Patent Publication Number: US-2016229622-A1

Title: Flexible life sciences matter transfer pouch

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/112,829 filed on Feb. 8, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to packaging. More particularly, the present application relates to packaging for transporting life sciences materials such as blood or other biological matter or medicines within a predetermined temperature range. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is well known in the art to use soft-sided pouches for transportation of goods. These pouches typically have one layer of a plastic type material to cushion the contents of the package. However, these standard packaging pouches are insufficient when transporting life sciences materials such as blood or other biological material required to be kept at a predetermined temperature range during transportation. Similarily, these materials are also insufficient for shipping food, candy, chocolate, makeup or any other material which requires a controlled environment. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to provide a transportation package adapted to maintain a predetermined temperature range of the contents contained within the pouch during transportation. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application is generally directed to a flexible life sciences materials transport pouch having a phase change material contained therein. The pouch includes an interior compartment adapted to hold the contents at a predetermined temperature range. The pouch includes at least two side walls joined together at a seam and further including a lower gusset allowing the pouch to stand upright. The pouch further contains at least one secondary interior compartment adapted to hold a quantity of phase change material. The phase change material is contained within its own container. 
     In one embodiment, a flexible transport pouch includes a first side portion having an outer wall and an inner wall joined together along their perimeters so as to define a first enclosed area, a second side portion having an outer wall and an inner wall joined together along their perimeters so as to define a second enclosed area, a first insulating element disposed in the first enclosed area adjacent the outer wall, a first phase change element disposed in the first enclosed area adjacent the inner wall, the first phase change element being a sealed flexible container having a phase change material disposed therein, a second insulating element disposed in the second enclosed area adjacent the outer wall, a second phase change element disposed in the second enclosed area adjacent the inner wall and the first phase change element being a sealed flexible container having a phase change material disposed therein. In this embodiments the inner and outer walls are a thin flexible sheet where the first and second side portions being joined together along a part of their perimeters so as to define a receiving area, the first and second side portions not being joined together along part of their perimeters so as to define a receiving opening communicating with the receiving area. A sealing element for sealing the receiving opening so as to enclose a life sciences materials transport pouch in the receiving area, the outer walls being clear such that the insulating element is visible and a bottom portion joining a bottom of the first and second side portions so as to provide a self-standing feature. 
     The sealing element may be integral with either the first portion or the second portion. In this embodiment, the sealing element is a flexible flap adapted to connect with the other of the first portion or the second portion. In this embodiment, the flap or the other of the first portion or the second portion includes an adhesive to seal the pouch. In some embodiments, the first phase change element includes two separated compartments each of which containing a phase change material. 
     In another embodiment, a life sciences materials transport pouch is provided and includes a first portion and a second portion, a first wall and a second wall, the first portion, the second portion, the first wall and the second wall sealed together so that the edges of each of the first wall, the second wall, the first portion and the second portion seal together on at least three edges, a main compartment formed between the first wall and the second wall, the main compartment adapted to hold biological matter, a first compartment formed between the first portion and the first wall, the first compartment adapted to hold a first phase change element and a second compartment formed between the second portion and the second wall, the second compartment adapted to hold a second phase change element. Both the first compartment and the second compartment may each contain a phase change element. Optionally, at least one of the first portion or the second portion includes a bubble wrap material. A sealing element may be provided and is integral with either the first portion or the second portion. 
     The sealing element may be a flexible flap adapted to connect with the other of the first portion or the second portion. The flap or the other of the first portion or the second portion includes an adhesive to seal the pouch. The first phase change element may include two separated compartments each of which containing a phase change material. Furthermore, both the first compartment and the second compartment may include an insulating layer. 
     In yet another embodiment, a pouch is providing having a receiving area (or main compartment) and an enclosed area, the receiving area positioned directly adjacent to the enclosed area, a panel separating the receiving area from the enclosed area wherein the receiving area configured to hold a life sciences material and the enclosed area having a phase change material contained therein so as to regulate the temperature of the life sciences material contained within the receiving area. A second enclosed area may be positioned also adjacent to the receiving area, the second enclosed area spaced apart from the first enclosed area. Further, the phase change material may contained in an auxiliary container within the enclosed area. An insulating element may contained within the enclosed area. 
     The term “life sciences materials” in this context shall be understood to include blood, skin or tissue or organs or other biological matter, medicines, pharmaceuticals, or anything included in the natural science known as biology. Life sciences materials is also broadened to include food, candy, chocolate, makeup and any other material requiring a controlled environment. 
     The phase change material of the present invention can be used to refrigerate the contents of the pouch or to simply prevent the contents from melting (i.e. chocolate, candy, makeup . . . etc.). To achieve this, the phase change material can have a variety of temperature ranges. In one embodiment the phase change material has a transition temperature in the range of 2 to 8 degrees C. (specifically 5 degrees +/−0.5). In other embodiments the phase change material can go below freezing where the phase change material has a phase change transition in the range of −5 to 25 degrees C. (+/−0.5). In other embodiments where the goal is to prevent melting, the phase change material has a transition temperature for a controlled room temperature replication in the range of 2 to 25 degrees C. (+/−0.5). 
     The PCM of the present application s specifically advantageous because PCM of the present application is disposable. Disposable is defined as an article that is designed to be thrown away after use. Furthermore, disposable is defined as an article that is safe to be thrown away after use by not containing any chemicals or toxins considered to be harmful to users or the environment. 
