Abstract: A guide system for improving the orientation of a web of film as it passes around a fill tube structure in a form, fill, seal packaging machine is provided. The guide system comprises at least two members removably coupled to the fill tube structure, and so constructed and arranged that they increase the cross-sectional perimeter of the fill tube structure when they are secured thereto. The members cooperating with the fill tube structure to stretch the web of film as it passes around the fill tube structure. An improved apparatus for attaching fitments to a web of film and method is also provided.

Abstract: A set for the isolation of cryoprecipitate includes a hollow vessel with a closed first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, and a nipple extending from and closing the second end, said nipple enclosing a volume of approximately 2 to 5 percent of the volume of the hollow vessel. In one embodiment, the vessel is formed of a semi-rigid material and the first end is closed by a cap containing a micro-porous filter for venting the vessel. In another or further embodiment, the nipple has a tapered tip portion which may be sliced off to permit extrusion of the isolated cryoprecipitate by squeezing the vessel. In a different further embodiment, the nipple has a twist-lockable connector, for attachment to a syringe or to an applicator tip. In yet another embodiment a piston mounts on the cap within the vessel for directly extruding separated cryoprecipitate from the nipple.

Abstract: A set for the isolation of cryoprecipitate includes a hollow vessel with first and second ends and a tapered body extending to a narrow sump closing the second end, said sump enclosing a volume of approximately 2 to 5 percent of the volume of the hollow vessel. A port enters the vessel in the tapered body above the sump. In one embodiment, the vessel is formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material and the first end is closed by a cap containing a micro-porous filter for venting the vessel. In another or further embodiment, the sump has a tapered tip portion which may be sliced off to permit extrusion of the isolated cryoprecipitate by squeezing the vessel. In a different embodiment, the vessel contains an inner filter column, or bag with a filter matrix, accessible via an access port. Cellular material placed in the column is frozen, thawed and centrifuged to separate out antigen-free platelet growth factor with the cryoprecipitate.

Abstract: A cell culture media container is provided. The container comprises a body constructed from flexible film and defining a containment area for containing the cell culture media, the body including a front face and a back face, the front and back face being sealed to each other along at least three sides thereof. The container includes a fill port for filling the containment area with cell culture media, the port being sealed to a face of the body and being so constructed and arranged that it extends from the face normal thereto. The container is constructed from a high barrier, optically clear, radiation sterilizable film.

Abstract: A device for guiding a web of flexible film that has been folded back upon itself so as to maintain the edges of the web of film precisely positioned for subsequent sealing. The device includes a smooth support plate positioned so as to be received between two folds of the web of film with pressure being applied to hold the folds against the plate by means of rollers. The rollers are mounted to maintain the folds against the support plate and to assume different orientations relative to the direction of movement of the web.

Abstract: Device for welding a mouthpiece to a thermoplastic film comprising a frame, a support plate carried by the frame and moveable with respect to the latter, a welding head rigidly connected to the support plate, and at least one annular heating resistance carried by the welding head and having electric supply rods arranged at two diametrically opposite points. The device comprises diffusion means for diffusing a cooling gas at the vicinity of the fixation of the supply rods to the heating resistance; preferably, the cooling gas diffusion means comprise channels extending in the welding head and surrounding the supply rods.The invention also relates to the mounting of the welding device on a moveable frame and its association with a film blocking device.

Abstract: A shaping device for a web of flexible film having projecting ports comprising a shaping plate having a slit, for receiving the film, and an opening for receiving the port. An adjustable member is provided for limiting the length of the slit. A member is also provided for guiding the port into the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously filling flexible bags or pouches with a perfusion liquid contained in a reservoir to which the perfusion liquid is fed from a source.The apparatus comprises regulating means including a sensor which sends a signal as a function of the level of the liquid in reservoir and is connected to a regulator that continuously regulates the feeding of the perfusion liquid to said reservoir, so as to maintain the level of the liquid in reservoir close to a pre-set level.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing packaging material is provided. The apparatus includes a container or bath for containing a liquid sterilant through which the packaging material is drawn and guided. The container having an entry opening and exit opening, and guide rollers. At least one spray nozzle located at a position above the level of liquid sterilant for spraying the packaging material with recirculated filter liquid sterilant after it has passed through the liquid sterilant bath is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a liquid from a reservoir is provided. A distribution duct that defines a channel extending from the reservoir is provided that is in fluid communication with a feeding duct that defines a channel. A valve seat is located between the distribution duct and the feeding duct. The channels defined by the distribution and feeding duct extend in the same plane at the valve seat. The valve seat is located at an acute angle with respect to that plane. A closing device, for regulating fluid flow from the distribution duct to the feeding duct is provided. The closing device includes a movable valve, movable in a direction that is at an acute angle to the flow if the fluid from the distribution duct to the feeding duct, for mating with the valve seat. A member is coupled to the valve for urging the valve toward the valve seat. Members are provided for adjusting the member for causing the closing device to move.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing and severing a web of film is provided. The apparatus includes a sealing bar having a body portion including first and second sidewalls and a top portion for melting and severing a portion of a web of film. A backup member is provided located on an opposite side of the film from the sealing bar for urging the film against a portion of the sealing bar. The apparatus also includes a holder for holding the sealing bar, the holder includes a first side and a second side that define a center region for receiving at least a portion of the body of the sealing bar, and first and second sides having shoulders. The shoulders and top portion of the sealing bar are so constructed and arranged that they deflect a bead generated at a molten area of the film when the film is sealed and severed and substantially limit the creation of a resultant bead in a final cooled product.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a web of film in a packaging machine. The apparatus includes a sealing bar for heating a web of film to a temperature sufficient to melt at least a portion of the web of film. The sealing bar includes a surface that directly contacts the web of film and does not include a release layer. The surface includes thereon a measuring member for measuring the temperature of the molten area of the film. The apparatus further includes a cooling member for cooling the melted portion of the film to its crystallization point during a cycle time of the packaging machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a folded web of film under tension comprising at least one pair of rollers, a first side of the folded web of film being fed between the pair of rollers, the pair of rollers being mounted out of parallel to the first side of the folded web of film and pulling the first side of the folded web of film in a first direction, and a member for preventing a second side of the folded web of film from moving in the first direction. Preferably, the member biases the second side of the folded web of film in a second direction opposite the first direction. A method for placing a folded web of film under tension is also provided.

Abstract: A packaging machine for creating from a web of flexible film a bag for housing a product comprising an apparatus for feeding a web of film through the packaging machine, a sealing station for heating the web of film to create seals in the web of film, the sealing station including a pair of jaws located diametric each other, at least one of the jaws having coupled thereto a member for heating the web of film, and the second jaw having coupled thereto a back-up bar, the jaws being coupled to a member for urging the jaws towards each other. The packaging machine includes boots for segregating a sterile area of the packaging machine through which the web of film is fed, from nonsterile areas, the boots including a plurality of flexible, pleated rubber members that segregate nonsterile internal areas of the sealing station from the sterile area.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making containers (40) in which a sheet of thermoplastic material (10) that is adapted to be formed into a pouch is introduced into a mold cavity (14). A molding compound (22) is also introduced into the mold cavity (14). The molding compound (22) is permitted to be bonded with the thermoplastic sheet (10) inside the mold cavity (14) to form a container port (20) in situ. The thermoplastic sheet (10) and bonded molding compound (22) are removed from the mold cavity (14) and the sheet carrying the port (20) formed from the bonded molding compound is folded and cut to form a container (40).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing liquid and residue from a web of film is provided. The apparatus includes an exhaust tube having an inlet and an outlet, the web of film passing through the exhaust tube from the inlet through the outlet, the exhaust tube being under a negative pressure. Two air knives are located above the outlet of the exhaust tube, one air knife being located on a first side of the film and second air knife being located on a second side of the film, the air knives include a plurality of holes for directing a gas for removing the liquid and residue onto the web of film. The exhaust tube cooperates with the air knives to capture a portion of the removed liquid and residue.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching fitments a web of film. The apparatus includes an elongated tube, the web of film being passed around at least a portion of the elongated tube. A film puncher and remover for punching at least one hole in the web of film and removing the resultant slug is provided. The web of film passes between the elongated tube and the film puncher and remover. The apparatus also includes a fitment feed member for feeding a fitment from outside the elongated tube to a fitment pick-up position inside the elongated tube. The elongated tube also includes a fitment moving member for moving the fitment from the fitment pick-up position to a fitment attachment position. The fitment attachment position is located so that a portion of the fitment is received by the hole in the web of film. The apparatus also includes a sealer for welding the film to the fitment.

Abstract: A closure for removably sealing a port is provided. The closure includes a guide member receivable within an opening of a port and a sleeve member extending for a length of the guide member and defining with the guide member an annular channel, at least a portion of the port being received within the annular channel when the closure seals the port, the inner circumference of the sleeve member being sufficiently small to exert a retaining force around the portion of the port so received securing the closure onto the port. The closure includes a handle member having a reduced thickness portion, upon the application of a pulling force on the handle member the reduced thickness portion will stretch before the retaining force exerted by the closure on the port is overcome.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a web of film including a heater member for melting a portion of the film to create side and chevron seals. A back-up bar is located diametric the heater member. The heater member includes two elongated heater bars and two wing heater bars.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing film together is provided. The apparatus includes a first jaw and a second jaw, the jaws cooperating to clamp two film ends together. A heat sealer for sealing the two film ends together is located in the first jaw. A rotatable block is located in a second jaw. The rotatable block is rotatable to a cutting position and a sealing position. In the cutting position, a side of the rotatable block having a slot faces upwardly and contacts the film. In the sealing position a side of the rotatable block having a back up member faces upwardly and contacts the film. When the film is clamped between the jaws and the rotatable block and is in the cutting position, a portion of the block, and accordingly the film, extends outwardly from a horizontal plane defined between the jaws. Therefore, after the film is cut along the slot in the block and the block is rotated to the sealing position, the severed ends of the film overlap. A method of splicing film is also provided.