EP3131518B1 - Multichamber bag opening aid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for opening bags and mixing bag contents.

In many situations in everyday life, consumer goods are packaged in bags. Bags that have several chambers or compartments for holding various ingredients are also increasingly being used. This can be of particular advantage when the individually packaged components of a preparation have a better shelf life than the ready-to-use product. This is particularly important for pharmaceutical preparations, such as nutritional solutions or dialysis solutions, which contain different substances in which, over time, chemical or physical reactions occur between the individual substances that can lead to incompatibilities and thus the effectiveness and tolerability of the Affect the product. In such cases, it is customary to pack the different components of a preparation separately in individual compartments, depending on their compatibility, and to combine them into a ready-to-use product shortly before they are used. The individual chambers can preferably be filled with different fluids, wherein one or more chambers can also contain a solid. Plastic bags in particular are used as packaging material, with the individual compartments inside the bag being opened and the separately packaged ingredients being able to be combined to form a ready-to-use product. The plastic bags can be used in the food, beverage or pharmaceutical sector. To open the chambers, they can be connected to one another with so-called crushing cones, for example. By rupturing the cones, fluid paths are created between the chambers, which allow the individual fluids to be mixed and / or one or more solids to be reconstituted. The use of crushing cones, however, has the disadvantage, inter alia, that when the cones are broken, particles can form which, for example in the case of medical solutions, can lead to contamination of the product. For this reason, bags with peel or sealed seams have become established for opening and mixing between the individual chambers. The peel or seal seams between the compartments have a lower sealing strength than the outer seams of the bags. By applying pressure to one or more chambers, the peel seams are completely or at least partially broken and allow a fluid connection to be established between the chambers and the individual components to be mixed before the ready-to-use product is removed. The sealing strength of the peel seams between the chambers should be selected so that the seams cannot unintentionally tear during transport and handling of the bags, whereas opening the peel seams by hand must still be feasible with a reasonable expenditure of force. In the case of bags with a total filling volume of more than one liter, a portion of the bag is usually rolled up from its edge area, for example from the side edge or a film corner, and thereby the chamber contents are compressed in such a way that the pressure inside the bag increases on the peel seams and these with it when the sealing pressure is exceeded.

An example of a multi-chamber plastic bag, the individual compartments of which are separated from one another by peel seams, is shown in FIG EP 1396249 A2 described.

Opening and mixing a multi-chamber plastic bag provided with peel seams is generally not a problem for normal, adult, healthy users. Nevertheless, opening such bags can be tedious for certain people, such as elderly or weakened people, because it is difficult for them it may be difficult to apply the appropriate force and / or you may have problems managing the opening process due to motor restrictions.

For example, people who are unable to apply a sufficiently high force to one or more chambers of a multi-chamber bag and / or who have limited motor skills are faced with the problem that it is difficult for them to separate a portion of the bag from an edge area, for example starting from one side of the film, preferably a film corner, can roll up. At the same time, you have to hold the partially rolled-up area of the bag and also build up a corresponding pressure to continue rolling it up or compressing it until the peel seams break open. This problem can be particularly acute with large bags with two or more liters of content.

One way to open a peel seam in a double chamber bag is in the JP 2007-054108 disclosed. A connector protection extends over the first chamber of the bag. The peel seam can be broken open by applying pressure to the extended area of the connector protection.

To open an outer packaging that contains a glass bottle, the GB 337440 A described a key-like device with a slot. The outer packaging has a tear-off strip, the protruding end of which is pushed into the slot of the key in order to open the outer packaging by twisting the tear-off strip around the key.

The WO 2013/156808 describes a container for use in the cosmetic field, the individual compartments being separated by a breakable seal and / or a clamp and by means of a external pressure on the container and / or by releasing a clamp, can be combined. To remove the mixed product, the clamp can be attached to the end of the container and the contents of the packaging can be transported by pushing the clamp in the direction of the removal opening.

The US 4994056 discloses a bag for storing and mixing a two-component system for intravenous infusion, the two compartments being separated from one another by a thermal seal and an additional external clamp being provided in order to avoid unintentional opening of the thermal seal. To unite the two compartments, the clamp is removed and the suture that can be separated is opened by pulling the tabs on the sides of the film in opposite directions.

