EP2085316A1 - Farbkodierungssystem für Verpackungsmaterialien - Google Patents

Farbkodierungssystem für Verpackungsmaterialien Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2085316A1
EP2085316A1 EP09250231A EP09250231A EP2085316A1 EP 2085316 A1 EP2085316 A1 EP 2085316A1 EP 09250231 A EP09250231 A EP 09250231A EP 09250231 A EP09250231 A EP 09250231A EP 2085316 A1 EP2085316 A1 EP 2085316A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
color
box
pouch
pouches
printed
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09250231A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul Porteous
Frank Rovelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dux Industries Inc
Original Assignee
Dux Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dux Industries Inc filed Critical Dux Industries Inc
Publication of EP2085316A1 publication Critical patent/EP2085316A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
    • 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
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/4212—Information or decoration elements, e.g. content indicators, or for mailing
    • B65D5/4216—Cards, coupons or the like formed integrally with, or printed directly on, the container or lid

Definitions

  • the present disclosure is directed to a system for storing multiple samples of various products, all of which have a feature or function which is similar but which each have at least one feature that is different, such as size.
  • the system includes indicia on the product or the product packaging for readily identifying the nature of the product or that different feature or function of each of the stored products from a distance. More particularly, all of the packages having the same feature, and all of the containers holding the multiple packages with the same feature will have, in a readily visible location, a colored or other type of indicia printed thereon that is correlated to the variable feature. More specifically, in one intended use of the system, pouches used for packaging medical instruments are color coded.
  • a user familiar with the color codes upon viewing a pouch or a storage shelf containing multiple different size pouches, can readily locate a pouch of a specific size, or for a specific use, or fabricated from a specific material and then select the desired pouch for an intended purpose solely by viewing the one or more colors printed on the pouch or boxes of pouches.
  • Numerous medical instruments are sterilized and reused. These instruments are typically cleaned, inserted into a sealable pouch and then sterilized. In dental offices for example, instruments are gathered after use, cleaned, and packaged in sterilizable pouches. The pouches are then sealed and subjected to a sterilizing environment such as an autoclave wherein steam or high temperature water vapor is used to sterilize the instruments. Alternatively, the pouch-enclosed instruments can be subjected to other sterilization techniques such as a sterilizing gas, for example, ethylene oxide, or exposure to radiation or UV light. The instruments are then stored in the sealed pouches for later use.
  • a sterilizing gas for example, ethylene oxide, or exposure to radiation or UV light.
  • Typical sterilizing pouches are formed of two layers of sheet materials printed with identifying brand names and other information on an outward face. These pouches are available in numerous different widths and lengths and may also have different internal volumes by being formed with pleats or gussets. Still further, the pouch may be formed from front and back sheets of a paper or plastic material where at least on sheet or portion thereof is permeable to the sterilant but the sealed pouch is impermeable to bacterial or other contaminants. Examples of suitable materials are cellulosic papers, sheets formed from plastic fibers or fibrillated plastics, such as TYVEK ® or clear impervious plastic films.
  • the pouch comprises first and second sheet material walls, the periphery of the walls being joined to define the pouch.
  • One of the sheet material walls is preferably transparent and water vapor impervious, and one of said walls is preferably cellulosic and water vapor and sterilization gas pervious.
  • the joinder of the walls defines a perimetrical seal about a partially closed volume within which the instruments are placed for sterilization.
  • the pouch can also have a flap on one of the walls arranged to overlie the other of the walls in sealed relation to fully enclose the volume.
  • the two sheets are joined by heat sealing.
  • a medically acceptable adhesive which is unaffected by the sterilization process, can be applied to the flap so that the pouch seals are provided by both heat sealing and adhesives.
  • Multiple pouches (for example 100, 200, 500 etc.) of the same size are provided in a shelf pack or box.
  • the user will typically order multiple shelf packages of the same size pouch as well as multiple packages of the other available sizes of pouches.
  • the user may purchase several packages of each of the 8-12 different sized pouches that may be available.
  • This means that a working supply of pouches may comprise 50-100 boxes, each box containing 100 or more of a specific size. When these are all stored stacked on shelving it can be difficult to readily locate the desired size pouch for use in packaging the instruments and it may be necessary to handle multiple boxes and read the label on the face of the box to determine its contents.
  • a further set of pouches may have a different use. For example they may be constricted of materials particularly chosen for autoclaving, ethylene oxide sterilization or other sterilization techniques such as radiation or UV exposure. Still further, in a facility with multiple physicians or different departments (i.e., surgery, radiology, pediatrics, etc.) each physician or each department may desire that their supply of pouches is segregated. This requires separate storage arrangements or some means to distinguish the various different pouch inventories.
