Process of fusion-bonding plastic film and drug bag

The present invention relates to a process of fusion-bonding a plastic film (8a, 8b) to an object to be fusion-bonded such as a port member (16) in manufacturing a drug bag, and relates to a drug bag. The present fusion-bonding process comprises steps of disposing a heat generation element generating heat by absorbing infrared laser, on an opposite surface (8c) of the plastic film (8a, 8b) from the port member (16), or between the port member (16) and the plastic film (8a, 8b), pressing a press member (30a, 30b), which allows infrared laser to be transmitted therethrough, from a side of the plastic film (8a, 8b), and irradiating the infrared laser (L) to the heat generation element (24a, 24b) through the press member (30a, 30b).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process of fusion-bonding a plastic film, and specifically to a process of fusion-bonding a plastic film to be fusion-bonded to an object to be fusion-bonded by means of infrared laser in manufacturing a drug bag. Further, the present invention relates to a drug bag in which a plastic film to be fusion-bonded is fusion bonded to an object to be fusion-bonded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, a drug bag containing a drug such as infusion solution for administering it to a patient is known.

FIG. 14is a schematic exploded perspective view of a conventional typical drug bag. As shown inFIG. 14, a drug bag200has a drug bag body202with a compartment201containing a drug such as an infusion solution, and a plastic tubular port member203communicating the compartment201with the exterior of the drug bag200to discharge the drug. The port member203is normally closed by a rubber plug204, but when the drug is administered to a patient, the port member203is opened by penetrating a hollow infusion needle through the rubber plug204.

The drug bag body202is formed by fusion-bonding peripheral portions of two plastic films205a,205bto each other so as to form the compartment201. Further, the port member203is sandwiched between the two plastic films205a,205band fusion-bonded to the two plastic films205a,205b. These fusion-bonding processes are generally performed by means of a heat-sealing process explained below.

FIG. 15is a view for explaining the fusion-bonding process at the peripheral portions of the two plastic films. As shown inFIG. 15, heated sealing molds206are disposed on the opposed sides of the two plastic films205a,205b(seeFIG. 15(a)), the sealing molds206are pressed against the two plastic films205a,205bto melt the two plastic films205a,205bat the same time (seeFIG. 15(b)), and the two plastic films205a,205bare fusion-bonded to each other (seeFIG. 15(c)).

FIG. 16is a view for explaining the fusion-bonding process between the two plastic films and the port member. As shown inFIG. 16, after the port member203is inserted between the two plastic films205a,205b, heated sealing molds207are disposed on the opposite sides of the two plastic films205a,205b(seeFIG. 16(a)), the sealing molds207are pressed against the two plastic film205a,205b(seeFIG. 16(b)), and the plastic films205a,205band the port member203are fusion-bonded to each other (seeFIG. 16(c)).

However, although the two plastic films205a,205bbecome a melted state by means of the sealing molds207right after the press action thereof, since the sealing molds207do not contact the port member203, a surface of the port member205becomes a melted state later due to a heat conducted through the two plastic films205a,205b. Thus, while the surface of the port member203becomes the melted state, the two plastic films205a,205bbecome an excess melted state. As a result, although the two plastic films205a,205band the port member203are fusion-bonded to each other, damage is caused around the fusion-bonded location208of the plastic films205a,205b, and concretely portion around the fusion-bonded location208are raised or become dirty (seeFIG. 16(c)). Thus, by inserting the port member203between the two plastic films205a,205bafter the port member203is preheated, the plastic films205a,205band the port member203become the melted states at the same time so that the damage can be avoided (seeFIG. 16(d)).

On the other hand, a technology is known of using a laser beam in the process of fusion-bonding the peripheral portions of the two plastic films205a,205b(please refer to the Patent Publication 1 indicated later).FIG. 17is a view for explaining a fusion-bonding process disclosed in the Patent Publication 1. As shown inFIG. 17, a heat generating member208generating heat by absorbing a laser beam is disposed under the two plastic films205a,205b, the two plastic films205a,205bare pressed from an upper side thereof by a transparent holding member209, the laser beam L is irradiated to the heat generating member208through the holding member209and the two plastic films105a,205b, and heat generated by the heat generating member208allows the two plastic films205a,205bto become a melted state and fusion-bond to each other.[Patent Publication 1] Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-142225

DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Present Invention

As stated above, when the two plastic films205a,205bare fusion-bonded to each other, the heat-sealing process or the laser beam process disclosed in the Patent Publication 1 can be used. However, in case the two plastic films205a,205bare fusion-bonded to the port member203, when the heat-sealing process is employed, a step of previously heating the port member203is needed, and when the laser beam process disclosed in the Patent Publication 1 is employed, the port member203has to be made of a light transmitting material, and fusion bonding processes on the front and back sides cannot be performed at the same time.