The US 1991267 describes a two-component packaging unit for intravenous infusion, the two compartments being separated from one another by a clamp. The clamp is made up of three parts, a sealing element, a central element and a locking element as well as at least one pin around which the individual parts of the clamp are rotatably arranged US5131567 describes a tube compression element which consists of two tube elements lying one above the other, which rotate in opposite directions to one another during operation and thus move the tube in its longitudinal direction between the two tube elements in order to compress the tube contents.

The invention is now based on the object of providing a device and a method which provides a simple and inexpensive aid for opening peel seams in multi-chamber bag systems and for mixing the individual bag contents.

The object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1, whereby by means of a device which is designed as a multi-chamber bag opening aid, comprising a rod-shaped central part consisting of a rod with two distal grip elements, an opening of peel seams in a multi-chamber bag system to establish a fluid connection between the separate chambers and the simultaneous mixing of the individual components is facilitated.

The object is also achieved by a method according to claim 14.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

Multi-chamber bag systems, as they are used in the context of the invention, are also referred to below as bags or bag systems, comprising two or more compartments, the individual compartments or chambers being separated from one another by peel seams and the bag via at least one removal device and preferably additionally via at least has a feeding device. The bag systems as used in connection with the article according to the invention typically consist of a thermoplastic material.

It can also be provided that the peel seams of the multi-chamber bag systems are broken open in an intended sequence. This is the case when the peel seams, in accordance with the opening sequence, have increasing sealing strength.

To overcome the above-described disadvantages when opening a multi-chamber bag system, a multi-chamber bag opening aid is provided, comprising a rod-shaped central part which consists of a rod and two distal grip elements. With their help, a partial area of a bag, in particular an edge area, such as a foil side or foil corner, can be rolled up over the middle part of the multi-chamber bag opening aid and the contents in the Chambers are compressed in such a way that the peel seams break open between the individual chambers. The grip elements are used for stabilization and for power transmission as well as for easy rolling up of the bag part area.

In particular for the group of people described above, the multi-chamber opening aid makes it easier and thus an improved handling when opening multi-chamber bag systems and enables them to maintain their independence when carrying out their therapeutic measures.

In order to further optimize the roll-up process of a multi-chamber bag system, a means for fixing a partial area of a multi-chamber bag can be provided in the middle part.

The means for fixing can be designed in the form of an incision which is able to receive, for example, a foil corner of a multi-chamber bag. In addition, the bag part area can be fixed in the incision of the middle part by a movable clamping element.

Alternatively, a cutout in the form of a wedge-shaped recess can be provided in the middle part. As a means for fixing a portion of a multi-chamber bag, the wedge-shaped recess can be partially surmounted by a clamping element, so that a portion of the bag, in particular a foil corner, can be held between a wedge-shaped recess created by the milling and the clamping element. By actuating the grip elements, a partial area of the multi-chamber bag system can be rolled up very easily around the middle part of the multi-chamber bag opening aid until the sealing pressure of the peel seams is overcome, the peel seams break open and the individual components can be mixed. This also facilitates the handling of the multi-chamber bag opening aid and reliably prevents the bag film from slipping.

• Fig. 1 zeigt ein Mehrkammerbeutelsystem mit einer Mehrkam merbeutelöffnungshilfe.
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine Mehrkammerbeutelöffnungshilfe mit Griffelementen und einem Einschnitt im Mittelteil sowie einem beweglichen Klemmelement zur Fixierung der Beutelfolie.
• Fig. 3 zeigt einen Teilbereich des Mittelteils einer Mehrkammerbeutelöffnungshilfe mit einer Ausfräsung und einem Klemmelement
• Fig. 4 bis 6 zeigen weitere Ausführungsformen der Mehrkammerbeutelöffnungshilfe mit alternativen Griffelementen
• Fig. 7 zeigt ein weiteres Mehrkammerbeutelsystem mit Peelnähten.

The device according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

• Fig. 1 shows a multi-chamber bag system with a multi-chamber bag opening aid.
• Fig. 2 shows a multi-chamber bag opening aid with grip elements and an incision in the middle part as well as a movable clamping element for fixing the bag film.
• Fig. 3 shows a partial area of the middle part of a multi-chamber bag opening aid with a cutout and a clamping element
• Figures 4 to 6 show further embodiments of the multi-chamber bag opening aid with alternative grip elements
• Fig. 7 shows another multi-chamber bag system with peel seams.

