CA2343629A1 - Foam protective units and extenders - Google Patents
Foam protective units and extenders Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2343629A1 CA2343629A1 CA 2343629 CA2343629A CA2343629A1 CA 2343629 A1 CA2343629 A1 CA 2343629A1 CA 2343629 CA2343629 CA 2343629 CA 2343629 A CA2343629 A CA 2343629A CA 2343629 A1 CA2343629 A1 CA 2343629A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- packaging system
- liquid
- water permeable
- packaging
- lid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
- B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
- B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
- B01J20/28033—Membrane, sheet, cloth, pad, lamellar or mat
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
- B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
- B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
- B01J20/28033—Membrane, sheet, cloth, pad, lamellar or mat
- B01J20/28035—Membrane, sheet, cloth, pad, lamellar or mat with more than one layer, e.g. laminates, separated sheets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
- B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
- B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
- B01J20/28042—Shaped bodies; Monolithic structures
- B01J20/28045—Honeycomb or cellular structures; Solid foams or sponges
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
- B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
- B01J20/28014—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their form
- B01J20/2805—Sorbents inside a permeable or porous casing, e.g. inside a container, bag or membrane
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
- B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
- B65D81/264—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing liquids
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a packaging unit designed to absorb and/or adsorb liquid that is being transported or was spilled or was released. The packaging unit has at least one sealing multi-layer comprising a first water soluble film and an absorbent/adsorbent material. When the liquid contacts the water soluble film, the liquid passes through the water-soluble film. When the liquid contacts the absorbent/adsorbent. material, the absorbent/adsorbent material immobilizes the liquid material. This immobilization presents the liquid from escaping from the packaging container. Moreover, the invention has a protection layer and/or a transition cap to allow unites to be shipped together.
Description
29703.00 FOAM PROTECTIVE UNITS AND EXTENDERS
Claimed Prioritv This application is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. patent application serial number 09/560,055 filed April 27, 2000 (pending), which relies on provisional patent application serial number 60/184,917 filed on February 25, 2000.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel adsorbent/absorbent material that is used in association with packaging systems and/or cleaning pads for industrial and medical applications.
Background of the Invention Prior attempt's to control leaking materials have been disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,749,600 (Inventors:
Cullen et al.) Cul.len et al. disclose a packet for absorbing and immobilizing a liquid. The packet looks like a sugar packet. (See Figure 3 of the '600 patent) by having an outer layer and inner contents. When the packet is to be used, it is inserted within an outer container, like a Federal Express package. In most instances, the packet falls to the bottom edge, in particular a corner, of the outer container. See Col.
Claimed Prioritv This application is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. patent application serial number 09/560,055 filed April 27, 2000 (pending), which relies on provisional patent application serial number 60/184,917 filed on February 25, 2000.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel adsorbent/absorbent material that is used in association with packaging systems and/or cleaning pads for industrial and medical applications.
Background of the Invention Prior attempt's to control leaking materials have been disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,749,600 (Inventors:
Cullen et al.) Cul.len et al. disclose a packet for absorbing and immobilizing a liquid. The packet looks like a sugar packet. (See Figure 3 of the '600 patent) by having an outer layer and inner contents. When the packet is to be used, it is inserted within an outer container, like a Federal Express package. In most instances, the packet falls to the bottom edge, in particular a corner, of the outer container. See Col.
2, lines 46 of the '600 patent. Along with the packet, an inner container of a liquid, like a test-tube of blood (See Figure '. of the '600 patent) is inserted into the outer container. According to the '600 patent, the bottom edge of the inner container should contact the packet. Thus, when the blood spills from the inner container, the blood may contact the packet.
- 2 - 29703.00 If the blood contacts the packet, the blood dissolves the outer layer. The packet has an inner layer of polyvinyl. acetate and an outer layer of starch paper or any other liquid-degradable material. The polyvinyl acetate has to be the inner layer in order for the packet to be formed. See col 2, lines 9-11 of the '600 patent.
When the outer layer dissolves, the inner contents are released and form a gel-like substance by absorbing the blood. The inner content is sodium polyacrylate having the formula (C3H302Na) I,. It is obtainable under the trademark WATF;R LOCK J-550 from Grain Processing Corporation.
A problem with the Cullen et al. attempt to immobilize a liquid, is that the packet is so small that it is possible that the liquid may never contact t:he packet. For example, if the packet is located at the bottom of the outer container, as Cullen et al. suggest, and the liquid leaks to the top of the outer container, the packet will never immobilize the liquid since the liquid never contacts the packet. Thereby, the liquid spills from the outer container and provides little protection to the handler of the package. These results could be extremely deleterious to the handler. For example, if the liquid is HIV contaminated and that liquid contacts a cut on the handler, that handler could become infected.
A closer reference is U.S. Patent no. 5,984,087, assigned to Technicor, Inc. - the owner of this application. In i:he '087 patent, the invention "relates to a packaging container designed to transport an inner container containing a liquid. The packaging container has at least one aealing multi-layer comprising a first water soluble film and an absorbent material. The inner - 3 - 29703.00 layer of the packaging container is the water-soluble film that forms the boundary between the cavity that hold the inner container and the packaging container.
When the liquid leaks from the inner container while in the packaging container, the liquid dissolves the water-soluble film. When the film is dissolved, the absorbent material is released to absorb and immobilize the liquid material. This immobilization prevents the liquid from escaping from the packaging container."
'087 Patent, Abstract of the Invention. The present invention discloses another embodiment of that invention which was not fully disclosed in the '087 patent.
Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a packaging unit designed to absorb and/or adsorb liquid that is being transported or was spilled or was released. The packaging unit has at least one sealing multi-layer comprising a first water soluble film and an absorbent/adsorbent material. When the liquid contacts the water soluble Eilm, the liquid passes through the water-soluble film. When the liquid contacts the absorbent/adsorbent material, the absorbent/adsorbent material immobilizes the liquid material. This immobilization prevents the liquid from escaping from the absorbent/adso:rbent material. Moreover, the invention has a protection layer and/or a transition cap which allows units to be shipped together.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of packaging containers.
- 2 - 29703.00 If the blood contacts the packet, the blood dissolves the outer layer. The packet has an inner layer of polyvinyl. acetate and an outer layer of starch paper or any other liquid-degradable material. The polyvinyl acetate has to be the inner layer in order for the packet to be formed. See col 2, lines 9-11 of the '600 patent.
When the outer layer dissolves, the inner contents are released and form a gel-like substance by absorbing the blood. The inner content is sodium polyacrylate having the formula (C3H302Na) I,. It is obtainable under the trademark WATF;R LOCK J-550 from Grain Processing Corporation.
A problem with the Cullen et al. attempt to immobilize a liquid, is that the packet is so small that it is possible that the liquid may never contact t:he packet. For example, if the packet is located at the bottom of the outer container, as Cullen et al. suggest, and the liquid leaks to the top of the outer container, the packet will never immobilize the liquid since the liquid never contacts the packet. Thereby, the liquid spills from the outer container and provides little protection to the handler of the package. These results could be extremely deleterious to the handler. For example, if the liquid is HIV contaminated and that liquid contacts a cut on the handler, that handler could become infected.
