Sterilization wrap material

• Main Authors: JAMESON; LEE KIRBY, VAN HOUT; LESLIE HOPE, COHEN; BERNARD
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.12.1997
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F,C08G; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; LAYERED PRODUCTS; LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT ORNON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METALLURGY; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL; WORKING-UP

A polyolefin film for use as a sterilization wrap material which includes a film with a thickness of from about 0.005 mm to about 0.2 mm and having a plurality of discontinuous thinned regions. The thinned regions constitute at least about 25 percent of the surface area of the film. The thickness and area of the thinned regions are adapted to permit the passage of steam and water vapor through the film during steam sterilization. The film is made by a method which involves extruding a molten polyolefin film at a first temperature and passing the molten film through a nip. The nip includes an anvil roll and a pattern roll. The anvil roll has a smooth surface and the surface of the pattern roll is maintained at a temperature which is at least about 150 DEG C. lower than the first temperature and is selected to prevent sticking of the film to either roll.