Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Michael Joseph Scott

Robert E Weber

Amy Brown Reed

A medical packaging material based on a cellulosic nonwoven web which may be used in an oxidizing gas plasma sterilization environment. The material includes a cellulosic nonwoven web made up of fibers. From about 50 to 100 percent by weight of the fibers, based on the total weight of the fibers, are cellulosic fibers, and from 0 to about 50 percent by weight of the fibers, based on the total weight of the fibers, are noncellulosic fibers, such as glass wool and synthetic polymer fibers. In some embodiments, the cellulosic nonwoven web may be composed of 100 percent by weight of cellulosic fibers. The cellulosic nonwoven web includes a saturant which is present at a level of from about 50 to about 150 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of the fibers. The saturant includes a cellulosic fiber-protecting synthetic polymer having an effectively low permeability to hydrogen peroxide. For example, the cellulosic fiber-protecting synthetic polymer may have a water vapor transmission rate for a 2.5 micrometer film no greater than about 10 grams per 100 square inches per 24 hours at 38.degree. C. and 90 percent relative humidity. As another example, the cellulosic fiber-protecting synthetic polymer may have a water vapor transmission rate for a 2.5 micrometer film no greater than about 6 grams per 100 square inches per 24 hours at 38.degree. C. and 90 percent relative humidity.

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Woodstock, GA, United States of America

Michael Joseph Scott