Flexible Container Mixing via Support Baffles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible disposable containers lack features like 'chicanes' that assist the mixing process, which are commonly found in rigid containers, leading to inefficient mixing and handling of sterile liquids in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating at least one baffle or chicane on the inner support surface of the support container surrounding the flexible container's lateral wall, which can be oriented vertically, tilted, or exchangeably fastened, to enhance mixing and prevent damage during insertion and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If flexible disposable containers are used without chicanes, then manufacturing cost is reduced and device complexity is lowered, but mixing efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidmixing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The support container is segmented into functional zones: an upper support portion with chicanes for mixing enhancement and a lower open portion for insertion/removal. This segmentation allows the mixing function to be added to the support structure without complicating the disposable container itself, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and mixing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chicanes act as intermediary elements between the flexible container wall and the liquid medium. These chicanes create turbulence and improve mixing without requiring modification of the disposable container, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enhancing mixing efficiency through the intermediary support container structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If chicanes are added to the support container, then mixing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chicanes are merged with the support container wall structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate addition. This merging approach enhances mixing efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as the chicanes become part of the support container's inherent structure rather than an附加 component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the container is inserted into the support container, then handling is improved, but damage to the flexible container wall occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehandlingVSAvoiddamage to container wall

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chicanes in the support container create a cushioning effect during insertion and removal operations. The chicanes absorb mechanical stresses and prevent direct contact between the flexible container wall and the support container wall, thus preventing damage while maintaining improved handling through the support container arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10322388B2Container system with one container with a flexible partition

Publication Date: 2019.06.18 SARTORIUS STEDIM BIOTECH GMBH

AI summary

Container system with one container (1) with a flexible partition, in particular a disposable container, that can be inserted into a carrying container that supports its lateral container partition (10) and in which liquid medium (8) that has been poured in can be mixed, with the carrying container (4) featuring at least one baffle (15, 15′, 15″, 15′″) on the internal support partition (11) that forms the lateral container partition.