A closer reference is U.S. Patent no. 5,984,087, assigned to Technicor, Inc. - the owner of this application. In i:he '087 patent, the invention "relates to a packaging container designed to transport an inner container containing a liquid. The packaging container has at least one aealing multi-layer comprising a first water soluble film and an absorbent material. The inner - 3 - 29703.00 layer of the packaging container is the water-soluble film that forms the boundary between the cavity that hold the inner container and the packaging container.
When the liquid leaks from the inner container while in the packaging container, the liquid dissolves the water-soluble film. When the film is dissolved, the absorbent material is released to absorb and immobilize the liquid material. This immobilization prevents the liquid from escaping from the packaging container."
'087 Patent, Abstract of the Invention. The present invention discloses another embodiment of that invention which was not fully disclosed in the '087 patent.
Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a packaging unit designed to absorb and/or adsorb liquid that is being transported or was spilled or was released. The packaging unit has at least one sealing multi-layer comprising a first water soluble film and an absorbent/adsorbent material. When the liquid contacts the water soluble Eilm, the liquid passes through the water-soluble film. When the liquid contacts the absorbent/adsorbent material, the absorbent/adsorbent material immobilizes the liquid material. This immobilization prevents the liquid from escaping from the absorbent/adso:rbent material. Moreover, the invention has a protection layer and/or a transition cap which allows units to be shipped together.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of packaging containers.
- 4 - 29703.00 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1 taken along the :line 3-3.
Figures 3 to :L8 are alternative embodiments of Figure 2.
Figure 18a is an exploded view of Figure 18 of element 150.
Figures 19a and 19b show alternative structures of the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and alternative uses thereof.
Figure 20 is a scale for the present invention.
Figure 21 is a shipping container for Figures 1-17 and other article:> thereof.
Figure 22a and 22b are alternative embodiments of the present invent:_ion.
Figure 23a and 23b are alternative embodiments of Figure 16.
Detailed Description of the Present Invention U.S. Patent no. 5,984,087, which is commonly assigned, is hereby incorporated by reference.
One version of the packaging container 10 for adsorbing/adsorbing and immobilizing a liquid (not shown) is shown a1. Figure 1. In this embodiment, the container 10 is w_Lthin a roll 9 with a plurality of other containers :LO. Each container 10 includes a multi-layer film wherein the outer layer 12 is shown.
The outer layer 1:? is any suitable material such as paper, cardboard, wood, or plastic, but preferably a water-insoluble material. Examples of some water-insoluble materials that can be used for the outer layer 12 include i:hermoplastic resin films, laminated films prepared from two or more thermoplastic resin films, and laminat=ed films prepared from a thermoplastic resin film and paper, metallic foil, woven fabric or - 5 - 29703.00 unwoven fabric. Preferable thermoplastic resins include polymers and copolymers of olefins, such as ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, hexene, and the like;
polymers and copolymers of vinyl compounds such as vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, vinylacetate, vinyl alcohol, acrylic ester, methacrylic ester, acrylonitrile, styrene and the like, polymers of diolefins such as butadiene, isoprene, and the like;
copolymers of the above-mentioned olefins, or vinyl compounds; polyamides; and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and the like.
The container 10 has at least two sides - a top side 42 and a bottom side 44. The bottom side 44 is either the same length as the top side 42, as shown in Figure 1, or longer than the top side 42, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, so the bottom side 44 has a flap 40.
The flap 40 is designed to fold over onto a portion of the top side 42, as shown in Figure 15 or into the top side 42. In contrast, when the bottom side 44 is the same length as the top side 42, the bottom side 44 connects to the top side 42 as shown in Figure 17a.
In any embodiment, the inner layer 41 of the flap 40 contacts the top side 42 by various conventional methods. One method, which is shown in Figures 2-9, uses a conventional sealant material 90. Such a sealant material 90 includes polyvinyl acetate, ethylvinyl acetate or glue. These sealant materials 90 can be film-like as shown in Figure 2 or a dot matric coating as shown in Figure 3. In any case, these sealant materials 90 adhere to the top side 42 and/or underside 43 of the top side 42 by conventional sealing processes, such as crimping, adhesive, pressure sealing, or heat sealing to ensure the package 10 is tamper resistant and impact resistant.
Figures 3 to :L8 are alternative embodiments of Figure 2.
Figure 18a is an exploded view of Figure 18 of element 150.
Figures 19a and 19b show alternative structures of the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and alternative uses thereof.
Figure 20 is a scale for the present invention.
Figure 21 is a shipping container for Figures 1-17 and other article:> thereof.
Figure 22a and 22b are alternative embodiments of the present invent:_ion.
Figure 23a and 23b are alternative embodiments of Figure 16.
Detailed Description of the Present Invention U.S. Patent no. 5,984,087, which is commonly assigned, is hereby incorporated by reference.
One version of the packaging container 10 for adsorbing/adsorbing and immobilizing a liquid (not shown) is shown a1. Figure 1. In this embodiment, the container 10 is w_Lthin a roll 9 with a plurality of other containers :LO. Each container 10 includes a multi-layer film wherein the outer layer 12 is shown.
The outer layer 1:? is any suitable material such as paper, cardboard, wood, or plastic, but preferably a water-insoluble material. Examples of some water-insoluble materials that can be used for the outer layer 12 include i:hermoplastic resin films, laminated films prepared from two or more thermoplastic resin films, and laminat=ed films prepared from a thermoplastic resin film and paper, metallic foil, woven fabric or - 5 - 29703.00 unwoven fabric. Preferable thermoplastic resins include polymers and copolymers of olefins, such as ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, hexene, and the like;
polymers and copolymers of vinyl compounds such as vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, vinylacetate, vinyl alcohol, acrylic ester, methacrylic ester, acrylonitrile, styrene and the like, polymers of diolefins such as butadiene, isoprene, and the like;
copolymers of the above-mentioned olefins, or vinyl compounds; polyamides; and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and the like.
The container 10 has at least two sides - a top side 42 and a bottom side 44. The bottom side 44 is either the same length as the top side 42, as shown in Figure 1, or longer than the top side 42, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, so the bottom side 44 has a flap 40.
The flap 40 is designed to fold over onto a portion of the top side 42, as shown in Figure 15 or into the top side 42. In contrast, when the bottom side 44 is the same length as the top side 42, the bottom side 44 connects to the top side 42 as shown in Figure 17a.
In any embodiment, the inner layer 41 of the flap 40 contacts the top side 42 by various conventional methods. One method, which is shown in Figures 2-9, uses a conventional sealant material 90. Such a sealant material 90 includes polyvinyl acetate, ethylvinyl acetate or glue. These sealant materials 90 can be film-like as shown in Figure 2 or a dot matric coating as shown in Figure 3. In any case, these sealant materials 90 adhere to the top side 42 and/or underside 43 of the top side 42 by conventional sealing processes, such as crimping, adhesive, pressure sealing, or heat sealing to ensure the package 10 is tamper resistant and impact resistant.
- 6 - 29703.00 Alternatively, the material need not have an adhesive 90 thereon if the material will be crimped, as shown in Figures 10-11.
