U.S. patent application number 15/018427 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-11 for flexible life sciences matter transfer pouch.
The applicant listed for this patent is Raymond Booska. Invention is credited to Raymond Booska.
Application Number | 20160229622 15/018427 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56566547 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160229622 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Booska; Raymond |
August 11, 2016 |
FLEXIBLE LIFE SCIENCES MATTER TRANSFER POUCH
Abstract
A flexible life sciences materials transport pouch having a
phase change material contained therein. The pouch includes an
interior compartment adapted to hold the contents at a
predetermined temperature range. The pouch includes at least two
side walls joined together at a seam and further including a lower
gusset allowing the pouch to stand upright. The pouch further
contains at least one secondary interior compartment adapted to
hold a quantity of phase change material. The phase change material
may contained within its own container, such as a separate
pouch.
Inventors: |
Booska; Raymond; (Melbourne,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Booska; Raymond |
Melbourne |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56566547 |
Appl. No.: |
15/018427 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62112829 |
Feb 6, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/50 20130101;
B65D 31/04 20130101; B65D 33/18 20130101; B65D 81/3893 20130101;
B65D 81/03 20130101; B65D 81/3897 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/50 20060101
B65D085/50; B65D 81/38 20060101 B65D081/38; B65D 81/03 20060101
B65D081/03 |
Claims
1. A pouch, comprising: a first side portion having an outer wall
and an inner wall joined together along their perimeters so as to
define a first enclosed area; a second side portion having an outer
wall and an inner wall joined together along their perimeters so as
to define a second enclosed area; a first insulating element
disposed in the first enclosed area adjacent the outer wall; a
first phase change element disposed in the first enclosed area
adjacent the inner wall, the first phase change element being a
sealed flexible container having a phase change material disposed
therein; a second insulating element disposed in the second
enclosed area adjacent the outer wall; a second phase change
element disposed in the second enclosed area adjacent the inner
wall, the first phase change element being a sealed flexible
container having a phase change material disposed therein; the
inner and outer walls being a thin flexible sheet; the first and
second side portions being joined together along a part of their
perimeters so as to define a receiving area, the first and second
side portions not being joined together along part of their
perimeters so as to define a receiving opening communicating with
the receiving area; a sealing element for sealing the receiving
opening so as to enclose a life sciences materials transport pouch
in the receiving area; and the outer walls being clear such that
the insulating element is visible.
2. The pouch of claim 1 wherein the phase change material in the
phase change elements is disposable with a phase change transition
temperature in the range of 2-8 degrees C. (+/-0.5).
3. The pouch of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first portion
or the second portion includes a bubble wrap, an insulating
material, a foam and/or a Thinsulate.RTM. material.
4. The pouch of claim 1 wherein the sealing element is integral
with either the first portion or the second portion.
5. The pouch of claim 4 wherein the sealing element is a flexible
flap adapted to connect with the other of the first portion or the
second portion.
6. The pouch of claim 5 wherein the flap or the other of the first
portion or the second portion includes an adhesive to seal the
pouch.
7. The pouch of claim 1 wherein the first phase change element
includes two separated compartments each of which containing a
phase change material.
8. A pouch comprising: a first portion and a second portion; a
first wall and a second wall, the first portion, the second
portion, the first wall and the second wall sealed together so that
the edges of each of the first wall, the second wall, the first
portion and the second portion seal together on at least three
edges; a main compartment formed between the first wall and the
second wall, the main compartment adapted to hold biological
matter; a first compartment formed between the first portion and
the first wall, the first compartment adapted to hold a first phase
change element; and a second compartment formed between the second
portion and the second wall, the second compartment adapted to hold
a second phase change element.
9. The pouch of claim 8 wherein both the first compartment and the
second compartment each contain a phase change element.
10. The pouch claim 8 wherein at least one of the first portion or
the second portion includes a bubble wrap material, an insulating
material, a foam and/or a Thinsulate.RTM. material.
11. The pouch of claim 8 wherein a sealing element is provided and
is integral with either the first portion or the second
portion.
12. The pouch of claim 11 wherein the sealing element is a flexible
flap adapted to connect with the other of the first portion or the
second portion.
13. The pouch of claim 12 wherein the flap or the other of the
first portion or the second portion includes an adhesive,
Velcro.RTM., zipper, Ziploc.RTM. and/or hook/loop to seal the
pouch.
