EP3131518B2 - 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 packed in bags. Bags that have several chambers or compartments for holding different ingredients are increasingly being used. This can be particularly advantageous if 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, which can lead to incompatibilities and thus the effectiveness and tolerability of the affect the product. In such cases, it is common practice to pack the different components of a preparation separately in individual compartments according to their compatibility and only combine them into a ready-to-use product shortly before use. The individual chambers can preferably be filled with different fluids, whereby one or more chambers can also contain a solid. Plastic bags in particular are used as packaging material, whereby the individual compartments within the bag can be opened and the separately packaged ingredients can be combined into a ready-to-use product. The plastic bags can be used in the food, beverage or pharmaceutical sectors. To open the chambers, they can, for example, be connected to one another using so-called crushing cones. By breaking open the cones, fluid paths are created between the chambers, which allow mixing of the individual fluids and/or reconstitution of one or more solids. However, the use of crushing cones has, among other things, the disadvantage 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. Bags that have peel or seal seams have therefore become established for opening and mixing between the individual chambers. The peel or sealed 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 must be chosen so that the seams cannot unintentionally tear open during transport and handling of the bags, although it must still be possible to open the peel seams by hand with a reasonable amount of force. For bags with a total filling volume of more than one liter, a portion of the bag is usually separated from its edge area, for example Rolled up on the side edge or a corner of the film, thereby compressing the chamber contents in such a way that the pressure inside the bag increases on the peel seams and these break open when the sealing pressure is exceeded.

An example of a multi-chamber plastic bag whose individual compartments are separated from each other by peel seams is shown in EP 1396249 A2 described.

Opening and mixing a peel-seam multi-chamber plastic bag generally does not present any difficulty for the normal, adult, healthy user. However, opening such bags may be tedious for certain people, such as the elderly or infirm, as it may be difficult for them It may be difficult to apply the appropriate force and/or you may have problems handling the opening process due to motor limitations.

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

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

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

The WO 2013/156808 describes a container for use in the cosmetic sector, wherein the individual compartments are separated by a breakable seal and/or a clamp and are united by applying external pressure to the container and/or by releasing a clamp can. 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 forward towards the removal opening.

The US 4994056 discloses a bag for storing and mixing a two-component system for intravenous infusion, wherein the two compartments are separated from each other via a thermal seal and an additional external clamp is provided to avoid accidental opening of the thermal seal. To unite the two compartments, the clamp is removed and the separable seam 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, with the two compartments being separated from each other by a clamp. The clamp is made up of three parts, a sealing element, a central element and a closure element as well as at least one pin around which the individual parts of the clamp are rotatably arranged. The 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 based on the object of providing a device and a method which provides a simple and cost-effective aid for opening peel seams in multi-chamber bag systems and mixing the individual bag contents.

The object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1 and claim 3, wherein by means of a device which is designed as a multi-chamber bag opening aid, comprising a rod-shaped middle part, which consists of a rod, with two distal grip elements, opening peel seams in a multi-chamber bag system Establishing a fluid connection between the separate chambers and for simultaneous mixing of the individual components is facilitated.

The task is further solved by a method according to claim 10.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims.

Multi-chamber bag systems, as 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 having at least one removal device and preferably additionally at least has a feeding device. The bag systems 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 a specified order. This is the case when the peel seams have increasing sealing strength depending on the order in which they are opened.

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

In particular, for the group of people described above, the multi-chamber opening aid makes it easier and thus improves 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 rolling process of a multi-chamber bag system, according to the invention a means for fixing a portion of a multi-chamber bag is provided in the middle part.

According to a first embodiment, the means for fixing is designed in the form of an incision, which is able to accommodate, for example, a film corner of a multi-chamber bag. In addition, the bag section can be fixed in the incision in the middle part by a movable clamping element.

Alternatively, according to a further embodiment, a milling in the form of a wedge-shaped recess is provided in the middle part. As a means to When fixing a portion of a multi-chamber bag, the wedge-shaped recess is partially projected over by a clamping element, so that a portion of the bag, in particular a film corner, can be held between a wedge-shaped recess created by the milling and the clamping element. By activating the handle elements, a portion of the multi-chamber bag system can be easily rolled up 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 makes handling the multi-chamber bag opening aid easier and reliably prevents the bag film from slipping.

