RECYCLABLE INDICATOR TAPE FOR STERILIZATION

• US 20140356963A1
• Filed: 05/15/2014
• Published: 12/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: O&M Halyard, Inc. (Owens and Minor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Keck, Laura E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,457,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/226 for investigating the degree of sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

There is provided a sterilization indicating tape having a breathable and liquid impervious film, wherein the tape is printed with a sterilization indicator ink. The tape is compatible with a wrap polymer for recycling. The tape is used to hold a wrapped package closed so that it can be sterilized and stored. The ink changes color upon sterilization to show the user that the package has been subject to sterilization. The tape is desirably made from the same or a similar polymer to the wrap polymer so that they may be recycled together.

Claims

1. A sterilization indicating tape comprising a breathable and liquid impervious film, wherein said tape is printed with an indicator ink and wherein said tape is compatible with a wrap polymer for recycling.

2. The tape of claim 1 wherein said film includes a core layer including a thermoplastic polymer, and a particulate filler

3. The tape of claim 1 wherein said ink indicates sterilization by ethylene oxide or steam.

4. The tape of claim 1 wherein said film is joined on one or both sides to a nonwoven layer.

5. The tape of claim 1 wherein said film layer has a basis weight between 0.2 and 1.0 osy (6.8 and 33.9 gsm).

6. The tape of claim 1 wherein said film layer has a basis weight of about 0.6 osy (20.3 gsm).

7. A sterilization indicating tape consisting essentially of a microporous polyolefin film layer printed with a sterilization indicating ink.

8. The tape of claim 7 wherein said film is breathable and liquid impervious.

9. The tape of claim 8 wherein said film is made from polypropylene.

10. The tape of claim 8 wherein said film is made from polyethylene.

11. Packaging material comprising a wrap and tape, wherein said wrap and tape are made from polymeric materials that are compatible for recycling, said tape is breathable and liquid impervious and is printed with a sterilization indicator ink.