Large volume flexible container

Abstract

A container ( 10 ) having a plurality of panels ( 12 - 18 ) joined together to form a sleeve ( 64 ). The panels ( 12 - 18 ) each have an end edge that cooperate to define an imaginary plane (P) at one end of the sleeve ( 64 ). The container ( 10 ) further has an end panel ( 20,22 ) connected to the panels ( 12 - 18 ) at the one end of the sleeve ( 64 ). The end panel ( 20,22 ) has at least one portion extending beyond the imaginary plane (P). The supporting box ( 100 ) is provided to support the container ( 10 ). A hanger system ( 150 ) is provided and is attached to the box ( 100 ). The hanger system ( 150 ) supports an upper portion of the container ( 10 ) within the box ( 100 ). The container ( 10 ) is also provided with a port closure ( 300 ) that provides both a sterile and gas permeable barrier.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flexible container comprising: 
 a plurality of panels joined together to form a sleeve, the panels each having an end edge that cooperate to define an imaginary plane at one end of the sleeve; and    an end panel connected to the panels at the one end of the sleeve, the end panel having at least one portion extending beyond the imaginary plane.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the panels form a polygonal sleeve.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the panels each have a second end edge that cooperate to define a second imaginary plane at another end of the sleeve, the container further comprising a second end panel connected to the panels at the other end of the sleeve, the second end panel having at least one portion extending beyond the second imaginary plane.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the portion extends outwardly from the sleeve.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the portion extends inwardly towards the sleeve.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of panels comprises four panels cooperatively forming a sleeve having a generally rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein two opposing panels are gusseted panels.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the gusseted panels have a gusset fold.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the end panel is contiguous with the plurality of panels.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the end panel comprises a plurality of connecting members.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the connecting members converge to a point.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the connecting members converge to a line.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the connecting members converge to a polygon.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1  wherein one of the panels has a port.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the port has a port closure connected thereto.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15  wherein the port closure comprises: 
 a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to be connected to the port;  
 a plug inserted into the second end of the tube, the plug being made from a gas permeable porous material;  
 a cover having a first member and a second member, the second end of the tube being positioned between the members, the members being sealed together at their respective peripheral edges; and  
 an elastic band wrapped around the cover and tube.  
 
     
     
         17 . A flexible container comprising: 
 a plurality of panels joined together to form a sleeve, the panels each having an end edge that cooperate to define an imaginary plane at one end of the sleeve; and    an end panel connected to the panels at the one end of the sleeve, the end panel having a plurality of converging surfaces, the surfaces having at least one portion extending beyond the imaginary plane.    
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the converging surfaces extend outwardly from the sleeve.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the converging surfaces extend inwardly towards the sleeve.  
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the panels each have a second end edge that cooperate to define a second imaginary plane at another end of the sleeve, the container further comprising a second end panel connected to the panels at the other end of the sleeve, the second end panel having a plurality of converging surfaces, the surfaces having at least one portion extending beyond the second imaginary plane.  
     
     
         21 . A large volume flexible container capable of containing a fluid to be maintained under sterile conditions comprising: 
 a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, and a fourth panel connected together to form a generally cubic structure,    the first panel having a central segment adjacent an end segment, the central segment having a longitudinal edge and the end segment having a tapered edge extending from the longitudinal edge, an angle being defined between the longitudinal edge and the tapered edge, the angle being in the range from about 135.01° to about 138°.    
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21  wherein the angle is in the range from about 135.5° to about 136.5°.  
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 21  wherein the angle is 136°.