GB2517764A

GB2517764A - Liquid mixer

Info

Publication number: GB2517764A
Application number: GB1315537.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Tegid Roberts
Original assignee: CADARN TECHNIK Ltd
Current assignee: CADARN TECHNIK Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-31
Filing date: 2013-08-31
Publication date: 2015-03-04
Also published as: GB201315537D0

Abstract

An apparatus for combining at least two components comprising a first compartment 10 for a first component 12, a second compartment 20 for a second component 22, a valve 30 arranged between the first and second compartments separates the two components, and a pressure increasing means for increasing the pressure in the second compartment. Ideally, the second compartment is compressible and formed from a flexible or deformable material. The valve comprises a membrane or flexible material which has at least one slit. Preferably, the valve is a check value which only allows fluid flow in one direction, ideally from the second compartment to the first. The apparatus is ideally used for the controlled release of an activation reagent in to a chemiluminescent composition such that the apparatus is a glow stick. A method of operation comprises increase the pressure in the second compartment, perhaps by squeezing the second compartment, to open the valve between the compartments.

Description

Title: Liquid Mixer

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for combining at least two components. The apparatus and the method may be used for mixing and/or activating reactants, such as a chemiluminescent composition in a closed mixing container.

Introduction

[0002] Many chemical, biochemical or medical compositions or chemical reactions can be activated by bringing two or more components together. In some applications, these components may be agitated, mixed or otherwise actively combined to initiate an activation or reaction of the composition. In other cases, the two components may be simply combined. It is often of benefit to keep those components of the chemical, biochemical, or medical compositions or chemical reactants separated until they are used to either extend their shelf life and/or to keep them usable until a user activates them.

The unwanted reaction or combination of the components spoils the composition and should be avoided.

[0003] There are many examples for compositions that can be activated by mixing two or more components. Examples for these compositions include, but are by far not limited to two-component adhesives, sealants, epoxy compositions, explosives, food, medical or pharmaceutical, biochemical or chemical compositions. Most of those are activated by bringing them into a further compartment, being it the outside environment or a further compartment such as a syringe.

[0004] A further example relates to chemiluminescent compositions that can be activated to emit light by combining a chemiluminescent component with an activation component.

[0005] Chemiluminescent compositions emit light based on a chemical reaction of at least two reactants, usually a chemiluminescent component and an activation component. As long as the at least two reactants are separated, no chemical reaction can occur and no light is emitted. If the at least two reactants are brought in contact, a chemical reaction such as an oxidation, can occur and light is emitted. A number of chemiluminescent compositions is commercially available emitting light in different colours. In some applications, the chemiluminescent compositions are available as glow sticks. A translucent plastic tube contains a first reactant and a glass capsule or ampoule suspended in the first reactant. The glass ampoule or capsule is sealed and contains the second reactant. As long as the glass ampoule is sealed and unbroken, the two reactants are separated from each other and no chemiluminescence occurs.

[0006] By bending the translucent plastic tube of a conventional glow stick, the glass ampoule breaks and the two reactants come into contact thereby starting a chemical reaction that results in the emission of chemiluminescence. Once the reaction is started, it cannot be stopped, i.e. the light cannot be switched off. There is also no possibility to reactivate a used glow stick or to adjust the light intensity or colour of a glow stick.

[0007] These glow sticks are limited by geometric factors. Activation and breaking the glass ampoule by bending becomes more difficult by decreasing the length or increasing the diameter. It is not possible to decrease the length or increase the thickness or diameter of the plastic tube for the glow stick to any size as a bending of the plastic tube must be possible for activation.

[0008] The present disclosure describes a mixing apparatus and a method that overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of prior art.

Summary of the invention

[0009] The present disclosure suggests an apparatus and a method for combining at least two components according to the independent claims. Further examples relate to the dependent claims.

[0010] The apparatus comprises of a first compartment for a first component, a second compartment for a second component and a valve between the first compartment and the second compartment for separating the first component from the second component when the valve is closed. The first compartment and the second compartment are sealed.

The apparatus further comprises a pressure increasing means for increasing the pressure in the second compartment.

