The present invention is in the field of closures for flexible bags. More specifically, the present invention relates to a closure device having elongated clamping members for closing an open end of a flexible bag.
Various methods and apparatus have been developed through the years for the cultivation of microbes, fungi (e.g., mushrooms), and other organisms for commercial purposes. Most commonly, bottles and bags are used for cultivating such organisms. Bag cultivation, however, has several advantages over bottle cultivation. It is an economic means of production, as well as a means for producing practically any variety of organism. Bag cultivation also allows for flexibility in crop production. Examples of such bags useful for the cultivation and/or incubation of microbes, fungi and the like are those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,377,982 and 11,066,632.
In many instances, the flexible bags used for cultivation purposes are made from flexible thermoplastic sheet materials. These materials are formed into bags and filled with a substrate that serves as a nutrient food source for the organisms being grown. The flexible bags and the substrate must be sterilized prior to introducing the microbe, fungi, or other organism to be cultivated or incubated. Such sterilization may be through heat, radiation or chemical sterilization. Once sterilized, the organism to be grown is introduced into the open end of the bag containing the sterilized substrate. The open end of the bag is then closed. The openings of such flexible bags are often closed or sealed with a sealing machine that utilizes heat or ultrasonic welding to form a seal or seam from the material of the bag itself to close off the openings of the bag. While such seals may be effective, in many cases, the bags may be located remote from such sealing machines. Additionally, such seals cannot be reclosed if it is necessary to access the interior of the sealed bag and then reclose it.
Separate bag closure devices have been developed that can seal the openings of flexible bags and eliminate the need for a flexible bag sealing machine. Such devices typically involve a cylindrical rod or length of tubing about which the end of the bag is wrapped and inserted into an elongated C-shaped clamp member. Examples of these types of clamps are described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2008/0155790A1 and 2012/0023709A1. While these clamps are effective, it is often difficult to insert and remove the rod or length of tubing from the clamp member. Moreover, such clamps are often formed as two separate pieces, which increases the likelihood that one piece may become lost or separated from the other.
The present invention overcomes these shortcomings. The closure device disclosed herein is simple in design, reusable, and can be sterilized or autoclaved for use with cultivation or incubation bags.
For a more complete understanding of the disclosure, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:
Referring to
Each of the clamp members 12, 14 of the closure device 10 are elongated members. The lengths of each of the upper and lower clamp members 12, 14 are generally the same, although they may be of slightly different lengths and still perform the same function. The length of the closure member 10 and clamp members 12, 14 may vary and depend upon the type of bag and dimensions of the flexible bag with which it is intended to be used. Thus, the closure device 10 and its clamp members 12, 14 may be provided in different lengths for use with different size bags. This may from a few inches to several feet in length. The closure device 10 and clamp members 12, 14 may be of a length that facilitates extending along all or major portion of the width of the open end of the flexible bag with which it is to be used. In many cases, the length of the closure device 10 and members 12, 14 will exceed, at least slightly, the width of the open end of the flexible bag with which it is used to ensure that the entire opening of the bag is closed.
The clamp members 12, 14 and other components of the closure device 10 may be formed of materials that are sterilizable. This includes materials that can withstand heat, such as an autoclave, chemical or radiation sterilization techniques. In some embodiments, the clamp members 12, 14 and other components of the device 10 are formed from a plastic or polymeric material, which may be extruded, or metal materials. In non-limiting examples, the closure device 10 and/or clamp members 12, 14 are formed from polycarbonate or metal materials, which are autoclavable.
Referring to
The legs 16, 18 are joined together at or near the bottom or closed end 22 of the channel 20 at a bend or curved portion 24 (
The overall depth B of the channel 20 is measured from the bottom 22 of the channel 20 to the ends 26 of the legs 16, 18 or the end 26 of the shortest leg 16, 18, if the legs 16, 18 are of non-equal heights. In certain embodiments, the channel has an overall depth B that is at least one and a half times the width A of the channel 20 along the length of the clamp member 12. In certain embodiments, the overall depth B of the channel 20 is at of at least, equal to, and/or between any two of 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, and 6.0 times the width A of the channel 20.
