Indicator tapes and methods
First Claim
1. An indicator tape comprising:
- (a) a non-water-dispersible backing having opposing sides and including thereon a sterilization indicator, and;
(b) a moisture-resistant, pressure sensitive adhesive comprising an acrylate-based copolymer in combination with a plasticizer coated on at least one of the opposing sides of the backing, said pressure sensitive adhesive being dispersible upon immersion in aqueous alkali solutions and said acrylate-based copolymer comprising a blend of (a) 100 parts by weight of a copolymer of monomers of (1) about 50-85 weight percent of at least one monomeric acrylic acid ester of a nontertiary alkyl alcohol having 2-8 carbon atoms, and (2) about 50-15 weight percent of a vinyl carboxylic acid, (b) about 10 to about 250 parts by weight of a water-dispersible or water-soluble plasticizer, (c) optionally from about 0 to about 100 parts by weight of an acrylate-compatible tackifier; and
(d) sufficient alkali metal hydroxide, if any, to neutralize from 0 to 100 percent of acid moieties in the copolymer;
wherein the coated pressure sensitive adhesive exhibits sufficient adhesion to maintain a wrapped bundle of articles in a closed position during sterilization and normal pre- and post-sterilization handling.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Sterilization indicator tapes utilizing moisture-resistant, water-dispersible, pressure sensitive adhesives are provided. The indicator tapes comprise a non-water-dispersible backing having a sterilization indicator thereon, which is coated on at least one side with the moisture-resistant, water-dispersible, pressure sensitive adhesive. The indicator tapes are useful to maintain a sterilization wrapper containing articles to be sterilized in a closed position during sterilization, and normal pre- and post-sterilization handling, while also providing a means to indicate if the wrapped articles have passed through a sterilization cycle. After use, the adhesives coating the indicator tapes disperse in aqueous alkali solutions, such as are found in commercial laundries, while the backing remains intact. Methods of making and using the indicator tapes are also provided.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An indicator tape comprising:
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(a) a non-water-dispersible backing having opposing sides and including thereon a sterilization indicator, and; (b) a moisture-resistant, pressure sensitive adhesive comprising an acrylate-based copolymer in combination with a plasticizer coated on at least one of the opposing sides of the backing, said pressure sensitive adhesive being dispersible upon immersion in aqueous alkali solutions and said acrylate-based copolymer comprising a blend of (a) 100 parts by weight of a copolymer of monomers of (1) about 50-85 weight percent of at least one monomeric acrylic acid ester of a nontertiary alkyl alcohol having 2-8 carbon atoms, and (2) about 50-15 weight percent of a vinyl carboxylic acid, (b) about 10 to about 250 parts by weight of a water-dispersible or water-soluble plasticizer, (c) optionally from about 0 to about 100 parts by weight of an acrylate-compatible tackifier; and
(d) sufficient alkali metal hydroxide, if any, to neutralize from 0 to 100 percent of acid moieties in the copolymer;wherein the coated pressure sensitive adhesive exhibits sufficient adhesion to maintain a wrapped bundle of articles in a closed position during sterilization and normal pre- and post-sterilization handling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of using an indicator tape as a wrapper closure comprising:
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(a) providing an indicator tape comprising a non-water-dispersible backing having opposing sides and including thereon a sterilization indicator, with a moisture-resistant, pressure sensitive adhesive coated on at least one of the opposing sides of the backing, said pressure sensitive adhesive being dispersible upon immersion in aqueous alkali solutions and said acrylate-based copolymer comprising a blend of (a) 100 parts by weight of a copolymer of monomers of (1) about 50-85 weight percent of at least one monomeric acrylic acid ester of a nontertiary alkyl alcohol having 2-8 carbon atoms, and (2) about 50-15 weight percent of a vinyl carboxylic acid, (b) about 10 to about 250 parts by weight of a water-dispersible or water-soluble plasticizer, (c) optionally from about 0 to about 100 parts by weight of an acrylate-compatible tackifier; and
(d) sufficient alkali metal hydroxide, if any, to neutralize from 0 to 100 percent of acid moieties in the copolymer; and
,(b) applying the indicator tape to a sterilization wrapper containing a bundle of articles such that the bundle will remain substantially closed during sterilization, and normal pre- and post-sterilization handling. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification