Feed bags and methods of use

• US 20030198406A1
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hynetics, LLC
• Inventors: Buchanan, Bradley H., Goodwin, Michael, Elgan, Gregory P., Austin, Jim A., Bibbo, Kenneth L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,168,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 383/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1475 Inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 3/002 Compounding apparatus specially for enteral or parenteral nutritive solutions bottling liquids B67C
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/02 using physical phenomena
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/087 Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/208 Hydrogen peroxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/53 using driven stirrers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/911 forcing the material through orifices or slits, e.g. in a stationary part
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/441 performing a rectilinear reciprocating movement
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/449 Stirrers constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/71 working at super-atmospheric pressure, e.g. in pressurised vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/50 Mixing receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/513 Flexible receptacles, e.g. bags supported by rigid containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71 Feed mechanisms with proportioning B01F35/80
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/712 for feeding fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7173 using gravity, e.g. from a hopper
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7179 : using sprayers, nozzles or jets
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71805 : using valves, gates, orifices or openings
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71815 : using vibrations, e.g. standing waves or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/14 : Bags
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/00 : Means for mixing, agitating or circulating fluids in the vessel by introduction of gas C12M29/06, C12M29/14, mixing in general or mixers per se B01F; mixing in apparatus for chemical or physical processes B01J

Abstract

A feed bag includes a body bounding a compartment, the compartment being adapted to hold a feed material. The body has a first end with an outlet formed thereat and an opposing second end. A vent port is formed on the body so as to communicate with the compartment. In one embodiment a filter is coupled with the vent port. A fluid port is formed on the body so as to communicate with the compartment. The fluid port is adapted to receive a fluid line for delivering a fluid into the compartment of the body.

Claims

1. A feed bag comprising:

a body bounding a compartment, the compartment being adapted to hold a feed material, the body having a first end with an outlet formed thereat and an opposing second end;

a vent port formed on the body so as to communicate with the compartment;

a filter coupled with the vent port;

a fluid port formed on the body so as to communicate with the compartment, the fluid port being adapted to receive a fluid line for delivering a fluid into the compartment of the body.

2. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the vent port and the fluid port are formed at or toward the second end of the body.

3. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, further comprising a vent tube having a first end coupled with the vent port and an opposing second end, the filter being coupled with the second end of the vent tube.

4. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the body constricts to a tubular spout at the first end thereof, the outlet being bounded by the spout.

5. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a two or three dimensional bag comprised of one or more flexible polymeric sheets.

6. A feed bag as recited in claim 5, further comprising a rigid outlet port secured to the outlet of the body.

7. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handle mounted to the second end of the body.

8. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, further comprising a feed material disposed within the compartment of the body, the feed material comprising a substantially dry material.

9. A feed bag as recited in claim 8, wherein the feed material comprises culture media, buffers, or reagents.

10. A feed bag assembly comprising:

a body bounding a compartment and having a feed component disposed therein, the body having a first end with an outlet formed thereat and an opposing second end;

a vent port being in at least selective fluid communication with the compartment of the body; and

a fluid tube having a first end in at least selective fluid communication with the compartment of the body and an opposing second end coupled with a fluid source for delivering fluid to the body.

11. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the vent port is formed on the body.

12. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 10, further comprising a filter in communication with the vent port.

13. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising a vent tube having a first end coupled with the vent port and an opposing second end, the filter being disposed at the second end of the vent tube.

14. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the fluid tube is coupled with a fluid port formed on the body, the fluid port being spaced apart from the vent port.

15. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 10, further comprising a valve in fluid communication with the compartment of the body, the vent port being formed on the valve, the fluid tube being coupled with the valve.

16. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the body comprises a rigid structure.

17. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the outlet port of the body is selectively coupled with a container so that the feed material can dispense from the body into the container.

18. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the container comprises a flexible mixing bag.

19. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the container bounds a compartment having a positive gas pressure which is in communication with the compartment of the body.

20. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein the positive gas pressure is in a range between about 3.5 KPa to about 10 KPa.

21. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the feed material comprises a substantially dry material.

22. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the body comprises a two or three dimensional bag comprised of one or more flexible polymeric sheets.

23. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 22, further comprising a rigid outlet port secured to the outlet of the body.

24. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 10, further comprising a handle mounted to the second end of the body.

25. A method comprising:

coupling an outlet of a feed bag to an inlet of a container, the feed bag bounding a compartment having a feed material disposed therein;

dispensing the feed material from the feed bag into the container; and

delivering a fluid to the compartment of the feed bag so that the fluid flushes remnants of the feed material within the compartment into the container.

26. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising opening a vent to the compartment of the feed bag before, during, or after dispensing of the feed material.

27. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising creating a positive gas pressure within the container so that the positive gas pressure is transferred into the compartment of the feed bag during dispensing of the feed material.

28. A method as recited in claim 25, wherein the act of delivering a fluid to the compartment of the feed bag comprises:

coupling a first end of a fluid tube to the feed bag so that the fluid tube is in fluid communication with the compartment of the feed bag; and

coupling a second end of the fluid tube to a fluid source.

29. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising:

sealing off fluid communication between at least a portion the compartment of the feed bag and the container;

removing gas within the compartment of the feed bag through a filtered vent.

30. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising vibrating at least a portion of the feed bag during dispensing of the feed material.

31. A method as recited in claim 25, wherein the feed material comprises a culture media, buffer or reagent in a substantially dry form.

32. A method as recited in claim 25, wherein the container comprises a flexible bag, the method further comprising inflating the flexible bag with a gas.

33. A method comprising:

coupling an outlet of a feed bag to an inlet of a container, the feed bag bounding a compartment having a feed material disposed therein;

dispensing the feed material from the feed bag into the container; and

creating a positive gas pressure within the compartment of the feed bag during dispensing of at least a portion of the feed material.

34. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein the act of creating a positive gas pressure comprises forming a positive gas pressure within the container so that the positive gas pressure is transferred into the compartment of the feed bag.

35. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein the container comprises a flexible bag, the act of creating a positive gas pressure comprising inflating the flexible bag with a gas.

36. A method as recited in claim 33, further comprising delivering a fluid to the compartment of the feed bag following dispensing of the feed material so that the fluid flushes remnants of the feed material within the compartment into the container.

37. A method as recited in claim 33, further comprising venting gas within the compartment of the feed bag through a vent during or following dispensing of the feed material.

38. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein the feed material comprises culture media, buffers, or reagents in a substantially dry form.