U.S. patent application number 13/070842 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-29 for flexible pinch fitting for containers.
This patent application is currently assigned to Millipore Corporation. Invention is credited to Dennis Wong.
Application Number | 20110235948 13/070842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44063994 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110235948 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wong; Dennis |
September 29, 2011 |
FLEXIBLE PINCH FITTING FOR CONTAINERS
Abstract
A device for reducing or eliminating the dead space in a fitting
and tubing used on a disposable container by using a flexible
elastic fitting that can accommodate a pinch valve or a clamp or
the like closer to the flange portion of the fitting. The fitting
is formed of a flange and a neck portion with a bore running
through them. The neck may terminate in either a tubular section or
a hose barb. The neck end section especially when in the form of a
hose barb can be reinforced to provide a platform for attaching a
tubing to it.
Inventors: |
Wong; Dennis; (Dedham,
MA) |
Assignee: |
Millipore Corporation
Billerica
MA
|
Family ID: |
44063994 |
Appl. No.: |
13/070842 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61341169 |
Mar 26, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/71 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5877 20130101;
B67D 2001/0827 20130101; B67D 3/0067 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/71 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/16 20060101
B65D033/16 |
Claims
1) A fitting for a disposable plastic container comprising a flange
portion capable of being sealed in a liquid tight manner to an
opening in the bag and a neck portion extending outwardly from the
flange portion and the opening of the bag and the fitting being
formed of a flexible compressible, resilient plastic material.
2) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the neck portion is a tubular
extension with a bore running through the flange and neck
portions.
3) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the neck portion is a tubular
extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions
and ending in a hose barb at a point of the neck farthest from the
flange portion.
4) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the fitting is made of a plastic
selected from the group consisting of as thermoplastic elastomers,
thermoplastic polyolefins, elastomeric alloys containing
polyolefins, thermosets and rubber.
5) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the fitting is made of a plastic
selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers,
thermoplastic polyolefins and elastomeric alloys containing
polyolefins.
6) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the fitting is made of a plastic
selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers
selected from the group consisting of a styrene block co-polymer
blended with polyethylene polymer and a thermoplastic
polyolefin.
7) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the fitting is made of a plastic
selected from the group consisting of thermosets.
8) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the fitting is made of a
thermoset plastic selected from the group consisting of
urethanes.
9) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the fitting is made of a plastic
selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic
rubber.
10) A flexible disposable container comprising a closed plastic bag
having at least one port, at least one fitting formed of a flange
portion sealed in a liquid tight manner to the at least one opening
in the bag and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange
portion and the opening of the bag, the fitting being formed of a
flexible compressible, resilient plastic material and a device
capable of compressing the neck portion of the fitting so as to
seal it off from the bag and minimize dead space.
11) The container of claim 10 wherein the neck portion is a tubular
extension with a bore running through the flange and neck
portions.
12) The container of claim 10 wherein the neck portion is a tubular
extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions
and further comprising a connector having a first end with a hose
barb and a second end with a hose barb and a planar portion between
the two barb portions, the neck portion of the fitting farthest
from the flange portion having the first barb of the connector and
a planar portion of the connector attached to it in a liquid tight
manner and a tubing attached to the second barb of the connector
and a planar portion of the connector in a liquid tight manner.
13) The container of claim 10 wherein the neck portion is a tubular
extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions
and ending in a hose barb at a point of the neck farthest from the
flange portion.
14) The container of claim 10 wherein the fitting is made of a
plastic selected from the group consisting of as thermoplastic
elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefins, elastomeric alloys
containing polyolefins, thermosets and rubber.
15) The container of claim 10 wherein the fitting is made of a
plastic selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic
elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefins and elastomeric alloys
containing polyolefins.
16) The container of claim 10 wherein the fitting is made of a
plastic, selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic
elastomers selected from the group consisting of a styrene block
co-polymer blended with polyethylene polymer and a thermoplastic
polyolefin.
17) The container of claim 10 wherein the fitting is made of a
plastic selected from the group consisting of thermosets.
18) The container of claim 10 wherein the fitting is made of a
thermoset plastic selected from the group consisting of
urethanes.
19) The container of claim 10 wherein the fitting is made of a
plastic selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and
synthetic rubber.
20) The container of claim 10 wherein the neck portion is a tubular
extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions
and further comprising a connector having a first end with a hose
barb and a second end with a hose barb and a planar portion between
the two barb portions, the neck portion of the fitting farthest
from the flange portion having the first barb of the connector and
a planar portion of the connector attached to it in a liquid tight
manner and a tubing attached to the second barb of the connector
and a planar portion of the connector in a liquid tight manner and
wherein the fitting and the tubing are attached to the connector
via tie wraps.
21) The container of claim 10 wherein the device is selected from
the group consisting of pinch valves and clamps.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/341,169, filed on Mar. 26, 2010, the
entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
[0002] The present invention relates to a fitting for containers.
More particularly, it relates to a flexible fitting capable of
being pinched closed with little or no dead volume.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Bag style flexible containers are used in a variety of
industries today including food, beverage, medical, chemical and
the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. They offer a
number of advantages over more conventional rigid containers for
processing and storage of products and intermediates in that they
are single use, thereby eliminating the need for cleaning, allow
for a more flexible and changeable production line in that they can
be connected to different components as needed unlike traditional
dedicated stainless steel lines and can be presterilized such as
with radiation (gamma or beta) or gases such as ethylene oxide
(ETO).
[0004] The connections between containers are typically done with a
rigid plastic barb fitting 2 as shown in FIG. 1. These are
generally molded of plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene
and are designed to be rigid and inflexible so as to support the
functions described below.
[0005] The fitting 2 has a flange 4 adjacent the bag 12, a
substantially straight neck portion 6 and a barb portion 8 which is
furthest from the flange. A through bore 5 runs through the fitting
2 from the flange to the barb 8. The fitting 2 is attached to an
opening 10 of the bag 12, generally by heat sealing, sonic welding
or adhesives such that the opening of the 10 of the bag 12 is in
fluid communication with the bore 5 of the fitting 2 which in turn
is in fluid communication with the bore 16 of a tubing 14. The
tubing 14 is slipped over the barb 8 and rests on at least a
portion of the neck 6 and is generally secured to the fitting 2 by
a device such as a tie wrap 20 to ensure that it doesn't
inadvertently slip off such as due to pressure within the
system.
[0006] The bag 12 and fitting 2 are selectively closed off from the
rest of the system generally by a device such as a pinch valve 18
or a clamp (not shown) which may be manually or automatically
controlled.
[0007] The use of such fittings has shown deficiencies for dynamic
processes such as mixing and bioreactors and others where the issue
of dead volume may occur. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the valve 18
that is used to close off the system is located on the flexible
tubing 14 some distance in front of the barb 8. Therefore, fluid
can be contained within the bore 5 of the fitting 2 and the bore 16
of the tubing up to the point at which the valve is located. Issues
of dead volume have been noticed where the volume of fluid is
trapped in the fitting 2 and portion of the tubing 14 before the
valve. They have been demonstrated to be stagnant to mixing and an
entrapment point for materials such as solid powders that are used
in vessels for mixing and bioreactors.
[0008] What is needed is a device that allows for the reduction
and/or elimination of this dead space between the fitting 2 and the
closing device 18.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This invention reduces or eliminates the dead space in the
fitting and tubing before the valve by using a flexible elastic
fitting that can accommodate a pinch valve or a clamp or the like
closer to the flange portion of the fitting.
[0010] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a fitting
for a disposable plastic container having a flange portion capable
of being sealed in a liquid tight manner to an opening in the bag
and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange portion and
the opening of the bag and the fitting being formed of a flexible
compressible, resilient plastic material. A device such as a pinch
valve or clamp can be used on the fitting to compress the fitting
to seal off the container.
[0011] A further embodiment of the present invention is to provide
the neck with either a tubular end portion or a hose barb.
[0012] An additional embodiment is to provide a fitting formed of a
thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoset such as a urethane or a
rubber, natural or synthetic.
[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide a
flexible disposable container comprising a closed plastic bag
having at least one port, at least one fitting formed of a flange
portion sealed in a liquid tight manner to the at least one opening
in the bag and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange
portion and the opening of the bag, the fitting being formed of a
flexible compressible, resilient plastic material and a device
capable of compressing the neck portion of the fitting so as to
seal it off from the bag.
