Single-Use Bags

Single-use bags
shaped by
the process.

Most single-use bags are chosen from a catalog. Ours are designed as part of the fluid path, alongside the pumps, valves and systems they connect to. Made in our own cleanroom, from 2D pillow bags to 3D bags up to 250 L, and the Dymaxion™ 2.5D bag: a tapered 3D base that drains to a single point, with the slim profile of a 2D bag.

Speak to an engineer

What is Dymaxion™?

Dymaxion™ is Alphinity's 2.5D single-use bioprocess bag. It combines the base of a 3D bag with the slim profile of a 2D bag: the bottom is formed in three dimensions and tapers up to a flat 2D top. The 3D base drains to a single low outlet and takes sanitary clamp fittings up to 4 in, while the 2D upper body keeps the footprint narrow. Dymaxion bags are made in our own cleanroom from USP Class VI multi-layer film, in volumes up to 30 L. Our bag technology is protected by five granted patents.

Dymaxion 2.5D single-use bioprocess bag, front and side views, showing hanger, side ports, sanitary clamp outlet and tapered 3D base HangerCustom side portsSanitary clamp outletHanger sleeveTapered 3D base
5
Granted patents protecting our bag technology
250 L
Largest standard 3D bag. 2D up to 50 L, Dymaxion™ 2.5D up to 30 L.
4 in
Largest sanitary clamp outlet on the Dymaxion™ 3D base
13.5 mil
Multi-layer film: inert PE contact layer, EVOH outer layer, USP Class VI

Why 2.5D

Every drop matters.
So does where it ends up.

A flat 2D bag is compact but drains through seams and corners. A 3D bag drains well but needs a rigid container and floor space. The Dymaxion™ 2.5D bag was designed to take the best of each: better space claim and better flow than either conventional geometry.

01

Drains to one point

The tapered 3D base guides fluid to a single low outlet, so less product is left behind in the bag. That matters most when the product is expensive and the batch is small.

02

A bigger outlet

Because the base is three-dimensional, it accepts sanitary clamp fittings up to 4 in. A larger outlet gives smoother, lower-velocity flow out of the bag and into the next step.

03

A slim footprint

The 2D upper body keeps the bag narrow. It hangs from an integral sleeve or eyelets without the support tote a 3D bag needs. Stainless enclosures are also possible, depending on the bag geometry.

04

Ports where you need them

Side ports can be added in most places on the 2D body for sampling, additions or recirculation, with hose barbs from 1/8 in to 1 in.

Choosing a bag

2D vs 2.5D vs 3D:
which single-use bag do you need?

Choose by volume, footprint and how completely the bag has to drain. 2D bags suit small, flat storage. 3D bags suit large volumes and mixing. The 2.5D bag suits small to mid volumes where full drainage and steady flow out of the bag matter.

2D pillow bagDymaxion™ 2.5D bag3D bag
ConstructionTwo flat film panels welded at the edgesTapered 3D base, 2D upper bodyCube-like, welded in three dimensions
VolumeUp to 50 LUp to 30 LUp to 250 L standard
FootprintFlat, very compactSlim, hangs from a sleeve or eyeletsNeeds a rigid support container
DrainageThrough panel ports; seams and corners can hold fluidTo a single low outletTo a bottom outlet
Bottom outletPanel portSanitary clamp, 1.5 in, 3 in or 4 inSanitary clamp
Typical useMedia, buffers, intermediate hold, samplingProduct hold, pump feed reservoirs, small-batch processingHigh-volume mixing and storage

The range

One cleanroom.
Every format.

Alphinity single-use bag range: 2D pillow bag, 3D bag and Dymaxion 2.5D bag

Dymaxion™ 2.5D bags

Hybrid geometry combining 2D simplicity with 3D performance, for better space efficiency and improved flow dynamics.

Standard 2D bags

Flat-profile storage and process bags for media, buffers and intermediate hold steps.

3D mixing and storage bags

Cube-style or tank-supported bags for high-volume mixing, storage and process scale.

Custom transfer assemblies

Fully configurable assemblies with flexible tubing, sterile connectors and tailored port options.

Port components and film

USP Class VI multi-layer film and customizable ports, built for bioprocess compatibility.

Specifications

Materials and options

ParameterSpecification
FilmMulti-layer: inert polyethylene (PE) product-contact layer, durable EVOH outer layer
Film thickness13.5 mil (0.34 mm)
Material complianceAll materials USP Class VI compliant
Formats and volumes2D pillow up to 50 L · Dymaxion™ 2.5D up to 30 L · 3D up to 250 L standard (larger on request)
Hose barb ports1/8 in to 1 in (3.2 mm to 25.4 mm)
Sanitary clamp fittings1.5 in, 3 in and 4 in
MountingIntegral eyelets and hanger sleeves. Stainless enclosures depend on bag geometry and may require development work.
CustomizationGeometry, volume, port number and location, tubing, sterile connectors, transfer assemblies
Intellectual propertyBag technology protected by five granted patents

Made to order

Custom bags,
shaped in our own cleanroom.