Further, in a design technology of a mold for fusion-bonding the port member203, since a melted amount of the port member is needed to be determined taking into consideration a thickness of the two plastic films and a shape and a material of the port member, the design of this mold is very difficult, and maintaining a stable fusion-bonding state is also difficult.

The present inventor tested to easily fusion-bonding the two plastic films to the port member or other objects to be fusion-bonded by adding an idea to the laser beam process.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is, in manufacturing a drug bag, to provide a process of easily fusion-bonding a plastic film to an object to be fusion-bonded by means of infrared laser. Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a drug bag in which a plastic film is fusion-bonded to an object to be fusion-bonded by means of infrared laser.

Means for Solving the Problem

To achieve the above-stated objects, in manufacturing a drug bag, a process of fusion-bonding an object to be fusion-bonded to a front-side plastic film of two front-side and back-side plastic films for a body of the drug bag sealed with each other to form a compartment containing a drug, comprises steps of disposing a heat generation element generating heat by absorbing infrared laser, on a front surface of the object or the front-side plastic film, or between the object and the front-side plastic film, pressing a press member, which allows infrared laser to be transmitted therethrough, against the front-side plastic film and the object from a front side of the drug bag, and irradiating the infrared laser to the heat generation element through the press member during the pressing step.

In this process, while the press member is pressed against the plastic film to be fusion-bonded and the object to be fusion-bonded, the infrared laser is irradiated to the heat generation element so that the heat generation element becomes a hot temperature instantaneously. This causes the surface of the plastic film for the drug bag body and the surface of the object around the heat generation element to become respective melted states so that the plastic film and the object are fusion-bonded to each other simply and cleanly.

In the fusion-bonding process according to the present invention, preferably, the object to be fusion-bonded is constituted of a plastic port member fusion-bonded between the two plastic films for the drug bag body for communicating the compartment with the exterior thereof.

In this fusion-bonding process, the heat generation element becomes a hot temperature instantaneously. This causes a surface of the plastic film for the drug bag body and a surface of the port member to become respective melted states at approximately the same time so that damage to the plastic film can be reduced more than the heat-sealing process.

Further, in the fusion-bonding process according to the present invention, preferably, the two plastic films for the drug bag body are sealed so as to form a plurality of the compartments containing drugs, the plurality of compartments are defined by a strong seal portion sealing a periphery of the drug bag and a weak seal portion serving as a partition between the compartments, and the object to be fusion-bonded is constituted of a plastic film for a handle fusion-bonded for opening the weak seal portion by pulling the handle.

In this fusion-bonding process, the heat generation element becomes a hot temperature instantaneously. This causes a surface of the plastic film for the handle and a surface of the plastic film for the drug bag body to become respective melted states at approximately the same time so that these plastic films can be fusion-bonded simply and cleanly.

In this fusion-bonding process, preferably, the drug bag has a port member for communicating one of the compartments with the exterior thereof, and the weak seal portion includes a first weak seal portion near the port member and a second weak seal portion far from the port member, and in the step of disposing the heat generation element, the heat generation element is disposed at equal distances from the first weak seal portion and the second weak seal portion or nearer the second weak seal portion than the first weak seal portion.

In this fusion-bonding process, when sealing strengths of the first weak seal portion and the second weak seal portion are equal to each other, an order of opening these weak seal portions can be controlled.

Further, in the above-stated fusion-bonding process, preferably, the two plastic films for the drug bag body allow infrared laser to be transmitted therethrough, the drug bag further comprises a plastic film for another handle fusion-bonded onto the back-side plastic film for the drug bag body for opening the weak seal portion by pulling the handles, in the step of disposing the heat generation element, a first heat generation element adjacent to the front-side plastic film for the handle and a second heat generation element adjacent to the back-side plastic film for the handle are arranged without overlapping each other, and in the step of irradiating the infrared laser, the infrared laser is irradiated from the front side of the drug bag through the press member, to the first heat generation element and through the two plastic films to the second heat generation element.

In this fusion-bonding process, the front-side and back-side plastic films for the handles can be fusion-bonded at the same time by means of an irradiation of the infrared laser only from the front side of the drug bag.

