EP1980234A1 - Storage device for vertical storage of small dimensional containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a base body (15) to partially engage in an opening which is suitable for storage of an egg. A set of small dimensional containers is fastened to the base body and is stored in a defined position i.e. straight position. A lower side of the base body partially has a form of a rotationally symmetric cylinder (1). A ballast is arranged in a lower portion of the body and ensures the straight position of the storage device after setting up the storage device with the lower side on a flat surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a storage device for small-sized vessels, and a use of the storage device according to the preambles of the independent claims.

Diabetics are required to keep insulin cool, preferably in a refrigerator, such as a refrigerator. a fridge. In this case, ampoules containing dissolved insulin should be stored as upright as possible, so that possibly forming air bubbles collect in the ampoule head and can be easily removed before use.

The usual elongated, slender shape of insulin vials or insulin bottles makes it difficult to store upright in a refrigerator between foods. Thus, the ampoules can e.g. easily fall over or are moved from their original place when handling food. Some vials have small dimensions, which makes handling difficult.

Stands or racks for tubes or ampoules are well known in the laboratory. However, these are impractical in private use due to their dimensions. Furthermore, it is in the interest of the patient to find the insulin ampule as quickly as possible in the refrigerator, which is why a fixed location for the storage of the ampoule is preferred. A stand or rack is easily moved when handling the food and therefore does not solve this task. The same thing happens when the ampoules are left in the sales pack. The packaging also makes it difficult to visually assess the expiry date, the filling volume of the ampoule and the condition of the insulin. Unused dissolved insulin has a changed appearance such as a discoloration.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to simplify the substantially upright storage of ampoules and other small-sized vessels in the refrigerator. Furthermore, the task should be solved to make small-sized vessels easy to find and tangible. In a preferred embodiment, the object is also to be solved, to be able to visually assess the content of the vessel.

The invention relates to a storage device which can be integrated in the egg compartment of the refrigerator. In most refrigerators the storage of eggs is solved by means of an egg compartment. Egg compartments are usually shaped to have a flat support plate with openings. Essentially two embodiments are known. On the one hand, bowl-shaped depressions are known, which are generally round and rotationally symmetrical in plan view. Their diameter usually tapers to the ground. Instead of the recesses, the support plate may have as a second embodiment, circular cutouts that hold the eggs at their widest diameter relative to the longitudinal axis. In both cases, in the recess and in the circular cutouts, a cavity is formed, which receives an egg-shaped body. The diameter of the openings, which are suitable for the storage of eggs, is largely similar from carrier plate to carrier plate.

The storage device provided in the present invention is formed so that it can at least partially engage in the openings provided for the eggs, and one or more small-sized vessels can be mounted and stored therein. Because of the designated location of the egg compartment, the vessel is easy to find in the fridge. In a preferred embodiment, the main body of the bearing device consists at least partially of transparent material, whereby the expiration date, the level of the vessel and the state of the contents can be visually assessed quickly.

The term "small-sized vessel" as used hereinafter encompasses various types of small-sized vessels, in particular ampoules, carpules, cartridges, vials, tubes, vials and bottles. The present invention is not limited to vessels in which insulin is normally provided, but includes all small-sized vessels, for ingredients such as medicines, contact lens-cleaning liquids, enzymes or other substances that are used in the home or in a diagnostic, medical or find biological laboratory use. In the laboratory, the present invention finds application, in particular to store test tubes in the refrigerator between.

The storage device according to the invention comprises a base body which is suitable for at least partially engaging in an opening which is suitable for the storage of an egg, and in that one or more small-sized vessels are fastened therein and in a defined position, in particular in a substantially upright position, can be stored. Thus, the vessels can be stored, for example, at an angle of 15 ° .. Also, it may be advantageous to form the actual vessel receptacle as a replaceable insert, so that a defined attachment of different vessels and / or in different positions is possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the main body of the bearing device wholly or at least partially in the form of a rotationally symmetric parabola, a rotationally symmetrical hemi-ellipse, a hemisphere, a rotationally symmetric hyperbola, or a similar shape with a polygonal or polygonal-like, in particular triangular or triangular-like, cross-section. Polygonalähnliche Cross sections are, for example, polygonal cross sections, in which the corners are not connected by straight lines. The latter embodiments have the advantage that they do not roll off when placed on a flat surface.

It is in the two previous embodiments, or in embodiments of the storage device, which have a relatively small footprint when placing on a flat surface, preferred that the bearing device in the lower part of the body has a ballast, which after setting up the bearing device with the underside on a flat surface comparable to a Stehaufmännchen, ensures an upright position of the bearing device due to its low center of gravity.

In a further preferred embodiment, the base body of the bearing device is completely or at least partially cylindrical. The cylinder is preferably in its lower part in a preferably multi-surface, preferably designed as a Dodekader, cap-shaped area over. In particular, in the case of multi-surface cap-shaped regions, there is the advantage that they can serve as standing surfaces, or prevent rolling when depositing.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the bottom 3 of the body is flattened, so that the body can be easily parked on a straight surface.

The dimensions of the storage device may vary. Even if the base body does not fit accurately into an opening for egg storage, so a substantially upright storage of the vessels should be guaranteed.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the base body on the outside has a circumferential projection, preferably a ring, with which the main body of the edge of the opening of the Egg compartment can be kept, which gives the storage device additional stability.

In yet another preferred embodiment, there may be recesses which preferably facilitate gripping the bearing device. These recesses may be e.g. located in the outer wall of the body and assume different dimensions.

In a preferred embodiment, the recesses are so extensive that only two or more arms fix the vessel via a holder. The bearing device is thus reduced to the essential positioning means.

The engaging in the openings element of the body can be made hollow or alternatively solid. The attachment of the vessels within the body can be solved in various ways, but it is preferred that the vessels are stored substantially vertically. As a vessel holder, ie as a fastener for one or more small-sized vessels, various elements come into question. In a preferred embodiment, the intervening element of the bearing device can be solid and have one or more recesses in which the vessels can be inserted for mounting. In another preferred embodiment, the engaging element of the bearing device may be hollow and form a shell. This can be filled with a second element. For this purpose, for example, an elastic foam or a non-elastic foam, such as expanded polystyrene are suitable. As a vessel holder depressions or slots are formed in this second material, so that a vessel or more vessels can be inserted into the material. Alternatively, in a hollow body, the vessel, resp. the vessels, in a vessel holder, such as a tube or a number of tubes, or in reduced version in a ring, or a number of interconnected rings are plugged, which are supported by two or more walls, or arms that run from the outer edge to the holder. Another preferred means for vessel support are three or more slightly flexible rods, which project from the bottom of the shell substantially vertically upwards, and between which one or more vessels can be inserted. For holding a plurality of vessels, a plurality of bars may be arranged in a circle or in staggered rows. In general, it is conceivable to form the vessel holder as an insert or inseparable from the bearing device. In the first-mentioned variant, there is the advantage that the use of inserts allows the various vessel holders to be interchanged so that different vessels and / or vessel numbers can be accommodated in the device.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the main body engages in two or more openings of the egg compartment and is provided at the top with a carrier attachment. This attachment is plate-shaped, and preferably rectangular or oval, and may be provided with cutouts which leave one or more openings of the egg compartment. The one or more elements of the storage device, which are located on the underside of the support member and are intended to engage in the opening of an egg compartment, serve to fix the storage device in the egg compartment. If the carrier attachment is solid, then preferably one or more recesses for the vessel holder are embedded therein. Alternatively, the carrier attachment can also be designed shell-shaped. Preferably, a second element, such as an elastic or non-elastic foam, is embedded in this shell. In this second element are called Vessel holder Slots or holes incorporated. Optionally, the attachment may have a lid.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the material from which the storage device is made is transparent, at least in the area where the vessel is received, so that the contents of the vessel can be viewed without having to remove the vessel from the body.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the storage device has a lid. The lid provides additional protection for the vessel, resp. the vessels, in the frequent handling of food. In addition, the lid prevents the impairment of the other items in the refrigerator by any emissions, especially odors, the vessel contents. For this purpose, the device is preferably equipped with an agent for odor neutralization, such as an activated carbon filter. In addition, elements can be mounted on the lid to further facilitate the handling of vessels. The lid may be placed on the body or alternatively connected to the body in various ways. One possible connecting means is a hinge device, which is mounted between the lid and the base body. In the folded state, these form a stable connection. Alternatively, the lid and body can be releasably connected to each other via a thread, a bayonet connection or a snap connection. In another embodiment, one of the elements (cover or base body) at the edge has a circumferential bead, which reversibly engages under pressure into a circumferential groove of the other element. It is also intended to form this connection by means of soft components designed as a seal, which produce the connection with elastic deformation. The Shape of the lid is variable. In a preferred embodiment, the lid is cup-shaped. The lid is preferably made of transparent material. Thus, the expiration date, the capacity of the stored vessel and the state of the content can be easily visually assessed.