  • a color-coded packaging system where a set of different colors are selected with each color designated to signify a varying feature.
  • pouches for packaging instruments for sterilization are available in different sizes to accommodate different sized contents.
  • a specific color is assigned to each sized pouch and information and indicia printed on that pouch is printed in a colored ink designating the size of that pouch.
  • Multiple pouches of the same size are packaged in boxes which have information or indicia printed thereon in the same color so that the size of box contents can be readily determined by the color of the printing thereon.
  • Both the pouch and the box can also have printing in a second color, selected from a second color coding system, to designate a second feature of the pouch.
  • the storage area can also include designated color coded areas for placement of like colored boxes. The color coding of the storage area, the boxes and the content of boxes provides for easy selection of a desired product as a means for a quick visual inventory.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of a representative first embodiment pouch incorporating features of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective of a representative box containing multiple pouches, as shown in Figure 1 , all having the same characteristic or feature.
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of multiple boxes, each box containing pouches, on a storage rack incorporating features of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a view of a first embodiment of a box end flap incorporating features of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a view of a second embodiment of a box end flap incorporating features of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a top view of a second embodiment of a pouch incorporating features of the invention.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a typical pouch 10 incorporating features of the invention.
  • the pouch 10 comprises a first or lower sheet 12, typically a planar sheet material, of a suitable printable barrier material, such as a printable cellulosic medical grade paper which is impermeable to external contaminants, will not decompose under sterilization conditions, and is pervious to steam, water vapor and sterilization gases.
  • a second or upper sheet 14 is a planar sheet, also impermeable to external contaminants and will not decompose under sterilization conditions, but is impervious to water vapor, steam and typical sterilizing gases. It is typically a transparent plastic such as polyester, or a polyester/polyolefin laminate.
  • the second sheet overlies the first sheet and is heat sealed thereto along three sides to form a perimeter seal line 16 created a pouch with an open end 18 to form the pouch 10.
  • the opposite end also referred to as the lower end 34 of the pouch 10 is closed.
  • the open end 18 is closed.
  • One alternative means of sealing is to fold over a flap 20, which is part of the lower sheet 12 and is coated with an adhesive, and attach the flap to the upper sheet 14. Attachment may be provided by a contact adhesive 22 which is pre-applied to the flap and is covered by a removable piece of release paper (not shown).
  • An alternative is to use heat sealing techniques, which are known in the art, to seal the upper sheet 14 to the lower sheet 12 thus sealing the instrument within the pouch 10.
  • Printed on the first sheet 12 in various locations 24, 26, 28, which may be visible through the transparent second sheet 14 or alternatively printed on the lower surface of the first sheet, are various different pieces of information such as the manufacturer's name, trademark, various certification marks, a specified use of the pouch or its intended contents and the pouch product code, dimensions and other characteristics.
  • the printing locations identified in Figure 1 , 3 and 7 are merely representative and are not intended to limit the location of the information or the purpose of the printed information.
  • a feature of the invention is that some or all of the printing on the pouch is in a color, in accordance with an established color code system, that is used to designate the size of the pouch.
  • Table 1 lists 12 different pouch sizes and the colors, referred to as a first color 30, chosen to represent the various pouch sizes.
  • the color coding allows one familiar with the coding system, upon viewing the colored printing on the first or lower sheet 12, to immediately know the size of the pouch. For example if the first color 30 used for the printing is red the pouch is 3.5" x 5.25". As an added feature, the first color 30 is also applied on the first sheet at the corners 32 of the initially sealed lower end 34 of the pouch so that it can be observed by viewing the initially sealed lower end 34 of the pouch 10. Colored left and right rectangles 36, 38 on the pouch sealed end are merely representative locations and other locations or combinations of locations on the sealed lower end 34, such as a solid stripe or a series of rectangles across the lower end of the pouch 10 can be utilized. The purpose of this feature is explained below.
  • Figure 3 shows a box 40 with the end flaps 60 removed.
  • the box 40 contains multiple pouches 10 all of the same size and therefore all having the same color print which also matches the color of the left and right rectangular areas 36, 38.
  • the box 40 shown in Figure 3 also has at least a first and second area 42, 44 printed in the same color as on the pouch 10. For example, if the box contains 2.75 in x 9.0in pouches the first color 30 is green and the printing on each pouch 10, the left and right rectangles 36, 38, and the first and second areas 42, 44 on the box 40 are all the same color green.
  • the colored printing on the left and right rectangles 36, 38 is applied to the top of the lower sheet 12, it tends to penetrate the material of the first sheet as well as the exposed end of the lower sheet 12 at the initially sealed lower end 34 of the pouch 10. Therefore, even when the pouches 10 are stacked in the box 40 an individual viewing the open end of the box can see the color of the left and right rectangles 36, 38. In addition, the ends of the pouches tend to curl slightly downward, further allowing the color indicia thereon to be seen.
  • the inner end flaps (not shown) of the box as well as the end flap 60 are also partially or fully colored with the same first color 30.
  • the first and second areas 42, 44 on the box 40 as shown in Figure 3 are only representative locations for the location of the first color 30 on the box 40 and other locations or larger or smaller areas on any of the outer surfaces of the box may be colored with the first color 30.
  • the outer surface of the box can also display a second color 50 which is a color within a second color coding system to designate a further or different feature of the contents of the box. While it is preferred that the second colors 50 from a second coloring system are different from the first color 30 they may be selected from the same set of colors. Confusion is minimized or eliminated because an individual, upon observing the box, recognizes that, because of its specific location on the box, it represents the second feature.
  • the second color may, for example, represent a characteristic of the packaging material, a physician user within a group of physicians or a department (i.e., radiology, emergency room, pediatrics, etc.) within a medical facility.
  • the outer surface of the box can include many different pieces of information including, but not limited to the manufacturer's name, address, trademarks, product description, instructions for use, usage warnings, etc. which may be printed in the first color 30, a complementing color or a second color 50.
  • black or white may be used as either a first color 30, a second color 50, or limited to use for printing which may have no meaning in the color coding or could designate a still further two color code.
  • Figure 4 shows multiple different sized packages stored in a single storage cabinet 52 and illustrates the utility of the color coding system to aid in selecting individual desired products, for example a particular sized pouch 10, from multiple boxes 40 of the different sized pouches 10.
  • Stored and displayed in cabinet 52 are nine different size pouches 10, the location for a tenth size pouch 10 being empty.
  • the cabinet 52 contains thirty-one boxes 40 of pouches 10 some of which are open (have the end flap removed) while others are unopened.
  • a first stack 54 of boxes 40 contains three closed boxes 40 with a partially filled open box 40 on the top of the stack 54.
  • the first color 30, indicated in this case by the indicia 30a, signifying the dimensions of the pouches 10 in each box 40, is the same as shown on the visible end flap 60 of the three closed boxes 40.
  • the color code 30a on the left and right rectangles 36, 38 on the pouches 10 in the open box 30 is also visible.
  • Each of the stacks of boxes 40 contains different sized pouches 10 and therefore, to indicate the first color 30 in each instance is different, the indicia for the 9 different stacks of boxes is indicated as 30a through 30j.
  • a label 56 is placed on the front of the shelf 58 below each stack, that label 56 being colored to match the stack of boxes designated for that location (i.e., the label on the shelf 58 below the first stack 54 bears the first color 30a which matches the first color 30 on the boxes and pouches stacked above.
  • This allows a user to quickly identify, because of the open space on the lower shelf 58, that all of the pouches 10 of a size designated by the first color 30h have been used up and it is time to replenish the inventory of that size.
  • the packaging includes a second series of color coding (i.e., the second color 50) that color can also appear on the end flap 60.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show different examples of the end flap 60 which can have one or more colors for the one or more color coding systems.
  • the top of the end flap 60 displays the first color 30 and the lower half can be blank (white) or display a second color 50.
  • the printed lettering 62 can be a third color, or black or white to designate a third feature or to merely provide information to the user.
  • Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of the pouch 10 also displaying a second color 50 on the visible end of the pouch 10.
  • While the coded packaging system has been illustrated by the use of different colors to designate different sized products packaged in similar types of boxes 40 the system can also utilize other designation systems such as shades of grey or different types of colored or black and white cross hatching.
  • a specific color for example green
  • different shades of that color can be used to designate other features or characteristics of the product.
  • brown designates a 5.25 x 12.0 pouch.
  • a dark, chocolate brown could designate a flat pouch and a light brown or tan could designate the same size pouch with pleats or gussets and thus expandable to hold a greater volume.
  • a first color can be used to designate a length and a second color can designate a width.
  • a set of colors could designate a series of dimensions (a different color for each of 1 inch, 2 inch, 3 inch, etc.) and then the same color code could be used to designate the dimensions for both the length and width. For example if red designates a 3 inch dimension and green designates a 6 inch dimension a red/green combination would designate a 3x6 pouch, a green/red combination would designate a 6x3 pouch and a green/green combination would designate a 6x6 pouch.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
EP09250231A 2008-01-29 2009-01-28 Farbkodierungssystem für Verpackungsmaterialien Withdrawn EP2085316A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/022,104 US20090188826A1 (en) 2008-01-29 2008-01-29 Colored Coding System For Packaging Materials

