U.S. patent number RE34,117 [Application Number 07/605,077] was granted by the patent office on 1992-10-27 for protective laboratory specimen bag.
This patent grant is currently assigned to International Plastics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kenneth W. Martin, Jonathan T. McClure.
United States Patent |
RE34,117 |
Martin , et al. |
October 27, 1992 |
Protective laboratory specimen bag
Abstract
A composite laboratory specimen bag (A) and method is
illustrated which includes folded tubing (D) having a releasable
lock (26) for forming a first fluid-tight compartment (B) for
containing a laboratory specimen container. J-folded sheeting (E)
with a reverse flip (46) forms a second compartment (C) for
containing associated paper work. The tubing and sheeting are heat
sealed together across a web (32) of the tubing to form a closed
top composite bag with side mouth openings (24,48) for the
compartments. A protective plate (62) avoids damage to the lock
during the heat sealing step.
Inventors: |
Martin; Kenneth W. (Greenville,
SC), McClure; Jonathan T. (Greenville, SC) |
Assignee: |
International Plastics, Inc.
(Greenville, SC)
|
Family
ID: |
26909079 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/605,077 |
Filed: |
October 25, 1990 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
214520 |
Jul 1, 1988 |
04927405 |
May 22, 1990 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
493/194; 383/38;
383/65; 493/197; 493/213; 493/215; 493/931; 383/63; 493/927;
493/214; 493/199 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C
66/004 (20130101); B65D 31/12 (20130101); B29C
65/02 (20130101); B29C 66/4312 (20130101); B29C
66/4322 (20130101); B29C 66/83411 (20130101); B31B
70/00 (20170801); B29C 66/1122 (20130101); B29C
66/137 (20130101); B29C 66/8322 (20130101); B29L
2031/7128 (20130101); B31B 2155/002 (20170801); B31B
2160/10 (20170801); B31B 2155/00 (20170801) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
30/22 (20060101); B31B 23/00 (20060101); B29C
65/00 (20060101); B31B 027/64 (); B31B
027/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;156/290
;493/194,197,199,212-215,346,381 ;383/38,63,65,87 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Minigrip brochure--1 page..
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Primary Examiner: Kisliuk; Bruce M.
Assistant Examiner: Lavinder; Jack
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Flint; Cort
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for producing a unitary specimen bag for packaging a
laboratory specimen container and associated paper work
comprising:
supplying folded tubing having first and second side walls with a
fluid-tight closure having first and second linear mating portions
carried respectively by said first and second side walls wherein
said second side wall comprises a web portion.[.;.].
extending above said first and second linear mating portions;
supplying J-folded sheeting having third and fourth opposing side
walls on either side of a fold;
feeding said folded tubing and said J-folded sheeting in a
superposed manner to heat sealing means;
forming an upper heat seal across an upper portion of said J-folded
sheeting and said web portion of said folded tubing spaced from and
generally parallel to said first and second linear mating surfaces
joining said sheeting and web together;
forming spaced transverse heat seals at spaced intervals along the
length of said superposed folded tubing and J-folded sheeting
transverse to said upper heat seal joining said tubing and sheeting
together at said spaced intervals to define a first compartment
consisting of said first and second side walls joined together and
a second compartment consisting of said third and fourth side walls
joined together; and
severing said folded tubing and said J-folded sheeting along said
spaced transverse heat seals to produce individual specimen bags
wherein said first compartment contains said specimen container in
a fluid-tight manner and said second compartment contains said
paper work.
2. The method of claim 1 including inserting a heat protective
plate between said first and second side walls of said folded
tubing while .Iadd.the .Iaddend.upper heat seal is being
formed.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said J-folded sheeting is supplied
in a form which includes a reverse sheeting flip providing a narrow
slit mouth opening for said second compartment.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said J-folded sheeting is supplied
in a form having a reverse sheeting flip with a recessed lip so
that said sheeting flip extends past a free end of said fourth side
wall providing a recessed mouth opening for said second
compartment.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said web portion extends across
said second wall of said first compartment; said second wall of
said first compartment and said third wall of said second
compartment being joined together by said upper seal providing a
double wall between interiors of said first and second
compartments.
6. A method for producing a unitary specimen bag for packaging a
laboratory specimen container and associated paper work
comprising:
supplying plastic folded tubing having first and second side walls
with a resealable lock having opposed linear mating portions
carried by said first and second side walls;
supplying plastic folded sheeting having a third side wall and a
fourth side wall which includes a reverse flip;
feeding said folded tubing and sheeting in a superposed manner to
heat seal means;
forming a first heat seal across said second, third, and fourth
side walls of said superposed sheeting and tubing;
forming a plurality of spaced second heat seals on said superposed
sheeting and tubing transverse to said first heat seal to form a
first compartment between said first and second side walls and a
second compartment between said third and fourth side walls;
and
forming said first heat seal in such a manner to form a closed top
composite bag with said reverse flip forming a side mouth opening
for said second compartment.