A base with lid can also be used to safely transport vessels, e.g. Insulin vials are used without damaging them. For such purposes, the lid and base body are preferably formed of a thermally insulating material, which keeps the temperature within the storage device as constant as possible. For this purpose, a particularly exchangeable temperature reservoir is preferably arranged within the bearing device. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to make the main body essentially solid from a material having a high specific heat capacity, e.g. Copper or aluminum, to obtain a high thermal inertia. Preference is also given to the formation of the lid and the base body made of an impact-resistant material.

In yet another preferred embodiment, a scale and / or a temperature indicator is mounted on the base body or the lid, which facilitate the assessment of the filling level and the internal temperature. In yet another preferred embodiment, a magnification magnifier is installed in the wall of the body or in the lid, so that the level can be read off better and a visual control of the content is possible. In a further preferred embodiment, the main body or the lid can provide an information carrier surface on which information can be entered manually, for example the expiration date of the liquid which is located in the vessel. It is also conceivable that a label holder is provided in which labels or a Part of a vessel packaging can be inserted. Furthermore, it is envisaged to provide a non-stick surface on which self-adhesive labels can be arranged and easily removed again.

A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of the storage device according to the invention according to the first aspect, for the storage of a medicament container, preferably an insulin ampule, in the egg compartment of a refrigerator.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemässen zylinderförmigen Lagervorrichtung, die in ihrem unteren Teil in einen kappenförmigen Bereich übergeht.
• Fig. 2 eine Lagervorrichtung für zwei Röhrchen mit Deckel und umlaufenden Ring in der perspektivischen Seitenansicht.
• Fig. 3 eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer hohlen erfindungsgemässen Lagervorrichtung für eine Ampulle, wobei die Ampulle in einer Röhre, die von drei Wänden gehalten wird, steckt.
• Fig. 4 eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemässen flachen zylinderförmigen Lagervorrichtung mit drei Aussparungen.
• Fig. 5 eine Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemässe Lagervorrichtung mit drei Armen, die eine Ampulle über ein kreisförmiges Befestigungsmittel halten.
• Fig. 6 eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Lagervorrichtung mit zwei schalenförmigen Elementen des Grundkörpers der Lagervorrichtung, die über einen Trägeraufsatz miteinander verbunden sind.
• Fig. 7 eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsmässigen Lagervorrichtung mit versetzter Anordnung von Stäben zur Halterung von mehreren Röhrchen.

Further advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to FIGS. Showing:

• Fig. 1 a perspective side view of an inventive cylindrical bearing device, which merges in its lower part in a cap-shaped area.
• Fig. 2 a storage device for two tubes with lid and rotating ring in the perspective side view.
• Fig. 3 a side perspective view of a hollow inventive storage device for an ampoule, wherein the ampoule in a tube which is held by three walls, inserted.
• Fig. 4 a perspective side view of an inventive flat cylindrical bearing device with three recesses.
• Fig. 5 a plan view of a storage device according to the invention with three arms that hold an ampoule on a circular fastener.
• Fig. 6 a perspective side view of an inventive storage device with two shell-shaped elements of the main body of the storage device, which are interconnected via a carrier attachment.
• Fig. 7 a side perspective view of an inventive storage device with staggered arrangement of rods for holding a plurality of tubes.

The basic principle of a preferred embodiment of the invention is made Fig. 1 seen. The illustrated inventive storage device consists of a solid body 15 formed of a rotationally symmetric cylinder 1 and a cap-shaped sub-area 2, the bottom 3 is flattened. The cylindrical part of the storage device has the diameter of a chicken egg, ie between 30 mm and 50mm. The cylinder is intended to at least partially engage in the opening of an egg compartment in a refrigerator. As a vessel holder 19, a recess in the solid body 15 is embedded.

Fig. 2 shows a second inventive bearing device, in which the base body 15 is formed as a rotationally symmetrical parabola 5 with flattened bottom 3. The main body 15 is hollow. This is a second element 6, for example made of foam, in which 19 two wells are recessed as a vessel holder. The main body 15 has on its outer wall on a circumferential ring 4, whose diameter is greater than the diameter of an opening of an egg compartment. Thus, the ring 4 gives the body further stability when engaged in said opening. In the Fig. 2 embodiment shown is particularly suitable for egg trays, which are designed as a carrier plate with circular cutouts. Furthermore, the main body 15 is connected via a hinge device 13 as a connecting means with a cover 12. Instead of a lid with a hinge device, the lid can also be designed as a bayonet cover or snap lid.

Fig. 3 shows a third inventive storage device, in which the base body 15 as a vessel with a rotationally symmetric parabola forming Outside wall is formed. From the inner wall go out holding means, which are formed in the present case as walls 9 and fix the tubular vessel holder. The main body is integrally formed of a transparent plastic.