[0011] The method comprises of providing a first component in a first compartment, providing a second component in a second compartment, increasing the pressure in the second compartment until a valve between the first compartment and the second compartment opens.

[0012] The first compartment may be used for a chemiluminescent component and the second compartment can be used for an activation component. The activation component can be easily combined with the chemiluminescent component and the amount of activations component that is transferred to the first compartment can be controlled. No bending of the apparatus or breaking of a glass ampoule is required.

Description of the figures

[0013] The invention may be better understood when reading the detailed description of examples of the present disclosure which is given with respect to the accompanying figures in which: Fig. 1 shows a glow stick according to the present disclosure; Figs. 2a to 2d show how the glow stick may be operated; Fig. 3 a to c shows a combination of a plurality of glow sticks; Fig. 4 a to d shows the valve of Fig 1 in more detail; and Fig. 5 a to c shows another example of a chemiluminescent device around a hollow cylinder; Fig 6 a and b show an example of a chemiluminescent device where the second compartment is attached to a side wall Fig 7 a and b show and example of chemiluminescent device used in a laryngoscope; and Fig. 8 a and b show different alternatives for a pressure increase in the second compartment.

Detailed description

[0014] Examples of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail. It is to be understood that the described examples and the examples shown in the figures are purely illustrative and a person skilled in the art will amend the examples according to specific requirements. It is not necessary to implement all features shown in the examples and a person skilled in the art will combine features shown with respect to one figure with examples shown in other figures.

[0015] The examples describe a mixing device that may be used with a chemiluminescent composition in a glow stick-like apparatus. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this application and a person skilled in the art will identify other applications. For example, the device may be used in medical applications, where two components of a drug or therapeutic agent are mixed in a closed environment. The components can thus be kept sterile during mixing. In this context, the container may be opened after mixing to release the mixed composition or the mixed composition can be extracted with a syringe. Other applications include any type of combining or mixing at least two components in a closed or sealed container avoiding any contact with air or the environment. Chemicals and drugs can be packaged in defined atmospheres to increase their shelf life. Chemicals can react in defined atmospheres or in the absence of oxygen or air reducing or avoiding for example oxidation and/or drying.

[0016] If the apparatus is used with chemiluminescent compositions, any chemiluminescent composition may be used that provides the desired chemiluminescent properties, such as light colour, light intensity, light duration and the like.

Chemiluminescent compositions comprise a first component or reactant comprising a chemiluminescent dye mixed with for example a catalyst or another chemiluminescent reactant. This first component is also termed chemiluminescent component. The second component or reactant may comprise hydrogen peroxide for activating chemiluminescent light emission in the chemiluminescent component. The second component may be termed activation component. Other reactants may be used equally and the disclosure is not limited to a specific chemiluminescent composition.

[0017] Figure 1 shows an example of a mixing or combining apparatus 2 for combining at least two components. The apparatus 2 comprises of a first container 11 with a first compartment 10 and a second container 21 providing a second compartment 20. The first compartment 10 and the second compartment 20 that are separated by a valve 30. The apparatus 2 has no openings and is sealed to the environment. Any liquid or gas inside the first compartment and/or the second compartment is sealed inside the apparatus and no contact with the surroundings is possible.

[0018] The first container 11 is at least partially made from a translucent material that allows light emitted from the chemiluminescent compositions of the first container to the outside. The first container 11 can be made entirely from the translucent material or can comprise of a translucent window that limits the directions in which light can be emitted.

The first container can be made from a polymeric material. As an example, inexpensive and resistant low-density poly ethylene (LDPE) might be used but any other plastics material may be used. Since no bending of the first container is required, the first container can be made cia rigid and inflexible material and the dimensions can be freely adapted to the required application. It is also possible to use glass, metallic materials or other rigid materials for the first container. The used materials may not react with the components in the first container and may be combined. A first container made from metallic material, such as steel or stainless steel may be coated with a polymeric material and a transparent glass or polymeric window may be arranged in the metallic container.

[0019] The first container 11 provides only one opening that is closed by the valve 30.

[0020] The second container 21 is made from a flexible material that allows squeezing or deformation of the second container 21. A rubber, silicone, LDPE or another flexible polymeric or metallic material may be used. The second container 21 has also only one opening that is attached to the valve 30 at the side opposite to the first container 11.

