Sterilisation Wrap With Corner Tabs For Aseptic Unwrapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sterilization wraps for small objects, such as single-use trays, are inefficient to unwrap, often requiring significant time and risking asepsis compromise due to the complexity of unfolding and the difficulty in accessing corners.

Innovation Solution

A wrap design featuring four edges with tabs on opposite sides, allowing for efficient folding and unwrapping by utilizing the tabs to pull the wrap away from the object, thereby simplifying the process and maintaining asepsis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wrap is folded around the contents with at least one corner protruding, then the wrap can be unfolded to provide an aseptic surface, but significant time is spent on properly unfolding and the user may compromise asepsis

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveasepsisVSAvoidunwrapping time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wrap is divided into four separate tabs positioned at each corner, allowing the unwrapping process to be segmented into four independent pulling actions rather than one complex unfolding sequence. Each tab can be pulled independently to systematically expose the sterile field without compromising asepsis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tabs are pre-positioned at the corners of the wrap before sterilization. This preliminary configuration enables the user to immediately grasp and pull the tabs without needing to locate corners or perform complex folding maneuvers, significantly reducing unwrapping time while maintaining aseptic technique.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the wrap is made of lightweight plastic material, then the wrap is easy to handle, but the corners are not readily accessible and difficult to locate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehandleabilityVSAvoidcorner accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The corners of the wrap are given distinctive tab features that differ from the rest of the wrap material. These tabs provide localized visual and tactile cues that make corners easily identifiable and accessible, solving the problem of locating corners on a lightweight, otherwise uniform wrap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tabs can be provided in different colors or with different visual characteristics compared to the main wrap material. This visual differentiation makes the corners readily detectable and accessible without compromising the lightweight nature or sterility of the wrap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3672646B1Sterilisation wrap and method
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 MULTIGATE MEDICAL PRODUCTS PTY LTD
  • EP3672646B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3672646B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3672646B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention concerns a wrap (10) for wrapping an object to be sterilised (30), the wrap (10) having a periphery with a first edge (12) on one side of the periphery and a second edge (14) on a side of the periphery opposite to the first side. The wrap (10) has at least one first tab (20) at the first edge (12) and at least one second tab (24) at the second edge (14). The invention also concerns a method of wrapping an object to be sterilised (30) using the wrap (10) of the invention and a method of unwrapping the wrapped object (30).