Another method to seal the package container 10, and make it tamper resistant and impact resistant, is merely heat sealing or pressure sealing the edges of the package 10 together with the tab 40 as shown in Figures 14-15, or without a tab 40 as shown in Figures 16-17.
Reverting to Figure l, the packaging container 10 is used to transport liquids or gelatin materials, hereinafter liquid material (not shown), from one place to another. The liquid material (not shown) can be a biological, a radioactive, a pesticide, and/or a chemical agent.
A vial 30 contains the liquid (not shown). The vial 30 is any type of container that can securely hold the liquid material. (not shown) and fit within the container 10. They vial 30 can be a rigid material. such as glass, metallic:, ceramic, plastic or the like, or a flexible material like a conventional flexible plastic material. The vial 30 should be sealable for transportation purposes. An example of the seal includes a cap 36 which holds the liquid (not shown) sealed within the vial 30. Sometimes, the liquid (not shown) leaks from the vial 30. When this occurs, the inner layer of the container 10 controls the leaking.
Turning to Fi.c~ure 2, the container 10 has the outer layer 12, a cavity 50 to hold the vial 30, an absorbent/adsorbent material 16, and a first layer of a water-permeable material 14. The layers 12 and 14 are superimposed upon each other and seal together at the peripheral edges 66 of the container 10. At the peripheral edges E.6, the layers 12, 14 are sealed together by conventional methods, such as heat sealing, - 7 - 29703.00 pressure sealing, scrimping, and/or adhesive. Between layers 12, 14 is t'~e absorbent/adsorbent material 16.
The absorbent/adsorbent material 16 is contained within the two layers 12, 14 until the liquid permeates through the first layer 14, which can dissolve or allow a .liquid to penetrate therethrough.
The first layer 14 is any conventional water permeable material, such as starch paper, polyvinyl acetate, water-soluble synthetic polymer films, water soluble semisynthetic polymer films, and water-soluble natural polymers. Examples of water soluble synthetic polymer films include partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol, polyethers, such as polyethylene oxide and the like, polyvinylpyrrolidone, ethylenically unsaturated acids, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, malefic acid, and polymers formed from their salts thereof.
Examples of water soluble semisynthetic polymer films include cellulose derivatives, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and starch derivatives such as cyclodextrin. As for the water-soluble natural polymers, those include carrageena, starch, gelatin, and chitin.
Layer 14 can also be conventional non-woven and/or woven materials of plastic, natural products, namely, wool or cotton, or synthetic materials. In this embodiment, the layer 14 retains the position of the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and allows liquid (not shown) to penetrate through it.
In any case, liquid (not shown) passes through layer 14 when liquid (not shown) contacts it. The absorbent/adsorbent material 16 is then released. When released, the material 16 absorbs and/or adsorbs by immobilizing large volumes of aqueous solutions - 8 - 29703.00 including dilute alkalis, dilute acids and body fluids.
The material is, in some samples, sodium polyacrylate having the formula (C3H302Na)~ and variations thereof. It is obtainable under the trademark WATER LOCK J-550 from Grain Processing Corporation. Other similar material 16 can used from Gelock, Inc. of Ohio. The material 16 can also be a desiccant or water absorbing material.
In some instances, it is desirable to add a conventional nullifying agent 18, such as a biocide or equivalent thereof, to nullify a specific undesirable quality of the liquid (not shown). In some instances, it is desirable to mix the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and nullifying agent 18 together as shown in Figure 3.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a second water permeable material 20 is located between the first layer 1.4 and the outer layer 12. The second layer 20 is selected from the same group of materials as the first layer 14. Moreover, the first layer 14 superimposes upon the second layer 20 and the outer layer 12, wherein each layer 12, 14, 20 seals together at the peripheral edges 66. As shown in Figure 4, the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and nullifying agent 18 are mixed together between the first and second layers 14, 20.
To ensure safe transport of the liquid (not shown), sometimes it is advisable to separate the two materials 16, 18. In Figure 5, the nullifying agent 18 is between the first layer 14 and the second layer 16 while the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 is between the second layer 16 and the outer layer 12. In contrast, Figure 6 shows the opposite configuration of Figure 5.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a variation of Figures 5 and - 9 - 29703.00 6 respectively. Tree only difference between these figures is that Figures 7 and 8 both illustrate a third water permeable material 22. The third layer 22 is selected from the :>ame group of materials as the first layer 14. Moreover, the first layer 14 superimposes upon the second layer 20, third layer 22, and outer_ layer 12, wherein e<~ch interior layer 12, 14, 22, 20 seals together at t:he peripheral edges 66.
Another embod_Lment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 9. Figure 9 illustrates Figure 4 without the water insoluble layer 12. Obviously, as indicated by Figure 9, alternative embodiments of the present invention also include those embodiments shown in Figures 4-8 without the.water insoluble layer 22.
Likewise, Figures 10 and 11 respectively illustrate embodiments of Figures 2 and 9 without any sealing material 90. ThesES embodiments can be sealed, for example by crimping or heat sealing. Obviously, as indicated by FigurE~s 10 and 11, alternative embodiments of the present invE:ntion also include those embodiments illustrated in Figures 3-8.
Turning to Figure l, packages 10 can be removed from roll 9 in sets, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, or individually, as shown in Figure 9, along perforations 70. Thereby, the user can select the desired number of packages 10 to be l.ransported.
Turning to Figures 13 and 16, vials 30 are inserted into cavity 50, preferably within an air pocket therein to provide further protection. The air pocket can be incorporated within cavity 50 by normal insertion of the vial into the cavit::y 50, or by a conventional blower 801. The blower pumps air into the cavity 50 to form the air pocket. The air pocket forms within the cavity - 10 - 29703.00 50 only after the package 10 is sealed as shown in Figure 17a.
Turning to Figure 1, alternatively, the package 10 and/or vial 30 can have a security feature 80. The security feature 80 can be a bar code system or illustrate the fingerprint, handprint, or thumbprint of the person who supplied the Liquid (not shown) and/or who obtained the liquid (not shown). Preferably, the security feature 80 is positioned on the outer layer, 12, 22, or 20 of the package 10, on the vial 30, or both.
The security feature 80 can also be an identification feature, which identifies the type of test to be conducted on the liquid (not shown); and/or identifies who supplied the liquid (not shown) or where the liquid (not spawn) came from.
Another alternative to the identification system can be a color code system. A particular color on the outer layer 12, 22, 20 of the package 10, the vial., 30, or both which identifies which test should be conducted on the liquid (not. shown). The color can cover the entire outer layer 12, 22, 20, the vial 30, or both or just a portion thereof.
In case the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 i.s activated and absc>rbs/adsorbs the liquid (not shown), the liquid (not spawn) can be extracted from the absorbent/adsorbent material 16, and the nullifying agent 18. The extraction can be accomplished by conventional biolc>gical processes, for example, osmosis, chemical processes, or mechanical processes, i.e., centrifugation. Thereby, the liquid (not shown) can be analyzed whether the vial 30 is broken or not.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention shown at Figure 1~~, the package container 10 can be - 11 - 29703.00 divided into having at least two cavities 50, 50a to hold two vials 30, 30a. The container 10 is divided, not always equally, along edge 34 and/or perforations 70. Edge 34 is formed in the same manner as the various layers of container 10 are joined at peripheral edge 66.
