Title of Invention	"A PACKAGE FOR STORAGE AND DEFENCING COPPER-T INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE"
Abstract	A package for storage and dispensing of a copper T intrauterine contraceptive device comprising an outer envelope and an inner envelope, each envelope made of 2 sheets of polymeric material selected from laminates of polyster or polethylene, each envelope rectangular in shape having 2 longer edges and 2 smaller edges, characterised in that: the said outer envelope (2) is provided with tearable heat seal (17) along its four edges, a notch (18) being provided in one of the smaller edges of the envelope to facilitate tearing; the said inner envelope (1) is provided with pealable heat seal along at least one of the longer edges; a pair of flaps (7) being provided at one of the smaller edges to facilitate application of force to peal the said heat seal, the said flaps having pealable heat seal in their proximity; the said inner envelope is provided along one of the smaller edges with a passage/cavity (13, 14, 16) with a curved or inclined side such as herein described so as to cause folding of arms of said contraceptive device (18) upon application of force, the cavity being formed by firm heat sealing (12) between the said 2 sheets of the envelope.

Title of Invention

"A PACKAGE FOR STORAGE AND DEFENCING COPPER-T INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE"

Abstract

A package for storage and dispensing of a copper T intrauterine contraceptive device comprising an outer envelope and an inner envelope, each envelope made of 2 sheets of polymeric material selected from laminates of polyster or polethylene, each envelope rectangular in shape having 2 longer edges and 2 smaller edges, characterised in that: the said outer envelope (2) is provided with tearable heat seal (17) along its four edges, a notch (18) being provided in one of the smaller edges of the envelope to facilitate tearing; the said inner envelope (1) is provided with pealable heat seal along at least one of the longer edges; a pair of flaps (7) being provided at one of the smaller edges to facilitate application of force to peal the said heat seal, the said flaps having pealable heat seal in their proximity; the said inner envelope is provided along one of the smaller edges with a passage/cavity (13, 14, 16) with a curved or inclined side such as herein described so as to cause folding of arms of said contraceptive device (18) upon application of force, the cavity being formed by firm heat sealing (12) between the said 2 sheets of the envelope.

