Receptacles – Compartmented container – Intercommunicable compartments
Reexamination Certificate
1996-09-05
2001-04-10
Moy, Joseph M. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Compartmented container
Intercommunicable compartments
C220S500000, C206S461000, C604S403000, C053S396000, C222S416000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213334
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to flexible containers and to processes by which these containers are made. In a more particular sense, the invention relates to flexible containers and associated manufacturing processes having attributes well suited for use in the medical field.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flexible containers for use in the medical field to process or store blood and tissue are well known. These containers are typically “lay flat” bags, formed by heat sealing flat sheets of medical grade plastic material together, with access ports, about their peripheral edges. These bags are ideally suited for many uses in the medical field.
Still, the opposite sheets of flexible plastic that make up the walls of these bag are subject to non-uniform deformation during use. That is, the sheeting deforms non-uniformly depending upon the orientation of the bags and the location of materials within the bags, so that one area of the bag will have a different geometry than another. For example, the bottom of the bag, in which the materials naturally accumulate by gravity, will be wider than the top of the bag, which is normally free of materials. This disparity in the distribution of stress can lead to localized failures and leaks. Because of the non-uniform deformation, these bags are also not well suited for measuring precise fluid volumes.
One objective of the invention is to provide a container having a three-dimensional geometry, when empty, that does not significantly change after materials are added to the container.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a container that combines a uniform three-dimensional geometry with flexibility.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a flexible, three-dimensional container that is assembled in a way that imparts durability and strength to resist failure or fatigue when used as intended.
Still another objective of the invention is provide a flexible, three-dimensional container that can be use for precise fluid volume measurement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides flexible, three-dimensional containers, which possess precise, defined geometries before use that are maintained during use. The invention also provides vacuum-molding and heat sealing processes, by which flexible, three-dimensional containers can be made that meet exacting size and volume requirements. The prescribed vacuum-molding and heat sealing processes create robust three-dimensional containers that are more resistant to stress-related material fatigue and failure than conventional flexible “lay-flat” bags.
Containers that embody features of the invention are formed from first and second walls. The first wall has a planar area and a vacuum-molded cavity area drawn out in a predefined three-dimensional geometry. A second wall overlies the first wall to close the cavity area and thereby form an interior compartment. A thermal seal joins the two walls together. The seal is formed by heating the second wall and the first wall in the planar area. The heat sealing processes that embody features of the invention assure that the desired heat sealing effects are localized away from the cavity area of the first wall. Thus, as heat sealing occurs, the cavity area of the first wall is not subject to heating and possible deformation of its precise vacuum-molded geometry.
In a preferred embodiment, both first and second walls possess a vacuum-molded cavity area. The cavity area of the first wall is a mirror image of the cavity area of the second wall. The cavity areas coincide when the first and second wall overlie each other.
In a preferred embodiment, the container includes at least two vacuum-molded cavities, thereby forming multiple interior compartments, each having a precise, three-dimensional geometry. In this embodiment, an interior seal is located between the interior compartments. The interior seal is purposely interrupted at one or more desired locations to form one or more interior passages, which offer fluid flow communication between the two interior compartments.
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Description of a Closed Plastic Bag System for the Collection and Cryopreservation of Leukapheresis-Derived Blood Mono-nuclear Leukocytes and CFUc from Human Donors by M. Korbling, T.M. Fliedner, E. Ruber and H. Pflieger.
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Bratten William
Coelho Philip H.
Fisher David P.
Wolf, Jr. Ludwig
Wons Allen R.
Baxter International Inc
McFarron Gary W.
Moy Joseph M.
Ryan Daniel D.
Serewicz Denise M.
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