ES2704985T3 - Kit for transporting a biological sample by mail - Google Patents

Abstract

Kit (1) for transporting a biological sample to an intended recipient, comprising: - a sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402) in the form of a vial with a closure for containing the biological sample; - a set (3) to contain the sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402), and - a postal envelope (4), preferably with the preprinted address, to contain the set (3) with the container sample (2; 102; 202; 302; 402), in which the assembly comprises: = a protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405), protective structure comprising a semi-rigid front panel (8; 108; 208 ; 208; 308; 408) and a semi-rigid rear panel (9; 109; 209; 309; 409), front panel (8; 108; 208; 208; 308; 408) and rear panel (9; 109; 209; 309 ; 409) that are connected so that they form a semi-rigid structure that defines an interior space (10) between the front panel (8; 108; 208; 208; 308; 408) and the rear panel (9; 109; 209; 309 ; 409), and an opening (11) at one end of the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405) that communicates with said inner space (10) for insertion of the sample container (2; 102; 202 ; 302; 402) in said interior space, = a bag is fluid-tight flap (7), sealable bag (7) that has a bag interior (12), an opening (13) to communicate with the inside of the sealing bag (12), and a fluid-tight seal flap (14, 15) movable between an open position, in which the sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402) can be inserted into and removed from inside the bag (12) through said opening (13), and a closed position, in which the sealed fluid opening seals to retain the sample container (2; 102; 202 ; 302; 402) inside the bag (12); wherein the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405) is provided within the interior (12) of the sealable bag, and in which the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405) is positioned with its opening (11) in line with the opening (13) of the bag (7), and is configured so as to keep the opening (13) of the sealing bag (7) open to facilitate the insertion of a container of sample (2; 102; 202; 302; 402) within the interior space (10) of the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405) through the opening of the bag (13), characterized in that: The assembly further comprises a fluid absorbent liner (6), in which the fluid absorbent liner (6) is a sheath, preferably a sheath bag, which has a sheath interior configured to contain the protective structure (5) with the sample container (2), and has at least one opening that communicates with said sheath interior, opening that is sized for passage through from it of the protective structure (5) so that it can be positioned inside the sheath with its opening in line with the opening of the fluid-absorbing sheath, in which the fluid-absorbing liner (6) is provided within the inside (12) of the sealable bag between the front panel (8; 108; 208; 208; 308; 408) and the sealable bag (7) and between the back panel (9; 109; 209; 309; 409) and the sealable bag (7).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Kit for transporting a biological sample by mail

The invention relates to a kit for transporting a biological sample to a intended recipient by mail. The invention further relates to a multi-pocket instruction bag for use with said kit.

It is known to transport sample containers by mail. For example, samples taken by a health worker are frequently sent by mail from the doctor's operating room to the laboratory for examination.

Reusable plastic envelopes are used, dedicated to transport the sample containers. These plastic envelopes are provided with fluid-tight closures, air cushion or foam protection means to protect sample containers and document holding bags. The sample containers are sometimes wrapped in a liquid-absorbing material to reduce leakage in the event of breakage of the sample container. These dedicated envelopes are expensive to produce and often comprise multiple components which makes them difficult to use.

It is known from the prior art to provide covers comprising an absorbent material for containing tubes and for being mailed in a box. US4756937 discloses a sheath comprising an absorbent material for containing a container. US4949840 discloses a padded block for containing a vial. The vial fits snugly inside the block, which block must be inserted into a transport envelope. US4620633 discloses an impact absorbing packaging device, more particularly, a container employing plastic material that can yield to protect fragile items from impact damage during shipping and storage.

Due to demographic changes, reviews of medical tests to parts of the older population, particularly people over 65, have become more common. Also, these target populations have increased. Therefore, the workload of physicians in general has increased. Therefore, it would be beneficial to allow people to be tested to return a test sample by mail, and not to send the sample containers through the general practitioner to the test laboratory.

The drawback is that test subjects are often elderly people with no experience in sending biological samples, while kits for the return of a test sample are complicated.

Also, known kits are intended for multiple uses, and are therefore expensive. This can pose a problem when the test subjects are invited to provide a biological sample voluntarily. With this kind of revisions a significant percentage of the kits may not be returned, which means that it is quite expensive to use the known reusable kits.

Thus, it can be concluded that one drawback of prior art kits is that they are expensive, and are designed for use by professional users.

The intention of the invention is to provide an alternative kit for transporting a biological sample to a intended recipient, transport kit that can preferably be provided at low cost and is suitable for a single use by a non-professional user.

The invention therefore provides a kit according to claim 1.

A kit according to claim 1 comprises a sample container, a postal envelope, preferably with the preprinted address, and an assembly for containing the sample container.

The kit according to the invention comprises the sample container for the reception of a biological sample. The sample container is provided in the form of a vial with a closure.

The assembly for containing the sample container, more particularly the vial, according to the invention comprises a protective structure, a fluid-tight sealable bag, and an absorbent coating for the fluid. The protective structure of the assembly comprises a semi-rigid front panel and a semi-rigid back panel, front panel and back panel which are connected so as to form a semi-rigid structure defining an interior space between the front panel and the rear panel, and an opening in a end of the protective structure communicating with said interior space for insertion of the sample container in said interior space.

The protective structure is provided to protect the sample container from impacts during transport, and thereby reduce the risk of damage to the sample container during transport.

The fluid-tight sealable bag of the set has an inner bag, an opening to communicate with the interior of the sealed bag, and a sealing flap sealing the moving fluid between an open position, in which the sample container can be inserted into and removed from the interior of the bag through said opening, and a closed position, in which Seals the fluid-tight opening to retain the sample container inside the bag. The fluid-tight sealable bag is provided to contain the biological sample in case of breakage of the sample container or closure of the sample container during transport.