The present invention 10 ensures that if for any reason liquid (not shown) leaks from vial 30, the liquid (not shown) will permeate, and dissolve in some instances, at least. a portion of the first layer 14 and contact the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and/or nullifying agent lEl that completely surrounds the vial 30. And once the 1_iquid passes through the first layer 14, the enclosed agent, either 16 and/or 18, will nullify and/or absorb/adsorb the liquid (not shown).
Thereby, the handler of the packaging container 10 will know that no liquid (not shown) should accidently leak from it.
Alternative embodiments of the packaging system 10 are shown in the following embodiments thereof.
In figures 1E. and 18a, a packaging system 10 having at least one lid 1.60 and a packaging container 150 with at least one exterior side 151. The packaging container 150 has a first layer of a water permeable material 14 and a first water impermeable material 12. The inner layer of the packaging container 150 is the first water permeable material. 14 and the outer layer of the packaging containE:r is the first water impermeable material 12. The first water impermeable material 14 and the first water impermeable material 12 are sealed together at the pE:ripheral edges 170 of the exterior side 151. A first: absorbent/adsorbent material 16 is positioned between the first water permeable material 14 and first water impermeable material 12 and absorbs/adsorbs, depending on the material used therein, - 12 - 29703.00 and immobilizes any liquid material that leaks from a vial (not shown) that is transported within the container 10.
The lid secures to the packaging container 150 by conventional means such as a snap lid as shown in Figure 18, or a screw lid, an indent lid, and an overlay lid (along with an indent lid).
Between the lid 160 and the packaging container 150 is a second absorbent/adsorbent material 16a (same or different material than element 16) positioned between a second water permeable material 14a (same or different material than element 14) and a second water impermeable material 12a (same or different material than element 12) that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the liquid material that leaks from a vial (not shown).
In one embodiment, as illustrated in figure 18, the second water impermeable material 12a and the second water impermeable material 14a are sealed together with the absorbent/adsorbent material 16a contained within, at the peripheral edges of the at least one lid. In yet another embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 18, the second water impermeable material 14a and a third water impermeable material 14b are sealed together with the absorbent/adsorbent material 16a contained within. This embodiment is then placed between the vessel (not shown) and the lid 160.
Turning to Figure 19a, the absorbent/adsorbent material 16, 16a, and/or 16b, is planar in relation to the outer layer 12.
Turning to Figure 19b, the absorbent/adsorbent material 16, 16a, 16b, can be corrugated or attached to a material which is corrugated. Obviously, the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-16 can have the absorbent/adsorbent. material 16, 16a, 16b, be corrugated - 13 - 29703.00 in some way or manner, or planar. The shape of the absorbent/adsorbent. material 16, 16a, 16b depends on the configuration and amount of absorbent/adsorbent material 16, 16a, 16b needed. For example, the corrugated style provides greater absorbency/adsorbency due to the increased surface area to collect the liquid.
Figure 19b illustrates an absorbent/adsorbent pad 180. The difference with this pad 180 is that it has a sealable multi-layer film having at least a first layer of a water permeable material 14 and at least one layer of a water insolubl_E~ material 12. The water insoluble material 12 and wager permeable material 14 are superimposed and bonded to each other at the peripheral edges 66 of each material. The water permeable material 14 allows a liquid to penetrate through the first layer 14 when the pad 180 is applied to a liquid material.
Between each mater~_al 12, 14 is a corrugated absorbent/adsorbent: material 16 that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the liquid material.
An alternative embodiment of Figure 19b is Figure 19a. This embodiment illustrates pad 180 having the same elements as Figure 19b except a mufti-layered absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and a second absorbent/adsorbent: material 890 which is commonly used within the medical :industry, i.e., cotton, is used.
This mufti-layered material 16-890, obviously can be used in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-1'7, and maximizes the absorbency/adsorbency of the liquid. The pads 180 illustrated in Figures 19a and 19b can be used in medical, industrial, or hygienical applications.
Alternatively, the pads 180 and containers 10 may have identifiers 80, described above, and transponders 108 incorporated in and/or thereon. The transponders are conventional units used to identify the pad 180 or - 14 - 29703.00 container 10. The transponders 108 can also contain information about i.ize material 180, 10, i.e., initial weight, and help locate the material 180, 10 if it is lost. Such transpc~nders 180 are conventional tools known to those ski:Lled in the art. Such as those transponders discl~~sed in U.S. Patent nos. 4,658,818, 5,725,578, and 5,726,630, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
With a transponder 180 and/or identifier 80, the technician who receives the pad 180 or container 10 would be able to determine the weight of the fluid that the adsorbent/adsorbent material 16 immobilized. 'rhe technician would place the material 180, 10 onto a scale 700, in particular a tray 702, as shown in Figure 20.
The scale 700 has a conventional digital unit with a display output 704. The scale 700 would also have an input keypad 706 to enter the information set forth in the identifier 80, and/or a conventional bar code/
transponder reader 708 that would read the bar code from identifier 80 or transponder 180. With such information, the scale 700 should tare the material 10, 180. Hence, the amount of liquid contained in the material 10, 180 would be known.
This information would assist industrial and medical technicians know how much liquid has spilled from the industrial container or come from a human being.
Turning to Figure 21, a shipping container 900 is shown. The container 900 has a top section 902 hinged to a bottom section 904. The bottom section 904 has a plurality of slots 910 that receive container 10, 180 or any other instrument having a bar code identifier 80 thereon (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Material 999"). Each slot 910 is staggered from the - 15 - 29703.00 other slot 910 so t:he bar code identifier 80 of ear_h Material 999 within the slots 910 is visible. The top section 902 has a corresponding structure to receive the Material 999. Alternatively, the container 900 can have storage compartment:, 930 to store documents or other instruments thereof.
When a technician receives the container 900, the technician opens the container 900 and can read each bar code identifier 80 of Material 999 with a conventional bar code reader (not. shown) without removing the Material 999 from t:lze container 900.
With this embodiment, the technician will avoid unnecessary contact with the Material 999. Thereby, whatever is contained within the Material 999 has a less chance of being contaminated or damaged by a technician.
Turning to Figures 22a and 22b, the present invention can have a protective layer 920 within the absorbent/adsorbent: material 16 as shown in Figure 22a, or outside the material 16 and within the packaging system as shown in Figure 22b. The protective layer 920 can be air or liqu:Ld bubble wrap, foam, or any other conventional air o:r liquid protective device to ensure the safe transportation of the vial 30. Use of protective materia:L 920 can be used in every embodiment illustrated in this application.
In one embodiment, the protective layer 920 or the outer layer 12, another layer (not shown) within the packaging system, <and/or the inner layer 41 can also be a vapor corrosion :inhibiting liner. The vapor corrosion inhibiting liner protects the packaging and/or the vial 30 from corrosion, eliminating the need for the costly application and subsequent removal of greases, oils or other conventional methods of corrosion protection. One such inhibiting liner is made by Northern Technologies - 16 - 29703.00 International Corporation of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, and is called the ZERUST~ liner. The Zerust liner emits an invisible, odorless and non-toxic vapor (apparently "cleared by the FDA") that diffuses evenly throughout the interior of the packaging container. The ZERUST~
VCI molecules will cling to metal and other rustable surfaces and protect them from rust and corrosion.