[0014] A further embodiment of the present invention is to provide
the neck with either a tubular end portion or a hose barb.
[0015] An additional embodiment is to provide a fitting formed of a
thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoset such as a urethane or a
rubber, natural or synthetic.
[0016] Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide a
neck portion in the form of a tubular extension with a bore running
through the flange and neck portions and further comprising a
connector having a first end with a hose barb and a second end with
a hose barb and a planar portion between the two barb portions, the
neck portion of the fitting farthest from the flange portion having
the first barb of the connector and a planar portion of the
connector attached to it in a liquid tight manner and a tubing
attached to the second barb of the connector and a planar portion
of the connector in a liquid tight manner.
[0017] An additional embodiment of the present invention is to
provide a rigid insert at the portion of the fitting furthest from
the bag.
[0018] Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide a
rigid insert at the portion of the fitting furthest from the bag
where the rigid insert is made of metal or plastic.
[0019] A further embodiment of the present invention is to provide
a rigid insert at the portion of the fitting furthest from the bag
wherein the insert is either molded into that portion or attached
to a surface (inner or outer) of that portion of the fitting.
[0020] A further embodiment of the present invention is to provide
a device for attaching the end of the neck to the tubing via tie
wraps.
IN THE FIGURES
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a fitting assembled to a bag and tubing with a
pinch valve as is known in the prior art in cross-sectional
view.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a fitting assembled to a bag and tubing with a
pinch valve according a first embodiment of the present invention
in cross-sectional view.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a fitting assembled to a bag and tubing with a
pinch valve according a second embodiment of the present invention
in cross-sectional view.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a fitting assembled to a bag and tubing with a
pinch valve according FIG. 3 in the closed position in
cross-sectional view.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a fitting assembled to a bag and tubing with a
pinch valve according another embodiment of the present invention
in cross-sectional view.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows a fitting assembled to a bag and tubing with a
pinch valve according another embodiment of the present invention
in cross-sectional view.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a fitting assembled to a bag and tubing with a
pinch valve according a further embodiment of the present invention
in cross-sectional view.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative insert
of FIG. 6.
[0029] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative insert
of FIG. 7.
[0030] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative
insert of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative
insert of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative
insert of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. To
the extent that the same features are used in the drawings the same
element number has been used. The fitting 30 of the present
invention is made from a flexible compressible, resilient plastic
material. Preferably, the fitting 30 is made from a plastic
material that is capable of being bonded to the bag 12 in the same
manner as is done with the traditional rigid plastic fittings of
FIG. 1. Alternatively for this embodiment and all other embodiments
in the present invention the fitting may be formed of another
material and retained in aliquid tight sealed manner to the bag by
other means such as adhesives or mechanical means such as a
threaded portion and a nut. As shown the pinch valve 18 is located
on the neck 6 of the fitting between the bag 12 and the barb
portion 8. In this embodiment, the fitting has a flange 4 which is
sealed to the bag 12. As shown the fitting 30 has a flange 4 that
is in the interior of the bag 12. It can equally be attached to the
outer surface of the bag 12 if desired. The neck 6 is formed as a
tubular portion which extends outward from the bag 12 and flange 4.
In this embodiment, a hose connector 7 is formed with two barbs 7A
and B each formed at opposite ends of the connector 7 with a planar
portion 9 in between the barbs 7A and B. The first end of the tube
or hose connector 7 is inserted into the end of the neck 6 farthest
from the flange 4 and a second hose 14 is attached to the other end
of the connector 7 over barb 7B. A hose attachment device 20 such
as a tie wrap is used on the neck 6 of the fitting 30 and the hose
or tube 14 to secure them together in a liquid tight manner.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
The fitting 30 of the present invention is made from a flexible
compressible, resilient plastic material. Preferably, the fitting
30 is made from a plastic material that is capable of being bonded
to the bag 12 in the same manner as is done with the traditional
rigid plastic fittings of FIG. 1. As shown, the pinch valve 18 is
located on the neck 6 of the fitting 30 between the bag 12 and the
hose barb 8.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, being of an elastomeric material the
pinch valve 18 can be actuated adjacent the opening 10 in the bag
over the fitting 30 so as to reduce or eliminate the dead space
volume present in the prior art.