In a first embodiment, as in Fig. 1 a multi-chamber bag opening aid (1) and a multi-chamber bag system (2) are shown. The multi-chamber bag opening aid (1), comprising a rod-shaped central part (3), which consists of a rod, with two distal grip elements (4), serves to simplify opening of peel seams (5) in a multi-chamber bag system (2) and to mix the individual bag contents. The rod-shaped central part (3) can be designed in the form of a solid or hollow tube or also as a telescopic rod.

The bag system (2) has, for example, two separate bag chambers (6) filled with fluid, which are separated from one another by the peel seam (5). The individual chambers or compartments of the bag system can, however, also be filled with a solid and a fluid. The multi-chamber bag system (2) also comprises feed and removal devices (7) and (8).

In the middle part (3), means for fixing a sub-area (20) of a multi-chamber bag (2) can also be provided, whereby the sub-area (20) can be understood to be an edge area of the multi-chamber bag (2), preferably a film side or a film corner.

In a second embodiment, as in Fig. 2 shown, the middle part (3) can have an incision (9) as a means for fixing. The incision (9) serves to accommodate a portion of a multi-chamber bag system (2). In particular, the incision (9) is suitable as a partial area to receive an edge area, preferably a foil side or corner of a multi-chamber bag, in order to simplify the roll-up process. The incision (9) can penetrate the middle part (3) completely or partially in the longitudinal direction, for example up to 3/4, half or 1/4 of the diameter of the middle part (3). The incision (9) is advantageously made centrally between the grip elements (4).

In a further developed embodiment, a clamping element (10) for insertion into the incision (9) can furthermore be provided as part of the means for fixing. The clamping element (10) can, for example, be movable, whereby it can preferably be mounted on the central part (3) in a rotatable manner in order to be able to engage in the incision (9) via a pivot point (11). In this way, the partial area (20) of the bag system (2) introduced into the incision (9), in particular a film corner, can be clamped by means of the clamping element (10) and thus securely fixed, which prevents the film from slipping and the rolling process continues is simplified.

In order to avoid damage to the bag film when it is inserted and jammed in the incision (9), both the edges of the incision (9) and of the clamping element (10) are preferably chamfered and rounded.

In Fig. 3 a third alternative embodiment for a multi-chamber bag opening aid (2) is shown in a partial view. The central part (3) has a notch which is designed in such a way that a wedge-shaped recess is formed in the central part (3) Recess (12) results, which can be shaped symmetrically. The wedge-shaped recess (12) preferably has an asymmetrical shape which has a steeper degree of notch at a first end (13) than at a second end (14). The thickness of the wedge-shaped recess (12) depends on the film thickness of the bag to be clamped and, at its deepest point, can have a height of 1.0 to 0.2 mm, preferably 0.8 to 0.4 mm, particularly preferably 0 , 6 to 0.2 mm to the upper edge of the central part (3).

As a means for fixing a partial area (20) of a multi-chamber bag system (2), the wedge-shaped recess (12) can be partially protruded by a clamping element (10), the clamping element (10) 2/3 or too long the length of the recess (12) 3/4 can protrude. Preferably, the recess (12) can be protruded halfway through by the clamping element (10). The clamping element (10) is also used for clamping, for example a foil corner, and is firmly mounted on the middle part (3). The clamping element (10) can be attached to the middle part (3) by riveting or screwing.

This clamping construction made up of a wedge-shaped recess (12) and a clamping element (10) has the advantage that it is very easy to push in the foil corner. The foil corner is preferably pushed in from a first side (13) of the wedge-shaped recess (12) with the steeper angle to a second, flatter side under the clamping element (10). In addition, its simplicity makes the construction very robust in use and easy to clean. A clamping needle, clamping spring or clamping clip made of steel can preferably be selected as the clamping element (10), since this has very good strength properties and can thus absorb the clamping forces that arise when the foil corner is pushed in. It is of course also possible to use other materials which have sufficient strength; metals such as aluminum and plastics, for example polyamide and polyacetal, which can optionally be reinforced with glass fibers, are particularly suitable for this purpose. The clamping element (10) is preferably designed as a rod. This geometry allows cost-effective production with high precision, since the clamping element is produced by a turning process can. However, other shapes are also conceivable by means of which a clamping effect can be achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping element (10) can be enveloped by an adhesive material (15). An elastomer which has a high coefficient of friction is particularly suitable for this. For example, silicone, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) can be selected as materials. When the film corner is pushed in, the elasticity of the adhesive material (15) creates a clamping force on the film, so that it is held in the desired position when it is rolled up around the central part (3).