The legs 16, 18 of the upper clamp member 12 have opposite inward facing projections or ridges 30 that face one another within the channel 20. The projections or ridges 30 extend along all or a portion of the length of the upper clamp member 12 on each leg 16, 18 and are parallel to one another to form a constriction have a width C within the channel 20. The projections or ridges 30 may be formed by an increased area of thickness of the legs 16, 18. Alternatively, the projections or ridges 30 may be formed by a small inwardly projecting bend or undulation of each the legs 16, 18, such as a pinched together portion of the legs 16, 18, with the legs 16, 18 having a uniform thickness or substantially uniform thickness throughout its height. The width C is less than the width A of the channel 20. The projections or ridges 30 are spaced from the bottom 22 of the channel 20 and define a recessed area 32 that is at or near the bottom 22 of the channel 20. The recessed area 32 may have a circular or oval transverse shape or configuration or at least some transverse portions of the recessed area 32 may be arcuate or curvilinear concave in shape or configuration. Such arcuate or curvilinear portions may be around, at or near the projections 30, with the remaining transverse portions of the recessed area 32 being non-arcuate or curvilinear. The recessed area 32 has a width or diameter D1 that is greater than the width C of the constriction formed by the projections 30.
The exterior of the upper clamp member 12 may have one or more outward facing projections or ridges 34, 36, 38, 40 on each leg 16, 18. The projections 40 are formed on the free ends 26 of the legs 16, 18. The projections or ridges 34, 36, 38, 40 are spaced apart along the height of each leg 16, 18 and form parallel or substantially parallel ridges that extend along all or a portion of the length of the clamp member 12 on each leg 16, 18. The projections or ridges 34, 36, 38, 40 may serve to strengthen and reinforce the legs 16, 18 of the clamp member 12 and also facilitate grasping and holding the upper clamp member 12 during use. In certain embodiments, the projections or ridges 34, 36, 38, 40 may be formed by an increased area of thickness of the legs 16, 18. Alternatively, the projections or ridges 34, 36, 38, 40 may be formed by a small outwardly projecting bends or undulations of each the legs 16, 18, with the legs 16, 18 having a uniform thickness or substantially uniform thickness throughout its height, with the legs still retaining an overall generally flat or planar configuration.
The lower clamp member 14 of the closure device 10 is configured to be received within the channel 20 of the upper clamp member 12. The lower clamp member 14 includes a main body 42 that is configured as a generally flat or planar body or bar that may be of generally uniform thickness along its length and height. In other embodiments, there may be variations in its thickness but with an overall flat or planar configuration. In other embodiments the main body 42 may have generally uniform thickness along its length and height but be non-flat or non-planar, such that the clamp member 14 has a slight arc or curved configuration, which may correspond to an arc or curved configuration of the upper clamp member 12.
A head 44 is joined to the upper end of the main body 42. The head 44 constitutes a widened portion of the clamp member 14 that has greater width than that of the thickness of the main body 42. The head 44 is configured to be received within the recessed area 32 of the upper clamp member 12. In particular embodiments, the head 44 may have a circular or oval transverse cross section, which may correspond to the shape of the recessed area 32 of the clamp member 12. The head 44 should have a width or diameter D2 that is less than D1 of the recessed area 32 and be sized and configured to provide a gap or free space or room to accommodate layers of the flexible bag with which it is used between the gaps or spaces between the recessed area 32 and the head 44, as described later. Additionally, the head 44 has a width or diameter D2 that is greater than the width C of the constriction formed by the projections 30 of the upper clamp member 12. The head 44 may extend along all or a portion of the length of the lower clamp member 14 or body 42 and correspond in length to the length of the recessed portion 32 formed on the upper clamp member 12. The head 44 may be solid or hollow, having a central passage or bore, as shown in
The thickness of the main body 42 is less than the width A of the channel 20 or those portions of the main body 42 that are received within the channel 20, as described later on, having a thickness that is less than the width A of the channel 20. The lower end of the clamp member 14 or main body 42 is provided with one or more outward extending projections or ridges 46, which may be formed by an increased thickness of the body 42. As shown in
The upper and lower clamp members 12, 14 of the closure device 10 are configured to cooperate with one another. The lower clamp member 14 has a height E between the upper and lower ends of the lower clamp member 14 that is greater than the depth B of the channel 20.
