Large volume flexible container

• US 20020131654A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc., Hyclone Laboratories, Inc. (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc., Hyclone Laboratories, Inc. (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Elgan, Gregory P, Lynch, Timothy D., Goodwin, Michael E., Smith, Sidney T., Hurst, William S., Buchanan, Bradley
• Application Number:
  US09/813,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20020131654A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 383/96
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/1656 for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/1668 closures for top or bottom openings
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/205 for flexible containers, i.e. the flexible container being permanently connected to the frame B65D77/061, B65D88/1612, B65D90/046 take precedence; unpacking of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container [FIBC] B65B69/0075; crane hooks for frames for FIBC B66C1/226

Abstract

A container (10) having a plurality of panels (12-18) joined together to form a sleeve (64). The panels (12-18) each have an end edge that cooperate to define an imaginary plane (P) at one end of the sleeve (64). The container (10) further has an end panel (20,22) connected to the panels (12-18) at the one end of the sleeve (64). The end panel (20,22) has at least one portion extending beyond the imaginary plane (P). The supporting box (100) is provided to support the container (10). A hanger system (150) is provided and is attached to the box (100). The hanger system (150) supports an upper portion of the container (10) within the box (100). The container (10) is also provided with a port closure (300) that provides both a sterile and gas permeable barrier.

Claims

1. A flexible container comprising:

a plurality of panels joined together to form a sleeve, the panels each having an end edge that cooperate to define an imaginary plane at one end of the sleeve; and

an end panel connected to the panels at the one end of the sleeve, the end panel having at least one portion extending beyond the imaginary plane.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the panels form a polygonal sleeve.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the panels each have a second end edge that cooperate to define a second imaginary plane at another end of the sleeve, the container further comprising a second end panel connected to the panels at the other end of the sleeve, the second end panel having at least one portion extending beyond the second imaginary plane.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein the portion extends outwardly from the sleeve.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein the portion extends inwardly towards the sleeve.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein the plurality of panels comprises four panels cooperatively forming a sleeve having a generally rectangular cross-section.

7. The container of claim 6 wherein two opposing panels are gusseted panels.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein the gusseted panels have a gusset fold.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein the end panel is contiguous with the plurality of panels.

10. The container of claim 1 wherein the end panel comprises a plurality of connecting members.

11. The container of claim 10 wherein the connecting members converge to a point.

12. The container of claim 10 wherein the connecting members converge to a line.

13. The container of claim 10 wherein the connecting members converge to a polygon.

14. The container of claim 1 wherein one of the panels has a port.

15. The container of claim 1 wherein the port has a port closure connected thereto.

16. The container of claim 15 wherein the port closure comprises:

a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to be connected to the port;

a plug inserted into the second end of the tube, the plug being made from a gas permeable porous material;

a cover having a first member and a second member, the second end of the tube being positioned between the members, the members being sealed together at their respective peripheral edges; and

an elastic band wrapped around the cover and tube.

18. The container of claim 17 wherein the converging surfaces extend outwardly from the sleeve.

19. The container of claim 17 wherein the converging surfaces extend inwardly towards the sleeve.

20. The container of claim 17 wherein the panels each have a second end edge that cooperate to define a second imaginary plane at another end of the sleeve, the container further comprising a second end panel connected to the panels at the other end of the sleeve, the second end panel having a plurality of converging surfaces, the surfaces having at least one portion extending beyond the second imaginary plane.

17. A flexible container comprising:

a plurality of panels joined together to form a sleeve, the panels each having an end edge that cooperate to define an imaginary plane at one end of the sleeve; and

an end panel connected to the panels at the one end of the sleeve, the end panel having a plurality of converging surfaces, the surfaces having at least one portion extending beyond the imaginary plane.

21. A large volume flexible container capable of containing a fluid to be maintained under sterile conditions comprising:

a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, and a fourth panel connected together to form a generally cubic structure,

the first panel having a central segment adjacent an end segment, the central segment having a longitudinal edge and the end segment having a tapered edge extending from the longitudinal edge, an angle being defined between the longitudinal edge and the tapered edge, the angle being in the range from about 135.01°

to about 138°

.

22. The container of claim 21 wherein the angle is in the range from about 135.5°

to about 136.5°

.

23. The container of claim 21 wherein the angle is 136°

.