METHOD OF PACKAGING STERILIZED PRODUCTS

Abstract

The invention provides a method of packaging a sterilized product. The method includes the steps of providing a product and sterilizing the product. The sterilized product is enclosed in a first layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a first sealed enclosure. The first sealed enclosure is enclosed in a second layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a second sealed enclosure. The second sealed enclosure is enclosed in a third layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a third sealed enclosure. The third sealed enclosure is enclosed in a fourth layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a packaged product.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A method of introducing a sterilized product that meets the requirements for a Grade A controlled environment into a controlled environment, the sterilized product being enclosed in a first layer that is substantially hermetically sealed to form a first sealed enclosure, the first sealed enclosure being enclosed in a second layer that is substantially hermetically sealed to form a second sealed enclosure, the second sealed enclosure being enclosed in a third layer that is substantially hermetically sealed to form a third sealed enclosure, and the third sealed enclosure being enclosed in a fourth layer that is substantially hermetically sealed to form a fourth sealed enclosure, the method comprising: removing the fourth layer in a first environment with a first sterility to expose the third sealed enclosure; removing the third layer in a second environment to expose the second sealed enclosure, wherein the second environment is a controlled environment with a predetermined second sterility that is higher than the first sterility; removing the second layer in a third environment to expose the first sealed enclosure, wherein the third environment is a controlled environment with a predetermined third sterility that is higher than the second sterility; and removing the first layer in a fourth environment to expose the sterilized product, wherein the fourth environment is a controlled environment with a predetermined fourth sterility that is higher than the third sterility.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: transporting the third sealed enclosure to the second environment; transporting the second sealed enclosure to the third environment; and transporting the first sealed enclosure to the fourth environment.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the sterilized product is sterilized by gamma irradiation.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first layer, the second layer, the third layer and the fourth layer are formed of a plastic material.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plastic material is in the form of a plastic bag.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, and the fourth layer are sealed by heat sealing.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the first environment is a Grade D environment, the second environment is a Grade C environment, and the third environment is a Grade B environment, and the fourth environment is a Grade A environment.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first sterility is International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Class 8, the second sterility is ISO Class 7, the third sterility is ISO Class 6, and the fourth sterility is ISO Class 5.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the first environment is near a Grade D environment, the second environment is the Grade D environment, the third environment is a Grade C environment, and the fourth environment is a Grade B environment.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first sterility is an open air environment.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the second sterility is ISO Class 8, the third sterility is ISO Class 7, and the fourth sterility is ISO Class 6.

25. The method of claim 14, further comprising: introducing the sterilized product into a Grade A environment after the first layer is removed.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein the Grade A environment has a sterility of ISO Class 5.

27. The method of claim 14, wherein the first environment is not a controlled environment.

28. The method of claim 14, wherein the first sterility is not predetermined.

29. The method of claim 14, wherein the sterilized product is a paper product.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the sterilized paper product is a printing medium.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising: placing the printing medium in a paper tray or on a paper roll of a printing device after the first layer is removed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the steps for the method of packaging a sterilized paper product;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a packaged sterilized paper product according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0013] FIGS. 3A, 3B are exploded views of the first two layers of the packaged sterilized paper product depicted in FIG. 2;

[0014] FIGS. 4A, 4B are exploded views of the packaged sterilized paper product depicted in FIG. 2 enclosed within a container for shipment; and

[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the steps for the method of introducing paper products into a sterilized environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a method of packaging sterilized products so as to ensure their sterility, namely paper products, is provided. A method of introducing sterilized products, namely paper products, into a sterile environment is also provided. While the Figures provided herein are directed to paper products, any sterilized products may be used with the methods of the invention. The four-stage sealing methods described herein provide the benefit of ensuring protection against contamination inside the cleanroom, while maintaining the sterility of the packaged products. Once the products are removed from the successive sealing layers, no additional sanitizing step is needed since the last layer is removed within the cleanroom of the final destination where the product is used. This reduces cost because antibacterial and/or antiseptic sanitizers and sprays are not needed, and the cleanroom and its workers are protected from harmful vapors that are released when sanitizing agents are used on the products.