The fluid absorbent coating of the assembly is provided to absorb fluids from the biological sample in case of leakage from the sample container or from the closure of the sample container. This is to further reduce the possibility of leakage of the biological sample in case of breakage of the sample container or closure of the sample container during transport.

The assembly according to the invention also comprises the postal envelope, to contain the assembly and the sample container, and thus send the biological sample by mail to the intended recipient. Due to providing the assembly to contain the sample container, a fully dedicated envelope is not required and a standard envelope may be sufficient.

According to the invention, the protective structure is provided within the interior of the sealable bag and the fluid absorbent coating is provided within the interior of the sealable bag between the front panel and the sealable bag and between the back panel and the sealable bag . Additionally, according to the invention, the protective structure is located with its opening in line with the opening of the bag, and is configured so as to keep the opening of the sealing bag open to facilitate the insertion of a sample container into the bag. of the interior space of the protective structure through the opening of the bag.

By providing the protective structure according to the invention, the opening of the sealable bag is kept open and the fluid absorbing coating is pushed against the inner surface of the interior space of the bag. Thus a non-professional user can insert the test sample with a simple movement and without risk of dislodging the sample container, ie inserting it between the protective structure and the fluid-absorbent coating or between the fluid-absorbent coating and the sealable bag.

It is noted that known fluid-tight sealable envelopes are typically provided with complicated closures, for example comprising multiple overlapping flaps, which can confuse the non-professional user with respect to finding the correct opening and correctly sealing the bag. By providing a protective structure according to the invention, the opening of the bag is clearly indicated to the non-professional user.

Additionally, it is not necessary to provide the sealable bag with a fluid absorbing coating fixed to its inner surface and provided with integrated protective means to prevent the user from improperly assembling it when inserting the sample container. Thus, the production costs of the assembly according to the invention can be kept low.

The invention thus provides an alternative kit for transporting a biological sample to a intended recipient, transport kit that can be provided at low cost and that is suitable for a single use by a non-professional user.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the protective structure comprises a rectangular front panel and a rectangular rear panel, each panel having two side edges, an upper edge and a lower edge, panels which are connected to each other along their two lateral and in which at least one of the panels is folded or folded so that the panels form an opening between their upper edges such as for example a wing-shaped opening, an opening in the shape of an almond, a diamond-shaped opening , or an opening with a triangular shape.

Said protective structure allows a simple and light weight construction of a semi-rigid nature to provide protection to a sample container against impacts.

It is pointed out that the opening and the interior space defined by the front panel and the rear panel of the protective structure are preferably dimensioned to receive the sample container in a mobile manner, that is to say so that the vial is not pressed between the front panel and the front panel. back panel of the protective structure. By thus dimensioning the protective structure, the protective structure can under an external load deform to a certain degree without transferring that force to the sample container.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the width of the opening of the protective structure is substantially greater than the height of that opening, so that the opening has an elongated shape. The width is preferably at least 3.5 times the height of the opening, more preferably at least 3.7 times the diameter of the height of the opening, more preferably about 3.8 times the diameter of the sample container.

When a structure with said elongated opening is loaded so that its front panel and back panel are pushed together and the structure collapses, one or more of the curved or folded panels are flattened and their side edges are pushed outwards. However, because the height of the opening is small compared to the width of the opening, the width of the protective structure does not change substantially. Therefore, said protective construction can tightly contain a sealable bag, with reduced risk of the sides of the protective construction cutting the bag when the protective construction collapses.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the front panel has a width that is greater than the width of the back panel, so that, when the panels are connected along its two lateral edges, the front panel is curved or folded and the rear panel is flat, and the protective structure respectively has an aperture and a wing or triangular cross section.

The difference in width between the front panel and the rear panel in combination with the connection of those panels along their edges provides the protective construction with a flat back panel and a curved front panel. By providing the protective construction with a flat back panel, the resistance of the protective construction against flattening under external pressure, ie pressure of the panels towards each other, is increased.

Additionally, curved or folded panels help guide external loads towards the sides or flanks of the protective structure. For example, when another package is placed at the top of the kit during transport, curved or folded panels can guide that package away from the central part of the protective structure and towards its flanks, thus reducing the risk that the load exerted by that package will damage the sample container.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the width of the front panel is greater than the width of the back panel but is smaller than 1.25 times the width of the back panel, preferably smaller than 1.2 times the width of the panel later, for example 1.15 times the width of the back panel.

Thus, the width of the protective construction does not increase substantially when flattened. Therefore, said protective construction can be tightly contained in a sealable bag, with a reduced risk of the sides of the protective construction cutting the bag when the protective construction collapses.

In an alternative embodiment, the front panel and the back panel have similar dimensions, and the front panel does not connect with its edges to the edges of the back panel, but connects with its edges to the back panel towards the inside of the edges of the back panel. back panel, to provide the protective construction with a folded or folded front panel.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the sealable bag is provided with a front panel and a back panel sealed together along at least two side edges and the bottom edge of the panels, and the width of the interior space of the bag it has a width similar to, or greater than, the width of the front panel, so that the bag can contain the protective structure with its front panel in a curved state and in a flattened state. Thus, the construction of the bag is configured to contain the construction after the collapse, more in particular a flattened construction. This reduces the risk that the collapsed construction will damage the bag so that part of the biological sample may leak out.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the width of the interior space is approximately 1.25 times the width of the back panel, preferably approximately 1.2 times the width of the back panel, for example 1.15 times the width of the back panel .

In an embodiment according to the invention, the protective structure is provided with one or more rib elements extending in the interior space between the front panel and the rear panel. Thus the constructive resistance of the protective construction increases, in particular against the flattening of the construction. In a further embodiment according to the invention, the rib elements are partial cutouts folded from the front and / or back panel. This provides a simple construction that can be produced against low costs, more particularly it can be manufactured from a sheet material.