After removal, the ZERUST~ VCI molecules vaporize leaving the vial container clean, dry and corrosion free.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 23, wherein the embodiment of Figure 18 (930) is interconnected with a second embodiment of Figure 18 (931) wherein there is a transition cap 161 that allows the first container 930 to mate with the second container 931. The transition cap 161 is found on at least one terminal end of each container 930,931.
The one transition cap 161 is a male coupler 161A and the other transition cap is a corresponding female coupler 161B. The coupler can be any system that securely mates with the other coupler. An example of a system is a screw-type system. Alternatively, the transition cap 161 can be just one unit so long as first and second container 930,931 have threaded edges 932 that mate with the transition cap 161C which has a barrier 933 blocking the contents from escaping from one container to another.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been. disclosed, it will be appreciated that it is not limited thereto but may be otherwise embodied with the scope of the following claims.
Another method to seal the package container 10, and make it tamper resistant and impact resistant, is merely heat sealing or pressure sealing the edges of the package 10 together with the tab 40 as shown in Figures 14-15, or without a tab 40 as shown in Figures 16-17.
Reverting to Figure l, the packaging container 10 is used to transport liquids or gelatin materials, hereinafter liquid material (not shown), from one place to another. The liquid material (not shown) can be a biological, a radioactive, a pesticide, and/or a chemical agent.
A vial 30 contains the liquid (not shown). The vial 30 is any type of container that can securely hold the liquid material. (not shown) and fit within the container 10. They vial 30 can be a rigid material. such as glass, metallic:, ceramic, plastic or the like, or a flexible material like a conventional flexible plastic material. The vial 30 should be sealable for transportation purposes. An example of the seal includes a cap 36 which holds the liquid (not shown) sealed within the vial 30. Sometimes, the liquid (not shown) leaks from the vial 30. When this occurs, the inner layer of the container 10 controls the leaking.
Turning to Fi.c~ure 2, the container 10 has the outer layer 12, a cavity 50 to hold the vial 30, an absorbent/adsorbent material 16, and a first layer of a water-permeable material 14. The layers 12 and 14 are superimposed upon each other and seal together at the peripheral edges 66 of the container 10. At the peripheral edges E.6, the layers 12, 14 are sealed together by conventional methods, such as heat sealing, - 7 - 29703.00 pressure sealing, scrimping, and/or adhesive. Between layers 12, 14 is t'~e absorbent/adsorbent material 16.
The absorbent/adsorbent material 16 is contained within the two layers 12, 14 until the liquid permeates through the first layer 14, which can dissolve or allow a .liquid to penetrate therethrough.
The first layer 14 is any conventional water permeable material, such as starch paper, polyvinyl acetate, water-soluble synthetic polymer films, water soluble semisynthetic polymer films, and water-soluble natural polymers. Examples of water soluble synthetic polymer films include partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol, polyethers, such as polyethylene oxide and the like, polyvinylpyrrolidone, ethylenically unsaturated acids, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, malefic acid, and polymers formed from their salts thereof.
Examples of water soluble semisynthetic polymer films include cellulose derivatives, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and starch derivatives such as cyclodextrin. As for the water-soluble natural polymers, those include carrageena, starch, gelatin, and chitin.
Layer 14 can also be conventional non-woven and/or woven materials of plastic, natural products, namely, wool or cotton, or synthetic materials. In this embodiment, the layer 14 retains the position of the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and allows liquid (not shown) to penetrate through it.
In any case, liquid (not shown) passes through layer 14 when liquid (not shown) contacts it. The absorbent/adsorbent material 16 is then released. When released, the material 16 absorbs and/or adsorbs by immobilizing large volumes of aqueous solutions - 8 - 29703.00 including dilute alkalis, dilute acids and body fluids.
The material is, in some samples, sodium polyacrylate having the formula (C3H302Na)~ and variations thereof. It is obtainable under the trademark WATER LOCK J-550 from Grain Processing Corporation. Other similar material 16 can used from Gelock, Inc. of Ohio. The material 16 can also be a desiccant or water absorbing material.
In some instances, it is desirable to add a conventional nullifying agent 18, such as a biocide or equivalent thereof, to nullify a specific undesirable quality of the liquid (not shown). In some instances, it is desirable to mix the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and nullifying agent 18 together as shown in Figure 3.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a second water permeable material 20 is located between the first layer 1.4 and the outer layer 12. The second layer 20 is selected from the same group of materials as the first layer 14. Moreover, the first layer 14 superimposes upon the second layer 20 and the outer layer 12, wherein each layer 12, 14, 20 seals together at the peripheral edges 66. As shown in Figure 4, the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and nullifying agent 18 are mixed together between the first and second layers 14, 20.
To ensure safe transport of the liquid (not shown), sometimes it is advisable to separate the two materials 16, 18. In Figure 5, the nullifying agent 18 is between the first layer 14 and the second layer 16 while the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 is between the second layer 16 and the outer layer 12. In contrast, Figure 6 shows the opposite configuration of Figure 5.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a variation of Figures 5 and - 9 - 29703.00 6 respectively. Tree only difference between these figures is that Figures 7 and 8 both illustrate a third water permeable material 22. The third layer 22 is selected from the :>ame group of materials as the first layer 14. Moreover, the first layer 14 superimposes upon the second layer 20, third layer 22, and outer_ layer 12, wherein e<~ch interior layer 12, 14, 22, 20 seals together at t:he peripheral edges 66.
Another embod_Lment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 9. Figure 9 illustrates Figure 4 without the water insoluble layer 12. Obviously, as indicated by Figure 9, alternative embodiments of the present invention also include those embodiments shown in Figures 4-8 without the.water insoluble layer 22.
Likewise, Figures 10 and 11 respectively illustrate embodiments of Figures 2 and 9 without any sealing material 90. ThesES embodiments can be sealed, for example by crimping or heat sealing. Obviously, as indicated by FigurE~s 10 and 11, alternative embodiments of the present invE:ntion also include those embodiments illustrated in Figures 3-8.
Turning to Figure l, packages 10 can be removed from roll 9 in sets, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, or individually, as shown in Figure 9, along perforations 70. Thereby, the user can select the desired number of packages 10 to be l.ransported.
Turning to Figures 13 and 16, vials 30 are inserted into cavity 50, preferably within an air pocket therein to provide further protection. The air pocket can be incorporated within cavity 50 by normal insertion of the vial into the cavit::y 50, or by a conventional blower 801. The blower pumps air into the cavity 50 to form the air pocket. The air pocket forms within the cavity - 10 - 29703.00 50 only after the package 10 is sealed as shown in Figure 17a.
