Method of forming a sterilizable package with tear-off indicators

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
Method for sterilizing which comprises providing an open-ended package made of a plastic member heat sealed to a paper member, the paper member having a portion extending beyond the area to be enclosed by the heat seal when completed, said portion bearing indicia that changes color upon sterilization, inserting the item to be sterilized into the open-ended package, separating the indicia bearing portion from the package and inserting said separated portion into the package with the indicia visible through the plastic member, heat sealing the open end of the package and subjecting the sealed package to sterilization.
2.
Method of claim 1 wherein the indicia bearing portion is positioned between the item to be sterilized and the plastic member with the indicia visible through the plastic member.




Description:
BACKGROUND This invention relates to a sterilizable package or pouch made of a plastic member heat sealed to a paper member wherein the paper member is provided with a portion which can be separated from the package which carries indicia that changes color upon sterilization.
Such packages are made by marginally heat sealing a clear plastic laminate to surgical grade kraft paper or the like and have come into widespread use.
The paper portion of such packages is designed to be sufficiently porous to permit gas or steam sterilization but is otherwise impervious to bacteria.
The plastic laminate is heat sealable to the paper, stable under sterilization conditions, impervious to bacteria and permits visual identification of the package contents.
Such packages are used for medical implements that must be sterile prior to use.
The manufacturer or user, such as a hospital or clinic, of such medical implements is supplied with a package heat sealed around three sides by the package manufacturer.
The medical implement is then placed in the package and the fourth side is heat sealed to complete the marginal heat seal between the paper and the plastic