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2085316A1 true EP2085316A1 (de) 2009-08-05

Family

ID=40567037

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09250231A Withdrawn EP2085316A1 (de) 2008-01-29 2009-01-28 Farbkodierungssystem für Verpackungsmaterialien

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20090188826A1 (de)
EP (1) EP2085316A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011128553A1 (fr) * 2010-04-16 2011-10-20 Laurent Beaumont Sachet de fruits et procédé d'élaboration de fruits coupés en morceaux pour leur conservation à moyen terme
WO2015191070A1 (en) * 2014-06-12 2015-12-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company System of packaged oral care implements

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7866468B2 (en) * 2007-01-12 2011-01-11 George Kyritsis Medical instrument sterilization pouch
US20090139889A1 (en) * 2007-01-12 2009-06-04 George Kyritsis Medical Instrument Sterilization Pouch
US20090257850A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-15 Pamela Samson Tray for handheld electronic devices
US10779630B2 (en) * 2015-04-15 2020-09-22 Voesh Corporation Beauty and skin care treatment product and method
USD886301S1 (en) 2016-11-18 2020-06-02 Medline Industries, Inc. Medical stand cover
USD889686S1 (en) 2017-08-31 2020-07-07 Medline Industries, Inc. Surgical kit
USD874678S1 (en) 2017-08-31 2020-02-04 Medline Industries, Inc. Surgical kit
US11691797B2 (en) * 2019-05-15 2023-07-04 Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Sterilizable pouches for medical devices

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3990752A (en) * 1975-01-07 1976-11-09 Diamond Crystal Salt Company Dispensing system and method for dispensing packets
EP0891932A1 (de) * 1997-06-19 1999-01-20 PelyPlastic GmbH & Co. Müllbeutel, Beutelgebinde, Beutelgebindesortiment und Produktpalette von Beuteln
GB2341382A (en) * 1998-09-11 2000-03-15 Britton Security Packaging Lim Tamper-evident bag with carrying handles
US6090027A (en) * 1997-10-24 2000-07-18 Brinkman; Tom Method for parcel marking and three dimensional label thereof
EP1872758A1 (de) * 2006-06-26 2008-01-02 The Procter and Gamble Company System von Hygieneprodukten für Frauen mit Farbkodierung