Full Text	This invention relates to a package for a copper T intravenous device. Copper T is a contraceptive device implanted into the female uterus for fertility control. The Copper T comprises of a polyethylene T shaped device having a horizontal arm and a vertical stem. When packaged the horizontal arm is kept in an unfolded stage, that is straight. Prior to implantation into the female uterus the horizontal arm of the T must be folded to become parallel to the vertical arm and the folded horizontal arm along with the vertical arm are inserted into the inserter tube. Thereafter the inserter tube is passed into the uterus through the cervical canal and the Copper T is pushed out of the inserter tube to lie free in the uterine cavity. The procedure of folding of the horizontal arm of the T for placement within the inserter tube is performed after removing the Copper T and inserter T from the packaging. The surgeon with the gloved hand presses together the two segments of the horizontal arm and pushes the arms into the inserter tube. It has now been found that the act of touching the horizontal arm is a step which at times leads to contamination of the T with microorganisms. Therefore a 'no touch' technique has been suggested. The folding of the horizontal arm is done while the T is within the packaging. However manipulating the horizontal arm by feel from the outside of the packaging is quite difficult. Therefore several types of insertion facilitator devices have been developed. These gadgets are an additional component beyond the device parts and packaging already existing and therefore add to the cost. Moreover most of the insertion facilitators have to be used only after removal of the T from the packaging. It is only that the surgeon touches the insertion facilitator and not the horizontal arm. Nevertheless it is noted that very often some portion of the surgeon's fingers slip beyond the insertion facilitator device and come to touch the horizontal arm thereby defeating the purpose of providing the insertion facilitator. An object of this invention is to propose a package for Copper T intravenous device which obviates the disadvantages of the prior art. Another object of this invention is to propose a package for Copper T intravenous device and wherein the Copper T is no longer contaminated. Still another object of this invention is to propose a package for Copper T intravenous device which is simple and does not increase the costs in comparison with the prior art. According to this invention , there is provided a package for storage and dispensing of a copper T intrauterine contraceptive device comprising an outer envelope and an inner envelope, each envelope made of 2 sheets of polymeric material such as laminates of polyster or polethylene, each envelope rectangular in shape having 2 longer edges and 2 smaller edges, characterised in that: the said outer envelope (2) is provided with tearable heat seal (17) along its four edges, a notch (18) being provided in one of the smaller edges of the envelope to facilitate tearing; the said inner envelope (1) is provided with pealable heat seal along at least one of the longer edges; a pair of flaps (7) being provided at one of the smaller edges to facilitate application of force to peal the said heat seal, the said flaps having pealable heat seal in their proximity; the said inner envelope is provided along one of the smaller edges with a passage/cavity (13, 14, 16) with a curved or inclined side such as herein described so as to cause folding of arms of said contraceptive device (IB) upon application of force, the cavity being formed by firm heat sealing (12) between the said 2 sheets of the envelope. In accordance with this invention, the seal of the segment of the packaging adjacent to the horizontal arm is given a special shape. At the centre of the seal zone an unsealed space is left between the two flaps of the packaging. Beyond the space distal to the horizontal arm of the T the seal between the packaging flaps is retained to maintain sterility of the contents . The open space left in the seal area is in the shape of the folded horizontal arms of the T. Therefore even before opening the packaging, simply by pushing the inserter tube against the horizontal arm of the T and in consequence abutting the horizontal arm against the aforesaid open space in the seal, the two segments of the horizontal arm are forced to fold together as they move into the open space in the seal. Thereafter the inserter tube can be drawn backwards and next pushed forwards so that the folded horizontal arm move into the inserter tube. In the above process the horizontal arm does not have to be manipulated and only the inserter tube has to be moved forward, backward and then forward. Grippping the inserter tube within the closed packaging is a simple task. Since the packaging need not be opened in this procedure, there is no chance of contamination of the T. Requirements of the no tuuch are truely met. The system does not require any additional components beyond those normally provided with the Copper T. Therefore the complexity and additional cost of a special inserter facilitator is eliminated by the present invention. In the present invention the insertion facilitator is inbuilt into the packaging simply by leaving a small space unsealed. No extra devices are required. Hence providing the insertion facilitator does not increase complexity and also does not add to the cost of the Copper T system. Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and wherein: Fig.l shows the outer envelope; Fig.2 shows the inner envelope, and Fig.3 shows the assembled package. Referring to the drawings, the inner envelope 1 and outer envelope 2 are each formed from a back and front sheet 3 for inner envelope 1 and a back and front sheet 4 for outer envelope 2. Each of sheets 3 and 4 are formed from a laminate of polyester and polyethylene- However, the laminate is not of importance in that any other polymeric material may be used to constitute the laminate. Inner envelope 1 has a peelable heat seal 5 along at least one of the vertical sides, though it is preferred to provide such a peelable heat seal along both of the vertical sides. A peelable heat seal 6 is provided near the proximity of the base of envelope 1 so as to form flaps 7. Thus, in operation, an attendant can open inner envelope 1 by applying force to flaps 7 which then allows the vertical edges or sides 5 to open and access is made to the device therein. As i apparent from Fig.3, the Copper T intrauterine device 10 with the plunger 11 is packed within inner envelope 1. Though reference is made hereinabove to a heat seal 7, any other means may be used such as to form flaps 7 to open the base of envelope 1. Reference is made in particular to the upper end of envelope 1. A firm heat seal 12 is provided at the upper end with a passage or cavity 13. Cavity is formed by a convexity 14 at the lower surface of seal 12, said convexity extending into a concavity 15 at the upper portion of seal 12. Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of seal 12 with convexity 14 and concavity 15. However, and in accordance with another embodiment, cavity 13 may have inclined surfaces extending downwardly from either sides thereof. A passage 16 is provided in seal 12 for holding one end of plunger 11. Envelope 2 has tearable heat seals 17 along the four sides. A notch 18 is provided at the base of envelope 2 so that when force is applied thereto, the sides of envelope 2 are torn and envelope 1 can be i withdrawn therefrom. Fig.3 illustrates inner envelope 1 freely disposed within outer envelope 2. However, in practice, inner envelope 1 is disposed in a more raised manner within outer envelope 2 than as illustrated in Fig.3. In practice, upward force is applied to the inserter 18 so that the horizontal arms 19 of the T are urged towards cavity 13, and upon further application of force, arms 19 are allowed to fold. Such a force is applied from the outside of outer envelope 2. The configuration of cavity 13 allows a minimal force to be applied to inserter 18 from the outside and without the necessity of opening the package. WE CLAIMS : 1 A package for storage and dispensing of a copper T intrauterine contraceptive device comprising an outer envelope and an inner envelope, each envelope made of 2 sheets of polymeric material srieeted ftsspi^ laminates of polyster or polethylene, each envelope rectangular in shape having 2 longer edges and 2 smaller edges, characterised in that; the said outer envelope (2) is provided with tearable heat seal (17) along its four edges, a notch (18) being provided in one of the smaller edges of the envelope to facilitate tearing; the said inner envelope (1) is provided with pealable heat seal along at least one of the longer edges; a pair of flaps (7) being provided at one of the smaller edges to facilitate application of force to peal the said heat seal, the said flaps having pealable heat seal in their proximity; the said inner envelope is provided along one of the smaller edges with a passage/cavity (13, 14, 16) with a curved or inclined side such as herein described so as to cause folding of arms of said contraceptive device (!•) upon application of force, the cavity being formed by firm heat sealing (12) between the said 2 sheets of the envelope. 2. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said passage comprises a convexity (14). 3. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat seal has a convexity (14) at the lower end and a concavity (15) at the upper end. 4 A package as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the convexity extends into a concavity. 5. A package as climed in claim 1 to 5, wherein a peelable heat seal (6) is provided along both of the longer edges. 6. A package for storage and dispensing copper T intrauterine contraceptive device substantially as herein described and illustrated in fig 1 to 3 of accompanying drawings.

