Flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly

A disposable flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly comprising:

• a barrier panel comprising a permeable nonwoven sheet material having barrier properties, the barrier panel including:
• a first surface and a second opposing surface,
• a first end generally defining a pre-determined fold line,
• a second end opposite the first end,
• a first edge that is generally perpendicular to the pre-determined fold line,
• a second edge that is generally parallel to the pre-determined fold line, and
• a third edge that is generally perpendicular to the pre-determined fold line,
• a fourth edge located between the first edge and the second edge and a fifth edge located between the third edge and the second edge;
• the barrier panel having a first width that is the distance from the first edge to the third edge and second width that is the distance from the fourth edge to the fifth edge;
• a length that is the distance from the first end to the second end, the barrier panel having a midpoint along the length and extending between the first edge and the third edge or the fourth edge and the fifth edge to generally delineate the barrier panel into a content receiving region extending from the pre-determined fold line to the midpoint and a content covering region extending from the midpoint to the second edge;
• at least one pull tab attached to the second end of the barrier panel;
• a panel attachment means between the pre-determined fold line and the midpoint of the barrier panel and at or near the first edge or the third edge;
• the panel attachment means being joined to the barrier panel at a pre-determined position to identify the barrier panel's content receiving region and further to join the barrier panel's first edge and third edge to each other or to a portion of the content covering region after the barrier panel has been folded at or near its midpoint such that its second edge is brought near its first end;
• and
• a fold protection panel in juxtaposed communication with the barrier panel, the fold protection panel comprising a permeable nonwoven sheet material, the fold protection panel including:
• a proximal end generally adjacent the pre-determined fold line,
• a distal end generally opposite the proximal end;
• and
• at least a first edge and a second edge extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the fold protection panel having a width that is the distance from the first edge to the second edge and a length that is the distance from the proximal end to the distal end, such that, after the barrier panel has been folded at or near its midpoint so its second end is brought near its first end and its first and third edges are joined to each other or to its content covering region to form a package, the fold protection panel is configured to fold at or near the pre-determined fold line to cover at least the first edge and the third edge of the folded barrier panel.