In this fusion-bonding process, preferably, the first heat generation elements and the second heat generation elements are alternately disposed in a line form.

Preferably, the infrared laser has a wavelength belonging to a wavelength band of 700-1200 nm.

Namely, the wavelength of the laser for fusion-bonding the object to the plastic film used in the drug bag is preferably longer than those of ultraviolet laser and visible laser. Thus, infrared laser having small energy is preferable, and a wavelength band thereof is preferably a range of 700-1200 nm.

Further, in the fusion-bonding process according to the present invention, the heat generation element may be defined by an ink applied to the plastic film or the object, a plastic film to which an ink absorbing infrared laser is applied, or a plastic label to which an ink absorbing infrared laser is applied and which can be adhesively attached to the plastic film or the object.

Further, to achieve the above-stated object, in manufacturing a drug bag, a process of fusion-bonding a plastic film to be fusion-bonded to an object to be fusion-bonded is provided, the process comprising steps of disposing a heat generation element generating heat by absorbing infrared laser, on an opposite surface of the plastic film from the object or between the object and the plastic film, pressing a press member, which allows infrared laser to be transmitted therethrough, against the plastic film and the object from a side of the plastic film, and irradiating the infrared laser to the heat generation element through the press member during the pressing step.

In this process, while the press member is pressed against the plastic film to be fusion-bonded and the object to be fusion-bonded from the side of the plastic-film, the infrared laser is irradiated to the heat generation element so that the heat generation element becomes a hot temperature instantaneously. This causes the plastic film and a surface of the object around the heat generation element to become respective melted states at approximately the same time so that the plastic film and the object are fusion-bonded simply and cleanly.

In the above-stated fusion-bonding process according to the present invention, preferably, the plastic film is constituted of two plastic films for a body of the drug bag sealed to each other so as to form a compartment containing a drug, and the object is constituted of a plastic port member sandwiched and fusion-bonded between the two plastic films for the drug bag body for communicating the compartment and the exterior thereof.

In this fusion-bonding process, the heat generation element becomes a hot temperature instantaneously. This causes the two plastic films for the drug bag body and a surface of the port member to become respective melted states at approximately the same time so that damage to the two plastic films can be reduced more than that in the heat-sealing process.

Further, in the above-stated fusion-bonding process according to the present invention, preferably, the drug bag has two plastic films for a body of the drug bag body sealed to each other so as to form a plurality of compartments containing drugs, the plurality of compartments are defined by a strong seal portion sealing a periphery of the drug bag and a weak seal portion serving as a partition between the compartments, and the plastic film to be fusion-bonded is constituted of a plastic film for a handle fusion-bonded to the plastic film for the drug bag body for opening the weak seal portion by pulling the handle.

In this fusion-bonding process, the heat generation element becomes a hot temperature instantaneously. This causes both of the plastic film for the handle and the plastic film for the drug bag body to become respective melted states at approximately the same time so that both of the plastic films are fusion-bonded to each other simply and cleanly.

Further, to achieve the above-stated object, a drug bag according to the present invention comprises two plastic films for a body of the drug bag sealed to each other so as to form a compartment containing a drug; a plastic port member sandwiched and fusion-bonded between the two plastic films for the drug bag body for communicating the compartment and the exterior thereof; and a heat generation element generating heat by absorbing infrared laser and disposed at a location where the port member is fusion-bonded.

Further, to achieve the above-stated object, a drug bag according to the present invention comprises; two plastic films for a body of the drug bag sealed to each other so as to form a plurality of compartments containing drugs, the plurality of compartments being defined by a strong seal portion sealing a periphery of the drug bag, and a weak seal portion serving as a partition between the compartments; plastic films for handles fusion-bonded to the respective two plastic films for the drug bag body for opening the weak seal portion by pulling the handles, and heat generation elements generating heat by absorbing infrared laser and disposed at locations where the plastic films for the handles are fusion-bonded.

Effect of the Present Invention

As stated above, the fusion-bonding process according to the present invention, in manufacturing a drug bag, allows a plastic film to be simply fusion-bonded to an object to be fusion-bonded by means of infrared laser. Further, a drug bag is provided, in which plastic films are fusion-bonded to an object to be fusion bonded by means of infrared laser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Firstly, referring toFIGS. 1-3, a first embodiment of a drug bag according to the present invention will be explained.FIG. 1is a front view of a first-embodiment drug bag,FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II shown inFIG. 1, andFIG. 3is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III shown inFIG. 1.