Full Text

This invention relates to a package for a copper T intravenous device.
Copper T is a contraceptive device implanted into the female uterus for fertility control. The Copper T comprises of a polyethylene T shaped device having a horizontal arm and a vertical stem. When packaged the horizontal arm is kept in an unfolded stage, that is straight. Prior to implantation into the female uterus the horizontal arm of the T must be folded to become parallel to the vertical arm and the folded horizontal arm along with the vertical arm are inserted into the inserter tube. Thereafter the inserter tube is passed into the uterus through the cervical canal and the Copper T is pushed out of the inserter tube to lie free in the uterine cavity.
The procedure of folding of the horizontal arm of
the T for placement within the inserter tube is performed after removing the Copper T and inserter T from the packaging. The surgeon with the gloved hand presses together the two segments of the horizontal arm and pushes the arms into the inserter tube.
It has now been found that the act of touching the horizontal arm is a step which at times leads to
contamination of the T with microorganisms. Therefore a 'no touch' technique has been suggested. The folding of the horizontal arm is done while the T is within the packaging. However manipulating the horizontal arm by feel from the outside of the packaging is quite difficult. Therefore several types of insertion facilitator devices have been developed. These gadgets are an additional component beyond the device parts and packaging already existing and therefore add to the cost. Moreover most of the insertion facilitators have to be used only after removal of the T from the packaging. It is only that the surgeon touches the insertion facilitator and not the horizontal arm. Nevertheless it is noted that very often some portion of the surgeon's fingers slip beyond the insertion facilitator device and come to touch the horizontal arm thereby defeating the purpose of providing the insertion facilitator.
An object of this invention is to propose a package for Copper T intravenous device which obviates the disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of this invention is to propose a package for Copper T intravenous device and wherein the Copper T is no longer contaminated.
Still another object of this invention is to propose a package for Copper T intravenous device which is simple and does not increase the costs in comparison with the prior art.
According to this invention , there is provided a package for storage and dispensing of a
copper T intrauterine contraceptive device comprising an outer envelope and an inner envelope,
each envelope made of 2 sheets of polymeric material such as laminates of polyster or
polethylene, each envelope rectangular in shape having 2 longer edges and 2 smaller edges,
characterised in that: the said outer envelope (2) is provided with tearable heat seal (17) along its
four edges, a notch (18) being provided in one of the smaller edges of the envelope to facilitate
tearing; the said inner envelope (1) is provided with pealable heat seal along at least one of the
longer edges; a pair of flaps (7) being provided at one of the smaller edges to facilitate
application of force to peal the said heat seal, the said flaps having pealable heat seal in their
proximity; the said inner envelope is provided along one of the smaller edges with a
passage/cavity (13, 14, 16) with a curved or inclined side such as herein described so as to cause
folding of arms of said contraceptive device (IB) upon application of force, the cavity being
formed by firm heat sealing (12) between the said 2 sheets of the envelope.
In accordance with this invention, the seal of the segment of the packaging adjacent to the horizontal arm is given a special shape. At the centre of the seal zone an unsealed space is left between the two flaps of the packaging. Beyond the space distal to the horizontal arm of the T the seal between the packaging flaps is retained to maintain sterility of the contents . The open space left in the seal area is in the shape of the folded horizontal arms of the T. Therefore even before opening the packaging, simply by pushing the inserter tube against the horizontal arm of the T and in consequence abutting the horizontal arm against the aforesaid open space in the seal, the two segments of the horizontal arm are forced to fold together as they move into the open space in the seal. Thereafter the inserter tube can be drawn backwards and next pushed
forwards so that the folded horizontal arm move into the inserter tube.
In the above process the horizontal arm does not have to be manipulated and only the inserter tube has to be moved forward, backward and then forward. Grippping the inserter tube within the closed packaging is a simple task. Since the packaging need not be opened in
this procedure, there is no chance of contamination of the T. Requirements of the no tuuch are truely met.
The system does not require any additional components beyond those normally provided with the Copper T. Therefore the complexity and additional cost of a special inserter facilitator is eliminated by the present invention. In the present invention the insertion facilitator is inbuilt into the packaging simply by leaving a small space unsealed. No extra devices are required. Hence providing the insertion facilitator does not increase complexity and also does not add to the cost of the Copper T system.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and
wherein:
Fig.l shows the outer envelope; Fig.2 shows the inner envelope, and Fig.3 shows the assembled package.
Referring to the drawings, the inner envelope 1 and outer envelope 2 are each formed from a back and
front sheet 3 for inner envelope 1 and a back and front
sheet 4 for outer envelope 2. Each of sheets 3 and 4
are formed from a laminate of polyester and
polyethylene- However, the laminate is not of
importance in that any other polymeric material may be
used to constitute the laminate.
Inner envelope 1 has a peelable heat seal 5 along
at least one of the vertical sides, though it is
preferred to provide such a peelable heat seal along
both of the vertical sides. A peelable heat seal 6 is
provided near the proximity of the base of envelope 1 so
as to form flaps 7. Thus, in operation, an attendant
can open inner envelope 1 by applying force to flaps 7
which then allows the vertical edges or sides 5 to
open and access is made to the device therein. As
i apparent from Fig.3, the Copper T intrauterine device 10
with the plunger 11 is packed within inner envelope 1.
Though reference is made hereinabove to a heat seal 7,
any other means may be used such as to form flaps 7 to
open the base of envelope 1.
Reference is made in particular to the upper end of envelope 1. A firm heat seal 12 is provided at the upper end with a passage or cavity 13. Cavity is formed by a convexity 14 at the lower surface of seal 12, said convexity extending into a concavity 15 at the upper portion of seal 12. Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of seal 12 with convexity 14 and concavity 15. However, and in accordance with another embodiment, cavity 13 may have inclined surfaces extending downwardly from either sides thereof. A passage 16 is provided in seal 12 for holding one end of plunger 11.
Envelope 2 has tearable heat seals 17 along the four sides. A notch 18 is provided at the base of envelope 2 so that when force is applied thereto, the
sides of envelope 2 are torn and envelope 1 can be
i
withdrawn therefrom.
Fig.3 illustrates inner envelope 1 freely disposed within outer envelope 2. However, in practice, inner envelope 1 is disposed in a more raised manner within outer envelope 2 than as illustrated in Fig.3. In practice, upward force is applied to the inserter 18 so that the horizontal arms 19 of the T are urged towards