7. The method of claim 6 including inserting a heat protective
plate between said first and second side walls of said folded
tubing while first heat seal is being formed.
8. The method of claim 6 including feeding said tubing with said
resealable lock facing downwards and said reverse flip of said
sheeting facing upwards.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein said folded sheeting is supplied
in a form having a reverse sheeting flip with a recessed lip so
that said sheeting flip extends past a free end of said fourth side
wall providing a recessed mouth opening for said second
compartment.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein said tubing is supplied in a form
having a web which extends across said second wall of said first
compartment; said second wall of said first compartment and said
third wall of said second compartment being joined together by said
seal providing a double wall between interiors of said first and
second compartments.
11. The method of claim 6 including forming said first heat seal on
said .[.second.]. sidewall above said second linear mating portion
of said releasable lock. .Iadd.
12. A method for producing a unitary specimen bag having first and
second generally side-by-side compartments for packaging a
laboratory specimen container and associated paper work,
respectively, comprising:
supplying folded tubing for forming said first compartment
including first and second side walls with a fluid-tight closure
having first and second linear mating portions carried respectively
substantially adjacent upper edges of said first and second side
walls wherein said second side wall comprises a web portion
extending above said first and second linear mating portions;
supplying separate sheeting providing third and fourth side walls
and forming said second compartment at a side of said first
compartment;
feeding said folded tubing and said sheeting in a prearranged
generally side-by-side manner to heat sealing means;
forming an upper heat seal across an upper portion of said sheeting
and said web portion of said folded tubing spaced above and
generally parallel to said first and second linear mating surfaces
joining said sheeting and web portion together;
forming spaced substantially transverse heat seals at spaced
intervals along the length of said folded tubing and sheeting
transverse to said upper heat seal joining said tubing and sheeting
together at said spaced intervals to define said first compartment
consisting of said first and second side walls joined together and
said second compartment which includes said third and fourth side
wall; and
severing said folded tubing and said sheeting along said spaced
transverse heat seals to produce individual specimen bags wherein
said first compartment is adapted to receive said specimen
container in a fluid-tight manner and said second compartment is
adapted to receive said paper work..Iaddend. .Iadd.
13. The method of claim 12 including inserting a heat protective
plate between said first and second side walls of said folded
tubing while said upper heat seal is being formed..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The method of claim 12 wherein said sheeting is supplied
to define a reverse flap providing a narrow slit mouth opening for
said second compartment..Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The method of claim 12
wherein said sheeting is supplied to define a flap that extends
past a free end of said fourth side wall providing a recessed mouth
opening for said second compartment..Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The method
of claim 12 wherein said web portion extends across said second
wall of said first compartment; said second wall of said first
compartment and said third side wall of said second compartment
being joined together by said upper seal providing a double wall
between interiors of said first
and second compartment..Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A method for producing a
unitary specimen bag having first and second generally side-by-side
compartments for packaging a laboratory specimen container and
associated paper work comprising:
supplying first and second plastic side walls for forming said
first compartment with a fluid-tight closure having opposed linear
mating portions carried by said first and second side walls to
define said first compartment and a first bag opening said first
bag opening being formed along one of said first and second side
walls;
supplying sheeting to provide third and fourth side walls and
forming said second compartment at a side of said first compartment
having a second bag opening on a side of said specimen bag opposite
said first bag opening;
feeding said side walls in a prearranged relation to a thermal
sealing means;
forming a first seal across a plurality of said side walls along a
line spaced from and generally parallel to said linear mating
portion of said fluid-tight closure on said second side wall;
and
forming a plurality of second seals between said side walls
substantially transverse to said first seal to form said first
compartment which includes said first bag opening for receiving and
containing said specimen container in said fluid-tight manner, and
to form said second compartment which is disposed next to a side of
said first compartment and includes said second bag opening for
receiving and containing said associated paper
work..Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The method of claim 17 including inserting
a heat protective plate between said first and second side walls of
said folded tubing while said first heat seal is being
formed..Iaddend.