Turning to Figure 1, alternatively, the package 10 and/or vial 30 can have a security feature 80. The security feature 80 can be a bar code system or illustrate the fingerprint, handprint, or thumbprint of the person who supplied the Liquid (not shown) and/or who obtained the liquid (not shown). Preferably, the security feature 80 is positioned on the outer layer, 12, 22, or 20 of the package 10, on the vial 30, or both.
The security feature 80 can also be an identification feature, which identifies the type of test to be conducted on the liquid (not shown); and/or identifies who supplied the liquid (not shown) or where the liquid (not spawn) came from.
Another alternative to the identification system can be a color code system. A particular color on the outer layer 12, 22, 20 of the package 10, the vial., 30, or both which identifies which test should be conducted on the liquid (not. shown). The color can cover the entire outer layer 12, 22, 20, the vial 30, or both or just a portion thereof.
In case the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 i.s activated and absc>rbs/adsorbs the liquid (not shown), the liquid (not spawn) can be extracted from the absorbent/adsorbent material 16, and the nullifying agent 18. The extraction can be accomplished by conventional biolc>gical processes, for example, osmosis, chemical processes, or mechanical processes, i.e., centrifugation. Thereby, the liquid (not shown) can be analyzed whether the vial 30 is broken or not.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention shown at Figure 1~~, the package container 10 can be - 11 - 29703.00 divided into having at least two cavities 50, 50a to hold two vials 30, 30a. The container 10 is divided, not always equally, along edge 34 and/or perforations 70. Edge 34 is formed in the same manner as the various layers of container 10 are joined at peripheral edge 66.
The present invention 10 ensures that if for any reason liquid (not shown) leaks from vial 30, the liquid (not shown) will permeate, and dissolve in some instances, at least. a portion of the first layer 14 and contact the absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and/or nullifying agent lEl that completely surrounds the vial 30. And once the 1_iquid passes through the first layer 14, the enclosed agent, either 16 and/or 18, will nullify and/or absorb/adsorb the liquid (not shown).
Thereby, the handler of the packaging container 10 will know that no liquid (not shown) should accidently leak from it.
Alternative embodiments of the packaging system 10 are shown in the following embodiments thereof.
In figures 1E. and 18a, a packaging system 10 having at least one lid 1.60 and a packaging container 150 with at least one exterior side 151. The packaging container 150 has a first layer of a water permeable material 14 and a first water impermeable material 12. The inner layer of the packaging container 150 is the first water permeable material. 14 and the outer layer of the packaging containE:r is the first water impermeable material 12. The first water impermeable material 14 and the first water impermeable material 12 are sealed together at the pE:ripheral edges 170 of the exterior side 151. A first: absorbent/adsorbent material 16 is positioned between the first water permeable material 14 and first water impermeable material 12 and absorbs/adsorbs, depending on the material used therein, - 12 - 29703.00 and immobilizes any liquid material that leaks from a vial (not shown) that is transported within the container 10.
The lid secures to the packaging container 150 by conventional means such as a snap lid as shown in Figure 18, or a screw lid, an indent lid, and an overlay lid (along with an indent lid).
Between the lid 160 and the packaging container 150 is a second absorbent/adsorbent material 16a (same or different material than element 16) positioned between a second water permeable material 14a (same or different material than element 14) and a second water impermeable material 12a (same or different material than element 12) that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the liquid material that leaks from a vial (not shown).
In one embodiment, as illustrated in figure 18, the second water impermeable material 12a and the second water impermeable material 14a are sealed together with the absorbent/adsorbent material 16a contained within, at the peripheral edges of the at least one lid. In yet another embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 18, the second water impermeable material 14a and a third water impermeable material 14b are sealed together with the absorbent/adsorbent material 16a contained within. This embodiment is then placed between the vessel (not shown) and the lid 160.
Turning to Figure 19a, the absorbent/adsorbent material 16, 16a, and/or 16b, is planar in relation to the outer layer 12.
Turning to Figure 19b, the absorbent/adsorbent material 16, 16a, 16b, can be corrugated or attached to a material which is corrugated. Obviously, the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-16 can have the absorbent/adsorbent. material 16, 16a, 16b, be corrugated - 13 - 29703.00 in some way or manner, or planar. The shape of the absorbent/adsorbent. material 16, 16a, 16b depends on the configuration and amount of absorbent/adsorbent material 16, 16a, 16b needed. For example, the corrugated style provides greater absorbency/adsorbency due to the increased surface area to collect the liquid.
Figure 19b illustrates an absorbent/adsorbent pad 180. The difference with this pad 180 is that it has a sealable multi-layer film having at least a first layer of a water permeable material 14 and at least one layer of a water insolubl_E~ material 12. The water insoluble material 12 and wager permeable material 14 are superimposed and bonded to each other at the peripheral edges 66 of each material. The water permeable material 14 allows a liquid to penetrate through the first layer 14 when the pad 180 is applied to a liquid material.
Between each mater~_al 12, 14 is a corrugated absorbent/adsorbent: material 16 that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the liquid material.
An alternative embodiment of Figure 19b is Figure 19a. This embodiment illustrates pad 180 having the same elements as Figure 19b except a mufti-layered absorbent/adsorbent material 16 and a second absorbent/adsorbent: material 890 which is commonly used within the medical :industry, i.e., cotton, is used.
This mufti-layered material 16-890, obviously can be used in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-1'7, and maximizes the absorbency/adsorbency of the liquid. The pads 180 illustrated in Figures 19a and 19b can be used in medical, industrial, or hygienical applications.
Alternatively, the pads 180 and containers 10 may have identifiers 80, described above, and transponders 108 incorporated in and/or thereon. The transponders are conventional units used to identify the pad 180 or - 14 - 29703.00 container 10. The transponders 108 can also contain information about i.ize material 180, 10, i.e., initial weight, and help locate the material 180, 10 if it is lost. Such transpc~nders 180 are conventional tools known to those ski:Lled in the art. Such as those transponders discl~~sed in U.S. Patent nos. 4,658,818, 5,725,578, and 5,726,630, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
With a transponder 180 and/or identifier 80, the technician who receives the pad 180 or container 10 would be able to determine the weight of the fluid that the adsorbent/adsorbent material 16 immobilized. 'rhe technician would place the material 180, 10 onto a scale 700, in particular a tray 702, as shown in Figure 20.
The scale 700 has a conventional digital unit with a display output 704. The scale 700 would also have an input keypad 706 to enter the information set forth in the identifier 80, and/or a conventional bar code/
transponder reader 708 that would read the bar code from identifier 80 or transponder 180. With such information, the scale 700 should tare the material 10, 180. Hence, the amount of liquid contained in the material 10, 180 would be known.
This information would assist industrial and medical technicians know how much liquid has spilled from the industrial container or come from a human being.
Turning to Figure 21, a shipping container 900 is shown. The container 900 has a top section 902 hinged to a bottom section 904. The bottom section 904 has a plurality of slots 910 that receive container 10, 180 or any other instrument having a bar code identifier 80 thereon (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Material 999"). Each slot 910 is staggered from the - 15 - 29703.00 other slot 910 so t:he bar code identifier 80 of ear_h Material 999 within the slots 910 is visible. The top section 902 has a corresponding structure to receive the Material 999. Alternatively, the container 900 can have storage compartment:, 930 to store documents or other instruments thereof.