[0021] When the first container 11 and the second container 21 and the valve 30 are assembled, a sealed apparatus is formed that prevents any component from leaking out of or into the apparatus.

[0022] The valve 30 separates the first compartment 10 from the second compartment 20. The valve 30 is closed under normal conditions, i.e. if no external force is applied to the apparatus 2. If the pressure in one compartment is increased, the valve opens and the components of the first compartment 10 and of the second compartment 20 can combine or mix or react.

[0023] Figures 2a to 2d show how the apparatus for mixing or combining at least two components may work. Fig. 2a shows the apparatus of Figure 1 filled with a first component 12 in the first compartment 10. The first compartment 10 may not be entirely filled with the first component but a certain volume may be filled with a compressible gas 15. The gas 15 can be air, nitrogen, oxygen, inert gases or any other compressible gas. It is also possible to use a compressible foam or other compressible material.

[0024] The first component may be a chemiluminescent component such as a catalyst mixed with a dye. The second compartment may be filled with an activating component, such as hydrogen peroxide, for example. In this example, the activating component is added to the chemiluminescent component which results in a high activation rate where most of the chemiluminescent component is activated at once.

[0025] In another example, the second component may be a chemiluminescent component such as a catalyst mixed with a dye. The first component filled in the first compartment may be the activating component. In this example and in contrast to the example set forth above, the chemiluminescent component is added to the activating component. The amount of chemiluminescent component that come into contact with the activating component can be better controlled and adjusted as desired. This makes an adjustment of illumination intensity, duration or brightness and a sequential use possible.

[0026] As long as no external pressure is applied in both examples as set forth above, the valve 30 remains closed and the first component and the second component remain separated. No chemical reaction or combination or mixing occurs.

[0027] In Fig. 2b the pressure in the second compartment 20 is increased. The increase in pressure in the second compartment can, in one example, be obtained by squeezing the second container 21 and exerting a force, the pressure, on the second component 22. The second container 21 may therefore be made of a flexible material that allows compression. The squeezing can be made by hand, by teeth, by feet or a squeezing apparatus can be used. While squeezing the second container is a simple and cost efficient possibility to increase the pressure in the second compartment 20 of the apparatus 2, other ways of increasing the pressure in the second compartment can be used. For example, the pressure may be increased by heating the second compartment or the second container may have the form of or contain a bellows or syringe or screw or piston or any other shape a person skilled in the art might create.

[0028] The increase in pressure in the second compartment 20 opens the valve 30 and leads to a compression of the compressible gas 15 inside the first compartment 10.

Depending on the pressure applied, a certain amount of the second component 22 is transported or pressed into the first compartment where it can combine or mix or react

B

with the first component. A chemical reaction may be started. In one example, the emission of chemiluminescent light is started.

[0029] By controlling the increase in pressure in the second compartment 20, the amount of second component 22 that reaches the first compartment 10 can be controlled. The reaction of the two components can be controlled and adjusted. For example the light intensity can be controlled and the reaction can be increased by further increasing the pressure in the second compartment 20 and adding more amount of the second component.

[0030] If enough material of the second component is combined with the first component, the pressure may be released from the second container, as shown in Fig. 2c.

If the valve 30 is a check valve or one-way valve, no liquid can come from the first compartment to the second compartment. The valve 30 may allow, however, a gas flow from the first compartment 10 into the second compartment 20 and some gas bubble 152 may replace the volume squeezed out in the second container 21. A corresponding IS valve 30 will be described with respect to Fig. 4 below. The gas reversal does not need to take place and in that instance the second container keeps the shape of Fig 2b in this

example.

[0031] The apparatus can now be left as illustrated in Fig. 2c and used during light emission. If the second component that was injected into the first compartment during squeezing, is completely combined with the first component, chemiluminescence may stop by itself. The apparatus may now be stocked for later use if no further light emission is needed or the apparatus may be reactivated by squeezing more of the second component into the first compartment, as illustrated in Fig. 2d. The squeezing may be repeated until all of the second component is transferred to the first container and all materials have been combined.