cavity 13, and upon further application of force, arms 19 are allowed to fold. Such a force is applied from the outside of outer envelope 2. The configuration of cavity 13 allows a minimal force to be applied to inserter 18 from the outside and without the necessity of opening the package.

WE CLAIMS :
1 A package for storage and dispensing of a copper T intrauterine contraceptive device
comprising an outer envelope and an inner envelope, each envelope made of 2 sheets of polymeric material srieeted ftsspi^ laminates of polyster or polethylene, each envelope rectangular in shape having 2 longer edges and 2 smaller edges, characterised in that;
the said outer envelope (2) is provided with tearable heat seal (17) along its four edges, a notch (18) being provided in one of the smaller edges of the envelope to facilitate tearing;
the said inner envelope (1) is provided with pealable heat seal along at least one of the longer edges; a pair of flaps (7) being provided at one of the smaller edges to facilitate application of force to peal the said heat seal, the said flaps having pealable heat seal in their proximity;
the said inner envelope is provided along one of the smaller edges with a passage/cavity (13, 14, 16) with a curved or inclined side such as herein described so as to cause folding of arms of said contraceptive device (!•) upon application of force, the cavity being formed by firm heat sealing (12) between the said 2 sheets of the envelope.
2. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said passage comprises a convexity (14).
3. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat seal has a convexity (14) at the lower end and a concavity (15) at the upper end.
4 A package as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the convexity extends into a concavity.
5. A package as climed in claim 1 to 5, wherein a peelable heat seal (6) is provided along both of the longer edges.
6. A package for storage and dispensing copper T intrauterine contraceptive device substantially as herein described and illustrated in fig 1 to 3 of accompanying drawings.

Documents:

718-del-1996-abstract.pdf

718-del-1996-claims.pdf

718-del-1996-complete specification (granted).pdf

718-del-1996-correspondence-others.pdf

718-del-1996-correspondence-po.pdf

718-del-1996-description (complete).pdf

718-del-1996-description (provisional).pdf

718-del-1996-drawings.pdf

718-del-1996-form-1.pdf

718-del-1996-form-13.pdf

718-del-1996-form-19.pdf

718-del-1996-form-2.pdf

718-del-1996-form-3.pdf

718-del-1996-form-4.pdf

718-del-1996-form-5.pdf

718-del-1996-form-6.pdf

718-del-1996-gpa.pdf

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Patent Number

197479

Indian Patent Application Number

718/DEL/1996

PG Journal Number

N/A

Publication Date

08-Apr-2006

Grant Date

21-Jul-2006

Date of Filing

02-Apr-1996

Name of Patentee

SUJOY KUMAR GUHA

Applicant Address

CENTRE FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NEW DELHI 110016,INDIA

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	SUJOY KUMAR GUHA	CENTRE FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NEW DELHI 110016,INDIA

PCT International Classification Number

B65B 9/00

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1			NA