner protector directly to the sterilization wrap, and the sterilization wrap and the corner protector are made from a same material.

The protective components are positioned against the outer surface of the sterilization wrap and/or between the wrap’s inner surface and the sterilization tray/container to shield the wrap and tray from cuts/tears and tray damage. The document also describes other protectors such as strap or belt protectors, edge protectors, corner protectors, and expandable protectors that are configured to protect the wrap and a sterilization tray/container.

The disclosure further describes a size-selectable protection system using a perforated material roll with detachable selected lengths. An attachment mechanism on one surface and a release mechanism on the opposite surface prevent undesired adhesion during unrolling, so that the selected length is usable for protecting the wrap and tray. The protectors are positioned using placement features, and attachment can be based on adhesive, mechanical fasteners, and hook elements, including hook-and-loop fastening.

Claims Coverage

The partial content identifies one independent claim covering a sterilization wrap system with a corner protector directly attached to a sterilization wrap, where the wrap and the corner protector share the same material. Additional claim features refine attachment location, corner protector form, and hook-based attachment details.

Overall, the claim coverage centers on a sterilization wrap system that includes a corner protector directly attached to the sterilization wrap via an attachment mechanism, with the wrap and corner protector made from the same material. Additional refinements specify attachment location, flexibility and conformity of the corner protector, and hook-based attachment where the hooks engage the material and are formed from the same material as the corner protectors.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications