Device, system, and method for providing modular vented opening package sealing

Abstract

A modular attachment is provided to attach to a packaging machine for forming a vent opening in a packaging film used for packaging an item via a packaging machine, and attaching a semipermeable or permeable vent covering material over the vent opening. The vent opening with the attached vent covering material may allow for sterilization of medical devices, medical equipment or other medical supplies while packaged within the packaging film. The modular attachment may include features for forming the vent opening in the packaging film during delivery of the packaging film for use in the packaging process, delivering the covering material to the location of the vent opening, cutting the covering material to size for covering the vent opening, and attaching the vent covering material to the packaging film so as to cover the vent opening.

1 . A machine for packaging an item, the machine comprising:
 a conveyor for conveying the item;   a packaging film for covering at least a portion of the item;   a packaging film roller assembly for delivering the packaging film to the item;   the machine further comprising a convertible attachment, the attachment comprising:
 a puncturing device for puncturing a vent opening in the packaging film; 
 a vent covering material for covering the vent opening; and 
 a vent covering material roller assembly for delivering the vent covering material to the opening in the packaging film. 
   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging film is non-permeable. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging film is received from a packaging film roll. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the vent covering material is permeable. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 4 , wherein the vent covering material is permeable to a sterilization substance. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 5 , wherein the sterilization substance is ethylene oxide (ETO). 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the vent covering material is received from a vent covering material roll. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second packaging film for covering at least a second portion of the item.   
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the vent covering material roller assembly is attachable to the packaging film roller assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 9 , wherein the packaging film roller assembly includes a frame, and wherein the vent covering material roller assembly is attachable to the packaging film roller assembly via the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the puncturing device is attachable to the packaging film roller assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 11 , wherein the packaging film roller assembly includes a frame, and wherein the puncturing device is attachable to the packaging film roller assembly via the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an attaching assembly for attaching the vent covering material to the packaging film.   
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein the attaching assembly includes:
 a heat sealing device operable to heat sealably attach the vent covering material to the packaging film.   
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a vent covering material cutter for cutting the vent material.   
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a vent covering material positioner for positioning the vent material.   
     
     
         17 . A modular attachment for use with a packaging machine for packaging an item, the packaging machine having a conveyor, a packaging film roller assembly for delivering a packaging film for packaging the item, the modular attachment comprising:
 a puncturing device operable to puncture a vent opening in the packaging film;   a vent covering material for covering the vent opening; and   a vent covering material roller assembly for delivering the vent covering material to the vent opening.   
     
     
         18 . The modular attachment of  claim 17 , further comprising a vent material cutter for cutting the vent covering material. 
     
     
         19 . The modular attachment of  claim 17 , further comprising an attachment assembly for attaching the vent covering material to the packaging film. 
     
     
         20 . The modular attachment of  claim 17 , further comprising a frame, wherein the puncturing device and the vent covering material roller assembly are attached to the frame.