In a further embodiment, the ribs may be provided so that the sample container is pressed between them. It is noted that when the protective structure is provided for example with a wing-like opening, an almond-shaped opening, a diamond-shaped opening, or a triangular-shaped opening, the sample container is to be inserted in the center of the protective structure, and the rib elements can be provided on the flanks of the protective structure.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the protective structure is folded from a single strip of semi-rigid material, so that the front panel and the rear panel are connected through a fold along at least one of its members. sides. This provides a simple construction that can occur at low costs, more in particular it can be made of sheet metal material.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the protective structure is a folded shape of a single strip of semi-rigid material, so that the front panel is connected to the rear panel through at least one intermediate panel. Said construction has more box shape, and for example has a rectangular, trapezoidal, or U-shaped cross section. This provides a simple construction that can be produced at low costs, more particularly it can be made of sheet material.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the front panel and / or the rear panel of the protective structure is provided with a recess, recess (s) forming part of the interior space for receiving the sample container. , so that the sample container can be maintained between the panels in the recess. The panels can be manufactured, for example, from pre-formed semi-rigid plastic sheet elements. By providing the panels with a recess, the rigidity of the panel and thus the overall rigidity of the protective construction is increased.

According to the invention, the fluid absorbent coating is a cover, preferably a cover bag, having an interior of the cover configured to contain the protective structure with the sample container, and has at least one opening communicating with said cover. interior of the sheath, opening that is dimensioned for passage through the protective structure so that it can be placed inside the sheath with its opening in line with the opening of the fluid absorbent sheath.

Providing the fluid absorbent liner in the form of a sheath or sleeve bag facilitates the production of the given assembly allowing easy application of the liner to the protective structure simply by placing the protective construction within the sleeve or sheath bag.

In a further construction, the protective construction comprises a rectangular front panel and a rectangular rear panel, panels that are connected together along their two sides and in which the front panel has a greater width than the back panel and is folded or fold, in combination with a fitted lace cover. Thus, the cover can contribute to the resistance of the protective construction against flattening.

In an alternative configuration that is not part of the claimed invention, the fluid absorbent coating is provided for example as two separate panels, each provided adjacent to a panel of the protective construction.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the dimensions of the opening of the protective structure, the sealable bag and, if present, the sheath or bag of fluid-absorbing sheath, correspond in general in shape and dimensions, so that they form what is essentially a simple opening for passage through the sample container. Said overlapping openings further reduce the possibility that a user mistakenly places the sample container, that is, inserts it outside the interior space of the protective construction.

In a further embodiment, the panels of the protective structure are provided with one or more openings or perforations for, in case of leakage of the sample container, to facilitate the absorption of the fluid by the coating provided outside the interior space.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the protective structure is made of a lightweight, semi-rigid material, for example plastic or cardboard, preferably folded from a blank of said material. The construction of the protective structure according to the invention, with a front panel and a back panel, allows its manufacture from a sheet material even to fold it into a single piece. This allows low production costs and easy assembly.

The disclosure further provides a multi-pocket instruction bag whose pockets comprise one or more components of a kit according to the invention and / or instructions on how to use one or more of these components. The multi-pocket instruction bag is configured, and the instructions and components are distributed over said pockets, to present the components and instructions to a non-professional user in an orderly, predetermined sequence, thus guiding said user through the process of Take the sample and return it by mail.

By providing the non-professional user with a kit according to the invention with clearly structured instructions and kit components, the chances of the receiver successfully returning a sample are increased. Providing clear instructions and guiding the user through the process of taking and returning a sample is especially important when non-professional users are affected. Particularly when affected users are elderly, the possibility of information overload is significant when the user is presented with an amount of information in an unstructured way.

Additionally, when the multi-pocket instruction bag is used to present the kit, or components thereof, to the kit user, the time needed to take and return the sample is reduced. This is especially beneficial when the voluntary participation of the test subject is required, for example when conducting research on samples in a particular population by sending test kits to a random selection of men between 50 and 60 years of age. When the time needed to take a trial is reduced, more people are willing to participate. Thus, when using the bag with multi-pocket instructions according to the invention with a test kit, the chances of the test subjects returning a sample are increased.

The multi-pocket instruction bag according to the invention is formed of sheets of plastic material, sealed together so that multiple pockets are created. In an embodiment according to the invention, a strip of pockets is provided. In another embodiment, for example, a sheet of A4 size with a grid, ie one or more rows and one or more columns, of multiple pockets is provided.

The instructions and components of the kit are distributed over the pockets of the multi-pocket instruction bag so that a user, consulting the pockets in a logical and predetermined sequence, is guided through the process of taking a sample using the kit.

The multi-pocket instruction bag can be provided with open pockets, or with pockets provided with closure means, for example a collapsible flap, a flap with an adhesive strip, or a zip closure, etc. In a further embodiment, one or more of the pockets can be closed in a sealed manner, for example by means of heat-sealed plastic sheets forming the pocket. Thus the contents of the pockets can be protected against, for example, humidity or air, and for this reason, for example, the storage life of the test kit can be increased. In such embodiment the user has to tear to open the one or more sealed pockets to have access to its contents.

In addition to the pockets, sub-pockets can be provided, ie pockets in or over the main pockets. The multi-pocket instruction bag can additionally be provided with fastening means, such as loops or an adhesive area, to contain and / or fix kit components related to the instructions provided in a pocket adjacent to the fastening means.

To obtain a multi-pocket instruction bag according to the invention, instructions are inserted, for example in the form of a booklet, and one or more of the components of a kit according to the invention in the pockets. The instructions and components are distributed over the pockets so that each pocket comprises the instructions and / or components of the kit related to a specific step in the process of taking and returning a sample with a kit according to the invention. Pockets thus define stages in the process.