14. The pouch of claim 8 wherein the first phase change element
includes two separated compartments each of which containing a
phase change material.
15. The pouch of claim 8 wherein both the first compartment and the
second compartment include an insulating layer.
16. A pouch comprising: a receiving area and an enclosed area, the
receiving area positioned directly adjacent to the enclosed area, a
panel separating the receiving area from the enclosed area; the
receiving area configured to hold a life sciences material; and the
enclosed area having a phase change material contained therein so
as to regulate the temperature of the life sciences material
contained within the receiving area.
17. The pouch of claim 16 wherein the phase change material has a
transition temperature in the range of 2 to 8 degrees C.
(specifically 5 degrees +/-0.5).
18. The pouch of claim 16 wherein a second enclosed area is
positioned also adjacent to the receiving area, the second enclosed
area spaced apart from the first enclosed area.
19. The pouch of claim 16 wherein the phase change material has a
phase change transition in the range of -5 to 25 degrees C.
(+/-0.5).
20. The pouch of claim 16 wherein the phase change material has a
transition temperature for a controlled room temperature
replication in the range of 2 to 25 degrees C. (+/-0.5).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 62/112,829 filed on Feb. 8, 2015, the contents of which
are incorporated herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application relates generally to packaging. More
particularly, the present application relates to packaging for
transporting life sciences materials such as blood or other
biological matter or medicines within a predetermined temperature
range.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is well known in the art to use soft-sided pouches for
transportation of goods. These pouches typically have one layer of
a plastic type material to cushion the contents of the package.
However, these standard packaging pouches are insufficient when
transporting life sciences materials such as blood or other
biological material required to be kept at a predetermined
temperature range during transportation. Similarily, these
materials are also insufficient for shipping food, candy,
chocolate, makeup or any other material which requires a controlled
environment. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to provide
a transportation package adapted to maintain a predetermined
temperature range of the contents contained within the pouch during
transportation.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present application is generally directed to a flexible
life sciences materials transport pouch having a phase change
material contained therein. The pouch includes an interior
compartment adapted to hold the contents at a predetermined
temperature range. The pouch includes at least two side walls
joined together at a seam and further including a lower gusset
allowing the pouch to stand upright. The pouch further contains at
least one secondary interior compartment adapted to hold a quantity
of phase change material. The phase change material is contained
within its own container.
[0005] In one embodiment, a flexible transport pouch includes a
first side portion having an outer wall and an inner wall joined
together along their perimeters so as to define a first enclosed
area, a second side portion having an outer wall and an inner wall
joined together along their perimeters so as to define a second
enclosed area, a first insulating element disposed in the first
enclosed area adjacent the outer wall, a first phase change element
disposed in the first enclosed area adjacent the inner wall, the
first phase change element being a sealed flexible container having
a phase change material disposed therein, a second insulating
element disposed in the second enclosed area adjacent the outer
wall, a second phase change element disposed in the second enclosed
area adjacent the inner wall and the first phase change element
being a sealed flexible container having a phase change material
disposed therein. In this embodiments the inner and outer walls are
a thin flexible sheet where the first and second side portions
being joined together along a part of their perimeters so as to
define a receiving area, the first and second side portions not
being joined together along part of their perimeters so as to
define a receiving opening communicating with the receiving area. A
sealing element for sealing the receiving opening so as to enclose
a life sciences materials transport pouch in the receiving area,
the outer walls being clear such that the insulating element is
visible and a bottom portion joining a bottom of the first and
second side portions so as to provide a self-standing feature.
[0006] The sealing element may be integral with either the first
portion or the second portion. In this embodiment, the sealing
element is a flexible flap adapted to connect with the other of the
first portion or the second portion. In this embodiment, the flap
or the other of the first portion or the second portion includes an
adhesive to seal the pouch. In some embodiments, the first phase
change element includes two separated compartments each of which
containing a phase change material.
[0007] In another embodiment, a life sciences materials transport
pouch is provided and includes a first portion and a second
portion, a first wall and a second wall, the first portion, the
second portion, the first wall and the second wall sealed together
so that the edges of each of the first wall, the second wall, the
first portion and the second portion seal together on at least
three edges, a main compartment formed between the first wall and
the second wall, the main compartment adapted to hold biological
matter, a first compartment formed between the first portion and
the first wall, the first compartment adapted to hold a first phase
change element and a second compartment formed between the second
portion and the second wall, the second compartment adapted to hold
a second phase change element. Both the first compartment and the
second compartment may each contain a phase change element.
Optionally, at least one of the first portion or the second portion
includes a bubble wrap material. A sealing element may be provided
and is integral with either the first portion or the second
portion.
[0008] The sealing element may be a flexible flap adapted to
connect with the other of the first portion or the second portion.
The flap or the other of the first portion or the second portion
includes an adhesive to seal the pouch. The first phase change
element may include two separated compartments each of which
containing a phase change material. Furthermore, both the first
compartment and the second compartment may include an insulating
layer.
[0009] In yet another embodiment, a pouch is providing having a
receiving area (or main compartment) and an enclosed area, the
receiving area positioned directly adjacent to the enclosed area, a
panel separating the receiving area from the enclosed area wherein
the receiving area configured to hold a life sciences material and
the enclosed area having a phase change material contained therein
so as to regulate the temperature of the life sciences material
contained within the receiving area. A second enclosed area may be
positioned also adjacent to the receiving area, the second enclosed
area spaced apart from the first enclosed area. Further, the phase
change material may contained in an auxiliary container within the
enclosed area. An insulating element may contained within the
enclosed area.
[0010] The term "life sciences materials" in this context shall be
understood to include blood, skin or tissue or organs or other
biological matter, medicines, pharmaceuticals, or anything included
in the natural science known as biology. Life sciences materials is
also broadened to include food, candy, chocolate, makeup and any
other material requiring a controlled environment.
[0011] The phase change material of the present invention can be
used to refrigerate the contents of the pouch or to simply prevent
the contents from melting (i.e. chocolate, candy, makeup . . .
etc.). To achieve this, the phase change material can have a
variety of temperature ranges. In one embodiment the phase change
material has a transition temperature in the range of 2 to 8
degrees C. (specifically 5 degrees +/-0.5). In other embodiments
the phase change material can go below freezing where the phase
change material has a phase change transition in the range of -5 to
25 degrees C. (+/-0.5). In other embodiments where the goal is to
prevent melting, the phase change material has a transition
temperature for a controlled room temperature replication in the
range of 2 to 25 degrees C. (+/-0.5).
[0012] The PCM of the present application s specifically
advantageous because PCM of the present application is disposable.
Disposable is defined as an article that is designed to be thrown
away after use. Furthermore, disposable is defined as an article
that is safe to be thrown away after use by not containing any
chemicals or toxins considered to be harmful to users or the
environment.
[0013] In some embodiments, the flap or the other of the first
portion or the second portion includes an adhesive, Velcro.RTM.,
zipper, Ziploc.RTM. and/or hook/loop to seal the pouch.
[0014] In other embodiments, at least one of the first portion or
the second portion includes a bubble wrap material, an insulating
material, a foam and/or a Thinsulate.RTM. material.
[0015] The present PCM is bio-based so that no hazmat is required
and can be disposed on in a landfill. Additionally, the PCM of the
present application is less expensive to manufacture. Further, the
PCM and the pouch itself may be sterilized and sanitary for
transportation of sensitive materials, such as life sciences
materials. Previously known PCM storage containers are
prohibitively expensive and must be sterilized before each use. The
pouch of the present application is less expensive to manufacture
(as compared to prior know PCM containers), can be disposed of in a
landfill since it is bio-based, is pre-sterilized and can be
customized (PCM temperature) based on the material to transport
(i.e. life sciences materials, food, candy, chocolate, makeup . .
.etc.).
[0016] These and additional features provided by the embodiments
described herein will be more fully understood in view of the
following detailed description, in conjunction with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative
and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject
matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of
the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in
conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is
indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the life sciences
materials transport bag according to one or more embodiments shown
and described herein;
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bag
according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
and
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the blood storage bag
according to one or more embodiments shown and described
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The present application relates to a life sciences materials
transfer pouch having flexible side walls and a gusset adapted to
provide a self-standing feature. A transport pouch 10 includes an
upper end and a lower end and having a first and second side
portion or wall 15, 16. The side portions 15, 16 include an outer
wall having an outer surface 17. The side portions 15, 16 may
include a bubble wrap material 22 or other texture or insulating
material. The life sciences materials transport pouch 10 further
includes a first inner wall and a second inner wall 71, 73. The
side portions 15, 16 and the inner walls 71, 73 are joined together
along their perimeters at the seams 18, 20 so as to define a
receiving area 24.