[0036] The fitting materials include but are not limited to any
elastomeric material such as thermoplastic elastomers, thermosets
such as urethanes, especially closed cell foamed urethane, and
rubber, both natural and synthetic. Preferably, they are
thermoplastic elastomers such thermoplastic polyolefin and
elastomeric alloys containing polyolefins so as to allow for the
fitting to be heat bonded to the bag material directly. One such
preferred material is a thermoplastic elastomer Versaflex.RTM. CL
E85, a styrene block co-polymer blended with polyethylene polymer
system available from GLS Corporation. Another materials would be
RTP 2899 X 106530A, a thermoplastic polyolefin available from RTP
Company. A further material is Santoprene.RTM. elastomers available
from Advanced Elastomer Systems of Akron, Ohio.
[0037] Alternatively, the fitting may be made from another
elastomeric material provided that a suitable means for attachment
can be provided. For example one can use an intermediate material
that bonds to the bag and to the fitting and have it bond to both
so as to secure the fitting in place.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. A
rigid insert 32 is overmolded or insert molded into the fitting 30
so that a portion of the neck 6 downstream of where the valve 18 is
and the barb contain the insert 32. This provides a more
traditional fitting for the tubing and helps to ensure that it is
secured to the fitting and resists the normal actions that might
otherwise dislodge it. The rigid insert 32 may be formed of metal
such as aluminum, brass or stainless steel or it may be formed of a
rigid plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene or the
like.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. A
rigid insert 34 is fit over a portion of the exterior and interior
of the fitting 30 so that a portion of the neck 6 downstream of
where the valve 18 is and the barb contain the insert 34. This
provides a more traditional fitting for the tubing and helps to
ensure that it is secured to the fitting and resists the normal
actions that might otherwise dislodge it. Preferably as shown the
insert 34 has a portion 35 that fits under the barb of the fitting
to help retain it in place. This insert 34 can be press fit into
the fitting 30 and retained by frictional forces. Optionally it may
have one or more retention devices such as barbs 40 as shown in
FIG. 8 or ridges and the like which are angled toward the end of
the fitting 30 farthest from the flange 4 to allow for its
insertion into the bore 5 while preventing its removal once
inserted. Additionally and alternatively, it may be bonded to the
fitting such as be heat bonding or adhesives to ensure it is not
removed. The rigid insert 34 may be formed of metal such as
aluminum, brass or stainless steel or it may be formed of a rigid
plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene or the like.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the present invention.
A rigid insert 36 is fit into the bore 5 of the fitting 30 so that
a portion of the neck 6 downstream of where the valve is and the
barb contain the insert 36. Optionally as shown the insert 36 has a
flange portion 38 that rests against the outer surface of the barb
portion adjacent the point at which the bore 5 exits the fitting 30
so as to prevent it from being inserted too far into the fitting 30
and interfering with the valve 18. This insert 36 can be press fit
into the fitting and retained by friction fitting. Optionally it
may have one or more retention devices such as barbs 40 as shown in
FIG. 9 or ridges and the like which are angled toward the end of
the fitting farthest from the flange to prevent its removal once
inserted. Additionally and alternatively, it may be bonded to the
fitting such as be heat bonding or adhesives to ensure it is not
removed. The rigid insert 36 may be formed of metal such as
aluminum, brass or stainless steel or it may be formed of a rigid
plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene or the like.
[0041] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a close up the alternative inserts 34 and
36 containing a mechanical retention means such as a barb 40.
[0042] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention. A
rigid insert 102 is overmolded or insert molded into the fitting
100 so that a portion of the neck 104 downstream of where the valve
will be located contains the insert 102. As shown the portion of
the neck 104 is tubular in design rather than a barbed fitting as
in the embodiment of FIG. 5. The rigid insert 102 like its
counterparts above in FIG. 6 may be formed of metal such as
aluminum, brass or stainless steel or it may be formed of a rigid
plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene or the like.
[0043] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a tubular ended fitting similar to that
of FIG. 10 with a rigid insert 102 inserted into or placed over the
portion of the neck 104 in a manner similar to that taught in the
embodiments of FIGS. 6-9. In FIG. 12, the insert 102 has a barbed
end portion 106.
[0044] The present invention provides a fitting that allows one to
clamp off the fitting closer to the opening of the bag so as to
reduce or eliminate any dead space.
* * * * *