Method and machine for producing sterile solution product bags

US11021275B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Baxter International Inc. · US
• Baxter Healthcare SA · CH

Inventors

• Grant Anthony Bomgaars · Kildeer, US
• Joseph V. Ranalletta · Guntersville, US
• Yuanpang Samuel Ding · Libertyville, US
• Ying-Cheng Lo · North Aurora, US
• Mark Edward Pasmore · Grayslake, US
• Michael Joseph Sadowski · Ringwood, US
• Anastasios Hristakos · Evanston, US
• Thomas E. Dudar · Palatine, US
• Bernd Krause · Liederbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 20, 2017
• Grant date: Jun 1, 2021
• Expiry date: Jan 20, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65B57/00
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method of providing filled product bags of sterile and particulate-free fluid includes securing a product bag to one of a plurality of movable cradles, wherein the product bag has a bladder, a stem fluidly connected to an opening of the bladder, and a filter disposed in-line with the stem. After securing the bag, an inlet of the stem is connected to an outlet of a nozzle assembly and at least partially filling the product bag with a fluid through a nozzle of the nozzle assembly to create a filled product bag, wherein filling the product bag includes passing the fluid through the filter and into the bladder. After filling, the stem of the filled product bag is sealed at a location below the filter. The stem is cut at a location above the seal and below the filter. The method including performing an integrity test on the filter, removing the filled product bag from the cradle, and depositing the filled product bag into a first bin for rejected bags if the filter fails the integrity test and a second bin for accepted bags if filter passes the integrity test.