.Iadd. . The method of claim 17 wherein said third side wall is
supplied to define a reverse flap and a narrow slit mouth opening
for said second compartment..Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The method of claim
17 wherein said third side wall is supplied to define a reverse
flap extending past a free end of said fourth side wall providing a
recessed mouth opening for said
second compartment..Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The method of claim 17
wherein said first seal extends across said second wall of said
first compartment; said second wall of said first compartment and
said third side wall of said second compartment being joined
together by said upper seal providing a double wall between
interiors of said first and second
compartment..Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A method for making a composite
protective laboratory specimen bag having first and second
generally side-by-side compartments for containing a laboratory
specimen container and related paper work comprising:
forming a first compartment from plastic side walls for containing
a lab specimen container in a leak-proof manner on a first side of
said composite bag having a first bag opening wherein said side
walls have a resealable closure with opposing linear mating
portions carried by said side walls for sealing said first
compartment in said leak-proof manner;
forming a second compartment from plastic side walls along a second
side of said composite bag for containing said related paper work
having a second bag opening on said second side of said composite
bag opposite said first side;
forming a transverse heat seal along certain ones of said side
walls of said first and second compartments near an upper portion
of said composite bag generally parallel and spaced from said
linear mating portions of said resealable closure to join said
first and second compartments together and close said composite bag
from a top portion thereof so that entrance to said bag is had only
at said first and second bag openings; and
forming a pair of side heat seals extending generally perpendicular
to said transverse heat seal sealing side edges of said first and
second compartments..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a composite bag for packaging a laboratory
specimen container and associated paper work in a manner to protect
against infection from the specimen during handling and against
misplacement of the paper work.
Health care and lab workers have become increasingly cautious with
regards to handling specimen containers due to the possibility of
contacting infectious diseases such as AIDS (Acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome) from container leaks. It has also become
increasingly important to keep accurate records and association of
the paper work with the specimen.
It is known to make a bag having a first pocket for a lab specimen
with a zipper closure and a second pocket for paper work. The first
compartment retains leaks. However, the first and second pocket are
joined together only at the sides leaving a gap open on both ends
between the pockets. Since the second pocket has an open mouth, the
paper work can easily be placed mistakenly in the gap where it
easily slides out the open end becoming misplaced or lost. Plastic
bags of general interest are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,061
disclosing a plastic bag for transporting a specimen in a
leak-proof manner; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,768 disclosing a plastic
bag and method having plural compartments.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a plastic bag
for packaging a lab specimen in a leak-proof manner and the
associated paper work in a secure manner for reliable processing
with the specimen.
Another object of the invention is to provide a composite bag
having a first leak-proof compartment for packaging a lab specimen
and a second compartment for packaging associated paper work with
reliable closures for both compartments to insure against loss of
the packaged contents.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a unitary plastic
bag having dual compartments for packaging a lab specimen and
associated paper work having increased structural integrity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above objectives are accomplished according to the invention by
providing a unitary specimen bag for packaging a laboratory
specimen container and associated paper work which comprises a
first generally fluid-tight compartment defined by first and second
opposing side walls and a folded bottom edge. The side walls
terminate in a pair of free edges defining a first compartment
mouth for receiving the specimen container. A resealable lock
includes first and second linear mating portions carried by the
free edges of the respective first and second side walls for
sealing the compartment in a fluid-tight manner. A web of the
tubing extends above said second linear mating portion and
generally across the second side wall. A second compartment defined
by third and fourth side walls has joined together edges and a
folded bottom edge. At least the third wall of the second
compartment is joined across an upper portion to the web above the
releasable lock of the first compartment. The fourth side wall of
the second compartment terminates at a free edge to define a second
compartment mouth for receiving paper work. Further in accordance
with the invention a method for producing a unitary specimen bag is
disclosed which includes supplying plastic folded tubing having
first and second side walls; and supplying plastic folded sheeting
having third and fourth side walls. Feeding of the folded tubing
and sheeting in carried out in a superposed manner to a heat
sealer. The method includes feeing the tubing with a releasable
lock carried by the first and second walls faced downwards and the
sheeting with a reverse flip faced upwards so that the second,
third, and fourth side walls are heat sealed together to form a
closed top composite bag wherein a mouth to the second compartment
is formed on a side of the composite structure. The method includes
forming a plurality of spaced second heat seals on the superposed
tubing and sheeting transverse to the first heat seal and severing
the superposed, heat sealed tubing and sheeting to form individual
bags.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The construction designed to carry out the invention will
hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The
invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the
following specifications and by reference to the accompanying
drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the
invention is shown and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective laboratory specimen
bag according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a protective laboratory
specimen bag according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of another
embodiment of a protective laboratory specimen bag according to the
invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a method for making a
protective laboratory specimen bag according to the invention;
and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a method of making a
protective laboratory specimen bag according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A unitary specimen bag, designated generally as A, is disclosed for
packaging a laboratory specimen container 10 and associated paper
work 12 which comprises a first generally fluid-tight compartment B
defined by first and second opposing side walls 14 and 16 made
integral by joined together side edges 18 and 20, and a folded
bottom edge 22. Side walls 14 and 16 terminate in a pair of free
edges 14a and 16a defining a first compartment mouth 24 for
receiving specimen container 10. A resealable lock means,
designated generally as 26, has first and second linear mating
portions 28, 30 carried near free edges 14a, 16a of the respective
first and second side walls for sealing said compartment in a
leak-proof manner. The lock is preferably the type referred to as a
zipper lock such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,723. A web 32
extends above second linear mating portion 30 and generally across
second side wall 16. A second compartment C is defined by third and
fourth side walls 34, 36 having joined together edges 38, 40 and a
folded bottom edge 42. At least third wall 34 of second compartment
is joined across an upper portion to web 32 above releasable lock
means 26 of first compartment B. Fourth side wall 36 of second
compartment C terminates at a free edge 36a to define a second
compartment mouth 44 for receiving paper work 12.