The pockets may also be provided with signs, symbols, letters, numbers and / or drawings indicating to the user in which sequence the pockets are to be consulted and used, more particularly the contents of the pockets. When the pockets are made of a transparent material, the signs, symbols, numbers and / or drawings can be provided on the sheets or booklets inserted in the pockets. In an alternative embodiment, the instructions, written and / or in drawings, are printed on the pockets.

Preferably, the pockets are separated by a hinged section sufficiently wide to allow folding of the pockets, including their contents, one on top of the other. Thus, a strip of pockets can be folded into a stack of pockets, thus providing a compact shape that can be inserted into an envelope for mail transport.

In one embodiment, the multi-pocket instruction bag is made of sheets of plastic material sealed together so that multiple pockets are created, preferably a multi-pocket strip is created. The multi-pocket instruction bag is preferably made of one or more transparent plastic sheets, so that at least some of the contents held in the pocket are visible. Said embodiment also allows the printing of scan bar codes on brochures or kit components contained in the pockets. In an alternative embodiment, the multi-pocket instruction bag is made of sheets of woven or paper material, paper in combination with cardboard, etc.

By providing the kit according to the invention in a multi-pocket instruction kit according to the invention, the kit is configured in such a way that its components and instructions are presented to the user in sequential stages, thus reducing the possibility of errors being made. perform in the handling of the kit and preventing the overload of information to the user.

Advantageous embodiments of the kit and a multi-pocket instruction bag according to the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the description, in which the invention is further illustrated and clarified on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments , of which some are shown in the schematic drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a kit according to the invention

Figure 2a shows a side view of a sealable bag in cross section according to the invention; Figure 2b shows a front view of a sealable bag in cross section according to the invention; Figure 2c shows a top view of a sealable bag in cross section according to the invention; Figure 3a shows a blank plate for folding a first protective construction according to the invention;

Figure 3b shows a top view of a folded protective construction from the blank plate of Figure 3a;

Figure 4a shows a blank plate for folding a second protective construction according to the invention;

Figure 4b shows a top view of a folded protective construction from the blank plate of Figure 4a;

Figure 5a shows a blanking plate for folding a third protective construction according to the invention;

Figure 5b shows a top view of a folded protective construction from the blank plate of Figure 5a;

Figure 6a shows a blanking plate for folding a fourth protective construction according to the invention;

Figure 6b shows a top view of a folded protective construction from the blank plate of Figure 6a, and;

Figure 7 shows a multi-pocket instruction bag according to the invention, the instruction bag containing multi-pocket instructions and components of a kit according to the invention.

A kit according to the invention comprises a sample container, a postal envelope with the preprinted address and a set for containing the sample container. The assembly comprises a protective structure, a fluid-absorbing coating and a fluid-tight sealable bag.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a kit 1 according to the invention, the kit comprising a sample container 2, an assembly 3 for containing the sample container 2, and a postal envelope with the preprinted address 4. The assembly 3 to contain the sample container comprises a protective structure 5, a fluid-absorbing coating 6 and a fluid-tight sealable bag 7.

Figures 2a-c show a side, front and top cross-sectional view of the kit of Figure 1 in an assembled state, excluding the postal envelope 4.

A kit according to the invention is configured for the delivery of a biological sample, for example a urine sample or a stool sample to a intended recipient such as a laboratory, by mail. The kit is therefore provided with a sample container in the form of a vial with a closure, for example a stop. The vial must be used to contain the biological sample. The biological sample may be a liquid sample, a sample in the solid state, or a mixture of both. Additionally, additional materials can be kept in the vial, for example a liquid preservation material.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, vial 2 is a single vial with a stopper. Alternative embodiments are also possible, for example a vial with closures at both ends, and / or closures that can be configured to obtain a sample such as, for example, be provided with an integrated spoon to obtain a sample.

The protective structure 5 comprises a semirigid front panel 8 and a semi-rigid back panel 9. The front panel 8 and the rear panel 9 are connected along their side edges so as to form a semi-rigid structure defining an interior space 10 between the front panel and the rear panel, and an opening 11 at one end of the protective structure communicating with the interior space 10 for the insertion of the sample container 2 in that interior space. The opening is defined by the upper edge 15 of the front panel 8 and the upper edge 16 of the rear panel 9.

The sealable fluid seal bag 7 has a bag interior 12, an opening 13 for communicating with the interior of the seal bag 12, and a fluid sealing flap 14 movable between an open position, shown in the figures, wherein the sample container can be inserted into and removed from the interior of the bag through said opening, and a closed position, in which it seals the fluid-tight opening to retain the sample container inside the bag.

It is noted that in the side view shown in Figure 2a the flaps are kept open by the protective construction, and the top flap is supported in a curved position, so that a comparatively large part is visible in the side view.

In the particular embodiment shown, the sealable bag 7 is provided with a closure having two opposite flaps, the flap 14 and the flap 15, which combine to seal the interior space of the bag 7. To seal the interior space 12 of the waterproof bag with respect to its environment, one or both of the flaps 14, 15 with an adhesive material, so that the flaps can be joined together.

It is noted that other types of closures known in the prior art can be used for sealing a sealed plastic bag for fluids with a sealable bag according to the invention.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the fluid absorbent coating is provided in the form of a sheath, more in particular a sheath bag, i.e. a sheath with a sealed end. It is noted that other configurations are also possible, for example sheets of fluid absorbent material that are provided on opposite sides of the protective structure.

As is clear from Figures 2a-c, which show the assembly in cross section, the protective structure 5 is provided within the interior of the sealable bag 12 and the fluid absorbent coating 6 is provided within the interior of the sealable bag between the front panel 8 and the sealable bag 7 and between the rear panel 9 and the sealable bag 7. Figure 2 also shows that in the embodiment shown, the elements of the assembly are dimensioned so that the fluid absorbing coating fits closely into the protective structure, and the sealable bag in turn fits into the liner. Because the protective structure stretches the sealable bag to present it with an open opening, it also contains the fluid-absorbing coating in position between the protective structure and the sealable bag.

