Peelable Sterilization Pack with Self-Supporting Folds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sterilization packaging techniques, such as the Pasteur folding method and peelable packs, are inadequate for bulky and heavy objects as they rely heavily on human intervention and mechanical strength, which can lead to contamination risks and inconsistent sterility maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A peelable sterilization pack with a heat-sealable adhesive strip or strips forming symmetrical curves on a polymer-based support, allowing for minimal human intervention and enhanced mechanical strength through self-supporting folds, suitable for steam, ethylene oxide, and gas-plasma sterilization methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the Pasteur folding technique is used for wrapping bulky and heavy objects, then the pack can be formed without sealing, but the sterility maintenance becomes highly dependent on human folding quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of pack formationVSAvoidsterility maintenance reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pack material automatically forms folds and creates sealing structures through its own geometric design and material properties, without requiring human intervention to create the folding pattern. The self-service mechanism ensures consistent sterility maintenance while simplifying the operation of pack formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the pack material by using specific polymer compositions and thermal properties, allowing the material to self-form folds and seal through controlled heating and cooling processes, thereby eliminating dependence on human folding quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If peelable packs are constituted by two heat-sealed sheets, then the packs can be sealed for sterilization, but the mechanical strength is limited by the weld strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization sealing reliabilityVSAvoidpack mechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite material structures combining multiple polymer layers with different properties, where the composition provides both sealing capability and enhanced mechanical strength. The layered composite structure allows the pack to withstand sterilization processes while maintaining high mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the thermal and mechanical parameters of the pack material through selective heating and cooling during the sealing process, creating strong bonds that maintain both sealing reliability and mechanical strength. The controlled thermal processing ensures the weld strength is sufficient for both sterilization and handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If human intervention is used for folding and sealing operations, then the pack can be formed, but contamination risks increase due to dependency on human operation quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepack formation capabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pack system performs its own folding and sealing operations through automated mechanisms and material self-forming properties, eliminating the need for human contact during critical sterilization steps. This self-service approach reduces contamination risks while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual mechanical folding and sealing operations with automated mechanical systems and thermal processing, eliminating human intervention in the critical packaging steps. This substitution reduces contamination risks associated with human handling while maintaining the capability to form packs efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution minimizes contamination risks and maintains sterility effectively by reducing dependence on human folding quality and enhancing mechanical strength, ensuring consistent sterility across various sterilization techniques.

Implementation Method 1

comprising on one of its faces a heat-sealable adhesive, said adhesive forming a strip which describes a curve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat-sealing:

Implementation Method 2

heat-sealable adhesive, said adhesive forming a strip which describes a curve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

the support is constituted by a material constituted by a polymer or a mixture of polymers chosen from the group constituted by high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide and polyester

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymer material strength: