EP2174880B1 - Device for holding containers and accompanying container - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has several compartments (16.1-16.4) positioned adjacent to one another for accommodating a receptacle. The compartment is bounded by walls (22.1-22.5) extending parallel at a distance from one another. A fluid is circulated through portions of the walls having co-operating connectors for fluid lines. One wall of the compartment is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the other walls. The wall is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the walls against the action of a spring element e.g. compression spring. An independent claim is also included for a container comprising a thermally isolated housing.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a container for receiving, filling, temperature control, storage, emptying and transport of containers for biological, biochemical and biopharmaceutical substances, in particular liquids.

The US 2004/0134203 describes a container with a thermally insulated housing and a door for receiving a device with one or more compartments for transporting containers. The US 5,614,412 has a device for receiving flexible containers to the subject, these containers absorb liquid substances.

The substances mentioned are in particular liquids such as protein solutions, protein mixtures, amino acid solutions, DNA solutions, nucleic acid solutions, blood plasma or the like.

Such substances and their packaging (containers) must be regularly sterile. For example, the substances are often preserved by freezing for storage and / or transport. The substances frozen in containers are temporarily stored in cold stores or transported in a frozen state before the substances are thawed and processed in a further process stage. These process steps are also performed to influence the quality of the substances.

Usually, the substances are packaged in flexible plastic containers. The filling stops as well as the emptying technical problem, on the one hand in terms of sterility, on the other hand with regard to the mechanical stability of the container.

Systems known from practice have the disadvantage that the containers are first filled, then inserted into a cooling vessel and deep-frozen, before they are removed and thawed again after intermediate storage or transport from the cooling vessel. The sterility may be endangered. There is also the risk of damage to the container, so that the corresponding substances leak undesirable.

The invention has for its object to offer an alternative way of packaging the container. As many of the following process and treatment steps should be optimized in comparison with the prior art:

Picking up the containers, filling the containers, tempering the substances in the containers, storing the filled containers, emptying the containers

The invention is based on the following considerations: The containers are set in a receiving device. This device contains several compartments, each compartment serving to hold one or more containers. Walls delimiting the compartments serve to temper the container contents. The containers are placed in the compartments via a corresponding opening. The containers can be filled after conditioning in the subjects, ie in the device, and then tempered. For temperature control, for example, for freezing a liquid in the container, the walls of the compartments are formed so that they at least partially by a fluid (heat transfer medium) can be flowed through.

Such a device with containers can be used in an associated container, which serves as a transport or storage container for the device or the container.

It is also possible to first use the device in the container and then insert the container to fill and temper, as shown.

The container has a tempered and / or insulated housing. The latter is intended to ensure that the required temperature level is kept as long as possible without further active temperature control when the container is being transported, for example. The container itself can be opened or closed via a door or a lid. Door or lid may be formed according to the walls of the device. In general, however, it will suffice to thermally insulate the cover (door, cover) in such a way that prevail in the interior, ie in the area of the device, the fan and the container, largely isothermal conditions over a certain period of time.

The supply and discharge of a heat transfer medium (including coolant) via appropriate wall connections (fittings). For example, a coolant is passed through the walls and transfers the temperature to the preferably flat against the walls of the container and thus to the liquid in the container. The temperature effect is greater, the higher the contact surface wall / container.

If the device is set empty in the container, so the loading and tempering of the container takes place only in the container, the medium for temperature control can be provided by an arranged in or on the container or connectable to the container unit, such as a cooling unit. For this purpose, the corresponding connections (fittings) can be passed through a wall of the container, preferably thermally insulated again.

The removal of the container takes place in reverse as the insertion of the container. The containers can with tempered content, in particular frozen liquid, removed and further processed. However, it represents a significant advantage of the solution according to the invention that, for example, defrosting can again take place in the device / container. To accelerate this process, the walls of the fan can be flowed through, for example with a hot liquid. The emptying of the container can also be done before removal from the device, preferably via a lower, outlet-side end, as will be explained in more detail below.

It is an essential aspect of the invention that the design is chosen such that thermal expansions occurring during the freezing of liquids are compensated. For this purpose, the subjects variable or the fan-limiting walls are designed to be movable, that is, they can increase the distance to each other during "growing" of the container contents and thus increase the fan volume.

• mehreren, nebeneinander angeordneten Fächern zur Aufnahme von jeweils mindestens einem Behälter,
• jedes Fach wird von mindestens zwei, parallel im Abstand zueinander verlaufenden Wänden begrenzt,
• die Wände sind zumindest teilweise von einem Fluid durchströmbar und weisen korrespondierende Anschlüsse für Fluidleitungen auf,
• mindestens eine Wand jedes Faches ist in einer Richtung senkrecht zu den Wänden verschiebbar,
• mindestens eine Wand der Einrichtung ist in einer Richtung senkrecht zu den Wänden gegen die Wirkung mindestens eines Federelementes verschiebbar.

In its most general embodiment, the invention relates to a device for receiving and transporting containers for biological, biochemical and biopharmaceutical substances, having the following features:

• a plurality of juxtaposed compartments for accommodating at least one container each,
• each compartment is bounded by at least two parallel spaced walls,
• the walls are at least partially permeable by a fluid and have corresponding connections for fluid lines,
• at least one wall of each compartment is displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the walls,
• at least one wall of the device is displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the walls against the action of at least one spring element.

The term "spring element" includes, according to the invention, all types of construction elements which are suitable for returning the walls of the device to the original position, for example when the container contents are thawed or removed. The spring element therefore has the task of compensating for the displacement of the fan walls in situ due to thermal expansion of the container contents.

It is basically sufficient to let a single spring element act on an outer wall surface of the device. A similar embodiment with four spring elements is explained in more detail in the following description of the figures. Likewise, it is also possible to arrange corresponding spring elements within individual compartments, such as tension springs, which extend between corresponding walls of a compartment. In the expansion of the container contents, the distance of the walls can increase, since the walls are guided displaceably. A corresponding spring element would then expand and be biased. After defrosting, the distance between the walls would again decrease and the walls would automatically be returned to their original position due to the spring element

According to one embodiment, the walls are guided along rails which run in the direction perpendicular to the walls. The rails can be passed through the walls, as shown below with reference to an embodiment. Other ways of guiding and supporting the walls are possible.

The spring element is usually fixed to a bearing with a first section. This may be, for example, a framework of the device. A second portion of the spring element then loosely supported against a corresponding abutment. This may be, for example, the outer surface of an outer wall of the device.

In the embodiment illustrated above with a tension spring both end portions of the spring element would be fixed to corresponding wall sections.

Exemplary spring elements are components from the group: compression spring, tension spring, leaf spring, pneumatic spring, elastomer body, rubber body, rubber body, hydraulic ram, pneumatic ram.

At least one wall can limit two adjacent compartments. This is rational, since the temperature of the wall acts simultaneously on two compartments / chambers.

For an exterior wall of the device, this is obviously not true.

For optimized packaging of the containers in the compartments, an embodiment of the invention provides, in addition, to delimit each compartment by at least two side surfaces which are at a distance from each other and substantially perpendicular to the walls. These side surfaces thus represent vertical boundary surfaces for the subjects and run accordingly in the edge region of the walls. As a result, this results in particular a cuboid space for each compartment, although other geometric shapes are possible.

These side surfaces (side walls) may be continued at their lower end in the operative position of the device to form at least a partial bottom surface for each compartment. In this case, the bend can be made so that the bottom surface extends at least partially at an angle> 90 ° to a corresponding side surface.

This corresponds in the side view of a kind "funnel shape", wherein a central portion can remain free, which also serves as an outlet opening for the container or the liquid therein.

In order to allow the variation of the distance of adjacent walls of a compartment, the side surfaces must either be elastic or oversized, ie have a width which corresponds at least to the expected maximum distance of the walls.

An alternative embodiment provides to guide the side surfaces in grooves of the walls and to form these grooves with a depth which is greater than an assumed maximum displacement of opposite walls of a compartment. When increasing the distance between the walls, the side surfaces then at least partially detach from the grooves. They are returned to the grooves as soon as the walls move towards each other again under the influence of the spring element. Mathematically, it would be sufficient to form the grooves with a depth equal to half the maximum displacement of corresponding walls. However, since it can not be ensured that opposite portions of the side surfaces are moved in evenly out of the grooves or into the grooves, the proposed maximum depth is a safety measure.

For rigid side surfaces, these should be made of a low friction material, at least in the area of the surface, to facilitate displaceability within the grooves. For this purpose, for example, a material based on polytetrafluoroethylene is suitable.

The Dimensiönierung the device is such that even larger containers can be included, for example, containers with a volume of well over 10 liters, with volumes of> 50 liters,> 100 liters,> 250 liters up to 1000 liters and beyond are possible ,

It is usually sufficient to use an independent refrigeration unit to freeze and / or thaw the liquids in the containers. The cooling unit can be separated after the tempering of the device / the container, so that the container closing in a Cold store and / or can be provided for transport. Due to the separate cooling unit, the size of the container can be limited, which is particularly important for transport purposes.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed to integrate an auxiliary unit for controlling the temperature of the housing enclosed cavity in the container. This can be helpful in long transport routes, if the insulating effect of the container is not sufficient to keep the temperature in the interior of the container, ie in the area of the device / container constant.