[0032] The light intensity or the lifetime of light emission can be controlled by squeezing more or less intensively. In this way, the apparatus may be used again and again and only to an extent needed with varying light intensity. This is not possible with conventional glass ampoule glow sticks. The apparatus can be activated by squeezing the second compartment with two fingers or the thumb only while holding in the same time the entire apparatus. One hand is sufficient to hold and activate the apparatus. Conventional glow sticks usually require two clamping positions for bending of the glow stick to finally break the ampoule and activate it.

[0033] The light intensity, the combined colour or the duration can also be altered by combining multiple apparatus 2 to a bundle with small amounts which can either jointly or separately be activated, depending on necessities for the application. An example of combining multiple apparatus 2 is illustrated in Fig. 3.

[0034] Figs. 3a to c depict examples in which three apparatus 2, 4of Fig 1 and 2 have been combined. The apparatus may have a hexagonal 4 (Fig 3a) or circular 2 (Fig. 3b) cross section that can be easily manufactured and combined by attaching them to each other along their longitudinal sides. Other shapes may be used equally and may be combined differently. A user may now activate one apparatus at a time to increase light IS duration or the user may activate two or more apparatus 2, 4in parallel to increase light intensity or combine different components to create product mixtures, either light colour or medical or chemical compositions. While a combination of three apparatus is shown in Figs 3a and 3b, any number of apparatus 2,4 can be combined.

[0035] Fig. 3c shows a cross section to combined apparatus, where two first containers are combined in a single housing 13 providing two or more first compartments 10. Each first compartment 10 has a second container 21 attached thereto which are each separated by a valve 30. Each compartment can be activated separately. It is also possible to provide a single second container covering all valves 30 or to provide a flexible cover 23 over all second containers 21 for activating all apparatus 2 in the same time. The flexible cover may be a cap that can be removed if single activation is desired.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows an example of a valve 30 that may be used with the present disclosure. The valve 30 may be a valve or similar to a valve used for non-drip containers and used for example in ketchup or honey lids or the like. The valve 30 can be made from a flexible polymeric material. Silicone, rubber or similar materials may be used. The valve shown in the example of Fig. 3a is substantially disc shaped and comprises an annular rim 31 and a circular valve disc 32 closing the opening inside the annular rim 31. A slit 33 is provided in the circular valve disc 32. The slit 33 may have a cross-like shape as illustrated in Fig. 4a dividing the valve disc into four wings 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d. Figs. 4b and 4c show a cut through the valve 30 of Fig. 4a in a closed (4b) and an open (4c) position. If a pressure is applied from one side (in the orientation shown here from below), the wings 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d may bend under the pressure and open along the slit and a central opening is provided for as long as the pressure is maintained. The opening force and the amount of pressure necessary to open the valve can be adjusted by the size of the valve disc 32, the length and shape of the slit 33, by the thickness of the wings 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d and by the flexibility of the material used for the wings 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d.

[0037] In the closed position of Fig. 4b, the circular valve disc may be bend towards the side of the second compartment 20, which is the lower side in Fig. 4b. If a liquid is pressed against the valve 30 from the lower side, i.e the second compartment in Fig. 4b, the wings 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d may be pressed together and the valve will remain closed until a certain opening pressure is reached. If the pressure in the second compartment reaches the opening pressure the valve 30 may open as indicated in Fig. 4c and the liquid can flow from the second compartment 20 to the first compartment 10 as indicated in Figs 2 a and 2d and the reaction or combination or mixing is started. If the pressure on the second compartment is released, the valve 30 will close again due to the bending or biasing of the valve disc 32 and the wings 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d. If the pressure in the first compartment 10 is now higher than in the second compartment, for example after material was transported from the first compartment 20 to the first compartment 10 and the gas 15 in the first compartment 10 was compressed, valve 30 may open in the opposite direction as illustrated in Fig. 4d. If a pressure is applied from the upper side as shown in Fig. 4d, the wings can easily bend downwards to open the valve and give way for a gas from the upper side of the valve downwards. The bending of the valve disc 33 may thus be asymmetrical and no or only a low opening force is required to open the valve in the downward direction while the opening force in the upward direction is considerably higher. This ensures that unwanted activation by accidental pressure on the second container is avoided. The opening pressure may be adjusted to the specific needs of the application and may depend on viscosity of the fluids, thickness, material, dimensions and flexibility of the valve disc 32 and on the dimensions of the slit 33.