As shown inFIGS. 1-3, a drug bag1has a rectangular bag body2extending in a longitudinal direction A in a substantially flat form, and the bag body2is formed by two plastic films, namely, a front-side plastic film8aand a back-side plastic film8b, sealed with each other so as to form two compartments4,6containing drugs. A material of the two plastic films8a,8bis, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene commonly used for medical applications. A thickness of the two plastic films8a,8bis, for example, 250 micrometers. When the drug bag1is reversed, components on the front side correspond to those on the back side, and vice versa.

The two compartments4,6are defined by a strong seal portion10sealing periphery of the drug bag body2and a weak seal portion12serving as a partition between the compartments4,6. Specifically, the periphery of the bag body2is pressed and sealed at a temperature sufficiently higher than a melting temperature of the two plastic films8a,8b(for example, 145° C. in case of polyethylene) so as to form the strong seal portion10and a cavity inside thereof. Further, an intermediate portion of the bag body2in the longitudinal direction A is pressed and sealed at a temperature a little higher than the melting temperature of the two plastic films8a,8b(for example, 120° C. in case of polyethylene) so as to form the weak seal portion12across the bag body2in a width direction B. The inside cavity of the bag body2is defined by the strong seal portion10and partitioned into the first compartment4and the second compartment6by and the weak seal portion12. Different kinds of drugs (not shown) are sealingly enclosed in the first and second compartments4,6. As explained later, a sealing strength of the strong seal portion10is larger than that of the weak seal portion12so that only the weak seal portion12can be opened to mix the drug in the first compartment4with the drug in the second compartment6.

Further, the strong seal portion10has a hanging aperture14on a side of the second compartment6for hanging the drug bag1, for example, from an infusion stand.

The drug bag1further has a port member16sandwiched and fusion-bonded between the two plastic films8a,8bto communicate the first compartment4with the exterior of the drag bag1. The port member16has a tubular member16aextending from the first compartment4through the two plastic films8a,8bto the exterior of the bag body2, and a cap member16badhered to the tubular member16aon the opposite side thereof from the bag body2, the port member16defining a discharge aperture18for discharging the drugs in the first and second compartments4,6. Preferably, a cross-sectional profile of the tubular member16asmoothly spreads in the width direction B. The tubular member16ais preferably made of a plastic material compatible with the material of the drug bag1, for example, polyethylene. The cap member16bhas an opening16cforming an end of the discharge aperture18, and annular periphery16ddisposed around the opening16c. Further, the drug bag1has a rubber plug20sandwiched between the tubular member16aand the cap member16bto plug the discharge aperture18. The opening16cof the cap member16ballows the plug20to be exposed, and when the drugs in the drug bag1is administered, an infusion needle contained in a drug set can be penetrated through the plug20. The port member16is fusion-bonded to the two plastic films8a,8bat a sealing strength substantially equal to that of the strong seal portion10.

The drug bag1further has plastic films22a,22bfor handles respectively fusion-bonded to the two plastic films8a,8bfor opening the weak seal portion12by pulling the handles. In the present embodiment, the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are fusion-bonded to film portions forming the first compartment4and placed close to the weak seal portion12.

The weak seal portion12has a strength to a mere extent that, when the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are pulled away from each other, at least a portion of the weak seal portion12is separated to communicate the first compartment4with the second compartment6. On the other hand, the strong seal portion10has a strength to an extent that, when the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are pulled away from each other, the strong seal portion10is maintained to be sealed. The plastic films22a,22bof the handles are fusion-bonded to the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body at a sealing strength substantially equal to that of the strong seal portion10, while the two plastic films8a,8bare fusion-bonded to the port member16at a sealing strength substantially equal to that of the strong seal portion10.

Further, the drug bag1has heat generation elements24a,24babsorbing infrared laser to generating heat and disposed on portions of the plastic films where the port member is fusion-bonded and, other heat generation elements26a,26babsorbing infrared laser to generating heat and disposed at locations where the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are fusion-bonded. Each of the heat generation elements24a,24b,26a,26bmay be an ink applied or printed onto the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body or the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles, a plastic film onto which an ink absorbing infrared laser is applied or printed, or a plastic label onto which an ink absorbing infrared laser is applied or printed and which can be adhesively attached to the plastic films8a,8b,22a,22b. The ink is arbitrary so long as it includes a color element which absorbs the laser, and is preferably a black ink. In this embodiment, the heat generation elements24a,24b,26a,26bare plastic black labels adhesively attached to front surfaces of the front-side plastic films8a,22aand back surfaces of the back-side plastic films8b,22b(namely, opposite surfaces from the first and second compartments4,6).