When a technician receives the container 900, the technician opens the container 900 and can read each bar code identifier 80 of Material 999 with a conventional bar code reader (not. shown) without removing the Material 999 from t:lze container 900.
With this embodiment, the technician will avoid unnecessary contact with the Material 999. Thereby, whatever is contained within the Material 999 has a less chance of being contaminated or damaged by a technician.
Turning to Figures 22a and 22b, the present invention can have a protective layer 920 within the absorbent/adsorbent: material 16 as shown in Figure 22a, or outside the material 16 and within the packaging system as shown in Figure 22b. The protective layer 920 can be air or liqu:Ld bubble wrap, foam, or any other conventional air o:r liquid protective device to ensure the safe transportation of the vial 30. Use of protective materia:L 920 can be used in every embodiment illustrated in this application.
In one embodiment, the protective layer 920 or the outer layer 12, another layer (not shown) within the packaging system, <and/or the inner layer 41 can also be a vapor corrosion :inhibiting liner. The vapor corrosion inhibiting liner protects the packaging and/or the vial 30 from corrosion, eliminating the need for the costly application and subsequent removal of greases, oils or other conventional methods of corrosion protection. One such inhibiting liner is made by Northern Technologies - 16 - 29703.00 International Corporation of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, and is called the ZERUST~ liner. The Zerust liner emits an invisible, odorless and non-toxic vapor (apparently "cleared by the FDA") that diffuses evenly throughout the interior of the packaging container. The ZERUST~
VCI molecules will cling to metal and other rustable surfaces and protect them from rust and corrosion.
After removal, the ZERUST~ VCI molecules vaporize leaving the vial container clean, dry and corrosion free.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 23, wherein the embodiment of Figure 18 (930) is interconnected with a second embodiment of Figure 18 (931) wherein there is a transition cap 161 that allows the first container 930 to mate with the second container 931. The transition cap 161 is found on at least one terminal end of each container 930,931.
The one transition cap 161 is a male coupler 161A and the other transition cap is a corresponding female coupler 161B. The coupler can be any system that securely mates with the other coupler. An example of a system is a screw-type system. Alternatively, the transition cap 161 can be just one unit so long as first and second container 930,931 have threaded edges 932 that mate with the transition cap 161C which has a barrier 933 blocking the contents from escaping from one container to another.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been. disclosed, it will be appreciated that it is not limited thereto but may be otherwise embodied with the scope of the following claims.
Claims (37)
1. An absorbent/adsorbent pad comprising:
at least one sealable multi-layer film having at least a first layer of a water permeable material and at least one layer of a water insoluble material, the water permeable material allows a liquid to penetrate through the first layer when the pad is applied to a liquid material;
a corrugated absorbent/adsorbent material between the first water permeable material and the water insoluble material that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the liquid material; and a protection layer of material within the pad.
at least one sealable multi-layer film having at least a first layer of a water permeable material and at least one layer of a water insoluble material, the water permeable material allows a liquid to penetrate through the first layer when the pad is applied to a liquid material;
a corrugated absorbent/adsorbent material between the first water permeable material and the water insoluble material that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the liquid material; and a protection layer of material within the pad.
2. The pad of claim 1 further comprising a second water insoluble material between the first water insoluble layer and the absorbent/adsorbent material.
3. The pad of claim 1 further comprising a nullifying material for additionally treating the liquid material to nullify a specific undesirable quality thereof.
4. The pad of claim 3 wherein the nullifying material is mixed with the absorbent material.
5. The pad of claim 3 wherein the nullifying material is between the first water permeable material and the absorbent/adsorbent material.
6. The pad of claim 1 wherein the protection layer of material is selected from the group consisting of bubble wrap with a fluid medium within, a foam material, and mixtures thereof.
7. A packaging system having at least one lid and a packaging container comprising:
a first layer of a water permeable material, wherein the inner layer of the packaging container is the first water permeable material and the outer layer of the packaging container is a first water impermeable material, the first. water permeable material allows a liquid to penetrate through the water permeable material when a liquid material contained in a vessel leaks within the packaging container;
a first absorbent/adsorbent material between the first water permeable material and first water impermeable material that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the leaking liquid material, so the liquid material is prevented from leaking from the packaging container; and a protection material within the packaging container and having a fluid medium in the material to provide further protection to the packing system;
a second layer of a water permeable material, wherein the inner layer of the lid is the second water permeable material and the outer layer of the at least one lid is a second water impermeable material, the second water permeable material allows a liquid to penetrate through the water permeable material when a liquid material contacts the second water permeable material;
a second absorbent/adsorbent material between the second water permeable material and second water impermeable material having a protection layer within or outside said absorbent/adsorbent material that absorbs or adsorbs by immobilizing the leaking liquid material contained in a vessel, so the liquid material is prevented from leaking from the at least one lid;
a cavity within the packaging system to hold the vessel wherein the boundary between the cavity and the packaging container is the first water permeable material.
a first layer of a water permeable material, wherein the inner layer of the packaging container is the first water permeable material and the outer layer of the packaging container is a first water impermeable material, the first. water permeable material allows a liquid to penetrate through the water permeable material when a liquid material contained in a vessel leaks within the packaging container;
a first absorbent/adsorbent material between the first water permeable material and first water impermeable material that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the leaking liquid material, so the liquid material is prevented from leaking from the packaging container; and a protection material within the packaging container and having a fluid medium in the material to provide further protection to the packing system;
a second layer of a water permeable material, wherein the inner layer of the lid is the second water permeable material and the outer layer of the at least one lid is a second water impermeable material, the second water permeable material allows a liquid to penetrate through the water permeable material when a liquid material contacts the second water permeable material;
a second absorbent/adsorbent material between the second water permeable material and second water impermeable material having a protection layer within or outside said absorbent/adsorbent material that absorbs or adsorbs by immobilizing the leaking liquid material contained in a vessel, so the liquid material is prevented from leaking from the at least one lid;
a cavity within the packaging system to hold the vessel wherein the boundary between the cavity and the packaging container is the first water permeable material.
8. The packaging system of claim 7 wherein the first and second absorbent/adsorbent materials are selected from the group consisting of single planar absorbent/adsorbent material, a multi-planar laminate comprising an absorbent/adsorbent material, a corrugated material having absorbent/adsorbent materials, and mixtures thereof.
9. The packaging system of claim 8 wherein the first and second absorbent/adsorbent materials are corrugated materials having absorbent/adsorbent materials.
10. The packaging system of claim 7 wherein the at least one lid is selected from the group consisting of a snap lid, a screw lid, an indent lid, a transition cap to allow a first packaging system interconnect to a second packaging system, and an overlay lid.
11. The packaging system of claim 7 further comprising a third water impermeable material positioned between the first water permeable material and the first water impermeable material, and the second water permeable material and the second water impermeable material
12. The packaging system of claim 11 wherein the sides are a coiled web that join together to form the packaging container, and there are at least two lids.