[0017] Generally, paper products (or similar printing media) are pre-sterilized and then packaged according to the methods of the invention. They are then shipped in cartons, such as cardboard containers with exterior plastic wrapping, to an end destination. The cardboard containers may be shipped by any known shipping method, such as by truck, rail or air transportation. The packaged products are then introduced into sterile environments according to the methods provided herein.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a paper product or printing medium 200 is first sterilized, according to step 100. According to one embodiment of the invention, common pulp-based paper may be used. According to a preferred embodiment, a non-shedding paper product, such as plastic, non-shedding Teslin printing medium (manufactured by PPG Industries of Pittsburgh, Pa.) is used. The term paper as used herein includes both common pulp-based paper products as well as other types of printing media (e.g., Teslin paper) known in the art. The paper may be provided on rolls at a predetermined length, or it may be provided as cut sheets prepared in reams (as shown in FIGS. 1-4). Any sterilization methods known to one skilled in the art may be used, including, but not limited to, steam, heat, chemical treatment, or gamma irradiation. In a preferred embodiment, gamma irradiation is used. The rolls or reams may then be packaged according to the methods of the invention.

[0019] Specifically, the sterilized paper 200 may undergo a quadruple bagging or layering process to form a final packaged product 202, as shown in FIG. 2. According to step 102, the sterilized paper 200 (which may be contained in a sealed paper enclosure, as shown) is enclosed in a first layer 204 (FIG. 3A), which may then be sealed to form a substantially hermetically sealed first layer enclosure so as to keep out any contaminants. The first layer enclosure (containing the paper 200) is then enclosed in a second layer 206 (FIG. 3B) and the second layer 206 is then substantially hermetically sealed to form a second layer enclosure, according to step 104. This second layer enclosure (containing the first layer 204 and the sterilized paper 200) is then further enclosed in a third layer 208, which is also substantially hermetically sealed, to form a third layer enclosure according to step 106. Lastly, the third layer enclosure (containing the first and second layers 204, 206 and the sterilized paper 200) is enclosed in a fourth layer 210 and substantially hermetically sealed to form a fourth layer enclosure, according to step 108. Any sealing method known to one skilled in the art which forms a hermetic seal may be used for each of the sealing steps. According to a preferred embodiment, heat sealing is used. This process ultimately creates a final packaged product 202, whereby the sterilized paper product 200 is enclosed within four successive protective layers 204, 206, 208 and 210 each having a substantially hermetic seal, as shown in step 110. While not depicted in the Figures, the layering process may involve the use of more than four layers, for example, five or six layers, depending on the level of sterility required.

[0020] The four sealing layers 204, 206, 208 and 210 are preferably formed of a single-layer durable, waterproof plastic material. According to one embodiment, polyethylene is used. According to a preferred embodiment, the layers may be in the form of plastic bags.

[0021] As shown in step 112 of FIG. 1, the final packaged product 202 may then be enclosed within a container 212 for shipping. According to one embodiment, the container 212 is a standard cardboard shipping container. The container 212 may have an internal liner 218 (see FIG. 4A) that lines the walls of the container 212 and acts as yet another sealing layer. The internal liner 218 may be formed of a plastic material (i.e., polyethylene bag) similar to sealing layers 204, 206, 208 and 210. Multiple packaged products 202 may be placed inside the internal liner 218 of the container 212. The internal liner 218 may then be closed via tying (e.g., twist tie) or some other known closure mechanism (e.g., rubber band) such that the packaged products 202 are enclosed therein. According to another embodiment, the internal liner 218 can be substantially hermetically sealed. Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B, the cardboard container 212 may then be closed in the standard manner, using flap closures 214. The cardboard container 212 may also have an exterior layer of plastic wrapping 216, or shrink wrap, so as to protect the surface of the cardboard container 212 from outside contaminants. The cardboard container 212 may then be sterilized according to known methods in the art, such as, for example, gamma irradiation. Multiple cardboard containers 212 may then be placed on skids (not shown) for ease of transportation. The closed and sterilized cardboard containers 212 are then prepared for shipping and are transported for operational use downstream.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 5, the cardboard container 212 arrives at the end destination and, inevitably, the plastic wrapping 216 is contaminated with many types of bacteria (e.g., bacillus), mold, and other microorganisms, as shown in step 300. Thus, the plastic wrapping or shrink wrap 216 is removed from the cardboard containers 212, as shown in step 302. The exterior of the cardboard container 212 and the transportation skids (not shown) are also contaminated with various microorganisms. Thus, as shown in step 304, the cardboard container 212 and internal layer 218 are opened, and the packaged product 200 located within the internal layer 218 is removed from the cardboard container 212 and placed on a vehicle, such as a cart, for transfer to the Grade D, C, B and A areas.

[0023] According to the invention, Grade A areas demand that all products entering the cleanroom be sterilized via steam, heat, chemical treatment, or gamma irradiation and packaged in multi-layer packaging configurations. Grade B areas are adjacent to Grade A areas and also demand sterilization and the use of multi-layer packaging configurations. Grade C and Grade D are consecutively adjacent to Grade B areas, such that any products bound for a Grade A area must pass through Grades C and D, which also demand low bioburden, or contamination, to be present. The use of a multi-layer packaged product reduces the bioburden that may exist on the exterior of the packaging, while keeping the inner packaged produce free of particulates and microorganisms.

