Vessel for containing/transporting a fluent substance

• US 6,729,369 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lifecycle Biotechnologies LP
• Original Assignee: Chata Biosystems Incorporated
• Inventors: Neas, Edwin D., Templar, Dennis L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US09/772,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20030080140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 141/231, 141/114, 141/329, 141/313, 141/10, 141/94, 222/1, 222/81-83, 222/92, 222/105, 222/107
• US Class Current: 141/231
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/14 Details; Accessories therefor A61J7/00 takes precedence; openers B65D, B67B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/06 Arrangements on packages concerning bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/48 containing liquids, semiliquids, or pastes, e.g. cushion-shaped packages
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/58 Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture B65D75/36, B65D85/1027 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/5883 connected to the package at the sealed junction of two package walls
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0019 using ingredient cartridges

Abstract

An apparatus (having a flexible-walled vessel compatible with a fluent substance not for direct consumption by mammals) for transporting the fluent substance and dispensing during research, testing, and other related processes. The process is separate from a filling-site where the vessel is filled. The vessel, as oriented by a support framework, has an upper-end and a lower-portion with at least one port through which the fluent substance is dispensed, and an outwardly-facing indicia. This port is in communication with a primary flow channel and a valve for controlling the dispensing of a preselected amount of the substance as needed during the process. The fluent substance is selected from the group consisting of liquid reagents, cleaning solutions, solvents, and/or other fluent substances used in the production process. A second flow channel, in communication with a second port of the vessel'"'"'s lower-end, may be added for filling the vessel at the filling-site. Also, an associated method of transporting a fluent substance for dispensing during a production/test process that uses a flexible-walled vessel. Additionally, a method (and system) for building an order for replenishing stock of a fluent substance (contained in a flexible-walled vessel with an indicia) for use in a production/test process, including: reading the indicia; transmitting at least a part of the information provided by the indicia to a remote processor; accessing a database with the remote processor to search for a package record that corresponds with the indicia information; using the indicia information, updating and reviewing an inventory file record and generating the order; and once the order is accepted, automatically transmitting a request to determine a shipping-carrier and availability of stock at a warehouse.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transporting a fluent substance for dispensing during a production process that is separate from a filling-site, comprising:

a flexible-walled vessel compatible with the fluent substance;

said vessel comprising, as oriented by a support framework for the dispensing, an upper-end and a lower-portion having at least one port through which the fluent substance is dispensed during the production process;

said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion having been hermetically formed; and

said port in communication with a primary flow channel and a valve for controlling, independent of said support framework, the dispensing of a preselected amount of the fluent substance contained in said vessel as needed during the production process.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluent substance is selected from the group consisting of liquid reagents, cleaning solutions, solvents, and pesticides;

and further comprising an outwardly-facing indicia on said vessel for use in connection with the process.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said upper-end and said lower-end have been hermetically formed from tubular stock that is polymeric and generally inert to the fluent substance selected from the group consisting of flexible poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) film and flexible multi-layer film;

and the apparatus further comprises an indicia on said vessel having bar coding for tracking use of the vessel during the process.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

a pillow-shaped volume of said vessel formed between said ends has a capacity greater than that required to contain said preselected amount; said primary flow channel passes through and is hermetically sealed to said lower-end; and

a support opening is integrated within said upper-end; and

said one port is also used for the filling of said vessel at the filling-site.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support framework comprises a stand with a base and a projection that fits through a support opening integrated within said upper-end to hold said vessel for the dispensing;

and further comprising a plug-in assembly for insertion into said port, said assembly comprising said primary flow channel and said valve.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support framework comprises relatively-rigid forward and aft walls, an acute angle between which said vessel is positioned for the dispensing, and a lower aperture through which said primary flow channel fits for the dispensing;

and the apparatus further comprises a tubular-extension in communication with said primary flow channel, said valve operatively arranged along said tubular-extension.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

a pillow-shaped volume of said vessel formed between said ends has a capacity greater than that required to contain said preselected amount;

said lower-end has a wall through which said primary flow channel, along with a second flow channel, pass and are hermetically integrated; and

said second flow channel, in communication with a second port of said lower-end, is used for filling said vessel at the filling-site; and

said second flow channel being permanently blocked once said vessel has been filled.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion have been hermetically formed into polymeric sheet material such that:

a volume of said vessel is formed between said ends having a capacity greater than that required to contain said preselected amount; and

said valve is operatively arranged at said at least one port.

9. An apparatus for transporting a fluent substance for dispensing during a test process that is separate from a filling-site, comprising:

a flexible-walled vessel compatible with the fluent substance, which is not for mammalian consumption;

said vessel comprising, as oriented by a support framework for the dispensing, an upper-end and a lower-portion having at least one port through which the fluent substance is dispensed during the test process;

said port in communication with a primary flow channel and a valve for controlling the dispensing of a preselected amount of the fluent substance contained in said vessel, as needed; and

an outwardly-facing indicia on said vessel for use in connection with the test process.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fluent substance is selected from the group consisting of liquid reagents, cleaning solutions, solvents, pesticides.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein

said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion have been hermetically formed from polymeric tubular stock material such that: a pillow-shaped volume of said vessel is formed between said ends having a capacity greater than that required to contain said preselected amount;

said primary flow channel passes through and is hermetically sealed to said lower-end; and

a flowmeter device is operatively arranged downstream of said port; and

said indicia comprises alphanumeric coding for inventory control of the fluent substance.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein

said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion have been hermetically formed into polymeric sheet material such that:

a volume of said vessel is formed between said ends having a capacity greater than that required to contain said preselected amount;

said primary flow channel is hermetically sealed to a sidewall of said lower-portion; and

the apparatus further comprises a second flow channel used for filling said vessel at the filling site, in communication with a second port of said upper-end; and