     In some embodiments, the flap or the other of the first portion or the second portion includes an adhesive, Velcro®, zipper, Ziploc® and/or hook/loop to seal the pouch. 
     In other embodiments, at least one of the first portion or the second portion includes a bubble wrap material, an insulating material, a foam and/or a Thinsulate® material. 
     The present PCM is bio-based so that no hazmat is required and can be disposed on in a landfill. Additionally, the PCM of the present application is less expensive to manufacture. Further, the PCM and the pouch itself may be sterilized and sanitary for transportation of sensitive materials, such as life sciences materials. Previously known PCM storage containers are prohibitively expensive and must be sterilized before each use. The pouch of the present application is less expensive to manufacture (as compared to prior know PCM containers), can be disposed of in a landfill since it is bio-based, is pre-sterilized and can be customized (PCM temperature) based on the material to transport (i.e. life sciences materials, food, candy, chocolate, makeup . . .etc.). 
     These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the life sciences materials transport bag according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bag according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the blood storage bag according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present application relates to a life sciences materials transfer pouch having flexible side walls and a gusset adapted to provide a self-standing feature. A transport pouch  10  includes an upper end and a lower end and having a first and second side portion or wall  15 ,  16 . The side portions  15 ,  16  include an outer wall having an outer surface  17 . The side portions  15 ,  16  may include a bubble wrap material  22  or other texture or insulating material. The life sciences materials transport pouch  10  further includes a first inner wall and a second inner wall  71 ,  73 . The side portions  15 ,  16  and the inner walls  71 ,  73  are joined together along their perimeters at the seams  18 ,  20  so as to define a receiving area  24 . 
     The second side portion  15  further includes an outer wall and an inner wall joined together along their perimeters so as to define a second enclosed area. 
     A first insulating element  74   a  is disposed within the first enclosed area  70   a  adjacent the outer wall  15 . The first insulating element  74   a  (and the second insulating element  74   b ) may be a foam, plastic, plastic like, polymer, or other suitable material operable for insulating the contents of the bag  10 . Further, a phase change element  50   a  is also provided within the first enclosed area  70   a  positioned between the inner wall  71  and the insulating element  74   a.  The phase change element  50   a  is a sealed flexible container having an outer wall  56  and a storage compartment  52 . 
     In one embodiment, a panel  72  is positioned between the receiving area  24  and the enclosed area  70   a.  A similar panel may also be positioned between the receiving area  24  and the enclosed area  70   b.  The panel  72  should have a thermal conductivity allowing for heat transfer between a material contained within the receiving area  24  and the enclosed area  70   a.    
     In one embodiment, the panel  72  is a metal or has metallic properties so as to encourage heat transfer between the receiving area  24  and the enclosed area  70   a.  In other embodiments, the panel  72  may be perforated or otherwise breathable so as to encourage heat transfer between the enclosed area  70   a  and the receiving area  24 . 
     Phase change material is contained within the storage compartment  52  of the phase change element. A second insulating element  74   b  is disposed in the second enclosed area  70   b  adjacent the inner wall (or panel  72 ). The second phase change element  50   b  being a sealed flexible container having a phase change material disposed therein. Both the inner and outer walls are a thin flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is made of a plastic, a polymer, rubber, polymer like, or other suitable material for transportation and insulation. 
     The first and second side portions  15 ,  16  are joined together along part of their perimeters so as to define a receiving area  24 . The first and second side portions  15 ,  16  are not joined together along a portion of their perimeters, as shown at reference numeral  32 , so as to define a receiving opening communicating with the receiving area  24 . This opening allows the user to place biological materials and/or blood into the storage bag for transportation. 
     A sealing element  28  is positioned on a flap  26  on the upper portion  12  of the life sciences materials transport pouch  10 . The sealing element  28  may be a Velcro, adhesive, or other suitable material for closing the flap  26  onto the surface  17  of the life sciences materials transport pouch  10 . In the present embodiment, the sealing element is an adhesive having a sticky portion  28  and a removable strip  30  allowing the user to securely seal the life sciences materials transport pouch  10 . The flap  26  folds over and connects to the outer surface  17  of the first side portion. The sealing element is adapted to seal the receiving opening and receiving portion  24  so as to enclose a life sciences materials transport pouch in the receiving area  24 . 
     The life sciences materials transport pouch  10  includes a gusset  34  at the lower end  14  of the life sciences materials transport pouch to allow the life sciences materials transport pouch to stand in an unassisted upright position. This gusset assists in packing the life sciences materials transport pouch prior to transportation. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the gusset includes a generally curved area made of a flexible material between the first and side portions. This gusset further operates to support the life sciences materials transport pouch contained within the receiving area. The gusset may also contain insulative materials or phase change materials or both. 
     The PCM of the present application is disposable. Disposable is defined as an article that is designed to be thrown away after use. Furthermore, disposable is defined as an article that is safe to be thrown away after use by not containing any chemicals or toxins considered to be harmful to users or the environment. The present PCM is bio-based so that no hazmat is required and can be disposed on in a landfill. Additionally, the PCM of the present application is less expensive to manufacture. Further, the PCM and the pouch itself may be sterilized and sanitary for transportation of sensitive materials, such as life sciences materials. 
     It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. 
     These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.