[0024] The classification of Grade A, B, C and D sterile environments are measured based upon the number and size of particles permitted per volume of air. Specifically, the ISO Cleanroom Standards correspond to the allowed number of particles having a minimum particle size per cubic meter. The ISO classification is set forth in Table 1 below.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 ISO Cleanroom Standards Maximum number of particles per cubic meter 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1 5 Class m m m m m m ISO 5 100,000 23,700 10,200 3,520 832 29 ISO 6 1.0 237,000 102,000 35,200 8,320 293 10.sup.6 ISO 7 1.0 2.37 1,020,000 352,000 83,200 2,930 10.sup.7 10.sup.6 ISO 8 1.0 2.37 1.02 3,520,000 832,000 29,300 10.sup.8 10.sup.7 10.sup.7 ISO 9 1.0 2.37 1.02 35,200,000 8,320,000 293,000 10.sup.9 10.sup.8 10.sup.8

[0025] Normal ambient air is classified as ISO 9. According to the invention, Grade A areas correspondence to ISO 5, Grade B areas correspond to ISO 6, Grade C areas correspond to ISO 7, and Grade D areas correspondence to ISO 8. The methods provided below ensure that sterilized paper can be consecutively introduced from Grade D to Grade A, minimizing the level of contaminants between each Grade area until little to no contaminant is present when the product is introduced to the Grade A area.

[0026] Once the packaged product 202 arrives near the Grade D area, the fourth layer 210 (outermost layer) is removed and discarded by a first operator wearing protective gloves, as shown in step 306. As set forth above, the exterior of the fourth layer 210 inevitably has some amount of contamination. The packaged product 202 is then transferred to the Grade D area. Once the packaged product 202 arrives at the Grade D area, the third layer 208 is removed by a second operator (also wearing protective gloves) and discarded, as shown in step 308. This packaged product 202 is then transferred to the Grade C area. Once the packaged product 202 arrives at the Grade C area, the second layer 206 is removed by a third operator (also wearing protective gloves) and discarded, as shown in step 310. This packaged product 202 is then transferred to the Grade B area. Once the packaged product 202 arrives at the Grade B area, the first layer 204 (innermost layer) is removed by a fourth operator (also wearing protective gloves) and discarded, as shown in step 312. At this point, each of the layers 204, 206, 208 and 210 has been successively removed and the packaged product 202 should have little to no bioburden on its exterior surface. The paper rolls or reams 200 are then transferred to the Grade A area for their end use. The paper rolls or reams 200 may be inserted into the feed roller (for roll paper) or the paper tray (for ream paper) of a printing device within the Grade A area (not shown in FIG. 5), with the assurance that the paper 200 has been maintained in a sterilized state.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the first three steps of the method of FIG. 5 are performed, namely steps 300, 302 and 304. However, once the packaged product 202 is removed from the cardboard containers 212 and transported to the Grade D area, the fourth layer 210 (outermost layer) is removed by a first operator and discarded in the Grade D area (as opposed to outside of the Grade D area). Next, the third layer 208 is removed and discarded by a second operator in the Grade C area, and the second layer 206 is removed and discarded by a third operator in the Grade B area. The sterilized paper 200 contained within the first layer 204 (innermost layer) is then stored in a cabinet within the Grade A area until it is ready for use. When it is needed, the first layer 204 is removed and discarded by a fourth operator in the Grade A area, and the sterilized paper 200 is inserted into the feed rollers or paper tray as set forth above.

[0028] It is noted that the invention is described as having four sealing layers 204, 206, 208, 210, each of which successively encloses a single product. Each of the sealing layers 204, 206, 208, 210 can be a polyethylene bag that is sized to fit the single product and earlier layers, and is hermetically sealed such as by heat. However, it should be appreciated that other variations of the sealing layers 204, 206, 208, 210 can be provided within the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, one or more of the outers sealing layers 208 and/or 210 can instead be a bag that receives two or more product and which is tied or otherwise closed using known mechanisms, such as, for example, a rubber band or twist tie. In one exemplary embodiment, the first layer 204 and second layer 206 are hermetically sealed, while the third layer 208 and fourth layer 210 are closed via the alternative methods discussed herein. According to yet another embodiment, the fourth layer 210 may be in the form of a bag liner 218 that lines the shipping container 212 used to transport the packaged product 202.

[0029] Although this invention has been described in connection with specific forms and embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that various modifications other than those discussed above may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those specifically shown and described, certain features may be used independently of other features, and in certain cases, particular locations of elements may be reversed or interposed, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended Claims.