Next, referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, a manufacturing process of the drug bag1will be explained.FIG. 4is a view for explaining a process of fusion-bonding the two plastic films for the bag body to the port member andFIG. 5is a view for explaining a process of fusion-bonding the plastic films for the handles to the two plastic films for the bag body.

Firstly, the two plastic films8a,8bare prepared, and the strong seal portion10and the weak seal portion12are formed in the heat-sealing process (seeFIG. 15). However, the strong seal portion10is not formed at opening locations through which the port member16is attached and through which drugs are injected into the first compartment4and the second compartment6.

Next, the port member16incorporating the plug20is fusion-bonded to the two plastic films8a,8b. This fusion-bonding process is an example of the fusion-bonding process according to the present invention. Specifically, firstly, plastic labels defining the heat generation elements24a,24bare disposed and stuck onto a surface of the plastic films8a,8bon the opposite side thereof from the port member16, namely, a front surface of the front-side plastic film8aand a back surface8cof the back-side plastic film8b. The plastic labels24a,24bhas respective sizes enough to seal the opening location to which the port member16is attached. Then, the port member16is inserted and positioned into the opening location of the plastic films8a,8b. Then, as shown inFIG. 4, press members30a,30ballowing infrared laser to be transmitted therethrough are pressed against the two plastic films8a,8band the port member16from sides of the two plastic films8a,8b, namely, from the front and back sides of the drug bag. A pressing operation by means of the press members30a,30bis preferably performed from both of the front and back sides of the drug bag at the same time. The press members30a,30bare preferably made of a material which does not absorb a laser beam, such as glass and silicone rubber. The silicone rubber is preferable, because the silicone rubber can be deformed according to shapes of the plastic films8a,8band the port member16when it is pressed thereagainst so that highly dimensional precision is not necessary. Then, while the press members30a,30bare pressed against the plastic films8a,8band the port member16, infrared laser L is irradiated through the press members30a,30bto the heat generation elements24a,24b.

When the infrared laser L is irradiated, the infrared laser L transmits through the press members30a,30b, reaches the heat generation elements24a,24b, and is absorbed by the heat generation elements24a,24b. This causes the heat generation elements24a,24bto generate heat and become a hot temperature instantaneously sufficient to melt the plastic films8a,8band the surface of the port member16. The heat of the heat generation elements24a,24bis transmitted to the plastic films8a,8band the surface of the port member16so that they are melted and fusion-bonded to each other at approximately the same time. Thus, without preheating the port member16, a clean seal reducing damage to the plastic films8a,8bcan be formed.

Next, the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are fusion-bonded to the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body. This fusion-bonding process is an example of the fusion-bonding process according to the present invention. Specifically, firstly, plastic labels which are the heat generation elements26a,26bare disposed between the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles and the plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body. Concretely, the plastic labels26a,26bare adhesively attached to the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body, and the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are arranged outside of the two plastic films8a,8b. Then, as shown inFIG. 5, the press members32a,32ballowing the infrared laser to be transmitted therethrough are pressed against the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles and the plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body from the sides of the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles, namely, from the front and back sides of the drug bag. As described above, the press members32a,32bare preferably made of a material which does not absorb the laser beam, for example, glass and silicone rubber. The silicone rubber is preferable, because the silicone rubber can be deformed according to shapes of the plastic films8a,8band the port member16when it is pressed thereagainst so that highly dimensional precision is not necessary. Then, while the press members32a,32bare pressed against the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles and the plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body, infrared laser L is irradiated through the press members32a,32bto the heat generation elements26a,26b.

When the infrared laser L is irradiated, the infrared laser L transmits through the press members32a,32band the plastic films22a,22bfor the hadles, reach the heat generation elements26a,26b, and is then absorbed by the heat generation elements26a,26b. This causes the heat generation elements26a,26bto generate heat and instantaneously become a hot temperature to sufficiently melt the surfaces of the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body and the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles opposing to each other. Since these surfaces are melted and then fusion-bonded to each other at approximately the same time, clean seals can be formed. An output of the infrared laser is adjusted so that the two plastic films8a,8bcontacting each other are not fusion-bonded to each other. If the heat-sealing process or the laser beam process described in the Patent Publication 1 were employed, the two plastic films8a,8bwould be fusion-bonded to each other, and thus it would be necessary for the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles to be fusion-bonded to the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body before the strong seal portion10and the weak seal portion12of the two plastic films8a,8bare formed. The fusion-bonding process according to the present invention therefore allows a fusion-bonding operation which cannot be achieved by means of the heat-sealing process and the laser beam process described in the Patent Publication 1.