• Fig. 1 zeigt ein Mehrkammerbeutelsystem mit einer Mehrkammerbeutelöffnungshilfe.
• 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 handle elements and an incision in the middle part as well as a movable clamping element for fixing the bag film.
• Fig. 3 shows a portion of the middle part of a multi-chamber bag opening aid with a cutout and a clamping element
• Fig. 4 to 6 show further embodiments of the multi-chamber bag opening aid with alternative handle elements
• Fig. 7 shows another multi-chamber bag system with peel seams.

In an illustrative example not covered by the invention, as in Fig. 1 To see, 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 middle part (3), which consists of a rod, with two distal handle elements (4), is used to simplify the opening of peel seams (5) in a multi-chamber bag system (2) and to mix the individual bag contents. The rod-shaped middle part (3) can be designed in the form of a solid or hollow tube or even 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 also be filled with a solid and a fluid. The multi-chamber bag system (2) also includes feeding and removal devices (7) and (8).

Means for fixing a partial area (20) of a multi-chamber bag (2) can also be provided in the middle part (3), the partial area (20) being an edge area of the multi-chamber bag (2), preferably a film side or film corner.

In an embodiment covered by the invention, as in Fig. 2 shown, the middle part (3) has an incision (9) as a means of fixation. The incision (9) serves to accommodate a portion of a multi-chamber bag system (2). In particular, the incision (9) is suitable for receiving, as a partial area, an edge area, preferably a film side or corner of a multi-chamber bag, in order to thereby simplify the rolling 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 handle elements (4).

According to the embodiment, a clamping element (10) for insertion into the incision (9) is also provided as part of the fixing means. The clamping element (10) can, for example, be movable, and can preferably be rotatably mounted on the middle part (3) in order to be able to engage in the incision (9) via a pivot point (11). In this way, the portion (20) of the bag system (2) inserted into the incision (9), in particular a film corner, can be clamped by means of the clamping element (10) and thus securely fixed, thereby preventing the film from slipping and continuing the rolling process is simplified.

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

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

As a means for fixing a partial area (20) of a multi-chamber bag system (2), the wedge-shaped recess (12) is partially projected over by a clamping element (10), the clamping element (10) extending the length of the recess (12) by 2/3 or 3 /4 can excel. Preferably, the recess (12) can be half projected beyond by the clamping element (10). The clamping element (10) also serves to clamp, for example a corner of a film, 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 consisting of a wedge-shaped recess (12) and clamping element (10) has the advantage that inserting the film corner is very easy to handle. The film corner is preferably inserted under the clamping element (10) from a first side (13) of the wedge-shaped recess (12) with the steeper angle to a second, flatter side. In addition, the design's simplicity makes it very robust to 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), as these have very good strength properties and can therefore absorb the clamping forces that arise when the film corner is inserted. Of course, other materials can also be used that have sufficient strength; metals such as aluminum and plastics, such as polyamide and polyacetal, which can optionally be reinforced with glass fibers, are particularly suitable for this. The clamping element (10) is preferably designed as a rod. This geometry allows cost-effective production with high precision because the clamping element can be manufactured using a turning process. However, other forms are also conceivable by means of which a clamping effect can be achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping element (10) can be covered by an adhesive material (15). An elastomer that 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 corner of the film is inserted, a clamping force is created on the film due to the elasticity of the adhesive material (15), so that it is held in the desired position when it is rolled up around the middle part (3).

All of the embodiments described above for multi-chamber bag opening aids (1) can be equipped with differently designed handle elements (4). The distal grip elements (4), like in the Fig. 4 to 6 shown, preferably has a larger diameter than the middle part (3). The handle elements (4) can be plugged 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 handle elements (4) can preferably be made in one piece.

In a first embodiment, the handle elements (4) can be used as a handle disk (16), as in Fig. 4 , be formed. A handle (17) can also be attached to the handle disk (16) for improved torque transmission, as in Fig. 5 shown. The handles (17) can be aligned the same on both sides or in an offset arrangement. An offset arrangement is preferably provided, as this makes it easier to grip during the winding 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 secure gripping is possible. In a further preferred embodiment, the handle elements (4) can also be made of a rubberized material or covered, for a pleasant 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 handle elements (4) can also be designed as a handwheel (18). In contrast to the handle disk (16), the handwheel (18) has a peripheral edge, which allows engagement in the handwheel (18) from the outside and also generates sufficiently high pressure to open the peel seam (5) with little effort can.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the handle elements (4) can be provided with notches (19) in the form of a handle 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 good grip and prevents unintentional rolling away.

The various embodiments of the handle elements (4) can thus be easily grasped or grasped by people with limited motor skills, 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 corner of film around the middle part (3) of the multi-chamber bag opening aid (1). The different embodiments of the Handle elements (4) also allow sufficient force to be applied to roll up the bag section (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. Thermoplastic or thermoset materials are therefore suitable for production. Polyacetal, polyamide, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate and/or polyvinyl chloride are used in particular for this purpose.

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

The multi-chamber bag opening aid (1) can be manufactured using clamping or injection molding technology. 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 compartments (6), which are separated from one another by the peel seam (5a). The bag (2) further includes feeding and removal devices (7) and (8). A somewhat wide area (20) on a corner of the film is intended 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 being developed using a multi-chamber bag system (2), as in Fig. 7 shown, explained in more detail. For this purpose, a partial area (20) of a multi-chamber bag system (2) is attached or fixed to the rod-shaped middle part (3) of the multi-chamber bag opening aid (1), which has a rod, as described at the beginning, and is removed from the partial area (20) by actuating the handle 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 they break open. The handle elements (4) can be designed as a handle disk (16), a handle disk (16) with a handle (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 portion (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 fixed order.

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 open. This results in a mixing of the bag contents from the two compartments (6). By further rolling up the bag (2), the contents of the bag are further compressed until the peel seam (5b) also opens. The prerequisite for a fixed, successive 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 section

4

Handle elements

5, 5a, 5b

Peel seam

6

Chambers, compartments

7

Feeding device

8th

removal device

9

incision

10

Clamping element

11

pivot point

12

Wedge-shaped recess

13

First end of the wedge-shaped recess

14

Second end of the wedge-shaped recess

15

Adhesive material

16

Grip disc

17

handle

18

Handwheel

19

Notches

20

Sub-area

21

Another compartment

Claims (12)

1. Multi chamber bag opening aid (1) for opening peel seams (5, 5a, 5b) in a multi chamber 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), wherein

   the central part (3) has a means for fixing a partial region (20) of the multi chamber bag system (2), designed as an indentation (9),

   the central part (3) has a movable clamping element (10) as a constituent part of the fixing means,

   the movable clamping element (10) is attached rotatably-supported on the central part, in order to engage into the indentation (9) via a fulcrum, and

   the indentation (9) passes completely or partially through the central part (3) in the longitudinal direction of the central part (3).
2. Multi chamber bag opening aid (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the partial region (20) of the multi chamber bag system (2) is an edge region, particularly preferably a film side or a film corner.
3. Multi chamber bag opening aid (1) for opening peel seams (5, 5a, 5b) in a multi chamber 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) with handle (17), or as a handwheel (18), wherein

   the central part (3) has a wedge-shaped cutout (12),

   the central part (3) has a means for fixing a partial region (20) of the multi chamber bag system (2), and

   the means for fixing is a clamping element (10) which partially protrudes over the wedge-shaped cutout (12).
4. Multi chamber bag opening aid (1) according to Claim 3, 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).
5. Multi chamber bag opening aid (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 3 or 4, 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.
6. Multi chamber bag opening aid (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 3-5, characterized in that the clamping element (10) is designed as a clamping spring, clamping needle or clamping clip.
7. Multi chamber bag opening aid (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 3-6, characterized in that the clamping element (10) is encased with an adhesive material (15) .
8. Multi chamber 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).
9. Multi chamber bag opening aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping elements (4) are provided with notches (19).
10. Method for opening peel seams (5, 5a, 5b) in multi chamber bag systems (2) using a device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a partial region (20) of the multi chamber bag system is attached or affixed to the rod-shaped central part (3), comprising a rod, of the multi chamber bag opening aid (1) and, by actuation of the gripping elements (4) designed as a gripping disc (16), as gripping disc (16) with handle (17) or as handwheel (18) is rolled up from the partial region (20) of the multi chamber bag system (2) around the central 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 (5, 5a, 5b) and breaks these open.
11. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the partial region (20) constitutes an edge region of a multi chamber bag system (2) in the form of a film side, preferably a film corner.
12. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that a partial region (20) of the multi chamber bag system (2) is arranged around the central part (3) of the multi chamber bag opening aid (1) in such a way that the peel seams (5a, 5b) break open in a fixed sequence.

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