Sterile packing and sterilization method using this packing

Abstract

The packing according to the invention comprises: a first part, made of flexible and airtight material, defining a first portion and a second portion contiguous to the first portion, said first portion being separated from the second portion by an area suitable to be folded; at least one second part, made of a material porous to the sterilizing fluid, forming a pocket for the reception of the at least one object to be sterilized, said second part being connected to said first portion of said first part and being dimensioned so that its edges are, when said second part is connected to said first portion, set back of the edges of said first portion so as to define side assembly areas on said first portion; and airtight connection means for the connection of said second portion to said first portion in said side assembly areas.

1 . Sterile packing ( 1 ) for containing at least one object ( 2 ) to be sterilized by a sterilizing fluid, characterized in that it includes:
 a first part ( 5 ), made of flexible and airtight material, defining a first portion ( 5   a ) and a second portion ( 5   b ) contiguous to the first portion ( 5   a ), said first portion ( 5   a ) being separated from said second portion ( 5   b ) by an area ( 5   c ) suitable to be folded;   at least a second part ( 6 ), made of material porous to the sterilizing fluid, forming a pocket ( 10 ) for the reception of the at least one object ( 2 ) to be sterilized, said second part ( 6 ) being connected to said first portion ( 5   a ) of said first part ( 5 ) and being dimensioned so that its edges are, when said second part ( 6 ) is connected to said first portion ( 5   a ), set back of the edges of said first portion ( 5   a ) so as to define on said first portion ( 5   a ) side assembly areas ( 5   d ); and   connection means ( 11 ) for the sealed connection of said second portion ( 5   b ) to said first portion ( 5   a ) in said side assembly areas ( 5   d ).   
     
     
         2 . Sterile packing ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it includes a third part ( 7 ), made of a flexible and airtight material, dimensioned to be able to contain said first part ( 5 ) when folded on said second part ( 6 ), this third part ( 7 ) being closed on said first part ( 5 ) when folded on said second part ( 6 ) and being sealed with a vacuum created between said third part ( 7 ) and said first part ( 5 ). 
     
     
         3 . Sterile packing (I) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one second part ( 6 ) forms by itself said pocket ( 10 ), for example being folded and being connected on three side edges. 
     
     
         4 . Sterile packing ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one second part ( 6 ) is flat and is connected to said first part ( 5 ) on the periphery thereof, so as to form said pocket ( 10 ) and the opening of this pocket ( 10 ). 
     
     
         5 . Sterile packing ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said first part ( 5 ) is made of thermoweldable material and in that said connection means includes this material itself, the assembly of said the first portion ( 5   a ) and the second portion ( 5   b ) of this first part ( 5 ) being carried out by thermowelding. 
     
     
         6 . Sterile packing ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said second part ( 6 ) is made of thermoweldable material and in that its connection to said first part ( 5 ) is carried out by thermowelding. 
     
     
         7 . Sterile packing ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said first part ( 5 ) has a rectangular shape and in that said first and second portions ( 5   a ,  5   b ) of this first part ( 5 ) are defined by the two portions of said first part ( 5 ) extending on both sides of a transverse median axis, this transverse median axis corresponding to said area ( 5   c ) suitable to be folded. 
     
     
         8 . Sterile packing ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said first part ( 5 ) is made of several superimposed layers of flexible and airtight material. 
     
     
         9 . Sterilization process, using a sterile packing ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it includes the steps comprising:
 to place the at least one object ( 2 ) to be sterilized in the pocket ( 10 ) formed by said at least one second part ( 6 );   to sterilize this unit by means of the sterilization fluid;   to fold up said second portion ( 5   b ) on said first portion ( 5   a ), and   to carry out the assembly of this second portion ( 5   b ) onto this first portion ( 5   a ) in said side assembly areas ( 5   d ) with said connection means ( 11 ).   
     
     
         10 . Process according to  claim 9 , characterized in that it includes the steps further comprising:
 to use said third part ( 7 );   to fold this third part ( 7 ) on said first part ( 5 ) when folded on said second part ( 6 );   to create a vacuum between said third part ( 7 ) and said first part ( 5 ), and   to seal said third part ( 7 ) while maintaining the vacuum between said third part ( 7 ) and said first part ( 5 ).   
     
     
         11 . Process according to  claim 10 , characterized in that it includes the step further comprising:
 to connect the unit formed by said first part ( 5 ) when folded on said second part ( 6 ) to said third part ( 7 ), in particular by connecting said side assembly areas ( 5   d ) to this third part ( 7 ).