[0038] The slit 33 may be interrupted or may not be entirely cut when the valve is provided in apparatus 2. This forms a type of seal that closes the valve before the initial uses and can prevent from unintended use of the apparatus 2. When the apparatus 2 is used for the first time that seal can be broken, i.e. the interruptions of the slit can be broken and/or the cut needs to be opened by breaking the slit entirely through. This involves an increased pressure and a higher squeezing force in the start, but can lead to a more reliable apparatus 2.

[0039] While the above examples describe the apparatus as a chemiluminescent device with a substantially cylindrical shape, the disclosure is not limited to that. Other shapes, IS materials, components and dimensions may be equally used for purposes as described above. The first container containing one of the chemiluminescent components can be made from a rigid material as no bending is required for activation.

[0040] It is also possible to use other ways of increasing the pressure in the second compartment and manual squeezing of the first container is only one example. Other examples include but are not limited to syringes, pistons, or screws inside the first or second container or pressure increase by heat. In those examples, the first or second container may be made from a more rigid material as shown in Fig. 8.

[0041] In the above examples, the first compartment is used for the chemiluminescent component and the activation component is added from the second compartment to the first compartment. This is just an example and it might be favourable for the dimensions as the volume of the components of one compartment to the other might be substantially different or the use as sequentially operated chemical system requires it, to provide the activation component in the first compartment and add the chemiluminescent component from the second compartment to the first compartment.

[0042] The above examples are given with respect to the combination of two components or reactants to form the composition. The composition, however, may be formed from more than two components. Three or more components may be brought together in parallel or sequentially.

[0043] The above example use directional terms such as up, down, below, above, upwards, and downwards. These terms are intended to illustrate the figures and are only given with respect to the orientations shown in the corresponding figures. It is obvious, that the valve 30 and the apparatus 2 can be used in different orientations.

[0044] While the above examples have been described with respect to a cylindrical or hexagonal longitudinal shape, the disclosure is not limited to that and the apparatus can be designed in any shape. Some applications may require that the apparatus corresponds to the dimensions of conventional glow sticks but other dimensions can be applied equally. For example the cylinder can be made shorter with larger diameter. This is not possible with a conventional glow stick, as the wall material would have to be thinner to allow bending and breaking of the ampoule. This may lead to rupture and leakage of the glow sticks which is not acceptable.

[0045] Figs. 5 a to c show a hollow cylinder apparatus 200, wherein the apparatus of the present disclosure is arranged in the cylinder wall. The apparatus 200 has a cylindrical opening 40 and a first compartment 101 and a second compartment 201 arranged in the cylinder walls surrounding the cylindrical opening. One or more valves 301 allow the combination of the first component with the second component. The second compartment 201 may have a flexible outer wall and a rigid inner wall to keep the cylindrical opening 40 in shape when a pressure is applied Fig Sb shows a cross section through the hollow cylinder apparatus 200 with one single first and second compartment arranged in the cylindrical wall. Fig. 5c shows an alternative embodiment where a plurality of first compartment is arranged around the cylindrical opening.

[0046] The hollow cylinder apparatus 200 may be used for illuminating a circle or for an apparatus where other features need to be fed through the opening, such as for example medical or technical, endoscopic or micro surgery devices.

[0047] Figs. 6a and b show an example of a cylindrical apparatus 300 with a hollow cylindrical opening 40. The first container 112 is arranged in the side wall of the cylinder and comprises the first compartment 102 of the entire length. A second container 212 is arranged at one side on top of the cylindrical wall and may be a bladder or bubble like container. One or more valves 302 are arranged between the first compartment 102 and the second compartment 202. The apparatus may be activated by the thumb of a user pressing on the bladder of the second container 212 similar to the switch of a conventional torch.

[0048] A combination of application is for example a hollow apparatus 200, 300 as described in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 and being filled with a first and second component that generates heat or reduces temperature of the environment through a chemical reaction.