All of the above-described embodiments for multi-chamber bag opening aids (1) can be equipped with differently designed grip elements (4). The distal grip elements (4), as in the Figures 4 to 6 shown, preferably a larger diameter than the central part (3). The grip elements (4) can be slipped onto the middle part (3), screwed on, welded or connected to the middle part (3) in another suitable manner. The middle part (3) and the grip elements (4) can preferably be produced in one piece.

In a first embodiment, the grip elements (4) can be used as a grip disk (16), as in FIG Fig. 4 , be shaped. A handle (17) can also be attached to the handle disk (16) for improved torque transmission, as in FIG Fig. 5 shown. The handle pieces (17) can be aligned identically or in a staggered arrangement on both sides. An offset arrangement is preferably provided, since this makes it easier to grip around during the rolling-up process and at the same time enables better power transmission.

In addition, the grip elements (4) can be provided with a roughened or partially raised surface so that a secure grip is given. In a further preferred embodiment, the grip elements (4) can also be made of a rubberized material or coated, for a comfortable grip and to prevent the multi-chamber bag opening aid (1) from rolling away on a smooth surface.

In a further, preferred embodiment as in Fig. 6 shown, the grip elements (4) can also be designed as a handwheel (18). In contrast to the grip disk (16), the handwheel (18) has a peripheral edge which allows the handwheel (18) to be accessed from the outside and a sufficiently high pressure to open the peel seam (5) can also be generated with little effort can.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the grip elements (4) can be provided with notches (19) in the form of a grip disk (16) or a handwheel (18). The notches (19), as in Fig. 6 shown, can be arranged at an angle of 45, 120, 180, or preferably 90 ° around the handle element (4), which also achieves a good grip and prevents unintentional rolling away.

The various embodiments of the grip elements (4) can thus be easily grasped or grasped by persons with restricted mobility, which enable simple and comfortable handling. They also allow a comfortable grip when rolling up an edge area of the multi-chamber bag system (2), preferably a film corner around the middle part (3) of the multi-chamber bag opening aid (1). The various embodiments of the grip elements (4) also make it possible to apply sufficient force to roll up the bag part area (20) and to compress the bag contents.

The multi-chamber bag opening aid (1) must be dimensionally stable and should be easy to clean and resistant to cleaning agents. Therefore, thermoplastic or thermosetting materials are suitable for production. In particular, polyacetal, polyamide, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate and / or polyvinyl chloride are used for this purpose.

In an alternative embodiment, the middle part (3) of the multi-chamber bag opening aid (1) can consist of metal, preferably of anodized aluminum.

The multi-chamber bag opening aid (1) can be produced in an exciting manner or by injection molding. The middle part (3) can also be designed as an extruded tube.

In Fig. 7 another multi-chamber bag system (2) is shown. This is, for example, a multi-chamber bag (2) with the compartments (6) which are separated from one another by the peel seam (5a). The bag (2) further comprises feeding and removing devices (7) and (8). A somewhat widespread sub-area (20) on a foil corner is provided for the opening process. The bag system (2) can also contain a further, third compartment (21), which is provided here, for example, as an empty chamber without filling and is delimited by the peel seam (5b). Of course, the third compartment (21) can also be filled.

A method for opening peel seams is now based on a multi-chamber bag system (2), as in Fig. 7 illustrated, explained in more detail. For this purpose, a sub-area (20) of a multi-chamber bag system (2) is attached or fixed to the bar-shaped central part (3) of the multi-chamber bag opening aid (1), which has a bar, and is removed from sub-area (20) by actuating the grip elements (4) ) of the multi-chamber bag system (2) rolled up around the middle part (3) of the multi-chamber bag opening aid (1) until the pressure in the multi-chamber bag system (2) exceeds the sealing pressure of the peel seams (5a), (5b) and breaks them. The grip elements (4) can be designed as a grip disk (16), a grip disk (16) with a grip (17) or a handwheel (18).

The partial area (20) is preferably an edge area of a multi-chamber bag system (2), comprising a film side or a film corner.

In a preferred embodiment, a partial area (20) of a multi-chamber bag system (2) is arranged around the middle part (3) of a multi-chamber bag opening aid (1) in such a way that the peel seams (5a) and (5b) break open in a defined sequence.

For this purpose, the compartment (6) is first rolled up from the partial area (20) using the multi-chamber bag opening aid (1) and the contents of the compartment (6) are compressed in such a way that the peel seam (5a) first breaks. The contents of the bag from the two compartments (6) are mixed up. Rolling up the bag (2) further compresses the contents of the bag until the peel seam (5b) opens. The prerequisite for a fixed, sequential opening of the peel seams (5a) and (5b) is that the peel seams (5a) and (5b) have increasing sealing strength in accordance with the opening sequence.

Legend

1

Multi-chamber bag opening aid

2

Multi-chamber bag system

3

Middle part

4th

Handle elements

5, 5a, 5b

Peel seam

6th

Chambers, compartments

7th

Feeding device

8th

Extraction device

9

incision

10

Clamping element

11

pivot point

12th

Wedge-shaped recess

13th

First end of the wedge-shaped recess

14th

Second end of the wedge-shaped recess

15th

Adhesive material

16

Grip disc

17th

Handle

18th

Handwheel

19th

Notches

20th

Sub-area

21

Another compartment

Claims (16)

1. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) for opening peel seams (5, 5a, 5b) in a multichamber bag system (2), comprising a rod-shaped central part (3) with two distal gripping elements (4), characterized in that the central part (3) consists of a rod, and the gripping elements (4) are designed as a gripping disc (16), as a gripping disc (16) with handle (17), or as a handwheel (18).
2. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the central part (3) has a means for fixing a partial region (20) of the multichamber bag system (2), preferably an edge region, particularly preferably a film side or film corner.
3. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the fixing means is designed as an indentation (9).
4. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the indentation (9) passes completely or partially through the central part (3) in the longitudinal direction of the central part (3).
5. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the central part (3) has a movable clamping element (10) as a constituent part of the fixing means.
6. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the central part (3) has a wedge-shaped cutout (12).
7. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the wedge-shaped cutout (12) preferably has a height of 1.0 to 0.2 mm, preferably of 0.8 to 0.4 mm, particularly preferably of 0.6 to 0.2 mm, up to the upper edge of the central part (3).
8. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to Claims 2, 6 and 7, characterized in that, as fixing means, a clamping element (10) partially protrudes over the wedge-shaped cutout (12).
9. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the clamping element (10) protrudes over the wedge-shaped cutout (12) by three quarters, preferably by two thirds, particularly preferably by half.
10. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to either of Claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the clamping element (10) is designed as a clamping spring, clamping needle or clamping clip.
11. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to Claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the clamping element (10) is encased with an adhesive material (15).
12. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping elements (4) at the distal ends have a larger diameter than the central part (3).
13. Multichamber bag opening aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping elements (4) are provided with notches (19).
14. Method for opening peel seams (5, 5a, 5b) in multichamber bag systems (2) using a device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a partial region (20) of the multichamber bag system is attached or affixed to the rod-shaped central part (3), or rod, of the multichamber bag opening aid (1) and, by actuation of the gripping elements (4) designed as a gripping disc (16), as a gripping disc (16) with handle (17), or as handwheel (18), is rolled up from the partial region (20) of the multichamber bag system (2) around the central part (3) of the multichamber bag opening aid (1) until the pressure in the multichamber bag system (2) exceeds the sealing pressure of the peel seams (5, 5a, 5b) and breaks these open.
15. Method according to Claim 14, characterized in that the partial region (20) constitutes an edge region of a multichamber bag system (2) in the form of a film side, preferably a film corner.
16. Method according to Claim 15, characterized in that a partial region (20) of the multichamber bag system (2) is arranged around the central part (3) of the multichamber bag opening aid (1) in such a way that the peel seams (5a, 5b) break open in a fixed sequence.

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