Avent, Inc.

Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

O&m Halyard, Inc.

Eric T Bricker

Mark Thomas Pamperin

Melissa R Gaynor

Corinna Schwarz

Jeffrey James Farmer

Catherine J Turnbow

Brian L Gustin

Mark T Pamperin

Shawn Eric Jenkins

Tara Denise Smith

Jeffrey J Farmer

A multi-panel sterilization assembly that includes a barrier panel formed of a permeable material, barrier panel bolsters at or adjacent at least a portion of two edges of the barrier panel, a fold protection panel, and at least one panel attachment means. The barrier panel has a first end and a second end opposite the first end such that the barrier panel has a length that is the distance from the first end to the second end and a midpoint along the length generally delineating the barrier panel into a content receiving region and a content covering region. The barrier panel bolsters prevent the edges of the barrier panel from folding back onto itself, i.e. back towards the unfolded position, during unfolding of the barrier panel after sterilization.

Flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly with bolsters

A continuous process for making a multi-panel sterilization assembly, the process including the steps of: providing a moving, continuous base web; providing a plurality of subassemblies; applying the subassemblies in position on the moving, continuous base web to define repeating portions that incorporate the subassemblies and alternating portions that lack such subassemblies; providing side tabs; applying the side tabs in position on the moving, continuous base web with respect to at least one edge of the portions that incorporate the subassemblies; attaching the subassemblies and the side tabs to the moving, continuous base web to form a continuous work-piece; and separating the continuous work-piece into individual multi-panel sterilization assemblies, each multi-panel sterilization assembly comprising a barrier panel, a fold protection panel and at least one side tab.

Stack of multi-panel sterilization assemblies

A multi-panel sterilization assembly that includes a barrier panel formed of permeable material having barrier properties, side tabs that include grip portions for folding or unfolding the barrier panel; and a fold protection panel. The barrier panel has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first edge and a third edge, each such edge being generally perpendicular to the first end, and a midpoint to generally delineate the barrier panel into a content receiving region extending from approximately the first end to the midpoint and a content covering region extending from the midpoint to approximately the second end. The side tabs are located between the first end and the midpoint of the barrier panel and at or near the first edge and the third edge. The fold protection panel is in juxtaposed communication with the barrier panel such that after folding the content covering region and the first and third edges over the content receiving region, the fold protection panel covers them.

Flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly with side tabs

A multi-panel sterilization assembly having a barrier panel, side tabs with grip portions for folding/unfolding the barrier panel, and a fold protection panel. The barrier panel has first and second opposed ends, a first edge and a third edge, each such edge generally perpendicular to the first end, and a second edge that is opposite the first end. A longitudinal axis extends from the first end to the second end bisecting the assembly into a first assembly portion and a second assembly portion. The first assembly portion extends from the longitudinal axis to the first edge and side tab defining a first center of mass, and the second assembly portion extends from the longitudinal axis to the third edge and side tab defining a second center of mass, such that each center of mass is closer to its respective edge than to the longitudinal axis.

Flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly with mass balancing side tabs

Process for making a flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly

Growing community of inventors

Roswell, GA, United States of America

Eric T Bricker