Sealing Chamber for Flow Pipe in Flexible Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in manufacturing sterile flexible containers, such as blood bags and infusion bags, lies in ensuring a secure and leak-proof weld between the flow conduit and the container walls, particularly due to the risk of incomplete welds if the electrode is not centered, which can lead to contamination and sterility issues.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves creating a container with a flow duct associated with flexible walls along a proximal and distal seal, forming a closed sealing chamber around the flow duct to prevent leaks, with the seals being distinct and spaced apart to ensure sterility even if one seal fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single weld is used to join the flow conduit to the flexible walls, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the reliability of the seal is reduced due to risk of incomplete welds
Solution Approach 1:
The single weld is divided into two separate welds (first weld and second weld) joined at different locations along the flow conduit. This segmentation ensures that if one weld is incomplete or defective, the other weld maintains the seal integrity, thereby improving reliability while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates a redundant weld as a preventive measure against weld defects. By providing an additional weld before potential failure can occur, the system cushions against the risk of incomplete welds and ensures continuous seal integrity
2Productivity
If the electrode is not properly centered in the tube during welding, then the welding operation is faster and easier, but the weld quality deteriorates causing leaks
Solution Approach 1:
By creating two separate welds at different locations, the system tolerates miscentering during welding operations. Even if the electrode is not properly centered in one location, the second weld provides compensation, maintaining overall weld quality without requiring precise centering
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-weld design provides a backup seal that cushions against weld defects caused by electrode miscentering. The second weld acts as a preventive measure ensuring that incomplete welding at one location does not result in leaks
3Reliability
If the weld is extended along the flow tube to improve strength, then the seal reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending a single weld along the entire flow tube (which would increase complexity), the invention uses two discrete welds at specific locations. This segmented approach provides adequate seal strength without the complexity of a continuous extended weld structure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively reduces the risk of leakage and maintains the sterility of the fluid by creating a sealed chamber that remains closed and inaccessible, ensuring the fluid remains sterile even if one of the seals is defective.
Implementation Method 1
The two longitudinal sides of the pocket are then welded, leaving the top and bottom of the pocket open. A first electrode is inserted into the tube and a second electrode surrounds the bag at the tube. By passing current through the two electrodes, the top of the pocket is welded to the tube.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a container (1) including an outer shell having two flexible walls (2) combined together so as to from at least one main compartment (3) containing or intended to contain a fluid, said container (1) further including at least one flow pipe (4), one end of which leads into said main compartment (3), and the other end of which extends beyond said flexible walls (2), said flow pipe (4) being combined with said flexible walls (2) along a proximal joint (6) and a distal joint (7) that is separate from the proximal joint (6), said flexible walls (2) surrounding the portion of the flow pipe (4) between said joints (6, 7) so as to form a closed, inaccessible sealing chamber (8) around said flow pipe portion (4).