Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Baxter Laboratories, Inc.

Albert J Stone

Peter C Carveth

Warren P Frederick

Edwin Pyde

L Alan White

William L Rudzena

Michael D Nissen

William Rudzena

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for attaching fitments to filled flexible containers. A series of interconnected filled flexible containers are conveyed between a pair of belt conveyors which limit lateral movement of the containers. A third conveyor urges fitments against the bottoms of the containers and the fitments are sealed to the containers.

Apparatus and method for attaching fitments to flexible containers

A fitment for attachment to a container having an integral body constructed from a thermoplastic foam and having an integral skin outer surface and a cellular core. The body has a top and bottom surface and includes at least one resealable port.

Thermoplastic foam fitment

An in-line set filter for parenteral solution sets and the like which comprises a tubular housing having first and second ends. A bundle of filter tubes is positioned within the housing, the filter tubes preferably being folded so that all ends of the filter tubes occupy a single zone in communication with the first housing end. The zone is filled with potting compound with the filter tube ends communicating through the potting compound and open to the exterior. A flow access port is laterally positioned in a side wall between the second end and the potting compound but closer to the potting compound. The second end defines an open aperture occluded by a porous hydrophobic filter to permit venting while preventing loss of aqueous liquid.

In-line filter

A unique container is disclosed which has at least three chambers for the separate storage and selective mixing of at least two components. The container includes two outer flexible sheets and an inner, diaphragm sheet, all sealed about their peripheries in the preferred embodiment. Multiple breakable lines of securement are formed between one of the outer sheets and the inner, diaphragm sheet. Multiple permanent lines of securement are formed between the inner diaphragm sheet and the other outer sheet, extending substantially parallel to and substantially the length of the respective breakable lines of securement. Such a container structure defines two chambers which have no common boundary and an intermediate chamber. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate chamber does not store any substance; rather, it serves as a buffer or barrier chamber and also acts as a test for seal integrity. In another embodiment of the invention, the intermediate chamber holds a third component for mixing.

Container having a selectively openable seal line and peelable barrier

In a fluid administration set of otherwise conventional design, an in-line chamber is provided having an inlet and outlet port communicating with the chamber and defining part of the path of flow through the set. A sealing piston is slidably movable by fluid pressure within the chamber and capable of occupying first positions in which the sealing piston isolates fluid in the chamber adjacent the inlet port from fluid in the chamber adjacent the outlet port. The sealing piston also can occupy at least one second position in which unlimited fluid flow is permitted between the inlet port and outlet port. A third port is provided for intermittently inserting a critical fluid into the chamber on the side of the sealing piston facing the outlet port. Thus the piston can be driven into the first position from the second position by this insertion, to prevent mixing of the critical fluid with fluid on the side of the piston facing the inlet port until the critical fluid has substantially passed through the outlet port and the piston moves to the second position. This permits the reliable, prompt administration of essentially the entire dose of a critical medication, particularly at low flow rates.

Chambers to assure reliable infusion of medicaments and the like

A two chamber container for the separate storage and selective mixing of two components is disclosed. The container includes two outer flexible thermoplastic sheets and an inner, diaphragm sheet. A unique seal line structure is formed between one of the outer sheets and the inner, diaphragm sheet. A peelable barrier structure such as a sheet of aluminum foil with an inner layer of adhesive is secured to the exterior surface of the exterior wall of the container at that portion of the other of the outer sheets which defines one of the chambers of the container. The peelable barrier sheet permits the use of lower cost materials for the remainder of the container structure while both (1) permitting visual inspection of the chamber contents and (2) providing high moisture, gas and light barrier properties.

Multiple chamber container with inner diaphragm and intermediate chamber

A flexible, flat-collapsible bag containing parenteral solution may be adapted for aseptically receiving and mixing the contents of another container, with the flat-collapsible bag preferably initially containing, prior to receiving said contents, a liquid for parenteral administration in a volume of 30 to 70 percent of the holding capacity of said flat-collapsible bag. The bag defines at least a pair of access ports, one of the ports being sealingly connected to flexible, crimpable, thermoplastic tubing of a length of at least 11/2 inches, and a sealed connector member carried on the outer end of the flexible thermoplastic tubing, in which the seal connector member defines a sleeve including a sealing diaphragm in the bore thereof, with the sleeve constituting an extension of the flexible thermoplastic tubing. Accordingly, a piercing spike may sealingly enter the sleeve to rupture the diaphragm.

Growing community of inventors

Buffalo Grove, IL, United States of America

Albert J Stone