Fluid Manifold Systems and Methods of Manufacture

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022002007-A1
Application number	US-202117481605-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 22, 2021
Priority date	Jul 11, 2011
Publication date	Jan 6, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fluid manifold system includes a first manifold having portions of opposing flexible sheets welded together to form a fluid flow path therebetween, a fluid inlet communicating with the fluid flow path. The fluid flow path of the first manifold includes: a primary flow path communicating with the fluid inlet of the first manifold; and a plurality of spaced apart secondary flow paths that branch off of the primary flow path. Each secondary flow path has a first end communicating with the primary flow path and an opposing second end, each secondary flow path having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the primary flow path. The fluid manifold system also includes a plurality of tubular connectors with each tubular connector being secured to the first manifold at the second end of a corresponding one of the secondary flow paths.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A fluid manifold system comprising:
a first manifold comprising portions of opposing flexible sheets welded together to form a fluid flow path therebetween, a fluid inlet communicating with the fluid flow path, the fluid flow path of the first manifold comprising:
a primary flow path communicating with the fluid inlet of the first manifold; and
a plurality of spaced apart secondary flow paths that branch off of the primary flow path, each secondary flow path having a first end communicating with the primary flow path and an opposing second end, each secondary flow path having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the primary flow path; and
a plurality of tubular connectors, each of the plurality of tubular connectors being secured to the first manifold at the second end of a corresponding one of the secondary flow paths.

2 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the primary flow path and each of the secondary flow paths are bound between the opposing flexible sheets.

3 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the primary flow path has a first side and an opposing second side extending along a length thereof, a first portion of the secondary flow paths branching off of the primary flow path along the first side of the primary flow path and a second portion of the secondary flow paths branching off of the primary flow path along the second side of the primary flow path.

4 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the primary flow path has a length that extends between a first end an opposing second end, the primary flow path progressively constricting as it extends from the first end to the second end thereof.

5 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the tubular connectors are secured to the first manifold by being welded between the opposing flexible sheets thereof.

6 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each tubular connector comprises a port or tube.

7 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each tubular connector comprises a tubular body having an annular barb outwardly projecting therefrom.

8 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the opposing flexible sheets of the first manifold comprise sheets of polymeric film.

9 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the opposing flexible sheets of the first manifold comprise:
a first flexible sheet having an inside face; and a second flexible sheet having an inside face, the inside face of the second flexible sheet lying directly against the inside face of the first flexible sheet with the inside faces being secured together to form the fluid flow path therebetween.

10 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the opposing flexible sheets of the first manifold comprise two portions of a single flexible sheet folded on top of itself.

11 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of receiving containers, each receiving container being secured to a corresponding one of the tubular connectors.

12 . The fluid manifold system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
the first manifold having a fluid outlet in fluid communication with fluid flow path; and a second manifold comprising at least portions of opposing flexible sheets welded together to form a fluid flow path therebetween, the second manifold having a fluid inlet coupled with the fluid outlet of the first manifold.

13 . A method of manufacturing a manifold system for dispensing a fluid, the method comprising:
positioning a first flexible sheet on top of a second flexible sheet; welding the first flexible sheet to the second flexible sheet so as to form a fluid flow path therebetween, the fluid flow path comprising a primary flow path communicating with a fluid inlet and a plurality of spaced apart secondary flow paths that branch off of the primary flow path, each secondary flow path having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the primary flow path; and securing a plurality of tubular connectors to the first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet so that each tubular connector communicates with a corresponding one of the secondary flow paths.

14 . The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising securing the plurality of tubular connectors to the first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet by adhesive or welding.

15 . The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising securing a receiving container to each of the tubular connectors.

16 . The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein each tubular connector comprises a port or tube.

17 . The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the opposing flexible sheets of the first manifold comprise sheets of polymeric film.

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

• B65B51/02

  Applying adhesives or sealing liquids · CPC title

• B65B3/04

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