# US 11,993,442 B2 · Protective packaging structure for compressible materials

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- Number: US 11,993,442 B2
- Document ID: US11993442B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/198,417
- Filed: 2023-05-17
- Published: 2023-09-14
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2017-02-08
- Assignees: ETS Technology Holdings LLC
- Applicants: ETS Technology Holdings LLC
- Inventors: Steven B. Jung
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993442B2

## CPC

- B65D 77/0406: {Rigid containers in preformed flexible containers}
- A61F 2/0095: {Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants (for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02)}
- A61F 13/00072: {Packaging of dressings}
- A61L 27/10: Ceramics or glasses
- A61L 27/50: Materials characterised by their function or physical properties {, e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials}
- B65D 25/10: Devices to locate articles in containers {(for protecting articles from mechanical damage B65D81/02)}
- B65D 43/0229: {only on the inside, or a part turned to the inside, of the mouth of the container (B65D43/0227 takes precedence)}
- B65D 75/22: the sheet or blank being recessed to accommodate contents {(containers simulating a book B65D77/006)}
- B65D 81/1075: {deformable to accommodate contents}
- B65D 81/133: of a shape specially adapted to accommodate contents, e.g. trays {(B65D81/053 takes precedence; thermally insulated trays B65D81/3816, B65D81/3827)}
- B65D 85/07: for compressible or flexible articles (for wearing apparel B65D85/18)
- B65D 5/503: {Tray-like elements formed in one piece (formed by folding a blank B65D5/5038)}
- B65D 81/113: of a shape specially adapted to accommodate contents {(B65D81/053 takes precedence)}
- B65D 2543/00092: circular
- 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
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)

## Abstract

A more robust packaging structure for maintaining the integrity of compressible biologically active materials during storage and especially during transportation is provided. These containers protect the materials from shock, vibration, deformation, or separation from agitation. The compressible materials may be in the form of synthetic fibers, and may include a composite of fibers and beads or granules. Suitable materials that may benefit from such a robust packaging structure include synthetic materials that comprise a biologically active ceramic or glass.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A protective packaging structure for transporting compressible materials, the structure comprising:
a containment unit having a first, lower shell and a second, upper shell,
the first, lower shell including one or more wells for receiving a compressible biologically active material therein, each of the one or more wells having a surface feature to facilitate containment and reduce movement of the compressible material within the one or more wells, and
the second, upper shell being configured to attach to the first, lower shell to form a closed container,
wherein the closed container is configured to exert a compressive force against the compressive material within, and protect the compressive material from shock, vibration, deformation, or separation from agitation, when inside the closed container.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the compressive force comprises a vacuum pressure.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the compressive force comprises a mechanical pressure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the shells is formed of a clear material for visualization of the compressible material therein.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the second, upper shell is configured to screw onto the first, lower shell.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The packaging structure of claim 5, wherein the first and second shells are round and include threads to interlock together.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The packaging structure of claim 6, wherein the second, upper shell includes a handle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell comprises spikes, barbs, bumps, ridges, teeth, an etched surface or a roughened surface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell resides on a bottom surface of the shell.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell resides on a side surface of the shell.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second shells form a recloseable seal when attached together.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second shells are configured to form a mold tray for the compressible material when attached together.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the compressible material comprises a porous, fibrous and hydrophilic biologically active material.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The packaging structure of claim 13, wherein the sealed container prevents gases, liquids and debris from passing therethrough.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first, lower shell or the second, upper shell is non-uniform throughout.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The packaging structure of claim 9, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell is uniformly distributed throughout the bottom surface of the shell.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell comprises uniformly sized features.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell comprises non-uniformly sized features.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, further being configured to maintain the compressible material in a sterile condition when sealed.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the upper shell has one or more raised portions for defining discrete geometries of the compressible material.

### Claim 21

A kit comprising:
a compressible composition of biologically active glass fibers and beads; and
a protective packaging structure for transporting the composition, the packaging structure comprising:
a containment unit having a first, lower shell and a second, upper shell,
the first, lower shell including one or more wells for receiving the composition therein, each of the one or more wells having a surface feature to facilitate containment and reduce movement of the composition within the one or more wells, and
the second, upper shell being configured to attach to the first, lower shell to form a closed container,
wherein the closed container is configured to exert a compressive force against the composition within, and protect the composition from shock, vibration or deformation when inside the closed container.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the compressive force comprises a vacuum pressure.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the compressive force comprises a mechanical pressure.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein at least one of the shells is formed of a clear material for visualization of the composition therein.

### Claim 25 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the second, upper shell is configured to screw onto the first, lower shell.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The kit of claim 25, wherein the first and second shells are round and include threads to interlock together.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The kit of claim 26, wherein the second, upper shell includes a handle.

### Claim 28 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell comprises spikes, barbs, bumps, ridges, teeth, an etched surface or a roughened surface.

### Claim 29 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell resides on a bottom surface of the shell.

### Claim 30 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell resides on a side surface of the shell.

### Claim 31 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the first and second shells form a recloseable seal when attached together.

### Claim 32 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the first and second shells are configured to form a mold tray for the composition when attached together.

### Claim 33 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the composition is porous or hydrophilic.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The kit of claim 33, wherein the sealed container prevents gases, liquids and debris from passing therethrough.

### Claim 35 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the thickness of the first, lower shell or the second, upper shell is non-uniform throughout.

### Claim 36 (depends on 29)

The kit of claim 29, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell is uniformly distributed throughout the bottom surface of the shell.

### Claim 37 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell comprises uniformly sized features.

### Claim 38 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the surface feature of the first, lower shell comprises non-uniformly sized features.

### Claim 39 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the closed container prevents separation of the fibers and beads from shock or vibration.

### Claim 40 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the closed container maintains the composition in a sterile condition.

### Claim 41 (depends on 21)

The kit of claim 21, wherein the upper shell has one or more raised portions for defining discrete geometries of the compressible material.