Referring to
As shown in
The opposite distal ends 60, 62 of the upper and lower clamp members 12, 14 are configured to be releasably coupled together when the closure device 10 is in the closed position. In the embodiment shown, this may be achieved by providing the distal ends 60, of the clamp members 12, 14 with apertures 64, 66, respectively, formed through their thicknesses. In the embodiment shown, the apertures 64, 66 are concentrically aligned when the closure device 10 is in the closed position, with the lower member 14 being fully received within the channel 20 of the upper clamp member 12. A removable fastener may be used to engage the concentric apertures 64, 66, such as clevis pin 68, passed through the apertures 64, 66, which may be secured in place with a removable hairpin cotter or R-clip 70. Other fasteners may be used for releasably coupling the distal ends 60, 62 of the upper and lower clamp members 12, 14 when they are in the closed position, as well. Alternatively, the clamp members 12, 14 themselves may be provided with releasable interlocking mechanisms, such as a snap-fit mechanism, which releasably couple the clamp members 12, 14 of the closure device 10 together when in the closed position without the use of separate fasteners. Such a snap-fit may be provided, for instance, by the projections or ridges 30 of the upper clamp member 12 engaging the head 44 of the lower clamp member 14, with the resiliency of the legs 16, 18 providing a biasing force to releasably retain the head 44 and lower clamp member 14 in place when the closure device 10 is in the closed position.
In use, with the closure device 10 initially in an open position, as shown in
The closure device 10 is then moved to the closed position, with the head 44 passing between the constriction formed by the projections 30 so that it is received within the recessed area 32. This is shown in
When it is desired to open the bag 74, the clevis pin 68 is removed and the clamp members 12, 14 are moved to an open position, such as shown in
With the closure device 10 removed from the bag, the clamp members 12, 14 can be moved to the closed position and the clevis pin 68 may be inserted through the apertures 62, 64 and the clip 70 so that the closure device 10 remains in the closed position during storage.
While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
863993 | Hunter | Aug 1907 | A |
899612 | Phillips | Sep 1908 | A |
1183819 | Keiser | May 1916 | A |
1898650 | Whiteaker | Feb 1933 | A |
2601568 | Sussenbach et al. | Jun 1952 | A |
3141221 | Faulls | Jul 1964 | A |
3266711 | Song | Aug 1966 | A |
3414140 | Feldkamp | Dec 1968 | A |
3481007 | Scarritt, Jr. | Dec 1969 | A |
3797792 | Huber | Mar 1974 | A |
4903629 | Maudlin et al. | Feb 1990 | A |
5050272 | Robinson | Sep 1991 | A |
5125133 | Morrison | Jun 1992 | A |
5379489 | Delk | Jan 1995 | A |
5613282 | Deddens et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5752297 | Ramey | May 1998 | A |
5772034 | Lin | Jun 1998 | A |
6678922 | Comer et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6702794 | Blum | Mar 2004 | B2 |
20080155790 | Hsu | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20120023709 | Hsu | Feb 2012 | A1 |
Entry |
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U.S. Pat. No. 863,993, issued Aug. 8, 1907 to Hunter. |
U.S. Pat. No. 899,612, issued Sep. 29, 1908 to Phillips. |