13. A packaging system having at least one lid and a packaging container having an interior compartment and an exterior surface comprising:
a first layer of water permeable material, wherein the interior compartment has the first water permeable material and the exterior surface is a second water impermeable material, the first water impermeable material allows a liquid to penetrate through the first water permeable material when a liquid material contained in a vessel that leaks within the packaging container;
a first absorbent/adsorbent material between the first water permeable material and the second water impermeable material that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the leaking liquid material, so the liquid material is prevented from leading from the packaging container; and a protective agent within the packaging system; and a cavity within the packaging system to hold the vessel wherein the boundary between the cavity and the packaging container is the first water permeable material.
a first layer of water permeable material, wherein the interior compartment has the first water permeable material and the exterior surface is a second water impermeable material, the first water impermeable material allows a liquid to penetrate through the first water permeable material when a liquid material contained in a vessel that leaks within the packaging container;
a first absorbent/adsorbent material between the first water permeable material and the second water impermeable material that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the leaking liquid material, so the liquid material is prevented from leading from the packaging container; and a protective agent within the packaging system; and a cavity within the packaging system to hold the vessel wherein the boundary between the cavity and the packaging container is the first water permeable material.
14. The packaging system of claim 13 wherein the packaging container is a long narrow strip having two terminal ends on the narrow ends of the long narrow strip and two side edges that extend along the long ends of the long narrow strip.
15. The packaging system of claim 14 wherein the long narrow strip is wound together to form a cylinder so a predetermined portion of one side edge contacts with the other side edge of the long narrow strip.
16. A packaging system having at least one lid and a packaging container having an interior surface to form a cavity and an exterior surface comprising:
a water permeable material over at least a portion of the interior surface which allows a liquid to penetrate through the water permeable material when a liquid material contained in a vessel that leaks within the interior chamber;
an active material between the water permeable material and the interior surface that absorbs/adsorbs, disinfects, and/or neutralizes, and immobilizes the leaking liquid material, so the liquid material is prevented from leading from the packaging container when the liquid contacts the active material; and a protective material within the packaging system; and the cavity to hold the vessel.
a water permeable material over at least a portion of the interior surface which allows a liquid to penetrate through the water permeable material when a liquid material contained in a vessel that leaks within the interior chamber;
an active material between the water permeable material and the interior surface that absorbs/adsorbs, disinfects, and/or neutralizes, and immobilizes the leaking liquid material, so the liquid material is prevented from leading from the packaging container when the liquid contacts the active material; and a protective material within the packaging system; and the cavity to hold the vessel.
17. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the packaging container is a long narrow strip having two terminal ends on the narrow ends of the long narrow strip and two side edges that extend along the long ends of the long narrow strip.
18. The packaging system of claim 17 wherein the long narrow strip is wound together to form a cylinder so a predetermined portion of one side edge contacts with the other side edge of the long narrow strip.
19. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the active material adheres to at least a portion of the interior surface.
20. The packaging system of claim 19 wherein the water permeable material adheres to the active material.
21. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the active material is a laminate material.
22. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the water permeable material is a laminate material.
23. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the active material attaches to at least a portion of the interior surface.
24. The packaging system of claim 23 wherein the water permeable material attaches to the active material.
25. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the water permeable material and active material are inserted into the packaging system.
26. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the active material is an absorbent material.
27. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the active material is an adsorbing material.
28. A packaging system having at least one lid and a packaging container having an interior surface to form a cavity and an exterior surface comprising:
an active material on the interior surface that absorbs/adsorbs, disinfects, and/or neutralizes, and immobilizes a liquid material contained in a vessel that leaks within the interior chamber, so the liquid material is prevented from leaking from the packaging container when the liquid contacts the active material;
a protection instrument within the packaging system, and having a fluid medium within the protection instrument; and at least one lid selected from the group consisting of a snap lid, a screw lid, an indent lid, a transition cap to allow a first packaging system interconnect to a second packaging system and an overlay lid.
the cavity to hold the vessel.
an active material on the interior surface that absorbs/adsorbs, disinfects, and/or neutralizes, and immobilizes a liquid material contained in a vessel that leaks within the interior chamber, so the liquid material is prevented from leaking from the packaging container when the liquid contacts the active material;
a protection instrument within the packaging system, and having a fluid medium within the protection instrument; and at least one lid selected from the group consisting of a snap lid, a screw lid, an indent lid, a transition cap to allow a first packaging system interconnect to a second packaging system and an overlay lid.
the cavity to hold the vessel.
29. A packaging system having at least one lid and a packaging container comprising:
a first layer of a water permeable material, wherein the inner layer of the packaging container is the first water permeable material and the outer layer of the packaging container is a first water impermeable material, the first water permeable material allows a liquid to penetrate through the water permeable material when a liquid material contained in a vessel leaks within the packaging container;
a first absorbent/adsorbent material between the first water permeable material and first water impermeable material that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the leaking liquid material, so the liquid material is prevented from leaking from the packaging container;
a cavity within the packaging system to hold the vessel wherein the boundary between the cavity and the packaging container is the first water permeable material;
the at least one lid is selected from the group consisting of a snap lid, a screw lid, and indent lid, a transition cap to allow a first packaging system interconnect to a second packaging system, and an overlay lid.
a first layer of a water permeable material, wherein the inner layer of the packaging container is the first water permeable material and the outer layer of the packaging container is a first water impermeable material, the first water permeable material allows a liquid to penetrate through the water permeable material when a liquid material contained in a vessel leaks within the packaging container;
a first absorbent/adsorbent material between the first water permeable material and first water impermeable material that absorbs/adsorbs and immobilizes the leaking liquid material, so the liquid material is prevented from leaking from the packaging container;
a cavity within the packaging system to hold the vessel wherein the boundary between the cavity and the packaging container is the first water permeable material;
the at least one lid is selected from the group consisting of a snap lid, a screw lid, and indent lid, a transition cap to allow a first packaging system interconnect to a second packaging system, and an overlay lid.
30. The packaging system of claim 29 wherein the transition cap receives threaded edges of at least the first packaging system.
31. The packaging system of claim 29 wherein the transition cap is a female coupler on the first packaging system and mates with a second transition cap which is a male coupler and positioned on the second packaging system.
32. The pad of claim 1 wherein at least one of the layers is a vapor corrosion inhibiting liner.
33. The packaging system of claim 7 wherein the packaging system has a vapor corrosion inhibiting liner.
34. The packaging system of claim 13 wherein the packaging system has a vapor corrosion inhibiting liner.
35. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the packaging system has a vapor corrosion inhibiting liner.
36. The packaging system of claim 28 wherein the packaging system has a vapor corrosion inhibiting liner.
37. The packaging system of claim 29 wherein the packaging system has a vapor corrosion inhibiting liner.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2343629 CA2343629A1 (en) | 2001-04-10 | 2001-04-10 | Foam protective units and extenders |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2343629 CA2343629A1 (en) | 2001-04-10 | 2001-04-10 | Foam protective units and extenders |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2343629A1 true CA2343629A1 (en) | 2002-10-10 |
Family
ID=4168800
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2343629 Abandoned CA2343629A1 (en) | 2001-04-10 | 2001-04-10 | Foam protective units and extenders |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2343629A1 (en) |
-
2001
- 2001-04-10 CA CA 2343629 patent/CA2343629A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |