SG183534A1

SG183534A1 - Flexible pinch fitting for containers

Info

Publication number: SG183534A1
Application number: SG2012063921A
Authority: SG
Inventors: Dennis Wong
Original assignee: Emd Millipore Corp
Priority date: 2010-03-26
Filing date: 2011-03-24
Publication date: 2012-10-30
Also published as: CN102844243A; KR101457447B1; WO2011119837A2; SG191647A1; US20110235948A1; KR20120118063A; EP2552798A2; CN104743222A; WO2011119837A3; CN102844243B; JP2013523538A

Abstract

A device for reducing: or eliminating the dead space in a and tubing used on a disposable container by using a flexible elastic tilting 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

FLEXIBLE PINCH FITTING FOR CONTAINERS

Cross-Reference Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S, Provisional Patent Application Ne. 61/341,189, filed on March 28, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein,

The present invention relates io a iting for containers. Mora particularly, it relates to a flexible fitting capable of being pinched closed with little of no dead volume,

Background of the Invention

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 153 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 ling in that they can be. connected to different components ds needed unlike traditional dedicated stainless steel fines and can be presteriiized such as with radiation {gamma or beta) or gases such as ethylene oxide (ETO).

The connections between containers are typically done with a rigid plastic barb fitting 2 as shown in Figure 1. These are generally molded of plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene and are designed fo be rigid and inflexible so as to support the functions described below.

The fitting 2 has a flange 4 adjacent the bag 12, a substantially straight neck portion 6 and a barb portion 8 which is furthest from the flange. A wough bore 5 runs through the fitting 2 from the flange to the barb 8. The fitting 2 is attached fo an opening 10 of the bag 12, generally by heat sealing, sonic welding or adhesives such that the apening of the 10 of the bag 12 Is in fluid communication with the bore § of the fitting 2 which In lum is in fluld pammunication with the bore 18 of a tubing 14, The tubing 14 is slipped over the barb 8 and rests on atleast a portion of the neck 6 and is generally secured fo the filling 2 by a device such as a tie wrap 20 to ensure that it doesn't inadvertently slip off such as due fo pressure within the system. 1

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

The bag 12 and fitting 2 are selectively closed off from the rest of the system generally by a device such as a pinch valve 18 or a clamp {not shown) which may be manually or automatically controtied.

The use of such fittings has shown deficiencies for dynamic processes such 8 mixing 3 and bioreactors and others where the issue of dead volume may occur. As can be seen from

Figure 1, the valve 18 that is used to close off the systent 8 focated on the flexible tubing 14 some distance in front of the barb 8. Therefore, fluid can be contained within the bore 5 of the fitting 2 and the bore 16 of the tubing up fo the point at which the valve is located. Issues of dead volume have been noticed where the volume of fluid is trapped in the fitting 2 and portion 16 ofthe tubing 14 before the valve, They have been demonstrated fo be stagnant fo mizing and an entrapment point for materials such as solid powders that are used in vessels for mixing and bioreactors,

What is needed is a device thal allows for the reduction andior slimination of this dead space between the filing 2 and the closing device 18.

Summary of the Invention

This inverdion 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 fike closer to the flange portion of the fitting. {One aspect of the present invention is fo provide a fitting for a disposable plastic container having a flange portion capable of being sealed in a liguid tight manner lo an opening in the bay and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange portion and the opening of fhe bag and the fiting being formed of a exible compressible, resilient plastic material, A device such as a pinch valve or clamp can be used on the fitting to compress the fitling to seal off the container.

A further embodiment of the present invention Is to provide the neck with either a tubular end portion or 8 hose barb.

An additional embodiment is fo provide a fitting formed of a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoset such as a urethane or a rubber, natural or synthetic, kit Another embodiment of the present invention is 1 provide a flexible disposable container comprising a closed plastic bag having at least one port, atleast one fitting formed of a flange portion sealed in a liquid tight manner to the atleast one opening in the bag and 8 neck portion extending outwardly from the flange portion and the opening of the bag, the filing 2 :

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being formed of a flexible compressible, resilient plastic material and a device capable of compressing the neck portion of the filing 80 as fo seal it off from the bag.

A further embodiment of the present invention is fo provide the neck with either a tubular end portion or a hose bath. 3 An additional embodiment is to provide a fitting formed of a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoset such as a urethane or a rubber, natural or synthetic.

Another embodiment of the present invention is fo provide a seck portion in the fonn of a tubular extension wilh a bore running through the flange and neck portions and further comprising a connector having a first end with a hose bark and a second end with a hose barb and a planar portion between the two barb portions, the neck portion of the fitting farthest from the flange portion having the first barb of the connector and a planar portion of the connecter attached fo if in 2 fiquid tight manner and a fubing attached to the second barb of the connector and a planar portion of the connector in a liquid tight manner.

An additional embodiment of the present invention is to provide a rigid insert at the portion of the fitting furthest from the bag.

Anather embodiment of the present invention is lo provide a rigid insert at the portion of the fitting furthest from the bag where the rigid insert is made of metal or plastic. .

A further embodiment of the present invention is 10 provide a rigid insert at the sorfion of the fitting furthest from the bag wherein the insert is aither molded into that portion or attached to a surface (inner or outer) of that portion of the fitting.

A further embodiment of the present invention is to provide a device for attaching the end of the neck © the tubing via tie wraps. in the Figures 23 Figure 1 shows 2 fitting assembled lo a bag and tubing with a pinch valve as is known in the prior art in cross-sectional view.

Figure 2 shows a fitfing assembled io a bag and tubing with a pinch vaive according a first embodiment of the present invention in cross-sectional view,

Figure 3 shows a fitting assembled io a bag and tubing with a pinch valve according a second embodiment of the present invention in cross-sectional view.

Figure 4 shows a fitting assembled to a bag and tubing with 3 pinch valve ateording

Figure 3 in the closed position In cross-sectional view.

Figure 5 shows a filling assembled fo a bag and tubing with a pinch valve according another embodiment of the present invention in cross-sectional view. 3

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Figure 6 shows a fitting assembled fo a bag and tubing with a pinch valve according another embodiment of the present invention i cross-sectional view, + Figure 7 shows a fitting assembled 10 8 bag and tubing with a pinch valve according a further embodirnent of the present invention in cross-sectional view. § Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an altemative inser! of Figure ©,

Figure 8 shows a cross-sechional view of an altemative insert of Figure 7.

Figure 10 shows a cross-seclional view of an alternative insert of the present invention,

Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative insert of the present invention.

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative inser! of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. To the extent that the same features are used in the drawings the same element number has been used. The fiting 30 of the present invention is made from a flexible compressible, resilient plastic material. 13 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 Figure 1.

Alternatively for this embodiment and af other embodiments in the present invention the filing may be formed of another material and retained in aliquid light sealed manner to the bag by oliver means such a3 adhesives or meshanicsl means such as a threaded portion and a md, 2 As shown the pinch valve 18 is located on the neck 8 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 flangs 4 that is in the interior of the bag 12. It can equally be attached fo the outer surface of the bag 12 if desired. The neck 6 is formed as a lubular portion which extends outward from the bag 12 and flange 4. In this embodiment, a hose connector 7 is formed with two barbs 7A and B each formed at opposite ends of the connector 7 with a planar portion § in between the barbs TA and B. The first end of the tube or hose connector 7 is inserted into the end of the neck 6 farthest from the fangs 4 and a second hose 1d is attached fo the other end of the connector 7 over barb 7B. A hose aftachment device 20 such as a fie wrap is used on the neck 6 of the fitting 30 and the hose or lube 14 fo secure them 3) together in a quid fight manner.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The fitling 30 of the present invention is made from a flexible compressible, resitient plastic malerial. Proferably, 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 Figure 1. As shown, the 4

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pinch valve 18 is located on the neck & of the fitting 30 between the bag 12 and the hose barb fg.

As shown in Figure 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 efminate the dead space volume present in the prior art ;

The fitting matsrals include but are not limited to any elastomeric material such as thermoplastic elastomers, thermosels such as urethanes, especially closed cell foamed grathane, and rubber, both natural and synthetic. Preferably, they are thermoplastic elastomers such thermoplastic polyolefin and elastomeric lioys containing polyolefing so as to allow for 13 the fitting fo be heat bonded to the bag material directly. One such preferred material is a thermoplastic elastomer Versaflex® CL £85, a styrene block co-polymer blended with polyethylene polymer system avaliable from GLS Corporation. Another materials would be

RTP 2899 X 1065304, a thermoplastic polyolefin available from RTP Company. A further material is Santoprene® elastomers avaliable from Advanced Elastomer Systems of Akron,

Ohi.

Atematively, the fitting may be made from another elastomeric material provided that a suitable means for attachment can be provided. For example one can use an intermediate material that bonds to the bag and to the fig and have it bond to both so as to secure the fitting in place,

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. A gid insert 3218 ovarmolded of insert molded into the fitting 30 so that a portion of the neck 8 downstream of where the valve 18 is and the barb contain the insert 32. This provides a more traditional fitting for the tubing and helps to ensure that it is secured fo the fitting and resists the normal actions that might otherwise dislodge it. The rigid insert 32 may be formed of metal such as aluminum, brass of stainless steel or it may be formed of a rigid plastic such as polyethylene or potypropylens or the like, :

Figure © shows a third embodiment of 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 § downsiream 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 itn place. This insert 34 can be prass i info the fitting 30 and retained by frictional forces. Optionally | may have one or more retention devices such as barbs 40 as shown in Figure 8 or ridges and the like which are angled foward 5

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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 inserled. Additionally and alfermnatively, it may be bonded fo the fitting such as be heat bonding or adhesives to ensure itis not removed. The rigid insert 34 may be formed of metal such as aluminum, brass or stainless steel or if may be formed of 2 rigid plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene or the lke.

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. A rigid insert 38 is fit info the bore 5 of the fitting 30 so that a portion of the neck 8 downstream of where the valve is and the barb contain the insert 38. Optionally as shown the insert 36 has a flange portion 38 that rests against the outer surface of the barb portion adjacent the point at which the hore 5 14 exits the fitting 30 so as to prevent it from being inserted too far into the fitting 30 and interfering with the valve 18.This insert 36 can be press fit into the fitting and retained by friction Sting,

Optionally it may have one or more retention devices such as barbs 40 as shown in Figure Sor ridges and the like which are angled toward the end of the filing farthest from the flange lo prevent its removal once inserled, Additionally and altematively, # may be bonded to the fitting such as be heat bonding or adhesives to ensure it is not removed. The rigid insert 36 may be formed of metal such as alumioum, brass or stainless steel or if may be formed of a rigid plastic such a8 polystiylene or polypropylene of the fiks,

Figures 8 and © show a close up the sllemative insers 34 and 36 containing a mechanical retention means such as a barb 40.

Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention. A rigid insert 1 02s overmalded or inser molded info the fiting 100 so that a portion of the neck 104 downstream of where the valve will be located contains the insert 102. As shown the portion of the neck 104 is tubular in design rather than a barbed fitting as in the embodiment of Figure 5. The rigid insert 102 like its counterparts above in Figure 8 may be formed of metal such as aluminum, brass or stainless steel or may be formed of 2 rigid plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene or the ke,

Figures 11 and 12 show 2 tubular ended fitting similar fo that of Figure 10 with a rigid insert 102 inserted into or placed over the portion of the neck 104 in a manner similar to that taught in the embodiments of Figures 6 - 9. In Figure 12, the insert 102 has a barbed and portion 106.

The present invention provides a fitting that allows one to clamp off the fitting closer to the opening of the bag 50 8s to reduce or eliminate any dead space. 6

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Claims

Claims What is claimed:

1). A fitting for a disposable plastic container comprising a flange portion capable of being sealed in a linuid Sight manner to ao opening in the bay and a neck porlion extending outwardly from fhe flange portion and the opening of the bag and the fitting being formed of a flexible compressible, resilient plastic material. 2} The fitting of claim 1 wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions, 3} The Biting of claim 1 wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with a bore running through the flange and neck porfions and ending in a hose barb at a point of the neck farthest from the flange portion. 4} The fitting of claim 1 wherein the iting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of as thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefing, elastomeric alloys containing polyoleling, themmasels and rubber. 8) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefins and elastomeric alloys containing polyolefins. 8) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the filing Is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic slastomers selected from the group consisting of a styrene block co-polymer blended with polyethylene polymer and a thermoplastic polyolefin. 7} The fitting of claim 1 whereln the fitting Is made of a plastic selecled from the group consisting of thermaosals. 8) The iting of claim 1 wherein the fitting is made of a thermoset plastic selected from the group consisting of urethanes. 9) The fitting of claim 1 wherein the filing is made of a plastic selecled from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber,

10). A flexible disposable container comprising a closed plastic bag having at least one port, at least one fitting formed of aflange portion sealed in a liquid tight manner fo the at feast one opening in the bag and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange portion and the opening of the bag, the fitting being formed of 8 flexible compressible, resifient plastic material and a device capable of compressing the neck portion of the fitting so as to seal it off from the bag and minimize dead space. 11} The container of claim 10 whersin the neck portion is a tubular extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions, 7 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

12} The container of claim 10 wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions and further comprising a connector having a first end with 3 hose barb and a second end with a hose barb and a planar portion between the two barb portions, the neck portion of the fitting farthest from the lange portion having the first bark of the connector and a planar portion of the connector allached fo itn a liquid tight manner and a tubing attached fo the second barb of the consecior and a planar portion of the connector in a liquid tight manner.

13) The container of claim 10 wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with 2 bore running through the Range and neck portions and ending in a hose barb al a point of the neck farthest from the flange portion.

14} The container of claim 10 wherein the fiting is made of 3 plastic selected from the group consisting of as thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefins, elastomeric alloys containing polyolefing, thermosels and rubber,

15} The container of claim 10 wherein the {iting Is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefing and elastomeric alloys containing polyolefins.

16} The container of claim 10 wherein the filing is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers selected from the group consisting of a siyrens black co-polymer blended with polyethylene polymer and a thermoplastic polyolefin.

17) The container of claim 10 wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected fom the group consisting of thermosels.

18} The container of claim 10 wherein {he fitting is made of a thermoset plastic selected from the group consisting of urethanes.

16} The container of claim 10 wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected fom the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

20} The container of claim 10 wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with 8 bore running through the flange and neck portions and Ruther comprising a connector having a first end with a hose barb and a second end with 2 hose barb and a planar portion between the two barb portions, the neck portion of the fitting farthest from the flange portion having the first barb of the connector and a planar portion of the connector attached to iin a liguid tight manner and a tubing attached lo the second barb of the connector and a planar portion of the connector in a liquid fight manner and wherein the fitting and the tubing are attached to the connector via tie wraps.

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21} The container of claim 10 wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of pinch valves and clamps, 9 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)