Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sealing a peripheral attachment member onto a sealed pouch that has been previously filled with a product. The invention also relates to a pouch that includes a peripheral attachment member sealingly attached to at least one of its faces. The method includes a step of providing a multi-layer pouch that is configured so as to provide an inner sealant adapted to form a closed enclosure along sealing lines and an outer sealant that forms at least one external face of the pouch wherein the outer sealant has a melting point that is lower than the melting point of the inner sealant.

Abstract: A mixing tank assembly includes a side wall having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber. A floor is disposed within or at the base of the chamber. The floor can be either fixed to the side wall or movably disposed within the chamber thereof. A collapsible container is disposed within the chamber so as to rest on the floor. The collapsible container bounds a compartment. A mixer is disposed within the compartment of the container.

Abstract: A mixing system includes a flexible mixing bag having an interior surface bounding a compartment, the compartment being adapted to hold a liquid solution. A mixer is disposed within the compartment of the mixing bag. A shaft has a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the shaft is connected to the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag. The second end of the shaft is disposed outside of the compartment. A seal is formed between the mixing bag and the shaft or the mixer to enable the shaft to raise and lower the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag while preventing leaking of the liquid solution.

Abstract: A method for forming a sterile fluid connection includes inserting a dispensing end of a fill tube into a cavity of a sterilizer. A sterilizing field is generated within the cavity of the sterilizer. A cap mounted on the end of the fill tube is removed from the fill tube while in the cavity. A fill port is disposed within the cavity. The fill tube is fluid coupled with the fill port in the cavity of the sterilizer while the dispensing end of the fill tube and the fill port are exposed to the sterilizing field. A fluid is passed from the fill tube to the fill port.

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.

Abstract: The connection, assembly, or fill of two or more pre-sterilized components 10,12 having at least one terminal end 14 each for attachment to another component, and an apparatus for performing such a connection, while maintaining the sterility of the components is disclosed. The resulting connection is made permanent by bonding the contacting components 10,12 together using either a solvent bonding technique, a radio frequency sealer, a heat sealer, or any other suitable process. The connection is preferably made within an active sterile field 60. Using a low-voltage electron beam instrument 54, such as the MIN-EB™, a suitable sterile field sphere can be created. The terminal ends 14 of the multiple components 10,12 remain within the sterile field sphere 60 until the possibility of contamination within the sealed components is significantly reduced to industry acceptable standards.

Abstract: The connection, assembly, or fill of two or more pre-sterilized components having at least one terminal end each for attachment to another component, and an apparatus for performing such a connection, while maintaining the sterility of the components is disclosed. The resulting connection is made permanent by bonding the contacting components together using either a solvent bonding technique, a radio frequency sealer, a heat sealer, or any other suitable process. The connection is preferably made within an active sterile field. Using a low-voltage electron beam instrument, such as the MIN-EB™, a suitable sterile field sphere can be created. The terminal ends of the multiple components remain within the sterile field sphere until the possibility of contamination within the sealed components is significantly reduced to industry acceptable standards.

Abstract: The connection, assembly, or fill of two or more pre-sterilized components having at least one terminal end each for attachment to another component, and an apparatus for performing such a connection, while maintaining the sterility of the components is disclosed. The resulting connection is made permanent by bonding the contacting components together using either a solvent bonding technique, a radio frequency sealer, a heat sealer, or any other suitable process. The connection is preferably made within an active sterile field. Using a low-voltage electron beam instrument, such as the MIN-EB™, a suitable sterile field sphere can be created. The terminal ends of the multiple components remain within the sterile field sphere until the possibility of contamination within the sealed components is significantly reduced to industry acceptable standards.

Abstract: A wedge-shaped access port for a flexible container is described. The flexible container is formed of at least one or more sheets of material which are sealed together about the edges to form a cavity. The wedge-shaped port is sealed to the container so that a base of the wedge is exterior to the cavity and a thin edge of the wedge is located inside the cavity. An orifice in the port provides a passageway from the base of the wedge to the cavity. The wedge shape of the port allows sealing of the port to container with minimal stress or thinning of material at the seal between the port and the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and heat sealing a pair of overlying heat-sealable panels together comprises a conveyer for moving a pair of superimposed webs of panel material along a linear path and into a cutting and sealing station. A combined cutting and sealing die assembly includes a cutting die for cutting the panels out of the webs and a sealing die for sealing peripheral edges of the superimposed panels together. A heater element is mounted on each of the dies to heat them to their respective cutting and sealing temperatures with the dies being thermally insulated to prevent heat transfer therebetween. A plurality of spring clips attach the dies together to permit thermal expansion of the cutting die relative to the sealing die.

Abstract: An inflation valve, adapted for sealed attachment within a stem of a balloon, includes a valve body defining a longitudinal passage for receiving a fill tube therein, such as a straw. Insertion of an open distal end of the fill tube to a first position within the passage will facilitate communication of a pressurized fluid, such as air or helium, through a fill port defined in the valve body and into the inflation chamber of the balloon. After filling, the fill tube is moved axially forwardly to a second position for sealing-off communication of the open distal end of the fill tube with the fill port.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an article out of superimposed heat-sealable panels comprises a conveyor for moving a pair of superimposed webs along a path and into a cutting and sealing station whereat the panels are cut out of the webs and simultaneously heat-sealed together. The simultaneous cutting and sealing steps are effected by a unitary die having a cutting die that is heated to a predetermined cutting temperature and a sealing die that is heated to a predetermined sealing temperature that is substantially lower than the cutting temperature. The apparatus also includes steering means for automatically shifting a belt of the conveyor to maintain it in proper alignment and a scrap removal station for removing the web after the cutting and sealing operation.