Because we cut, weld and assemble our own film in our own cleanroom, most changes to bag geometry and port locations can be made without substantial upfront expense, depending on the change. Tell us the volume, the ports and where the bag sits in your process. We design it into the system around it, prototype it and supply it as part of the fluid path, and change it again as your process learns.

That flexibility is why our bags turn up in places a catalog bag cannot go, from pump feed reservoirs to artificial womb research.

Technician in cleanroom gown, hairnet, beard cover and gloves assembling a single-use bag by hand in Alphinity's cleanroom
Every bag is cut, welded and assembled by hand in our own cleanroom.

Designed with the pump

The bag is the first part
of the fluid path.

A pump can only be as gentle as the way fluid reaches it. The drain port of a Dymaxion™ bag feeds the gravity-flooded top inlet of a PIXER® pump, so fluid arrives under positive pressure and the pump never pulls. No suction, no cavitation at the inlet. Add VannX™ valves and you have one closed, single-use fluid path designed as a whole, the same thinking behind TFFi™.

Applications

Where our bags and systems are used

The same platform of single-use bags, PIXER® pumps, VannX™ valves and control serves established biopharma processes and some of the newest frontiers in medicine.

Biopharma processing

Proven in downstream and buffer processes, from development to manufacturing.

FiltrationTFF reservoir bagsFeed and retentate bags that drain fully to the drain port and feed the pump by gravity.TFFi™ system ›BuffersBuffer preparation and dilutionConcentrate, diluent and product bags for inline buffer dilution.Buffer dilution ›SystemsBespoke single-use process systemsBags designed into engineer-to-order skids, with pumps, valves and control.Bespoke systems ›Cell and gene therapyClosed processing for fragile cellsSealed bags and gentle, low-shear transfer for cells and viral vectors.Cell and gene therapy ›

Emerging applications

Where a closed, gentle, precisely controlled fluid path keeps living biology alive.

Ex uteroArtificial womb fluid systemsCustom sealed bags and gentle, continuous recirculation for life outside the body.Artificial womb fluid systems ›Organ perfusionOrgan perfusion fluid systemsSterile reservoirs and steady, controllable recirculation for keeping organs viable outside the body.Organ perfusion fluid systems ›
Small-batch medicinePersonalized and small-batch therapiesLow hold-up bags and manifolds where every milliliter of a patient-specific batch counts.
Tissue engineeringOrganoid and tissue perfusionPrecise, low-flow media perfusion for lab-grown tissues and organoids.

Wherever living biology depends on a fluid path, the fluid path is the life support.

FAQ

Common questions

What is a single-use bioprocess bag?

A single-use bioprocess bag is a pre-assembled, disposable container made from multi-layer plastic film, used to hold, mix, transfer or store media, buffers and product during biopharmaceutical manufacturing. It is used once and discarded, which removes cleaning and cleaning validation and reduces cross-contamination risk.

What is a 2.5D bag?

A 2.5D bag combines the base of a 3D bag with the slim profile of a 2D bag. The bottom is formed in three dimensions and tapers up to a flat 2D top. The 3D base drains to a single low outlet and accepts larger sanitary clamp fittings, while the 2D upper body keeps the footprint narrow. Alphinity's 2.5D bag is called Dymaxion.

What is the difference between 2D and 3D single-use bags?

A 2D bag, or pillow bag, is made from two flat film panels welded at the edges. It is compact and suited to smaller volumes of media, buffer or intermediates. A 3D bag has a cube-like shape, usually sits in a rigid support container, and is used for larger volumes and mixing, up to 250 L as standard in Alphinity's range, with larger sizes possible as a development project. A 2.5D bag sits between the two.

What film are Alphinity single-use bags made from?

Multi-layer film with an inert polyethylene product-contact layer and a durable EVOH outer layer, 13.5 mil (0.34 mm) thick. All materials are USP Class VI compliant.

What sizes are available?

2D pillow bags up to 50 L, Dymaxion 2.5D bags up to 30 L, and standard 3D bags up to 250 L. Custom volumes are available within each format, and larger 3D bags can be developed on request.

Can single-use bags be customized?

Yes. Alphinity makes bags in its own cleanroom and welds geometry, port number and port location to suit each application, often without substantial upfront tooling cost, depending on the change. Ports range from 1/8 in to 1 in hose barbs and 1.5 in, 3 in and 4 in sanitary clamp fittings, with tubing, sterile connectors and transfer assemblies configured to order.

Can Alphinity bags connect directly to PIXER pumps?

Yes. The drain port of a Dymaxion 2.5D bag can feed the gravity-flooded top inlet of a PIXER single-use diaphragm pump, so fluid reaches the pump under positive pressure with no suction at the inlet. Bags, PIXER pumps and VannX valves can be combined into one closed single-use fluid path.

Is Alphinity's bag technology patented?

Yes. Alphinity's single-use bag technology is protected by five granted patents.

Get Started

Tell us where the bag
sits in your process.

Volume, ports, mounting and what it connects to. We design the bag as part of the system around it, so the bag, pump, valves and control work as one closed fluid path.

Speak to an engineer

Ready to talk?

Speak to an engineer Request a datasheet