Package having fiber-containing sheath and apparatus and method for packaging
US4828109A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 1988 |
| Grant date | May 9, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F15/001
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The package of the present invention comprises a sheath formed from a folded, relatively rigid strip having structure for receiving and releasably holding the ends of the fiber to be packaged. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber is between the two folded over parts of the strip with the ends of the fiber anchored in place in a pair of slits. The sheath is in a pouch formed by a pair of foil members on opposite sides of the sheath. When ready for use, the package is opened by peeling the foil members apart, thereby exposing the sheath and permitting access to the fiber carried by the sheath. An improved apparatus and method are provided to form the package. In the first instance, the sheath is prepared by first folding a strip of relatively rigid material, such as siliconized polyester, the moving the folded strip along a path of travel and feeding the fiber into the region between the parts of the strip as the strip moves. At a certain location along the path of the strip, the fiber is forced into each slit of the strip and the fiber becomes releasably attached to the strip. At another location, the strip is cut; thus, in this way, a plurality of sheaths with fiber lengths between…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.