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Flexible pinch fitting for containers

a flexible, container technology, applied in the direction of flexible container closure, transportation and packaging, sacks, etc., to achieve the effect of reducing or eliminating dead spa

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-09-29
MILLIPORE CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.
[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0033]FIG. 2 shows 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...

second embodiment

[0034]FIG. 3 shows 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 all...

third embodiment

[0039]FIG. 6 shows 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 ens...

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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.

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 pre...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65D33/16
CPCB65D75/5877B67D2001/0827B67D3/0067B65D33/16
Inventor WONG, DENNIS
Owner MILLIPORE CORP
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