Feed bags and methods of use

• US 7,168,459 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hynetics, LLC
• Inventors: Elgan, Gregory P., Goodwin, Michael, Buchanan, Bradley H, Austin, Jim A, Bibbo, Kenneth L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak; David J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEVORE, PETER T
• Application Number:
  US10/402,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20030198406A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 141 4- 6, 141/10, 141/11, 141/24, 141/25, 141/37, 141/39, 141/44, 141/47, 141/59, 141/67, 141/68, 141/286, 141/364, 141/12, 141/45, 141/70, 141313-315, 222/92, 222/394, 222/395, 222/397, 222/399, 222/145.5, 222/189.09, 222630-637, 604/416
• US Class Current: 141/5
• 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 at least partially filled with a substantially dry feed material the body having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end constricting to form a tubular spout with an outlet formed on an end thereof, the body including the tubular spout being comprised of one or more sheets of flexible polymeric material;

a clamp removably secured across the tubular spout of the body so as to prevent the feed material from passing through the tubular spout;

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

a filter coupled with the vent port; and

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 comprises a two or three dimensional bag.

5. A feed bag as recited in claim 4, further comprising a rigid outlet port secured to the outlet of the body.

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

7. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the feed material comprises culture media, buffers, or reagents.

32. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluid port is formed at the second end of the body.

33. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the substantially dry and flowable feed material is in the form of grains or powder.

34. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the outlet at the first end of the body is configured so that the substantially dry and flowable feed material can freely flow out of the outlet under the force of gravity.

39. A feed bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more sheets of flexible polymeric material are seamed together to form the body that includes the tubular spout.

8. A feed bag assembly comprising:

a body bounding a compartment and having a substantially dry and flowable feed component comprising culture media, buffers, or reagents disposed therein, the body having a first end with art outlet formed thereat and an opposing second end;

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

a filter in communication with the vent port; 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 liquid fluid source for delivering liquid fluid to the body.

9. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the vent port is formed on the body.

10. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 8, 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.

11. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the fluid tube is coupled with a fluid port formed on the body, the fluid port being spaced apart from the vent port.

12. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 8, further comprising a valve in fluid communication with the compartment of the body, the vent port being in communication with the valve, the fluid tube being coupled with the valve.

13. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the body comprises a rigid structure.

14. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the outlet port of the body is selectively coupled with a container so that the feed material while in the substantially dry form can dispense from the body into the container.

15. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the container comprises a flexible mixing bag.

16. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the container bounds a compartment having a positive gas pressure which is in communication with the compartment of the body.

17. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein the positive gas pressure is in a range between about 3.5 KPa to about 10 KPa.

18. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the body comprises a two or three dimensional bag comprised of one or more flexible polymeric sheets.

19. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 18, further comprising a rigid outlet port secured to the outlet of the body.

20. A feed bag assembly as recited in claim 8, further comprising a handle mounted to the second end of the body.

35. A feed bag as recited in claim 8, wherein the substantially dry and flowable feed component is in the form of grains or powder.

21. A method comprising:

coupling an outlet of a feed bag to an inlet of a container, the feed bag bounding a compartment having a substantially dry feed material comprising culture media, buffers, or reagents disposed therein;

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

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

22. A method as recited in claim 21, further comprising opening a vent to the compartment of the feed bag before, during, or after dispensing of the feed material.

23. A method as recited in claim 21, 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.

24. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the act of delivering a liquid 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 liquid fluid source.

25. A method as recited in claim 21, further comprising:

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

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

26. A method as recited in claim 21, further comprising vibrating at least a portion of the feed bag during dispensing of the feed material.

27. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the container comprises a flexible bag, the method further comprising inflating the flexible bag with a gas.

36. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the act of delivering a liquid fluid comprises delivering water to the compartment of the feed bag.

28. 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 comprising culture media, buffers, or reagents in a substantially dry form disposed therein;

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

creating a positive gas pressure within the container so that a portion of the gas within the container passes from the container into the compartment of the feed bag during dispensing of at least a portion of the feed material from the feed bag into the container, wherein the container comprises a flexible bag and the act of creating a positive gas pressure comprises inflating the flexible bag with a gas.

29. A method as recited in claim 28, 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.

30. A method as recited in claim 28, further comprising venting gas within the compartment of the feed bag through a vent during or following dispensing of the feed material.

31. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein the feed material comprises a substantially dry and flowable material.

37. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein the act of creating a positive gas pressure within the container comprises injecting a gas into the container before dispensing the feed material from the feed bag into the container.

38. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein the act of creating a positive gas pressure within the container comprises injecting a gas into the container while dispensing the feed material from the feed bag into the container.