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3306437A (en) * 1965-07-30 1967-02-28 Richard L Nelson Coded shipping and dispensing carton assembly
US3351209A (en) * 1965-08-10 1967-11-07 Diamond Crystal Salt Co Packet dispenser
US3826222A (en) * 1973-02-12 1974-07-30 J Romick Unit-dose medication handling system
US5182895A (en) * 1992-04-02 1993-02-02 Lugo Nicolas R Shopping bag system and method
US5390796A (en) * 1992-10-02 1995-02-21 Kerfoot, Jr.; Franklin W. Envelope apparatus for dispensing medications from drug files
US5251751A (en) * 1992-11-02 1993-10-12 Ernest Prussen Color coded kit of rivets according to length
US6601705B2 (en) * 2001-12-07 2003-08-05 The Procter & Gamble Company Package containing a window and performance characteristic indicator
US7124881B2 (en) * 2003-03-27 2006-10-24 Federal Express Corporation Method and apparatus for associating documents with shipping containers

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3990752A (en) * 1975-01-07 1976-11-09 Diamond Crystal Salt Company Dispensing system and method for dispensing packets
EP0891932A1 (de) * 1997-06-19 1999-01-20 PelyPlastic GmbH & Co. Müllbeutel, Beutelgebinde, Beutelgebindesortiment und Produktpalette von Beuteln
US6090027A (en) * 1997-10-24 2000-07-18 Brinkman; Tom Method for parcel marking and three dimensional label thereof
GB2341382A (en) * 1998-09-11 2000-03-15 Britton Security Packaging Lim Tamper-evident bag with carrying handles
EP1872758A1 (de) * 2006-06-26 2008-01-02 The Procter and Gamble Company System von Hygieneprodukten für Frauen mit Farbkodierung

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011128553A1 (fr) * 2010-04-16 2011-10-20 Laurent Beaumont Sachet de fruits et procédé d'élaboration de fruits coupés en morceaux pour leur conservation à moyen terme
FR2958917A1 (fr) * 2010-04-16 2011-10-21 Laurent Beaumont Sachet de fruits et procede d'elaboration de fruits coupes en morceaux pour leur conservation a moyen terme
FR2958918A1 (fr) * 2010-04-16 2011-10-21 Laurent Beaumont Sachet de fruits et procede d'elaboration de fruits coupes en morceaux pour leur conservation a moyen terme.
WO2015191070A1 (en) * 2014-06-12 2015-12-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company System of packaged oral care implements

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20090188826A1 (en) 2009-07-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2085316A1 (de) Farbkodierungssystem für Verpackungsmaterialien
US8371448B1 (en) Storage system for medical waste materials
RU2551346C2 (ru) Стерилизуемый пакет со средством индикации стерильности
US5344017A (en) Instrument pouch with in-pouch sterile processing indicator
AU762869B2 (en) Electronic system for tracking and monitoring articles to be sterilized and associated method
EP1356830B1 (de) Etiquetten und Überwachungssystem für Sterilisationsverfahren
US6488890B1 (en) Machine readable sterilization indicator for monitoring articles to be sterilized
EP1198258A1 (de) Verfahren zur verwendung eines chemischen indikators
EP1216062A1 (de) Lesegerät für chemischer indikator
EP2181719B1 (de) Selbstabgedichteter medizinischer Sterilisationsbeutel
WO2005027767A1 (en) Medical procedure kit and method
JP2021016585A (ja) 医療機器梱包材、シール、および医療機器梱包材用ラベル
US6969197B2 (en) Sterilizable package
CN103370026B (zh) 导管托盘、封装系统、指示插入件和相关方法
EP2900166B1 (de) Sterilisationsbehältnis
GB2081215A (en) Blood bag
US10111808B2 (en) Sterile medication identification and labeling system
WO2001010473A1 (en) Customized sterilization indicators printable at point of use
EP0139413A2 (de) Geschäftsbündelgesamtheit
US20030143136A1 (en) Instrument sterilization roll
WO2005110245A1 (en) Synthetic suture card
WO2014195694A2 (en) Container for transporting a biological sample
WO2023247295A1 (en) A package comprising medical dressings
AU2004100787A4 (en) Medical procedure kit and method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA RS

AKX Designation fees paid
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8566

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20100206