said second flow channel being permanently blocked once said vessel has been filled.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said support framework comprises a stand with a base and a projection that fits through a support opening integrated within said upper-end to hold said vessel for the dispensing;

and said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion have been hermetically formed from polymeric tubular material generally inert to the fluent substance selected from the group consisting of flexible poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) film and flexible multi-layer film.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said support framework comprises relatively-rigid forward and aft walls between which said vessel is positioned for the dispensing, and a lower aperture through which said primary flow channel fits for the dispensing;

and the apparatus further comprises a tubular-extension in communication with said primary flow channel, said valve operatively arranged along said tubular-extension.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein:

said indicia comprises alphanumeric coding for inventory control of the fluent substance, a portion of said indicia is machine-readable for transmission to a remote processor; and

said valve is operatively arranged at said at least one port.

16. An apparatus for transporting a fluent substance for dispensing during a production process, comprising:

a flexible-walled vessel compatible with the fluent substance, the fluent substance being selected from the group consisting of liquid reagents, cleaning solutions, solvents, and pesticides;

an outwardly-facing indicia on said vessel;

said vessel comprising an upper-end and a lower-portion having at least one port through which the fluent substance is dispensed during the production process; and

said port in communication with a primary flow channel and a valve for controlling, independent of a support framework for said vessel, the dispensing of a preselected amount of the fluent substance contained in said vessel as needed during the production process.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion have been hermetically formed from tubular stock such that:

a volume of said vessel is formed between said ends, and a vertical channel is hermetically integrated along a side of said vessel to accommodate a support-stem of a framework to orient said vessel for the dispensing.

18. A method of transporting a fluent substance for dispensing during a production process, comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible-walled vessel with an upper-end and a lower-portion having at least one port in communication with a primary flow channel and a valve, said flexible-walls made of a material compatible with the fluent substance;

filling said vessel, for the transporting, with the fluent substance at a filling-site that is separate from the production process;

orienting said vessel by a support framework; and

dispensing through said valve independent of said support framework, as needed, a preselected amount of the fluent substance contained in said vessel.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said step of filling uses a fluent substance selected from the group consisting of liquid reagents, cleaning solutions, solvents, and pesticides;

and said step of providing further comprises including an outwardly-facing indicia on said vessel for use in connection with the production process.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said step of providing further comprises hermetically forming said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion into polymeric sheet material such that a volume of said vessel is formed between said ends having a capacity greater than that required to contain said preselected amount;

and said step of orienting further comprises inserting at least a portion of a projection of said support framework through a support opening integrated within said upper-end.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein:

said step of providing further comprises hermetically forming said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion into flexible sheet material;

said step of filling further comprises filling said vessel though said at least one port; and

said step of orienting further comprises positioning said vessel between relatively-rigid forward and aft walls of said support framework such that said primary flow channel fits through a lower aperture of said framework for the dispensing.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein:

said step of providing further comprises including an outwardly-facing indicia on said vessel and a second flow channel for carrying out said step of filling using a fluent substance selected from the group consisting of liquid reagents, cleaning solutions, solvents, and pesticides; and

said step of dispensing further comprises opening said valve, having been operatively arranged along a tubular-extension in communication with said primary flow channel, long enough to dispense said preselected amount, and then closing said valve to temporarily prevent further dispensing of the fluent substance.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein:

said step of providing further comprises hermetically forming said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion from polymeric tubular stock material;

said step of dispensing further comprises opening said valve, having been operatively arranged at said at least one port in communication with said primary flow channel, long enough to dispense said preselected amount, and then closing said valve to temporarily prevent further dispensing of the fluent substance.

24. A method of transporting a fluent substance for dispensing during a test process, comprising the steps of:

providing a vessel with;

flexible-walls made of a material compatible with the fluent substance, which is not for mammalian consumption;

an outwardly-facing indicia; and

an upper-end and a lower-portion having at least one port in communication with a primary flow channel and a valve;

filling said vessel, for the transporting, with the fluent substance at a filling-site that is separate from the test process;

orienting said vessel by a support framework; and

dispensing through said valve independent of said support framework, as needed, a preselected amount of the fluent substance contained in said vessel.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein:

said step of providing further comprises hermetically forming said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion into flexible sheet material;

said step of filling uses a fluent substance selected from the group consisting of liquid reagents, cleaning solutions, solvents, and pesticides; and

said step of dispensing further comprises measuring said preselected amount with a flowmeter device operatively arranged upstream of said valve.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein:

said step of providing further comprises including a second flow channel, in communication with a second port of said upper-end, for carrying out said step of filling; and

further comprising the steps of permanently blocking said second flow channel once said vessel has been filled, and controlling inventory of the fluent substance using an alphanumeric coding indicia.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein said step of providing further comprises hermetically forming said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion into polymeric sheet material such that a volume of said vessel is formed between said ends having a capacity greater than that required to contain said preselected amount;

and a plug-in assembly comprises said primary flow channel and said valve for insertion into said port prior to said step of dispensing.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein said and said step of orienting further comprises inserting at least a portion of a projection of said framework through a support opening integrated within said upper-end;

and further comprising the step of, prior to said step of dispensing, rolling a base of said support framework to locate said framework within the test process for said step of dispensing.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein said step of providing further comprises hermetically forming said upper-end and a lower-end of said lower-portion from polymeric tubular stock material such that a volume of said vessel is formed between said ends having a capacity greater than that required to contain said preselected amount;

and said step of dispensing further comprises opening said valve, having been operatively arranged at said at least one port in communication with said primary flow channel, long enough to dispense said preselected amount, and then closing said valve to temporarily prevent further dispensing of the fluent substance.