A STERILIZED SACHET AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

摘要

A sterilized sachet (1) comprises a sealed impervious pouch (2) containing a biocide (4). The pouch (2) but not the biocide (4) has been sterilized by irradiation prior to having been filled with the biocide (4) and sealed. Preferably, the biocide (4) comprises chlorhexidine gluconate. Irradiation of the pouch (2) prior to filling ensures that a sterile sachet is produced that does not contain any degradation products with undesirable carcinogenic properties that are often the result of the irradiation of biocides such as those containing chlorhexidine gluconate. A method of manufacturing the sachet is also disclosed comprising the steps of providing one or more sheets of an impervious laminate; forming a pouch (2) from the laminate; sterilizing the pouch (2) by irradiation; and filling the sterilized pouch (2) with the biocide (4) prior to sealing the edges of the pouch (2) to produce the sachet (1). Preferably, a piece of dry absorbent material (7) is located within the pouch (2) and sterilized by irradiation with the pouch (2) prior to filling of the pouch (2) with the biocide (4). The material (7) absorbs the biocide (4) and forms a swab or wipe for use when the sachet (1) is opened.