Figure 2 shows that the protective structure 5 is positioned with its opening 11 in line with the opening 13 of the bag 7, is configured so as to keep open the opening of the sealable bag to facilitate the insertion of the sample container 2 into the interior space of the protective structure through the opening of the bag. The kit according to the invention is thus self-explanatory in its use. The opening of the bag remains open which makes it clear to a non-professional user where the sample container should be inserted. This is especially useful considering that the sealable bags are typically provided with complicated closures with large and / or multiple flaps, to allow a liquid tight seal. At the same time, the protective construction maintains the fluid-absorbent coating positioned so that the sample container can only be inserted between the coating layers, and not between the coating and the sealable bag. Thus, the combination of said sealable bag with a protective structure according to the invention facilitates the use of these bags by non-professional users.

An end user is provided with the sample container, the set to contain the sample container and the postal envelope. The end user takes a biological sample and places it in the sample container. The sample container is in turn placed in the assembly, which in turn is placed in the postal envelope for sending the biological sample to the intended recipient, for example a laboratory, for examination.

It is noted that a kit according to the invention is preferably presented to the person with the separate sample container, assembly and return envelope. The three elements can be sent, for example, to the person in an envelope, preferably in combination with a manual or the like, which explains how the kit should be used. However, said manual can also be provided separately, for example through the Internet.

In an alternative embodiment, the kit is presented to the user fully assembled, therefore with the sample container inserted in the set, inserted in the postal envelope.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-2, the sealable bag is provided with a front panel and a back panel that are sealed together along two side edges and the bottom edge of the panels. The width of the interior space of the sealable bag has a width greater than the width of the front panel of the protective construction, so that the bag can contain the protective structure with its front panel in a curved state and in a flattened state, ie after the collapse of the structure.

With a kit according to the invention, the fluid absorbent coating is provided between the protective structure and the sealable bag, instead of directly adjacent to the sample container or within the protective structure to directly absorb the fluid in case of leakage from the container. the sample container. In that way, the structure can be used to keep the bag and the liner open, and a non-professional user can simply insert the sample container into the structure without risk of mistakenly placing the sample container between the fluid absorbent liner and the bag.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-2, the absorbent liner is provided in the form of a sheath, more particularly a sheath bag. The sheath has a sheath interior configured to contain the protective structure with the sample container, and, in the embodiment shown, has an opening communicating with said sheath interior. The opening is dimensioned for the passage through the protective structure so that it can be positioned inside the sheath with its opening in line with the opening of the fluid-absorbent sheath. Additionally, the embodiment shown in Figures 1-2 the dimensions of the opening of the protective structure, the sealable bag, and the fluid absorbent bag cover, correspond in general in shape and dimensions, of so that they form what is essentially a single opening for the passage through the sample container. Providing the assembly with said simple opening further improves the self-explanatory nature of the kit and thus facilitates its use by non-professional users.

Preferably, the elements of the assembly have a rectangular arrangement in which the cover and the panels of the protective structure have two longer sides and two shorter sides. Thus, the protective structure can only be inserted in a single direction within the bag and fuse, which facilitates the combination of the separate parts to assemble the final assembly. In this way, mistakes can be reduced during the production of the set.

Figures 3-6 show different configurations of the protective structure according to the invention. The figures show the blank plate from which the protective structure is folded, and a top view of the assembled protective structure. Similar parts of the different protective structures are provided with similar reference signs. The protective structures shown are folded from a single strip of semi-rigid material, so that the front panel and the rear panel are connected through a fold along one of its sides and by means of a "flange" connection. in slot "or adhesive, or a combination of both, on the opposite side.

The invention thus makes it possible to provide a protective structure which is made of a lightweight, semi-rigid material, for example plastic or cardboard, which is preferably folded from a blank plate of said material. This in turn allows low production costs.

Additionally, the protective structures shown in Figures 3-5 each provide a front panel having a width that is greater than the width of the back panel, so that, when the panels are connected along their two side edges, the front panel is curved or folded and the back panel is flat. The panels of the protective structures form an opening between their upper edges such as for example a wing-shaped opening, as shown in Figures 3b and 4b, or a triangular-shaped opening, as shown in Figure 5b.

In one embodiment of a protective structure according to the invention, the width of the front panel is preferably greater than the width of the back panel but is smaller than 1.25 times the width of the back panel, preferably smaller than 1.2 times the width of the back panel, for example 1.15 times the width of the back panel.

The openings of the protective structures shown in the figures thus have a width that is substantially greater than the height of that opening, so that the opening has an elongated shape. Such a configuration reduces the risk that the protective structures will show perforations of the sealable bag when it is flattened under external pressure, because the comparatively greater width in combination with a folded or folded front panel provides a protective structure in which the width will only increase slightly with the collapse.

The width of the opening of a protective structure according to the invention is preferably at least 3.5 times the height of the opening, more preferably at least 3.7 times the diameter of the height of the opening, more preferably it is approximately 3 times the height of the opening. , 8 times the diameter of the sample container.

The protective structure shown in Figure 4 is similar to that shown in Figures 1-2. In this embodiment, the protective structure 205 comprises a rectangular front panel 208 and a rectangular rear panel 209, each panel having two side edges, an upper edge and a lower edge.

The panels are connected to each other along their two sides. In the particular embodiment shown, the panels 208, 209 are connected along one side by a fold 220. The front panel 208 is provided with two flanges 221 that can be inserted into slots provided in the rear panel 209 to provide a second connection. between the front panel and the rear panel. Thus, the wing-shaped protective construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 4b is achieved. In the particular embodiment shown, the flanges are folded after insertion into the slots to hold them. In addition, the tabs can be fixed to the back panel using an adhesive.

