Strong steam-sterilizable multiple-layer film, and packages for physiologic solutions, made therefrom

• US 4,772,497 A
• Filed: 09/25/1986
• Issued: 09/20/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wihuri Oy (Wihuri International Oy), Wihuri OY Sf-15560 Nastola Finland
• Original Assignee: Wihuri Oy (Wihuri International Oy)
• Inventors: Maasola, Hannu O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buffalow, Edith
• Application Number:
  US06/911,565
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 428/483, 428/35, 428/476.3, 428/476.9, 428/519, 428/522, 604/408
• US Class Current: 428/35.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/514 Oriented
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2323/04 Polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2323/10 Polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2439/80 Medical packaging
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/306 comprising vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1334 Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3175 Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomer[s]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31757 Polymer of monoethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31797 Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31928 Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31935 Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer

Abstract

The invention relates to a strong and steam-sterilizable multiple-layer plastic film for packaging physiologic solutions, and to a strong and sterilizable package, made of this film, for physiologic solutions. Since the conventional plastics used for packaging physiologic solutions turn brittle under steam-sterilization, a new type of multiple-layer film has been invented which has, especially after steam-sterilization, mechanical properties superior to those of a conventional plastic film. The film according to the invention is produced in such a way that at least one layer is a mixture of polyolefin, preferably polypropylene, and an elastomer. In this manner the resistance to flex crack formation can be improved about 10-fold.

Claims

1. A strong and steam-sterilizable multiple-layer plastic film for packaging physiologic solutions comprising an outer layer formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyester copolymer, polyolefin, and polyamide, and an inner layer formed from a mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer wherein said multiple-layer plastic film is capable of being steam-sterilized at a temperature of at least 120°

C. and maintains its mechanical properties after steam-sterilization.

2. The multiple-layer plastic film of claim 1 wherein said mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer contains, by weight of the mixture, about 10-60% elastomer.

3. The multiple-layer plastic film of claim 2 wherein said mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer contains, by weight of the mixture, about 20-50% elastomer.

4. The multiple-layer plastic film of claim 1 wherein said outer layer is formed from a linear polyethylene.

5. The multiple-layer plastic film of claim 4 wherein said linear polyethylene has a density of about 0.940-0.960 g/cm³.

6. The multiple-layer plastic film of claim 1 wherein said outer layer is formed from an oriented polyester.

7. The multiple-layer plastic film of claim 1 wherein said outer layer is formed from polypropylene.

8. The multiple-layer plastic film of claim 1 which additionally comprises an innermost layer situated so that the inner layer is interposed between said innermost and outer layers and said innermost layer is formed from a polyolefin.

9. A strong and sterilizable plastic package for physiologic solutions comprising a multiple-layer plastic film having an outer layer formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyester copolymer, polyolefin, and polyamide, and an inner layer formed from a mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer wherein said plastic package is capable of being steam-sterilized at a temperature of at least 120°

C. and maintains its mechanical properties after steam-sterilization.

10. The plastic package of claim 9 wherein said mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer contains, by weight of the mixture, about 10-60% elastomer.

11. The plastic package of claim 10 wherein said mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer contains, by weight of the mixture, about 20-50% elastomer.

12. The plastic package of claim 9 wherein said outer layer is formed from a linear polyethylene.

13. The plastic package of claim 12 wherein said linear polyethylene has a density of about 0.940-0.960 g/cm³.

14. The plastic package of claim 9 wherein said outer layer is formed from an oriented polyester.

15. The plastic package of claim 9 wherein said outer layer is formed from polypropylene.

16. The plastic package of claim 9 wherein the connection units of said package are formed from a mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer.

17. The plastic package of claim 9 which additionally comprises an innermost layer situated so that the inner layer is interposed between said innermost and outer layers and said innermost layer is formed from polyolefin.