CONTAINER FOR STORING A FLOWABLE BODILY MATERIAL, AND A METHOD FOR STORING A FLOWABLE BODILY MATERIAL

A container (1) for storing stem cell material of an animal for subsequent treatment of the animal contains discrete pouches (15) for the stem cell material. The container (1) comprises a pair of transparent flexible panels (3) which are secured together by a peripheral heat seal (4) to define a hollow interior region (8). The hollow interior region (8) is divided into discrete pouches (15) and a mixing region (16) by primary heat seals (18) extending substantially perpendicularly from the peripheral seal (4) adjacent an edge (5a) of the panels (3). An inlet port (9) to the mixing region (16) accommodates the stem cell material and a protective solution to be mixed in the mixing region (18). A manifold (25) extending transversely of the pouches (15) communicates the pouches (15) with the mixing region (16). On completion of mixing of the stem cell material with the protective solution, two additional pouches (22) are formed in the mixing area (16) by primary heat seals (34). The mixed material is then urged along the manifold (25) into the pouches (15,22), and a secondary heat seal (39) isolates the discrete pouches (15,22) from the manifold (25) and from each other to thereby seal the mixed material in the pouches (15,22). On the formation of the secondary heat seal (39) the sealed pouches (15,22) are severed from the container (1) along the cut lines (17,36,42) to be separately stored. Sealed outlet ports (20) from the respective pouches (15,22) through the peripheral seal (4) adjacent the edge (5a) of the panels (3) facilitate withdrawal of the stem cell materials from the respective pouches (15,22).