The protective structure shown is further provided with two rib elements 223 extending in the interior space 210 between the front panel 208 and the back panel 209. The rib elements are partial cutouts of the front panel, which are to be bent from the front panel. panel and with its ends inserted in a slot 224 provided in the rear panel, as shown in Figure 4b.

Figures 3a-b show the protective construction 105 according to the invention, having a rectangular front panel 108, and a rear panel 109. The front panel has a width greater than the width of the back panel, and the panels are connected to along its sides, so that the assembled protective structure has a cross-section and wing-shaped opening, as shown in Figure 3b.

The rear panel 109 is provided with a flange to be fixed, with for example an adhesive or heat seal, to the front panel 108 for assembling the protective construction 105.

The front and / or back panel of a protective construction according to the invention is preferably provided with openings or perforations for, in case of leakage of the sample container, to facilitate the absorption of the fluid by the coating provided outside the interior space. The protective construction shown in Figure 3 is therefore provided with three circular openings 122 in the front panel and in the rear panel. Figures 5a-5b show a protective construction 305 according to the invention, provided with a folded front panel, and thus with a triangular-shaped cross-section and opening. The front panel 308 and the rear panel 309 are connected through a fold 320. The rear panel 309 is provided with a flange 321 for attachment to the front panel 308 by adhesion or heat sealing. The front panel is provided with a fold line, which essentially divides the front panel into two similar halves, folding line of the front panel along which it is to be folded to form the protective structure, more in particular defines the space interior of the protective structure. The folded front panel 308 in combination with the rear panel 309 having a smaller width than the front panel provides the triangular shape and a rigid structural construction. In an alternative embodiment, both the front and back panels are provided with a central fold line to provide a protective construction with a cross section and diamond-shaped opening. Said embodiment is preferably provided with rib elements to provide a rigid construction. In a further embodiment, the front and / or back panel are both provided with multiple folding lines to provide a stepped front and / or back panel.

Figures 6a-6b show a protective construction 405 according to the invention, provided with a folded front panel and a folded back panel, and thereby with an almond-shaped opening and cross-section. The front panel 408 and the rear panel 409 are connected through a fold line 420.

The rear panel 409 is provided with a flange 421 for attachment to the front panel 408 by adhesion or heat sealing. Both the front panel 408 and the rear panel 409 are provided with a partial cut 423, 424 which forms a rib element in the assembled protective construction. In the particular embodiment shown, the two rib elements are located in opposition to each other when the protective construction is assembled. The rib elements 423, 424 are to be connected, for example by using an adhesive or groove flange connection, to provide the rib element, as shown in Figure 6b. The combined rib element thus obtained provides the almond-shaped protective construction with structural rigidity.

It should be noted that in the embodiments shown, the protective structure is provided with an insert opening at the top and at the lower end of the protective construction. Thus, assembly of the assembly is facilitated since the protective structure can be inserted with its lower end first or with its upper end first into the sealable bag and / or sheath of fluid absorbing coating.

It should be noted that the protective structure is preferably dimensioned so that it extends along almost the entire interior of the bag. In this way, its upper part is always positioned sufficiently close to the opening of the bag to keep it open, but still allowing the closure of the bag.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the sealable bag and / or the sample container is provided with instructions printed in word and / or images, indicating how the elements should be used and / or fit together. These instructions can be printed directly on the sample container or bag, or provided in the form of a sticker, etc.

It is noted that in the shown embodiments the front panel and the rear panel of the respective protective construction are connected through a fold. In an alternative embodiment, the protective structure is folded from a single strip of semi-rigid material, so that the front panel is connected to the back panel through at least one intermediate panel. Said protective construction is more similar to a box, or may have a U-shaped cross section. Alternatively, the protective construction may be constructed so that the front panel or back panel comprises two halves, which are connected to each other through a fold to the other panel, and have to connect with each other to form the protective structure.

It is further noted that the protective constructions shown can be alternatively composed from separate panels or elements to be connected using glue and / or heat sealing and / or flange / slot connections, etc.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the front panel and / or the rear panel of the protective structure is (are) provided with a recess, recess (s) forming part of the interior space for reception of the sample container, so that the sample container can be maintained between the panels in the recess. Said panels can be provided, for example, by a vacuum-forming plastic sheet material, or can be folded from cardboard.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the protective construction is provided with a front panel and back panel which coincide with each other along opposite sides, so as to form an acute angle, ie an angle less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees. Said protective construction thus has a cross-section and wing-shaped opening, triangular shape, diamond shape or almond shape. Said protective construction is substantially narrowly along its flanks or sides, and thus fits optimally in a bag that is provided with a front and back panel that are sealed along their sides.

The protective construction can be provided from a sheet of lightweight semi-rigid material, such as a sheet of plastic material, a sheet of paper or cardboard material, or a combination thereof, for example an interleaved material. Also, the front and back panels can be made of different materials. In a further embodiment, the protective construction is made of a fluid absorbent material, such as a cardboard material.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a multi-pocket instruction bag 550 according to the invention. The multi-pocket instruction bag comprises three pockets 551, 552, 553 to contain instructions and / or components of a kit according to the invention. In the particular embodiment shown, the multi-pocket instruction bag is further provided with fastening means in the form of a loop 554 for containing a component of the kit according to the invention. It is noted that the multi-pocket instruction bag can be provided with more or less than three pockets when required to clearly present a specific process.

In the particular embodiment shown the pockets are provided in the form of a strip, the strip comprising the three pockets located one after the other. The three pockets are marked on the left with the numbers 1, 2 and 3. In addition, the back pockets can be marked with "information", "sample taking" and "return shipment". Additionally, the pockets themselves can be provided with instructions in the form of text or images.

In the embodiment shown, the first pocket 551 comprises a letter 555 with general information, for example about the purpose of the medical examination, the parties involved, what is expected of the test subjects, etc. The second pocket 552 comprises a brochure 556 with instructions on how to take a sample. In addition to the instructions, the relevant devices can be provided in or on the compartment. In the particular embodiment shown instructions 556 are accompanied by a sample container 502 to be used to take the sample as described in the instructions provided in the second pocket. The sample container, in the form of a vial 502, is attached to the strip of pockets with a loop 554, located adjacent to the lower end of the second pocket 552. Thus, it is clear that the sample container 502 is related to the instructions provided in that second pocket. By fixing the vial with a loop-shaped fastening device, the upper end of the sample container is free, and can be attached directly to remove the vial from the strip.

In an alternative embodiment, the pocket strip is provided with a sub-pocket, located adjacent to the lower end of the second pocket, to contain the vial. In another embodiment, the sample container is provided within the second pocket along with instructions on how to take the sample.

The third pocket is provided with a set 503 according to the invention. The assembly 503 comprises a protective structure, a fluid-absorbing coating and a watertight sealable bag for fluids to contain the sample container 502 as described herein. In one embodiment, instructions are provided on how to seal the sample container within the assembly on the side of the sealed, fluid-tight bag. It is noted that the sample container and the assembly are preferably configured as disclosed herein. The multi-pocket instruction bag 550 is thus used to present components of a kit according to the invention to a user, to facilitate the use of the kit, more in particular to facilitate the taking of a sample with the sample container 502 and insert the sample container into the 503 set for protection during transport.

In the particular embodiment shown, the postal envelope for receiving the assembly containing the sample container is provided separately from the multi-pocket instruction bag. In a further embodiment, the multi-pocket instruction bag is provided with a fourth pocket to hold the postal envelope.

In the embodiment shown, the multi-pocket instruction bag is provided by sealing two flexible sheets of plastic material on each other. The pockets are sealed along three sides and provided with an unsealed upper side, the latter providing an opening for the insertion and removal of objects from the compartment, for example a booklet with instructions, a set, etc. The loop is cut from one of the flexible sheets. Alternatively, the loop can be obtained by sealing a sheet of plastic material on one of the sheets used to make the pockets. In addition, sub-pockets and additional loops may be provided to contain and / or fix devices and / or additional instructions.

In the embodiment shown, the first and second pockets are separated by a first fold 557 and the second and third pockets are separated by a third fold 558. Thus, the first and third pockets can be folded over the second pocket. In this way, the multi-pocket instruction bag can be folded into a compact configuration, in which the pockets are located one on top of the other. This facilitates transport by mail.

In the embodiment shown, the pockets are provided with an open insertion opening, so that the inserts, for example a booklet with instructions, can be directly coupled for instant removal. In an alternative body, one or more of the pockets may be provided with an opening that can be closed or sealed after the instructions have been inserted. Thus a person has to tear the pocket before withdrawing its contents. Alternatively, the pockets may be provided with an opening that is provided with a flap to be inserted in the compartment for closing the opening, with an adhesive strip or with a zipper, etc. Suitable devices for closing a bag or on flat plastic known in the prior art can be used.

The multi-pocket instruction bag shown in Figure 7 is presented to a user in combination with a return envelope for the return of the assembly containing the sample container. For example, the multi-pocket instruction bag and return envelope can be sent to a user by mail.

In such embodiment the user will receive an envelope containing the multi-pocket instruction bag and the return envelope. In an alternative embodiment the multi-pocket instruction bag is provided with an additional pocket containing the return envelope or the return envelope is provided in the same pocket as the assembly. The user faced with the multi-pocket instruction bag will deploy, if necessary, the multi-pocket instruction bag and position the bag so that the pockets are presented side by side, as shown in figure 7. Pockets are clearly marked as one, two and three, so the sequence in which the pockets should be checked is clear. The user will remove the letter 551 from the first pocket indicated with the number one. Subsequently, the second pocket brochure will be consulted, which provides instructions on how to take a sample. The sample container 502 will be removed from the bottom of the second pocket to take the sample. Finally, the assembly of the third pocket will be removed, so that the sample container containing the sample can be inserted therein. The sealable envelope of the assembly is provided with instructions (not shown in the figure) on how the sample container should be inserted into the assembly, and how the sealable envelope should be sealed later and inserted into the return envelope. In this way, the user is guided by the multi-pocket instruction bag through the process of taking the sample and returning the sample container with the sample to a predetermined address.

It is noted that in an alternative embodiment, the sealable envelope of the assembly according to the invention can also be the return envelope, ie provided with the return address and postage to allow its transport by mail.

In a further embodiment of a kit according to the invention, the assembly containing the sample container is not returned by mail individually. In said embodiment, the user has to deliver the assembly containing the sample container with the sample at a collection point, for example in a general practitioner's office. From there, postal envelopes or containers that contain multiple sets are sent by mail to the return address, for example to a laboratory for examination of the samples.

Claims (14)

1. Kit (1) for transporting a biological sample to a intended recipient, comprising: - a sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402) in the form of a vial with a closure for containing the biological sample; - a set (3) for containing the sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402), and - a postal envelope (4), preferably with the preprinted address, to contain the set (3) with the sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402), in which the set comprises: = a protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405), protective structure comprising a semi-rigid front panel (8; 108; 208; 208; 308; 408) and a semi-rigid back panel (9; 109; 209; 309) 409), front panel (8; 108; 208; 208; 308; 408) and back panel (9; 109; 209; 309; 409) which are connected so as to form a semi-rigid structure defining an interior space (10; ) between the front panel (8; 108; 208; 208; 308; 408) and the rear panel (9; 109; 209; 309; 409), and an opening (11) at one end of the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405) communicating with said interior space (10) for the insertion of the sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402) in said interior space, = a watertight sealable bag for fluids (7), a sealable bag (7) having a bag interior (12), an opening (13) for communicating with the interior of the bag (12), and a flap closure fluid seal (14, 15) movable between an open position, wherein the sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402) can be inserted into and removed from the interior of the bag (12) through said opening (13), and a closed position, in which it seals the fluid-tight opening to retain the sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402) inside the bag (12); wherein the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405) is provided within the interior (12) of the sealable bag, and wherein the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405) is positioned with its opening (11) in line with the opening (13) of the bag (7), and is configured so as to keep the opening open (13) of the sealing bag (7) to facilitate the insertion of a sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402) into the interior space (10) of the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305 ; 405) through the opening of the bag (13), characterized in that : the assembly further comprises a fluid absorbent liner (6), wherein the fluid absorbent liner (6) is a liner, preferably a liner bag, having a liner interior configured to contain the protective structure (5) with the sample container (2), and has at least one opening communicating with said sheath interior, which opening is dimensioned for the passage through it of the protective structure (5) so that it can be positioned inside the sheath with its opening in line with the opening of the fluid-absorbent sheath, wherein the fluid absorbent liner (6) is provided within the interior (12) of the sealable bag between the front panel (8; 108; 208; 208; 308; 408) and the sealable bag (7) and between the back panel (9; 109; 209; 309; 409) and the sealable bag (7). Kit according to claim 1, wherein the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405) comprises a rectangular front panel (8) and a rectangular rear panel (9), each panel having two side edges , an upper edge and a lower edge, panels (8, 9) that are connected together along their two sides and in which at least one of the panels is folded or folded so that the panels form an opening ( 11) between its upper edges (15, 16), for example a wing-shaped opening, an almond-shaped opening, a diamond-shaped opening, or an opening with a triangular shape. Kit according to claim 2, in which the width of the opening (11) of the protective structure (5) is greater than the height of that opening (11), so that the opening (11) has a elongated shape, and wherein the width is preferably at least 3.5 times the height of the opening (11), more preferably at least 3.7 times the diameter of the height of the opening (11), more preferably is approximately 3.8 times the diameter of the sample container (2). Kit according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the front panel (8; 108; 208; 308) has a width that is greater than the width of the rear panel (9; 109; 209; 309), so that, when the panels (8; 108; 208; 308, 9; 109; 209; 309) are connected along their two lateral edges, the front panel (8; 108; 208; 308) is curved or fold and the rear panel (9; 109; 209; 309) is flat, and the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305) has respectively a wing or triangular opening (11) shape, and in which preferably the width of the front panel (8; 108; 208; 308) is greater than the width of the back panel (9; 109; 209; 309) but is smaller than 1.25 times the width of the back panel (9; 109; 209) 309), preferably smaller than 1.2 times the width of the back panel (9; 109; 209; 309), for example 1.15 times the width of the back panel (9; 109; 209; 309). Kit according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein the sealable bag (7) is provided with a front panel and a back panel sealed together along two side edges and the bottom edge of these panels, and wherein the width of the interior space of the bag has a width similar to or greater than the width of the front panel (8). ) of the protective construction (5), so that the bag (7) can contain the protective structure (5) with its front panel (8) in a curved state and in a flattened state. 6. Kit according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein the protective structure (205; 405) is provided with one or more rib elements (223; 423, 424) that extend into the interior space between the panel front (208; 408) and rear panel (209; 409), rib elements (223; 423, 424) which are preferably partial cutouts folded from the front panel (208; 408) and / or rear panel (209; 409) . Kit according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405) is folded from a single strip of semi-rigid material, so that the front panel (8) ; 108; 208; 208; 308; 408) and the back panel (9; 109; 209; 309; 409) are connected through a fold (120; 220; 420) along at least one of their sides . 8. Kit according to one or more of claims 1-6, wherein the protective structure is a folded form of a single strip of semi-rigid material, so that the front panel is connected to the back panel through at least one an intermediate panel. 9. Kit according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein the dimensions of the opening (11, 13) of the protective structure (5), the sealable bag (7) and, if present, the sleeve or bag of fluid absorbent sheath (6), correspond in general in shape and dimensions, so that they form what is essentially a simple opening for passage through the sample container (2). 10. Kit according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405) is made of a lightweight, semi-rigid material, eg plastic or cardboard, preferably folded from a blank plate of said material. 11. Kit of parts, comprising the kit of component parts to provide a kit (1) for the transport of a biological sample to a intended recipient according to one or more of claims 1-10, the kit of parts comprising: - the sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402) in the form of a vial with a closure for containing the biological sample; - the assembly (3) to contain the sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402), - the postal envelope (4), preferably with the preprinted address, to contain the set (3) with the sample container (2; 102; 202; 302; 402), -the protective structure (5; 105; 205; 305; 405), the sealed watertight bag for fluids (7), and the absorbent coating for fluids (6) to provide the assembly, and a multi-pocket instruction bag (550), whose pockets comprise the components of the kit (1) for transporting a biological sample and instructions (556) on how to use one or more of these components of said kit (1), in that the multi-pocket instruction bag (550) is configured to present the kit components and instructions (556) to a non-professional user in an ordered, predetermined sequence, thereby guiding said user through the process of making the sample and its return by mail. The kit of parts according to claim 11, wherein the multi-pocket instruction bag (550), preferably the pockets of the multi-pocket instruction bag (550), is provided with signs, symbols, letters, numbers and / or images indicating to the user in what sequence the pockets, more particularly the contents of the pockets, are to be consulted and / or to be used. 13. Kit of parts according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the pockets of the multi-pocket instruction bag (550) are provided so that one or more of the pockets, the pockets containing the instructions (556) and / or the components of the kit (1), can be folded over one another to provide the multi-pocket instruction bag (550) with a compact configuration and facilitate transport by mail. 14. A method for providing a biological sample, using a kit (1) according to one or more of claims 1-10, preferably a kit of parts according to one or more of claims 11-13.