[0022] The second side portion 15 further includes an outer wall
and an inner wall joined together along their perimeters so as to
define a second enclosed area.
[0023] A first insulating element 74a is disposed within the first
enclosed area 70a adjacent the outer wall 15. The first insulating
element 74a (and the second insulating element 74b) may be a foam,
plastic, plastic like, polymer, or other suitable material operable
for insulating the contents of the bag 10. Further, a phase change
element 50a is also provided within the first enclosed area 70a
positioned between the inner wall 71 and the insulating element
74a. The phase change element 50a is a sealed flexible container
having an outer wall 56 and a storage compartment 52.
[0024] In one embodiment, a panel 72 is positioned between the
receiving area 24 and the enclosed area 70a. A similar panel may
also be positioned between the receiving area 24 and the enclosed
area 70b. The panel 72 should have a thermal conductivity allowing
for heat transfer between a material contained within the receiving
area 24 and the enclosed area 70a.
[0025] In one embodiment, the panel 72 is a metal or has metallic
properties so as to encourage heat transfer between the receiving
area 24 and the enclosed area 70a. In other embodiments, the panel
72 may be perforated or otherwise breathable so as to encourage
heat transfer between the enclosed area 70a and the receiving area
24.
[0026] Phase change material is contained within the storage
compartment 52 of the phase change element. A second insulating
element 74b is disposed in the second enclosed area 70b adjacent
the inner wall (or panel 72). The second phase change element 50b
being a sealed flexible container having a phase change material
disposed therein. Both the inner and outer walls are a thin
flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is made of a plastic, a polymer,
rubber, polymer like, or other suitable material for transportation
and insulation.
[0027] The first and second side portions 15, 16 are joined
together along part of their perimeters so as to define a receiving
area 24. The first and second side portions 15, 16 are not joined
together along a portion of their perimeters, as shown at reference
numeral 32, so as to define a receiving opening communicating with
the receiving area 24. This opening allows the user to place
biological materials and/or blood into the storage bag for
transportation.
[0028] A sealing element 28 is positioned on a flap 26 on the upper
portion 12 of the life sciences materials transport pouch 10. The
sealing element 28 may be a Velcro, adhesive, or other suitable
material for closing the flap 26 onto the surface 17 of the life
sciences materials transport pouch 10. In the present embodiment,
the sealing element is an adhesive having a sticky portion 28 and a
removable strip 30 allowing the user to securely seal the life
sciences materials transport pouch 10. The flap 26 folds over and
connects to the outer surface 17 of the first side portion. The
sealing element is adapted to seal the receiving opening and
receiving portion 24 so as to enclose a life sciences materials
transport pouch in the receiving area 24.
[0029] The life sciences materials transport pouch 10 includes a
gusset 34 at the lower end 14 of the life sciences materials
transport pouch to allow the life sciences materials transport
pouch to stand in an unassisted upright position. This gusset
assists in packing the life sciences materials transport pouch
prior to transportation.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gusset includes a generally
curved area made of a flexible material between the first and side
portions. This gusset further operates to support the life sciences
materials transport pouch contained within the receiving area. The
gusset may also contain insulative materials or phase change
materials or both.
[0031] The PCM of the present application is disposable. Disposable
is defined as an article that is designed to be thrown away after
use. Furthermore, disposable is defined as an article that is safe
to be thrown away after use by not containing any chemicals or
toxins considered to be harmful to users or the environment. The
present PCM is bio-based so that no hazmat is required and can be
disposed on in a landfill. Additionally, the PCM of the present
application is less expensive to manufacture. Further, the PCM and
the pouch itself may be sterilized and sanitary for transportation
of sensitive materials, such as life sciences materials.
[0032] It is noted that the terms "substantially" and "about" may
be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty
that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value,
measurement, or other representation.
[0033] These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree
by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated
reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of
the subject matter at issue.
[0034] While particular embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it should be understood that various other
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although
various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described
herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is
therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes
and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
* * * * *