Transfer Bag Protective Cover for Sterilized Filling Without Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling processes for sterilized components in flexible bags risk damaging the bag, access door, and components due to shaking and weight, leading to deformation and blockage during automated assembly.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover system with a receiver, cover, retainer, and lock mechanism that removably attaches to the transfer bag, preventing passage of components into the connection flange and access door, and includes a guide and bumper to protect against impact and blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the bag is shaken during filling to maximize fill volume, then the fill volume is improved, but the bag and access door may contact machine parts causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the filling machine and the bag/access door. The cover includes a receiver that receives the connection flange and access door, and a cover portion that covers the receiving cavity during shaking, preventing direct contact between the bag components and machine parts while still allowing the bag to be shaken for maximum fill volume.
2Productivity
If plunger stoppers are filled in large quantity, then productivity is improved, but the weight and shaking may cause deformation and blockage of components
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover acts as a mediator that supports the weight of the filled plunger stoppers and prevents them from directly contacting and deforming the access door during shaking. The receiver and cover structure distributes the mechanical stress, maintaining component integrity while allowing high-speed filling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is positioned beforehand to cushion and absorb the impact forces generated during shaking and filling operations. The cover portion and receiver structure provide pre-positioned mechanical protection that prevents deformation of the access door and plunger stoppers before damage can occur.
3Ease of operation
If the access door is left open for filling, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover serves as a temporary intermediary barrier that allows the access door to remain open for filling operations while preventing contamination. The cover portion covers the receiving cavity during filling, creating a protected interface between the sterile bag interior and the external filling environment, and can be removed or repositioned as needed for operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A protective cover for use with a transfer bag includes a receiver having a receiving cavity configured to receive a connection flange and an access door of the transfer bag. A cover is removably connectable to the receiver and is configured to cover at least the receiving cavity of the receiver. A retainer having a first retainer portion on the receiver and a second retainer portion on the cover is configured to receive a portion of the transfer bag. A lock has a first lock portion on the receiver and second lock portion on the cover, and is movable between unlocked and locked positions. In the locked position, the retainer is configured to protect the door assembly of the transfer bag and to protect filling material during filling. The retainer also prevents passage of filling material from the flexible transfer bag into the connection flange and the access door.