In a further embodiment according to Fig. 4 The base body 15 has the shape of a flat, solid cylinder with recesses 17 arranged on the circumference. To facilitate the insertion, it may also be useful to attach a centering ring on the underside of the cylinder. This embodiment is preferably used for egg trays with bowl-shaped depressions. As a vessel holder 19, a tube is present. The recesses 17 facilitate the gripping of the storage device for insertion or removal.

Also for cup-shaped depressions in the support plate of an egg compartment, the in Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment of the inventive storage device. The main body is reduced to the essential positioning means. Three arms 18 fix the vessel via an annular support 19. The storage device can engage in the bowl-shaped recess of the egg compartment and is then held by the tapered diameter of the recess. In an alternative embodiment, it is also provided that the arms are not straight, but curved, for example, sickle-shaped, and thereby form resilient. This results in the advantage that an adaptation to different diameters is possible by the spring effect.

Fig. 6 shows an inventive storage device that can engage in two openings of an egg compartment. Each provided for engaging in an opening of the egg compartment elements 21 are hemispherical and solid. They serve on the one hand for fixing the bearing device in Egg tray, as well as the vessel holder. The top of the device consists of a rectangular support 14. As a vessel holder 19 recesses are embedded in the support article 14, as well as in the two massive shell-shaped elements, in which the vessels to be stored can be inserted.

In Fig. 7 a further embodiment of the inventive storage device is shown, which can engage in two openings of an egg compartment via two dish-shaped elements 21, and has a rectangular support member 14. The fixation of the device in the egg compartment is ensured by the two shell-shaped elements 21. The support cap has a peripheral edge 20. As a vessel holder 19, a number of rods are provided, which are arranged in staggered rows. The vessels are inserted between the rods for fixation.

The elements shown in the figures can, if technically possible and reasonable, be combined with each other as desired to produce a storage device according to the invention.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in the present application, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these and may be practiced otherwise within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (22)

A small-sized vessel storage apparatus comprising a base body (15), characterized in that said base body (15) is adapted to at least partially engage at least one opening suitable for storage of an egg, and one or more small-sized vessels therein fixed and in a defined position, in particular in a substantially upright position, can be stored. Bearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the underside of the base body (15) for arrangement in the opening in the egg compartment at least partially the shape of a rotationally symmetric parabola (5), a rotationally symmetrical semi-ellipse, a rotationally symmetrical hyperbola, or a similar shape with a polygonal or has polygonal-like, in particular triangular or triangular-like, cross-section. Storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the underside of the base body (15) for arrangement in the opening in the egg compartment has at least partially the shape of a hemisphere. Bearing device according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that a ballast is arranged in the lower region of the base body, which ensures an upright position of the storage device after setting up the bearing device with the underside on a flat surface. Bearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the underside of the base body (15) for arrangement in the opening in the egg compartment at least partially has the shape of a cylinder (1). Bearing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cylinder (1) has a particular multi-surface, in particular designed as a Dodekader, cap-shaped sub-region (2). Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom (3) of the base body (15) is flattened. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (15) on the outside carries a circumferential projection, in particular a ring (4). Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (15) has recesses (17). Bearing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the base body (15) on positioning means, resp. Arms (18), is reduced. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (15) is hollow. Storage device according to claim 11, characterized in that the base body (15) inside a vessel holder (19) for one or more small-sized vessels includes, which is designed in particular as a replaceable insert. Bearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (15) engages in two or more openings of the egg compartment and the upper side substantially consists of a plate-shaped carrier attachment (14). Storage device according to claim 13, characterized in that the carrier attachment (14) is rectangular or oval. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing device at least in the area in which she takes the vessel, is made of a transparent material. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing device has a transparent cover (12) which is connected in particular via a connecting means (13) with the base body (15). Storage device according to claim 16, characterized in that the base body (15) and the lid (12) are made of a thermally insulating material, and in particular that within the storage device, a particular exchangeable temperature storage is arranged. Bearing device according to one of claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the base body (15) and the cover (12) are made of an impact-resistant material. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that; that in the wall of the storage device, in particular in the wall of a lid (12) of the storage device, an enlargement magnifier is installed. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing device has an information carrier surface. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a scale and / or a temperature indicator is attached to the bearing device. Use of a storage device according to one of the preceding claims for storing a vessel containing a medicament or a substance for diagnostic, medical or biotechnological applications, in particular for storing an insulin ampule, in the egg compartment of a refrigerator.

Images