IS Instead of leaving the hollow cylinder 40 hollow one can insert an apparatus 2 as described in the Fig. 1 for the mixing of components. This would be of advantage in areas where temperatures are at an extreme and the first and second component below or above their safe or optimum temperature to operate or would not work at all as they might be solidified.

[0049] Fig. 7 shows a possible application of the present disclosure in a laryngoscope 400, 401 application. The laryngoscope 400, 401 has a blade 113 that needs to be extremely rigid, to avoid breaking and killing the patient. The blade 113 may be made from a metallic material and may implement the first container. The first container or blade 113 may comprise a window 143 to emit the chemiluminescent light at a desired position. A handle comprising the second container 213, 214 is arranged at an angle on the blade 113. The handle and the blade may have the shape of a usual blade and handle for a laryngoscope. The handle of the present example however contains the second compartment and is linked to the first compartment in the blade by a valve 303. The handle 213 may be made at least partially from a flexible material as shown in Fig. 7a, such that the apparatus can be activated by compressing or squeezing the handle as described above.

[0050] In an alternative example shown in Fig. ]b, the handle 214 comprises a piston or screw 215 for reducing the volume in the second compartment inside the handle 214. The volume reduction by increase of the pressure and thus the illumination can be adjusted more precisely.

[0051] Fig. 8 shows different examples how the flexible second container 21 of the examples above can be replaced. Fig. 8a shows an apparatus 500 that comprises a first container 11 and a valve 30 as described with respect to Figs. 1 and 2. The second container 50 has the form of syringe with a piston 55 in the second compartment 205 for reducing the volume by increasing the pressure on the second component of the second compartment. The piston 55 or syringe 50 can be hand driven or an automated drive such as a syringe pump or the like can be used to activate the apparatus. 500.

[0052] Fig. 8b shows a further example where the syringe 50 of Fig. 8a is replaced by a screw 60. The second container 216 has a thread 62 at its inner wall. The screw has a corresponding thread 61 such that the screw can be moved into the second container 216 and the volume of the second compartment is reduced by increasing the pressure on the second component. The mixing or activation can be controlled very precisely by using a handle or a motor drive for turning the screw 60.

[0053] While different aspects of the present disclosure have been described with respect to the Figures, features described with respect to one figure can be combined with features described in relation to other figures.

[0054] The apparatus and method of the present disclosure may be used with many different apparatus and only a limited number has been described above. The apparatus can be used in torches or instruments such as endoscopes, sigmoidoscopes, proctoscopes, specula or other medical or non-medical apparatus.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus (2) for combining at least two components, the apparatus comprising of: a first compartment (10) for a first component (12), a second compartment (20) for a second component (22); a valve (30) between the first compartment (10) and the second compartment (20) for separating the first component (12) from the second component (22) when the valve is closed; wherein the first compartment (10) and the second compartment (20) are sealed; and a pressure increasing means for increasing the pressure in the second compartment (20).
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a second container (21) forming the second compartment (20) is compressible.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein a material of a second container (21) forming the second compartment has a higher elasticity than a material for the first compartment.
4. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first compartment has at least one translucent portion.
5. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first compartment contains the first component and the second compartment contains the second component and wherein the first compartment contains a compressible gas.
6. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve 30 comprises of at least one slit 33 on a flexible material 32.
7. The apparatus of any one of claim 6, wherein the slit 33 is interrupted.
8. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve 30 is a check valve that is arranged with a liquid flowing direction from the second compartment to the first compartment.
9. The apparatus of any one of claims ito 7, wherein the valve 30 is an asymmetric valve having a different opening pressure in a first flow direction than in a second flow direction opposite to the first flow direction.
10. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve is permeable for gases in both directions.
11. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a seal between the first compartment and the second compartment.
12. A method for combining at least two components in a sealed container, comprising: providing a first component in a first compartment; providing a second component in a second compartment; increasing the pressure in the first compartment until a valve between the first compartment and the second compartment opens.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the increasing the pressure in the second compartment comprises squeezing the second compartment.
14. The method of claim 12 or 13, further comprising of breaking a seal prior to increasing the pressure in the second compartment.
15. The method of claim 11 to 13, further comprising of breaking a seal by increasing the pressure in the second compartment.