An infrared laser irradiation apparatus is preferably a type of irradiating a plurality of irradiated locations arranged in a line form. A shape of the irradiated location or a shape of the irradiating light is any shape which can be represented by a light, and is, for example, circular, rectangular or oval. The shape of the irradiating light becomes a shape of a fusion-bonded location. A pitch of the irradiated locations is determined so that the irradiated locations overlap each other. When the irradiated locations are arranged so as to overlap each other, a continuous seal can be formed at once. An irradiating direction of the infrared laser toward the heat generation elements24a,24bis preferably a direction perpendicular to the surface of the heat generation elements24a,24b, but it may be obliged from the perpendicular direction so long as the fusion-bonding process can be performed. In this embodiment, since the cross-sectional profile of the tubular member16asmoothly spreads in the width direction B, even if the irradiating directions of the infrared lasers toward the plurality of the irradiated locations in the heat generation elements24a,24bare parallel to each other, sufficient heat generation could be obtained.

The infrared laser irradiating apparatus is, for example, a semiconductor laser apparatus, a wavelength band of which is a range of 700-1200 nm. Since the wavelength of the infrared laser is longer than that of ultraviolet laser and visible laser and energy of the infrared laser is smaller than that of the ultraviolet and visible lasers, the infrared laser is suitable for being controlled so that only desirable locations of the thin two plastic films for the drug bag body are fusion-bonded to each other. Thus, unnecessary fusion-bonding operation caused in a direction different from the irradiating direction of the infrared laser can be easily prevented. Further, an output and time of irradiation are arbitrarily selected depending on a surface area (a fusion-bonded region) of an irradiated location. When a shape of one infrared laser at an irradiated location is circular and a diameter thereof is 2-10 mm, preferably, 3-7 mm, the output and time of irradiation are respectively, for example, 15-50 W and 1-5 seconds.

Instead of using the plastic label type of the heat generation elements24a,24b,26a,26b, the heat generation elements24a,24b,26a,26bmay be printed onto the plastic films8a,8b. This allows a step of adhesively attaching the plastic label type of the heat generation elements24a,24b,26a,26bto be omitted. In this case, it is preferable to prevent positions of the heat generation elements4a,24b,26a,26bwith respect to the strong seal portion10and the weak seal portion12from being shifted. Further, instead of using the plastic label type of the heat generation elements24a,24b,26a,26b, the plastic film type of the heat generation elements24a,24b,26a,26bmay be used. This allows a material cost of the heat generation elements24a,24b,26a,26bto be reduced. In this case, when the plastic film type of the heat generation elements24a,24b,26a,26bare disposed, they are preferably held.

Finally, through the opening locations for injecting the drugs, the drugs are injected, and then the opening locations are sealed by means of the heat-sealing process.

Next, a process of using the drug bag will be explained.

The plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are held by hands and pulled away from each other so that the weak seal portion12is opened. Then, the drug in the first compartment and the drug in the second compartment are mixed with each other sufficiently. The drug bag1is hanged from, for example, a stand by using the hanging aperture14, and an infusion needle is penetrated through the plug20so that the mixed drugs are administered through the needle to a patient.

Then, referring toFIGS. 6-13, second to eighth embodiments of the drug bag according to the present invention will be explained. InFIGS. 6-13, components similar to those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numbers as those in the first embodiment and explanations of the former components are omitted.

FIG. 6is a front view of a second embodiment of the drug bag according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 6, in the second-embodiment drug bag40, the weak seal portion12includes a first weak seal portion12anear the port member16and a second weak seal portion12bfar from the port member16, the first compartment4is formed between the first weak seal portion12aand the second weak seal portion12b, and a third compartment42is formed between the first weak seal portion12aand the port member16. No drug is contained in the third compartment42. Further, the heat generation elements26a,26bare disposed at equal distances from the first weak seal portion12aand the second weak seal portion12b.

The plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are held by hands and pulled away from each other so that the weak seal portions12a,12bare opened. Since the heat generation elements26a,26bare disposed at the equal distances from the first weak seal portion12aand the second weak seal portion12b, the weak seal portions12a,12bare opened at approximate the same time. When the weak seal portions12a,12bare not opened, even if an infusion needle is penetrated through the plug20, the drugs could not flow out of the drug bag40. Only after the weak seal portions12a,12bare opened, the drugs are allowed to flow out of the drug bag40. Thus, the drug in the first compartment4and the drug in the second compartment6are prevented from being administered to a patient without mixing these drugs with each other.

FIG. 7is a front view of a third embodiment of the drug bag according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 7, in the third-embodiment drug bag50, the weak seal portion12includes a first weak seal portion12anear the port member16and a second weak seal portion12bfar from the port member16, the first compartment4is formed between the first weak seal portion12aand the second weak seal portion, and a third compartment52is formed between the first weak seal portion12aand the port member16. No drug is contained in the third compartment52. Further, the heat generation elements26a,26bare disposed nearer the second weak seal portion12bthan the first weak seal portion12a.

The plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are held by hands and pulled away from each other so that the weak seal portions12a,12bare opened. Since the heat generation elements26a,26bare disposed nearer the second weak seal portion12bthan the first weak seal portion12a, the first weak seal portion12ais opened after the second weak seal portion12bis opened. When the weak seal portions12a,12bare not opened, even if an infusion needle is penetrated through the plug20, the drugs could not flow out of the drug bag50. Only after the weak seal portions12a,12bare opened, the drugs are allowed to flow out of the drug bag50. Thus, the drug in the first compartment4and the drug in the second compartment6are prevented from being administered to a patient without mixing these drugs with each other. Further, it is preferable that only the second weak seal portion12bis firstly opened to mix the drugs in the first and second compartments with each other, and then the first weak seal portion12ais opened. In this case, the drug in the first compartment4and the drug in the second compartment6are surely prevented from being administered to a patient without mixing these drugs with each other. Conventionally, a drug bag is known in which an order of opening the first weak seal portion12aand the second weak seal portion12bis controlled by making a sealing strength of the first weak seal portion12astronger than that of the second weak seal portion12b. In this case, a process of forming the first weak seal portion12ais separated from a process of forming the second weak seal portion12b. In the present embodiment, since such an order of opening the first and second weak seal portions12a,12bcan be controlled by using the first weak seal portion12aand the second weak seal portion12bhaving the same sealing strength as each other, the first weak seal portion12aand the second weak seal portion12bcan be formed in one process.

FIG. 8is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the drug bag according to the present invention, andFIG. 9is a view for explaining a process of fusion-bonding plastic films for the handles to the two plastic films for the bag body in the drug bag shown inFIG. 8. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, in the fourth-embodiment drug bag60, the two plastic films8a,8bare made of a material allowing infrared laser to be transmitted therethrough, and a heat generation element26adisposed on the front-side plastic film8aand a heat generation element26bdisposed on the back-side plastic film8bare arranged so as not to overlap each other when they are seen in an irradiating direction. Concretely, the front-side heat generation element26ais arranged on a side of the weak seal portion12toward the first compartment4and the back-side heat generation element26bis arranged on the other side thereof toward the second compartment6so that when the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are pulled away from each other, a force for opening the weak seal portion12is effectively applied to the weak seal portion12.

As shown inFIG. 9, the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles can be fusion-bonded to the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body by irradiating the infrared laser from one side of the drug bag, namely, not from the opposite sides thereof, through a press member32ato the front side heat generation element26aand through the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body to the back-side heat generation element26b. The above-stated fusion-bonding process is preferably used in fifth to eighth embodiments of the drug bag described below.

FIG. 10is a front view of a fifth embodiment of the drug bag according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 10, the fifth-embodiment drug bag70can be obtained by modifying the positions of the heat generation elements26a,26bin the fourth-embodiment drug bag60onto the same side of the weak seal portion12. The weak seal portion12may be opened in this arrangement.

FIG. 11is a front view of a sixth embodiment of the drug bag according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 11, in the sixth-embodiment drug bag80, a plurality of the front-side heat generation element26aand a plurality of the back-side heat generation elements26bare alternately arranged in a line form.

Similar to the fourth embodiment drug bag60, the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles can be fusion-bonded to the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body by irradiating the infrared laser L from one side of the drug bag.

FIG. 12is a front view of a seventh embodiment of the drug bag according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 12, in the seventh-embodiment drug bag90, there are two weak seal portions12disposed on the opposite sides of the port member16in the longitudinal direction A, a first compartment4ais formed by a first weak seal portion12c, a second compartment6ais formed by a second weak seal portion12d, and a third compartment92is formed between the first weak seal portion12cand the second weak seal portion12d. No drug is contained in the third compartment92. Further, in a portion of the plastic film forming the third compartment92, a plurality the front-side heat generation element26aand a plurality of the back-side heat generation elements26bare alternately arranged in a line form. Positions of the heat generation elements26a,26bare preferably determined so that when the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are pulled away from each other, the weak seal portion12c,12dare opened at approximately the same time.

Similar to the fourth embodiment drug bag60, the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles can be fusion-bonded to the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body by irradiating the infrared laser L from one side of the drug bag. Further, when the weak seal portion12c,12dis not opened, even if an infusion needle is penetrated through the plug20, the drugs could not flow out of the drug bag90. Only after the weak seal portion12c,12dis opened, the drugs are allowed to flow out of the drug bag90. Thus, the drug in the first compartment4aand the drug in the second compartment6a, the drugs are prevented from being administered to a patient without mixing these drugs with each other.

FIG. 13is a front view of an eighth embodiment of the drug bag according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 13, in the eighth-embodiment drug bag10, three compartments102a,102b,102care formed by combining a first weak seal portion12eextending in the longitudinal direction A with a second weak seal portion12fextending in the width direction. Further, a plurality of the front-side heat generation element26aand a plurality of the back-side heat generation elements26bare alternately arranged in a line form. Positions of the heat generation elements26a,26bare preferably determined so that when the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles are pulled away from each other, the weak seal portions12e,12fare opened at approximately the same time.

Similar to the fourth-embodiment drug bag60, the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles can be fusion-bonded to the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body by irradiating the infrared laser L from one side of the drug bag.

Although the embodiments according to the present invention have been explained above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and allows various modifications within the scope of the claims, namely, such modifications fall within the scope of the present invention.

Although in the above-stated embodiments, the plastic labels or the heat generation elements24a,24bare disposed on the opposite surfaces of the two plastic films8a,8bfrom the port member16, namely, on the front surface of the front-side plastic film8aand the back surface8cof the back-side plastic film8b, the heat generation elements24a,24bmay be disposed between the port member16and the two plastic films8a,8b. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to prevent the heat generation elements24a,24bfrom being mixed into the drug. Further, although in the above-stated embodiments, the heat generation elements26a,26bare disposed between the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles and the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body, the heat generation elements26a,26bmay be disposed on the opposite surfaces of the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles from the two plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body, namely, on the front surface of the front-side plastic film22aand the back surface of the back-side plastic film22b.

In the above-stated embodiments, the cross-sectional profile of the port member16may be circular. In this case, irradiating directions of the infrared lasers is preferably arranged closer to directions perpendicular to the cross-sectional profile.

In the above-stated embodiments, the infrared laser irradiation apparatus may be a type of irradiating one location. In this case, it is preferable that the infrared laser itself is scanned or the object to be irradiated (drug bag) may be scanned while the infrared laser is secured.

Although, in the above-stated embodiments, the object to be fusion-bonded to the plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body is a port member16or the plastic films22a,22bfor the handles, another object may be fusion-bonded to the plastic films8a,8bfor the bag body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1is a front view of a first-embodiment drug bag according to the present invention,

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II inFIG. 1,

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III inFIG. 1,

FIG. 4is a view for explaining a process of fusion-bonding plastic films for a bag body to a port member,

FIG. 5is a view for explaining a process of fusion-bonding plastic films for handles to the plastic films for the bag body,

FIG. 6is a front view of a second-embodiment drug bag according to the present invention,

FIG. 7is a front view of a third-embodiment drug bag according to the present invention,

FIG. 8is a front view of a fourth-embodiment drug bag according to the present invention,

FIG. 9is a view for explaining a process of fusion-bonding plastic films for handles to plastic films for a bag body in the drug bag shown inFIG. 8,

FIG. 10is a front view of a fifth-embodiment drug bag according to the present invention,

FIG. 11is a front view of a sixth-embodiment drug bag according to the present invention,

FIG. 12is a front view of a seventh-embodiment drug bag according to the present invention,

FIG. 13is a front view of an eighth-embodiment drug bag according to the present invention,

FIG. 14is a schematic exploded perspective view of a conventional drug bag,

FIG. 15is a view for explaining a fusion-bonding process at peripheral portions of plastic films,

FIG. 16is a view for explaining a fusion-bonding process between plastic films and a port member, and

FIG. 17is a schematic view for explaining a fusion-bonding process in prior art.