Rexam Medical's INTEGRA Pack with uncoated Tyvek offers savings, improved porosity

Rexam Medical Packaging Inc. (Mundelein, IL) has introduced INTEGRA Pack, a unique peelable pouch for the healthcare industry that employs DuPont Tyvek-brand protective material and a patented Core-Peel system laminated to a polyester film (PET).

Unlike conventional medical packaging, the Core-Peel system (see related article on Core-Peel ) has separate coextruded seal and peel layers. This enables the seal layer to be designed to provide good sealing characteristics, while the peel layer can be designed to provide good peeling characteristics.

Utilizing uncoated Tyvek, INTEGRA Pack pouches offer considerable savings and improved porosity over heat-seal coated Tyvek pouches. The new Rexam pouches also offer the option of a "blue seal transfer" to clearly demonstrate the seal integrity of the pouch prior to opening.

Visual peel
The unique seal layer of Core-Peel is designed to embed itself into the DuPont Tyvek substrate. Upon opening the pouch, the independent peel layer in Core-Peel is broken through cleanly, leaving a clear, visual indication of seal integrity on the Tyvek-brand substrate.

When the package is opened and the seal is separated, the seal layer tears through, and the peel layer peels by cohesive failure.

Fiber tear eliminated
The Rexam Core-Peel system seals to all grades of uncoated Tyvek, including the new Tyvek 2FS structure. Since the unique peel layer is independent of the seal layer, fiber tear that could sometimes be associated with traditional uncoated Tyvek/PET film pouches is eliminated.

The Core-Peel system can be sealed over a broad range of temperatures without influencing the peel mechanism, and the peel strength of Core-Peel is not significantly impacted after accelerated aging either before or after sterilization.

Typically the seal layer in the Core-Peel system is constructed mostly of polyethylene, although an incompatible material might be added to make the seal layer more brittle. Some brittleness can assist with breakthrough to the peel layer. The peel layer is usually constructed mostly of polyethylene with a small percentage of filler added, such as talc, to create the cohesive failure.

DuPont Tyvek is a durable sheet product that is tear- and puncture-resistant. Tyvek also provides outstanding resistance to bacterial penetration.

Custom sizes
INTEGRA Pack pouches are available from Rexam Medical Packaging in custom-made sizes and can be plain or printed. They can be produced in a wide range of styles and with various options, including blue or white seal transfers and thumb or tear notches. Additional options include a pouch loading tip, chevron design, corner opening or a hang hole.

For more information:
Rexam Medical Packaging, Tel: 847-362-9000, Website: www.rexammedicalpackaging.com

DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers, Tel: 800-4DU-PACK, Website: www.dupont.com/packaging

Edited by Bill Noone
Managing Editor, PackagingNetwork.com
bnoone@packagingnetwork.com