US3939971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilant package assembly
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
•
Filing: 1973-02-13
•
Granted: 1976-02-24
•
Expires: 1993-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A package for sterilizing implements at a remote time and location is provided which package is formed of at least two compartments separated by a thin semi-permeable wall. The first compartment is provided to receive an implement to be sterilized therein with the second sealed compartment being provided with a substrate having a thermally-activated or releasable sterilizing gas bonded thereto. Upon release, the sterilizing gas permeates the thin semi-permeable wall to effect sterilization of the implement.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry J. Tulis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:15
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D75/00; B65D75/38; A; A61; A61B; A61B50/00; A61B50/30; B65D75/28; A61B2050/314; A61B2050/316
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
A package for sterilizing implements comprised of two gas impermeable outer walls and an inner wall sandwiched therebetween thereby forming two compartments, said inner wall being pervious to sterilizing gas but impervious to water vapor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
A package for sterilizing implements comprised of two gas impermeable outer walls and an inner wall sandwiched therebetween thereby forming two compartments, said inner wall being pervious to sterilizing gas but impervious to water vapor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The package as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer walls and said inner wall are formed of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The package as defined in claim 2 wherein said outer walls are of a thickness of 4 to 6 mils and said inner wall is of a thickness of 0.5 mils to 1.5 mils.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The package as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said compartments is sealed and has contained therein a substrate including a controllably releasable sterilizing gas bonded thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The package as defined in claim 1 wherein both of said distinct compartments are sealed enclosures, and one of said compartments contains a substrate including a controllably releasable sterilizing gas bonded thereto, and said other compartment contains a surgical implement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A package as defined in claim 5 wherein the compartment containing a surgical implement has contained therein a glass vial of ammonia gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A package for sterilizing implements comprised of a first compartment defined by outer walls of a thermoplastic material of a sufficient thickness to render the walls gas impermeable and a thin walled inner package of a thermoplastic material forming a second compartment which is pervious to sterilizing gas but impervious to water vapor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A package for sterilizing implements comprised of a first compartment defined by outer walls of a thermoplastic material of a sufficient thickness to render the walls gas impermeable and a thin walled inner package of a thermoplastic material forming a second compartment which is pervious to sterilizing gas but impervious to water vapor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The package as defined in claim 7 wherein the compartment formed by said inner package is a sealed enclosure and contains therein an implement to be sterilized, and said outer package forms a sealed enclosure containing said inner package and a substrate including a controllably releasable sterilizing gas bonded thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The package as defined in claim 7 wherein said thin walled inner package forms a sealed enclosure and contains a substrate including a controllably releasable sterilizing gas bonded thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The package as defined in claim 9 wherein said outer package is sealed and has contained therein said inner package and a surgical implement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The package as defined in claim 10 wherein the outer package containing said surgical implement and said inner package further contains a glass vial of ammonia gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The package as defined in claim 11 wherein said thermoplastic materials are polyethylene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2714557A
Cited
US2998880A
Cited
US3114599A
Cited
US3476506A
Cited
US3323640A
Cited
US3435948A
Cited
US3494726A
Cited
US3503497A
Cited
US3507386A
Cited
US3670874A
Cited
US3625353A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-23 | 1979-08-25 | 1980-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-23 | 1983-08-25 | 1984-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-23 | 1987-08-25 | 1988-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |