Method for sterile packaging and wetting of articles

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
A method of sterile packaging and wetting of articles comprising the sequential steps of partially filling a container with a solution of a standard anti-bacterial agent; then placing an article in the container so that the article is partially above the solution; then sealing said container to provide a gas space above the solution within the sealed container; then heating said container and its contents to a temperature substantially below the boiling point of the solution and at a pressure of about one atmosphere until all the surfaces inside the container above and below the solution, and the entire contents of the container, are sterilized; and thereafter cooling the container and its entire contents to a temperature at which condensation occurs on the surfaces inside the container that are above the solution until condensation occurs.
2.
The method of claim 1 in which the anti-bacterial agent is selected from the group consisting of iodophor, sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate, quartenary ammonium salts, and halogenated bis-phenols.
3.
The method of claim 2 in which the container and its contents are heated to a temperature within the range of 120.
degree.
to 210.
degree.
F.
4.
The method of claim 2 in which the gas space contains air.
5.
The method of claim 2 in which the container and its contents are heated to a temperature within the range of 130.
degree.
to 150.
degree.
F.
for at least 2 hours.
6.
The method of claim 1 in which the solution is standard anti-bacterial agent having an available iodine concentration within the range of 0.
0012 to 3.
0 percent.
7.
The method of claim 6 in which the container and its contents are heated to a temperature within the range of 120.
degree.
to 150.
degree.
F.
8.
The method of claim 1 in which the solution is an aqueous solution of a halogenated 2,2'-bis-phenol having a concentration within the range of 0.
25 to 4.
0 percent.
9.
The method of claim 1 in which the solution is an aqueous solution of a quaternary ammonium salt having a concentration within the range of 0