Powder transfer bags and rehydration system

Abstract

A powder transfer bag includes a balloon or a membrane sealing its mouth. A connector to be used with the bags allows the bag to connect to a hydration device. A method of hydrating material in a powder transfer bag is provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bag and connector combination comprising:
 a bag comprising,
 a reservoir, 
 a mouth extending from the reservoir, 
 a mouth flange extending radially outward from a distal end of the mouth, and 
 a membrane over the mouth flange, said membrane sealing the mouth; 
   a connector comprising,
 an annular body; 
 a connector flange extending radially outward from the annular body, said connector flange being coupled to the mouth flange, wherein the membrane is sandwiched between the mouth flange and the connector flange; and 
   a cutting element within the annular body of the connector, said cutting element having a cutting edge, said cutting element being slideable relative to the annular body for moving the cutting edge to a location external of the annular body and beyond the connector flange for cutting said membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The combination as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a depression is formed extending axially in said mouth flange for receiving said cutting edge when said cutting edge is moved to said location. 
     
     
         3 . The combination as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cutting edge is an accurate member that extends from a first location to a second location, wherein a height of the cutting edge is highest at the first location and lowest at the second location. 
     
     
         4 . The combination as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cutting edge extends from a first end to a second end, wherein the cutting edge is curved radially inward at each of the first and second ends. 
     
     
         5 . A hydration device comprising:
 a mixing conduit comprising an inlet for receiving a hydrating liquid and an outlet;   an opening through the conduit for receiving material to be hydrated; and   a plurality of obstructions for obstructing flow within the conduit between the inlet and the outlet and downstream of the opening; and   a port extending from the opening through which is received the material to be hydrated.   
     
     
         6 . The hydration device of  claim 5 , further comprising a flow restriction within the conduit defining a flow through opening having an inner surface diameter smaller than an inner surface diameter of the inlet, said flow restriction being downstream of the inlet and upstream of the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The hydration device of  claim 6 , wherein the flow restriction inner surface diameter is variable. 
     
     
         8 . The hydration device of  claim 6 , wherein the flow restriction is a venturi. 
     
     
         9 . The hydration device of  claim 6 , wherein the port defines a tubular body having a longitudinal axis that is inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the conduit away from the outlet and toward the inlet. 
     
     
         10 . The hydration device of  claim 9 , wherein said tubular body longitudinal axis is inclined to said longitudinal axis of said conduit at an angle of 45 degrees as measured from the longitudinal axis of the conduit to the longitudinal axis of the port. 
     
     
         11 . A hydration system comprising:
 a mixing device having an inlet for receiving a liquid and an outlet;   a bag holding a material to be hydrated by said liquid coupled to the mixing device;   a pump downstream of said mixing device; and   a container for receiving the hydrated material downstream of the pump.   
     
     
         12 . A rehydration system comprising:
 a mixing device having an inlet and an outlet;   a bag holding a material to be hydrated by a liquid coupled to the mixing device;   a pump downstream of said mixing device; and   a container for holding a liquid to hydrate the material and for receiving the hydrated material downstream of the pump and for providing at least one of the liquid and the hydrated material to the inlet.   
     
     
         13 . A method of hydrating a material comprising:
 coupling a bag comprising the material and being sealed by a membrane to a hydrating system; and   cutting the membrane while the bag is coupled to the system allowing the material to be hydrated to flow into the system.   
     
     
         14 . A connector comprising:
 an annular body;   a flange extending radially outward from the annular body for coupling with a flange of a bag; and   a cutting element within the annular body, said cutting element having a cutting edge, said cutting element being slideable relative to the annular body for moving the cutting edge to a location external of the annular body and beyond the flange.   
     
     
         15 . The connector as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the cutting edge is an arcuate member spanning a majority of a circumference of said cutting element. 
     
     
         16 . The connector as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the cutting edge when moved to said location external of the annular body and beyond the flange has a height as measured axially from the flange that varies from a highest height to a lowest height. 
     
     
         17 . The connector as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the cutting edge extends from a first end to a second end, wherein the cutting edge is curved radially inward at each of the first and second ends. 
     
     
         18 . A bag comprising:
 a reservoir;   a mouth extending from the reservoir; and   an annular flange extending radially outward from or proximate a distal end of the mouth;   a membrane connected to the annular flange, said membrane sealing the mouth.   
     
     
         19 . The bag as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the membrane comprises a plurality of projections and wherein the flange comprises a plurality of depressions receiving said plurality of projections for connecting the membrane to the flange. 
     
     
         20 . The bag as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the membrane comprises an annular section for interfacing with the flange, said annular section surrounding and inner section, wherein the annular section is stiffer than the inner section. 
     
     
         21 . The bag as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the annular section is thicker than the inner section. 
     
     
         22 . The bag as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the membrane is welded to the flange. 
     
     
         23 . The bag as recited in  claim 18 , wherein an annular depression extends axially in the flange, and wherein the membrane is connected to the flange at a location radially outward from said annular depression. 
     
     
         24 . The bag as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising a flange member, said flange member comprising an annular body, and wherein the annular flange extends radially outward from the annular body, wherein the mouth comprises an annular wall and wherein the annular body is connected to the annular wall and wherein the membrane is connected to the annular flange. 
     
     
         25 . The bag as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising a projection extending radially outward from the annular wall and a depression extending radially inward into the annular body, wherein the annular body surrounds at least an axial portion of the annular wall and wherein the projection extending from the annular wall is received in the depression extending in the annular body. 
     
     
         26 . The bag as recited in  claim 24 , wherein an annular depression extends axially in the annular flange, and wherein the membrane is connected to the annular flange at a location radially outward from said annular depression. 
     
     
         27 . The bag as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the annular flange extends radially outward at a distal end of the mouth, wherein the annular flange comprises a flange surface over which extends the membrane, wherein a first radially extending depression is formed above the flange surface, and wherein the membrane comprises a first radially extending projection and a second radially extending projection spaced apart from the first radially extending projection defining a second radially extending depression there-between, wherein the first radially extending projection is received in the first radially extending depression and wherein the second radially extending projection extends over said flange surface. 
     
     
         28 . A bag comprising:
 a reservoir;   a mouth extending from the reservoir; and   at least a balloon in the mouth for sealing the mouth.