Such a tempering / cooling unit may have an electrical connection line, which is supplied for example in an aircraft transport from the on-board voltage of the aircraft. It is also possible to electrically connect the auxiliary temperature control unit via a battery. This battery can be integrally formed in the container. To generate electricity can also serve a generator.

Further features of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the other application documents. This includes that as a container in particular flexible disposable containers are used, which are designed so that they can be filled after insertion into the device and also emptied in the device. The emptying is favored when the corresponding shelf and / or a lower portion of the corresponding container is inclined and the outlet opening of the container at the lowermost end (in the functional position).

Figur 1:

Eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtung,

Figur 2:

Ein Konstruktionsdetail der Führung und Lagerung einzelner Bauteile der Einrichtung

Figur 3:

Eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Containers mit integrierter Einrichtung gemäß Figur 1

Figur 4:

Einen Vertikalschnitt durch den Container nach Figur 3

Figur 5:

Einen Vertikalschnitt durch den Container nach Figur 3, 90° Grad versetzt zur Darstellung gemäß Figur 4.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to various embodiments. In each case show in a schematic representation:

FIG. 1:

A perspective view of a device according to the invention,

FIG. 2:

A design detail of the guidance and storage of individual components of the device

FIG. 3:

A perspective view of a container with integrated device according to FIG. 1

FIG. 4:

A vertical section through the container FIG. 3

FIG. 5:

A vertical section through the container FIG. 3 , 90 ° offset according to the representation FIG. 4 ,

In the figures, the same or equivalent components are shown with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a device comprising the following components:

Two outer walls 22.4, 22.5 and in each case at a distance vertically extending parallel walls 22.1, 22.2, 22.3. Through each wall 22.1 ... 22.5, a fluid line 23 meanders from a terminal portion 23z at an upper portion of the corresponding wall to a terminal portion 23a at the lower portion of each wall.

The walls 22.1 ... 22.5 are slidably guided on rails 40.1, 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, in each case in the corner area.

On the portion of the rails 40.1 ... 40.4, which projects beyond the wall 22.4 to the rear (in the drawing plane), a respective locking pin (not shown) is arranged, so that the wall 22.4 can not slip off.

At the opposite end (ie in the drawing at the front) the rails 40.1... 40.4 protrude beyond the (front) wall 22.5.

On each projecting portion of each rail 42, each formed as a round rod, located at the free end a threaded portion with an attached nut 42.2, which is a solid bearing forms for a first end 42.1 of a compression spring 42 which abuts with its other end 42.3 against the wall 22.5.

Between the walls 22.4, 22.1; 22.1, 22.2; 22.2, 22.3; 22.3, 22.5 are compartments 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4 formed laterally (perpendicular to the wall surfaces) each of side surfaces 44, 46 are limited, which lie in grooves 48 of the walls 22.1 ... 22.5 loose. The side surfaces 44, 46 are made of polytetrafluoroethylene, a material which is dimensionally stable over a wide temperature range and exhibits low surface friction when the respective side surfaces 44, 46 are moved along the grooves 48, as discussed below. The side surfaces 44, 46 are at their lower end, angled in front of the rails 40.3, 40.4 to the inside (against each other), wherein the respective angle: α is about 100 ° degrees, so that bottom-side portions 44b, 46b inclined and funnel-shaped to each other , forming a middle open bottom section 44o.

Also, the bottom portions 44b, 46b extending in corresponding grooves 48 of the walls 22.1 ... 22.5.

The described device is inserted into a corresponding opening of a substantially cuboid container, as it is made FIG. 3 results. The container is to be opened / closed from above via a pivotally hinged lid 14.5. The lid 14.5 and wall and bottom portions 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.6, 14.7 of the container are thermally insulated. In the wall portion 14.1 ten openings 15 are arranged, which are associated with the inlet and outlet fittings 23z, 23a of the walls 22.1 ... 22.5 and allow corresponding connections of fluid lines (not shown).

For this purpose, the device or the container, for example, connected to a cooling unit (not shown), which transports a corresponding tempered heat transfer medium through the walls 22.1 ... 22.5.

Previously, the compartments 16.1 ... 16.4 container 24 have been used. The containers 24 are flexible plastic containers with an upper filling device 24.2 and a lower emptying device 24.1 in the region of the bottom opening 44.o.

After filling, the containers 24 fill the fan volume largely as far as possible, wherein usually both in the container 24 and in each compartment 16.1 ... 16.4 remains an unused residual volume.

To freeze liquid substances that have been introduced into the containers 24, the walls 22.1... 22.5 are then tempered. With aqueous liquids, the volumetric expansion of the water increases from 0 ° C to an increase in the substance volume. To compensate for this expansion, the device has the described adjustable walls 22.1 ... 22.5, which are now shifted against the action of the springs 42 along the rails 40.1 ... 40.4.

In the opposite case, when defrosting the liquid substances in the containers 24, the corresponding volumes decrease again and the springs 42 ensure that the walls 22.1 ... 22.5 are returned to their original position.

During the displacement of the walls 22.1... 22.5, the side surfaces 44, 46 are led out of the grooves 48 in part, or are then guided deeply into the grooves 48 again.

FIG. 5 shows an auxiliary cooling unit 36, which is formed in a space 34 of the container. The cooling unit 36 can be fluidically connected to the coolant lines to the walls 22.1 ... 22.5. It serves for longer storage or longer Transports ensure that the temperature in the container does not rise or fall below or above critical levels. This is important, for example, in the so-called cryo-preservation of liquids.

FIG. 5 also shows feet 32 of the container below the floor 14.7.

It is within the scope of the invention to vary the number of compartments and / or walls, to arrange a plurality of containers in a compartment, to use rigid instead of flexible containers, to design inlet and outlet openings of the containers differently, to use different heat transfer media To heat and / or cool container contents, different spring elements and / or a different number of spring elements to use, or to make the side walls of a bendable material.

In this case, the width (in the longitudinal direction of the rails) of the side walls is chosen to be at least as wide as the expected maximum distance of corresponding walls. The walls can then be firmly connected to the side surfaces. Normally, for example, when filling the container, the side surfaces then fold slightly; but they still provide a guide for the inserted into the subjects container.

Claims (15)

1. Device for accommodating and transporting receptacles (24) for biological, biochemical and biopharmaceutical substances, comprising the following features:

   1.1 several compartments (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4) disposed adjacent to one another for accommodating at least one receptacle (24) each,

   1.2 each compartment (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4) is bounded by at least two walls (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5) extending parallel at a distance from one another,

   1.3 a fluid is able to circulate through at least parts of the walls (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5) which have co-operating connectors (23z, 23a) for fluid lines,

   1.4 at least one wall (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5) of each compartment (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4) can be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the walls (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5),

   1.5 at least one wall (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5) of the device can be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the walls (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5) against the action of at least one spring element (42).
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, in which the walls (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5) are guided along rails (40.1, 40.2, 40.3, 40.4) which extend in the direction perpendicular to the walls (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5).
3. Device as claimed in claim 1 in which the at least one spring element (42) is secured to a bearing (42.2) by a first portion (42.1).
4. Device as claimed in claim 1, in which the at least one spring element (42) is loosely supported against a co-operating counter-bearing by a second portion (42.3).
5. Device as claimed in claim 1, in which the spring element (42) is a component selected from the group comprising compression springs, tension springs, leaf springs, pneumatic springs, elastomer bodies, caoutchouc bodies, rubber bodies, hydraulic rams, pneumatic rams.
6. Device as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one wall (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5) bounds two adjacent compartments (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4).
7. Device as claimed in claim 1, in which every compartment (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4) is additionally bounded by at least two side faces (44, 46) which extend at a distance apart from one another and essentially perpendicular to the walls (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5).
8. Device as claimed in claim 7, the side faces (44, 46) of which form vertical boundary faces for the compartments (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4) and extend in the peripheral region of the walls (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5).
9. Device as claimed in claim 7, in which the co-operating side faces (44, 46) of at least one compartment (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4) are angled towards one another at their bottom end when the device is in a functional position, forming an at least partial base surface (44b, 46b).
10. Device as claimed in claim 7, in which the base surface (44b, 46b) at least partially subtends an angle of more than 90 degrees with a co-operating side face (44, 46).
11. Device as claimed in claim 7, in which the side faces (44, 46) are guided in grooves (48) of the walls (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5).
12. Device as claimed in claim 11, in which the grooves (48) in the extension of co-operating side faces (44, 46) have a depth which is bigger than an anticipated maximum displacement of co-operating walls (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5) of a compartment (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4) relative to one another.
13. Container with a thermally isolated housing which has at least one door or a cover (14.5) and a cavity for accommodating a device as claimed in claim 1.
14. Container as claimed in claim 13, with at least a wall-side housing opening for accommodating at least one fluid-circulating line to the connector to at least one fluid line of at least one wall (22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5) of the device.
15. Container as claimed in claim 13, with an integrated auxiliary unit (36) for tempering the cavity enclosed by the housing.

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