# US 2017/0281815 A1 · Fabric Sterilization Tote Apparatus and Related Methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0281815 A1 - Document ID: US20170281815A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/089,798 - Filed: 2016-04-04 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-04 - Assignees: Symmetry Medical Manufacturing, Inc. - Applicants: Symmetry Medical Manufacturing, Inc. - Inventors: Steve Hinora - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281815A1 ## CPC - A61L 2/26: Accessories - A61B 50/31: Carrying cases or bags, e.g. doctors' bags - A61L 2/04: Heat (radiation A61L2/08) - A61L 2/07: Steam - A61B 2050/0067: {Types of closures or fasteners} - A61B 2050/0088: {Zip} - A61B 2050/3011: {having carrying handles} - A61B 2050/311: {Cases} - A61L 2202/182: Rigid packaging means - 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) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A fabric sterilization tote apparatus and related methods of using and manufacturing the same is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible, bacteria-impenetrable material formed into a closable container, the closable container having a base, at least four sidewalls, and a cover, wherein an interior area of the closable container is defined by the base, the at least four sidewalls, and the cover. A bacteria-impenetrable closure is positioned between the cover and at least one of the four sidewalls, wherein the bacteria-impenetrable closure controls a sealing of the interior area of the closable container from an exterior atmosphere. In use, a medical instrument sterilization tray with the at least one medical instrument may be placed within the fabric sterilization tote apparatus after completion of a sterilization process. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fabric sterilization tote apparatus comprising: a flexible, bacteria-impenetrable material formed into a closable container, the closable container having a base, at least four sidewalls, and a cover, wherein an interior area of the closable container is defined by the base, the at least four sidewalls, and the cover; and a bacteria-impenetrable closure positioned between the cover and at least one of the four sidewalls, wherein the bacteria-impenetrable closure controls a sealing of the interior area of the closable container from an exterior atmosphere. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fabric sterilization tote apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bacteria-impenetrable closure further comprises a zipper having at least one slider. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fabric sterilization tote apparatus of claim 2, wherein the zipper further comprises two sliders, and wherein an identification tag is removably connected between the two sliders. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fabric sterilization tote apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing member positioned at a corner between two of the at least four sidewalls. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fabric sterilization tote apparatus of claim 4, wherein the reinforcing member further comprises substantially rigid plastic tubing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fabric sterilization tote apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing member positioned at a corner between at least one of the four sidewalls and at least one of the base and cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fabric sterilization tote apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing strap positioned across at least a portion of the base and at least two of the at least four sidewalls. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fabric sterilization tote apparatus of claim 7, wherein the reinforcing strap further comprises a nylon material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The fabric sterilization tote apparatus of claim 7, wherein the reinforcing strap further comprises handles positioned along at least two of the at least four sidewalls. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fabric sterilization tote apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible, bacteria-impenetrable material further comprises at least one of a sterilization paper and a sterilization non-woven fabric. ### Claim 11 A method for sterilizing medical instruments and storing sterilized medical instruments thereafter, the method comprising: placing a medical instrument sterilization tray with the at least one medical instrument in a fabric sterilization tote apparatus, wherein the fabric sterilization tote apparatus comprises: a flexible, bacteria-impenetrable material formed into a closable container, the closable container having a base, at least four sidewalls, and a cover, wherein an interior area of the closable container is defined by the base, the at least four sidewalls, and the cover; and a bacteria-impenetrable closure positioned between the cover and at least one of the four sidewalls, wherein the bacteria-impenetrable closure controls a sealing of the interior area of the closable container from an exterior atmosphere; sterilizing the fabric sterilization tote apparatus with medical instrument sterilization tray and the at least one medical instrument in an autoclave; and removing the fabric sterilization tote apparatus with medical instrument sterilization tray and the at least one medical instrument from the autoclave, whereby the interior area of the closable container remains sterile. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising closing the cover of the closable container with the bacteria-impenetrable closure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the bacteria-impenetrable closure further comprises a zipper having at least one slider. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein closing the cover of the closable container with the bacteria-impenetrable closure consists of moving the at least one slider along teeth of the zipper. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein closing the cover of the closable container with the bacteria-impenetrable closure is free from folding and taping the flexible, bacteria-impenetrable material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising transporting the sterilized fabric sterilization tote apparatus with at least two handles formed by at least one reinforcing strap positioned across at least a portion of the base and at least two of the at least four sidewalls. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the closable container further comprises a reinforcing member positioned at a corner between two of the at least four sidewalls. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the corner between two of the at least four sidewalls is formed from a single layer of the flexible, bacteria-impenetrable material. ### Claim 19 A method of manufacturing a fabric sterilization tote apparatus, the method comprising: forming a closable container from a flexible, bacteria-impenetrable material, wherein the closable container has a base, at least four sidewalls, and a cover, and wherein an interior area of the closable container is defined by the base, the at least four sidewalls, and the cover; and integrating a bacteria-impenetrable closure between the cover and at least one of the four sidewalls, thereby controlling a sanitized environment within the interior area by sealing the interior area of the closable container from an exterior atmosphere with the bacteria-impenetrable closure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of reinforcing the closable container with a reinforcing strap positioned across at least a portion of the base and at least two of the at least four sidewalls.