A flap 46 is joined with third side wall 34 of second compartment C
across web 32, and the flap has a free edge 46a which terminates at
edge 36a of fourth wall 36 to define a narrow slit opening 48 for
mouth 44. In this case, compartment C may be produced from J-folded
sheeting with a reverse flip. Alternatively, closure means for
mouth 44 may be in the form of a flap 50 which extends over free
edge 36a of fourth side wall 36 and second compartment mouth 48 for
closing mouth and second compartment. In this case, compartment C
may be made form J-folded sheeting with a reverse flip and a
recessed lip. Edges 18, 20 of the first and second side walls and
the edges 38, 40 of the third and fourth side walls are joined
together by heat sealing.
In accordance with the invention, a method is disclosed for
producing a unitary specimen bag A for packaging the laboratory
specimen container and associated paper work which includes
supplying folded tubing D having first and second side walls 14, 16
with a fluid-tight closure 26 having first and second linear mating
portions 28, 30 carried respectively by the first and second side
walls. Folded tubing D is preferably supplied with web 32 extending
above the first and second linear mating portions. Next, J-folded
sheeting E is supplied having third and fourth opposing side walls
34, 36 on either side of fold 42.
The folded tubing and the J-folded sheeting are fed in a superposed
manner to a heat sealing means designated generally as F which
preferably is a conventional rotary heat seal machine 60 having a
plate 62 opposing a rotary heat element 64 in lieu of a second
roller. An upper heat seal 66 is found across an upper portion of
J-folded sheeting E and web 32 of folded tubing D joining the
sheeting and tubing together. Heat sealing means F also includes a
conventional reciprocating bar sealer 67 which forms spaced
transverse 68 heat seals at spaced intervals along the length of
the composite superposed folded tubing D and J-folded sheeting E
transverse to upper heat seal 66 joining the tubing and sheeting
together at spaced intervals to define first compartment B
consisting of first and second side walls 14, 16 joined together
and second compartment B consisting of said third and fourth side
walls 34, 36 joined together.
Bar sealer 66 forms the heat seal and severs the compartment of
folded tubing and said J-folded sheeting along spaced transverse
heat seals 68 to produce individual unitary specimen bags A wherein
first compartment B contains specimen container 10 in a fluid-tight
manner and second compartment C contains said paper work 12. Heat
protective plate 62 is inserted between first and second side walls
14, 16 of said folded tubing while upper heat seal 66 is being
formed to prevent damage to the zipper closure 26 and resultant
leakage and to prevent any incident of heat sealing of walls 14 and
16. For example, upper heat seal 66 may be formed at or below
linear zipper closure 26.
In the method the J-folded sheeting is supplied in a form having a
reverse sheeting flip 70 providing narrow slit mouth opening 48 for
second compartment C.
Alternately, J-folded sheeting E is supplied in a form having a
reverse sheeting flip 72 with a recessed lip 74 so that said
sheeting flip extends past a free end 36a of said fourth side wall
providing a recessed mouth opening 76 for second compartment C. Web
32 extends across second wall 16 of first compartment B. Second
wall 16 of first compartment B and third wall 34 of second
compartment B are joined together by upper seal 66 providing a
double wall between interiors of the first and second
compartments.
Thus, it can be seen that an advantageous construction can be had
according to the invention for guarding an infective lab specimen
and associated paper work. Composite protective laboratory specimen
bag A and includes folded tubing D having a releasable lock 26 for
forming a first fluid-tight compartment B for containing a
laboratory specimen container. J-folded sheeting E with a reverse
flip 46 forms a second compartment C for containing associated
paper work. The tubing and sheeting are heat sealed together across
web 32 of the tubing to form a closed top composite bag with side
mouth openings 24, 48 for the compartments which may be positively
located for article placement avoiding misplacement of
articles.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described
using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes
only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be
made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *