Flexible bags – With means to maintain the bag mouth in an open configuration
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-30
2001-08-14
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Flexible bags
With means to maintain the bag mouth in an open configuration
C383S035000, C383S203000, C383S207000, C383S209000, C383S089000, C383S091000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273608
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a special receptacle or package, and more particularly to reclosable sterile collection bags having wire closure mechanisms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bags having wire closures are currently used to obtain industrial and chemical material samples in a sterile manner. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,973,131 describes a collection bag having metal wires. Strips of pressure sensitive tape are used to attach the metal wires to opposite side of the bag. Both the metal strips and the tape extend beyond the width of the bag. During use, the bag is filled, the opening is rolled closed, and the metal wires are folded back to clamp the rolled end. This arrangement has a number of disadvantages. Particularly, it is difficult to open and the clamped metal wire ends tend to puncture the bag during transport.
Later inventions have been made to help improve the ease at which the bag may be opened. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,189,253; 4,356,954; and 5,180,229 each use a center pull tab. While effective, such tabs are often more difficult to manufacture. Later inventions have also attempted to reduce puncturing during transport. U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,954 uses downwardly-directed strip ends. U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,229 encloses the wire ends with an additional length of covering material. As with the pull tabs, these arrangements are more difficult and more costly to manufacture.
Thus, a need yet exists for a sterile collection bag that avoids the problems of the prior art sterile collection bags. Ideally, such a bag would be easy to open and easy to manufacture. In addition, the components of such a bag would not cause punctures to the bag body during transport. The present invention is directed to fulfilling these needs and others as described below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a sterile collection bag and method of opening is provided. The bag includes a body and an opening mechanism. The body is formed of opposed side walls and includes an upper body end. The interior of the body defines a sterile collection space for an object. The opening mechanism includes first and second flexible metal strips each having a first end, a second end, and a mid-section. The metal strips are attached to the side walls and are longer than the width of the body so as to extend beyond the side wall edges. The ends of the metal strips are unattached to one another.
In accordance with other aspects of the invention, in one embodiment, the upper end of the body includes an opening. In another embodiment, the body includes a lateral tear line located below the body upper end, with the opening mechanism located below the tear line.
In accordance with further aspects of the invention, during use, the ends of the metal strips are bent away from one another, the ends are pinched together and moved toward one another to cause the metal strips to bulge outward at their mid-section. This further causes the body side walls to separate so that the object may be inserted into the bag. When using a lateral tear line, the upper end of the body is first torn away along the lateral tear line.
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Bright Geoffrey S.
Cory Debra K.
Ward, Jr. N. Robert
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Hylton Robin
International BioProducts Incorporated
Shoap Allan N.
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