Flexible pinch fitting for containers

Abstract

A device for reducing or eliminating the dead space in a fitting and tubing used on a disposable container by using a flexible elastic fitting that can accommodate a pinch valve or a clamp or the like closer to the flange portion of the fitting. The fitting is formed of a flange and a neck portion with a bore running through them. The neck may terminate in either a tubular section or a hose barb. The neck end section especially when in the form of a hose barb can be reinforced to provide a platform for attaching a tubing to it.

1 ) A fitting for a disposable plastic container comprising a flange portion capable of being sealed in a liquid tight manner to an opening in the bag and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange portion and the opening of the bag and the fitting being formed of a flexible compressible, resilient plastic material. 
     
     
         2 ) The fitting of  claim 1  wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions. 
     
     
         3 ) The fitting of  claim 1  wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions and ending in a hose barb at a point of the neck farthest from the flange portion. 
     
     
         4 ) The fitting of  claim 1  wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of as thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefins, elastomeric alloys containing polyolefins, thermosets and rubber. 
     
     
         5 ) The fitting of  claim 1  wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefins and elastomeric alloys containing polyolefins. 
     
     
         6 ) The fitting of  claim 1  wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers selected from the group consisting of a styrene block co-polymer blended with polyethylene polymer and a thermoplastic polyolefin. 
     
     
         7 ) The fitting of  claim 1  wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of thermosets. 
     
     
         8 ) The fitting of  claim 1  wherein the fitting is made of a thermoset plastic selected from the group consisting of urethanes. 
     
     
         9 ) The fitting of  claim 1  wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         10 ) A flexible disposable container comprising a closed plastic bag having at least one port, at least one fitting formed of a flange portion sealed in a liquid tight manner to the at least one opening in the bag and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange portion and the opening of the bag, the fitting being formed of a flexible compressible, resilient plastic material and a device capable of compressing the neck portion of the fitting so as to seal it off from the bag and minimize dead space. 
     
     
         11 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions. 
     
     
         12 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions and further comprising a connector having a first end with a hose barb and a second end with a hose barb and a planar portion between the two barb portions, the neck portion of the fitting farthest from the flange portion having the first barb of the connector and a planar portion of the connector attached to it in a liquid tight manner and a tubing attached to the second barb of the connector and a planar portion of the connector in a liquid tight manner. 
     
     
         13 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions and ending in a hose barb at a point of the neck farthest from the flange portion. 
     
     
         14 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of as thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefins, elastomeric alloys containing polyolefins, thermosets and rubber. 
     
     
         15 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyolefins and elastomeric alloys containing polyolefins. 
     
     
         16 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the fitting is made of a plastic, selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers selected from the group consisting of a styrene block co-polymer blended with polyethylene polymer and a thermoplastic polyolefin. 
     
     
         17 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of thermosets. 
     
     
         18 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the fitting is made of a thermoset plastic selected from the group consisting of urethanes. 
     
     
         19 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the fitting is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         20 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the neck portion is a tubular extension with a bore running through the flange and neck portions and further comprising a connector having a first end with a hose barb and a second end with a hose barb and a planar portion between the two barb portions, the neck portion of the fitting farthest from the flange portion having the first barb of the connector and a planar portion of the connector attached to it in a liquid tight manner and a tubing attached to the second barb of the connector and a planar portion of the connector in a liquid tight manner and wherein the fitting and the tubing are attached to the connector via tie wraps. 
     
     
         21 ) The container of  claim 10  wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of pinch valves and clamps.