Methods of delivering a fluid using a fluid manifold

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11148836-B2
Application number	US-201916385775-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 16, 2019
Priority date	Jul 11, 2011
Publication date	Oct 19, 2021
Grant date	Oct 19, 2021

Abstract

A method of dispensing a fluid includes coupling a manifold to a fluid source, the manifold including at least portions of opposing flexible sheets welded together to form a fluid flow path therebetween; passing a fluid from the fluid source through the fluid flow path of the manifold and into a plurality of flexible bags coupled to the manifold; sealing closed each of the flexible bags; progressively collapsing the fluid flow path along a length of the manifold so as to force a portion of the fluid remaining within the fluid flow path into one of the flexible bags before all of the flexible bags are sealed closed; and removing each sealed bag from the manifold.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of delivering a fluid, the method comprising:
coupling a manifold to a fluid source, the manifold being comprised of at least portions of opposing flexible sheets welded together to form a fluid flow path therebetween;
passing a fluid from the fluid source through the fluid flow path of the manifold and into a plurality of flexible bags coupled to the manifold;
sealing closed each of the flexible bags;
collapsing a length of the fluid flow path of the manifold extending between a first location and a spaced apart second location by starting at the first location and progressively collapsing the manifold toward the second location so as to force a portion of the fluid remaining within the fluid flow path into one of the flexible bags before all of the flexible bags are sealed closed; and
removing each sealed bag from the manifold.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the progressively collapsing the length of the fluid flow path comprises progressively pressing together the opposing flexible sheets without welding the opposing flexible sheets together.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein each of the flexible bags is comprised of a pair of opposing flexible sheets welded together so as to bound a compartment, the step of sealing closed each of the flexible bags comprising welding together the opposing flexible sheets of each flexible bag so as to seal closed a fluid inlet to each flexible bag.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
the manifold comprises first portions of opposing flexible sheets welded together to form the fluid flow path therebetween; and
the plurality of flexible bags comprise second portions of the same continuous opposing flexible sheets welded together so as to form the flexible bags, the flexible bags being integral with the manifold and with each other.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of removing each sealed bag comprises tearing the opposing flexible sheets along perforations extending through the opposing flexible sheets.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
pinching the fluid flow path of the manifold closed at a first location and passing the fluid into a first of the flexible bags; and
pinching the fluid flow path of the manifold closed at a second location spaced apart from the first location and passing the fluid into a second of the flexible bags.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the progressively collapsing the length of the fluid flow path comprises using a tool to press against the opposing flexible sheets at the first location and then progressively moving the tool toward the second location.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the tool comprises a squeegee, scrapper or roller.

9. A method of delivering a fluid, the method comprising:
coupling a fluid source to a fluid manifold system, the fluid manifold system comprising:
a manifold comprising at least portions of opposing flexible sheets welded together to form a primary fluid path therebetween, a fluid inlet communicating with the primary fluid path;
a first receiving container assembly and a second receiving container assembly, each first and second receiving container assembly comprising a first receiving container bounding a compartment; and
a first tubular connector extending in fluid communication from the manifold to the first receiving container assembly and a second tubular connector extending in fluid communication from the manifold to the second receiving container assembly;

temporarily closing fluid communication between the manifold and second receiving container assembly; and
delivering fluid from the fluid source through the manifold and the first tubular connector into the first receiving container assembly, the first receiving container assembly comprising a pair of opposing flexible sheets that are separate from the manifold and are welded together so as to form the first receiving container and a second receiving container that each have their own compartment bounded between the opposing flexible sheets, the first receiving container assembly further comprising a secondary fluid path bounded between the opposing flexible sheets, a first fluid inlet that extends between the first receiving container and the secondary fluid path and a second fluid inlet that extends between the second receiving container and the secondary fluid path.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising:
sealing closed fluid communication between the manifold and the compartment of the first receiving container assembly;
opening fluid communication between the manifold and second receiving container assembly; and
delivering fluid from the fluid source through the manifold and the second tubular connector into the second receiving container assembly.

11. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the step of closing fluid communication between the manifold and second receiving container assembly comprises closing the primary fluid path of the manifold between the first tubular connector and the second tubular connector.

12. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the step of sealing closed the fluid communication between the manifold and the compartment of the first receiving container assembly comprises welding closed the first fluid inlet.

13. A method of delivering a fluid, the method comprising:
coupling a fluid source to a fluid manifold system, the fluid manifold system comprising:
a manifold comprising at least portions of opposing flexible sheets welded together to form a primary fluid path therebetween, a fluid inlet communicating with the primary fluid path;
a first receiving container assembly comprising a pair of opposing flexible sheets that are separate from the first manifold and are welded together so as to form a first receiving container and a second receiving container that each have their own compartment bounded between the opposing flexible sheets, the first receiving container assembly further comprising a secondary fluid path bounded between the opposing flexible sheets, a first fluid inlet that extends between the first receiving container and the secondary fluid path and a second fluid inlet that extends between the second receiving container and the secondary fluid path; and
a first tubular connector extending in fluid communication from the manifold to the secondary fluid path of the first receiving container assembly; closing fluid communication through the first fluid inlet; and

delivering fluid from the fluid source through the manifold, the tubular connector, the secondary fluid path, the second fluid inlet and into the compartment of the second receiving container.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising:
sealing closed the second fluid inlet;
opening fluid communication through the first fluid inlet; and
delivering fluid from the fluid source through the manifold, the tubular connector, the secondary fluid path, first fluid inlet and into the compartment of the first receiving container.

15. The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the step of sealing closed the second fluid inlet comprises welding closed the second fluid inlet.

16. The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the step of closing fluid communication through the first fluid inlet comprises temporarily pinching closed the first fluid inlet.

17. The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising separating the second receiving container from the first receiving container.

Assignees

• Life Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Goodwin Michael E
• Larsen Jeremy K
• Draper Patrick L
• Knudsen Brandon M

Classifications

• B65B3/003 Primary

  Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like · CPC title

• B65B3/02

  Machines characterised by the incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles · CPC title

• A61J1/10

  Bag-type containers · CPC title

• B65B3/04

  Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles · CPC title

• B65B51/02

  Applying adhesives or sealing liquids · CPC title