SE2130015A1 - Hydration triggered aqueous diluter - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a diluter (1000) for protecting a user from exposure of an internal composition (400), when being in a closed state, and for releasing the internal composition (400), when being in an open state. The diluter comprises an enclosing cylinder (100), a proximal piston (230), a distal piston (210) and an expanding absorbent (300). A method for production of an aqueous diluted solution of the internal composition (400) is also disclosed.

Description

Hvdration triggered aqueous diluter Technical Field The present invention generally relates to devices that automaticallyrelease an internal composition to and after exposure to an aqueousenvironment, in particular to and after exposure to water in a sealed containerfor controlled dilution of a concentrate.

Background Various chemicals and chemical compositions are considered ashazardous and harmful by regulatory authorities when exceeding a specifiedlower threshold concentration in aqueous solution. When present at aconcentration below an upper threshold, the same chemical or compositionmay, by the same authority, be considered as harmless to the exposed person.When the specified lower threshold concentration is the same as the upperthreshold, a situation emerges in which the relevant chemical or composition,from a regulatory viewpoint, is transitioned from harmful to harmless whendiluted with water below such a threshold concentration. For example, anaqueous solution of potassium hydroxide is considered by the EuropeanChemicals Agency to be harmless upon exposure to the skin or the eye, orwhen inhaled in a moisturized form, provided that a threshold concentration of0.5 °/> by weight is not exceeded. At concentrations above 0.5 °/-.~ and above 2.0°/>, potassium hydroxide is classified by the same authority as irritating andcorrosive, respectively. Dilution of a harmful chemical or composition, i.e.having a concentration above a specified threshold, for obtaining thecorresponding harmless chemical or composition, i.e. having a concentrationbelow a specified threshold, is typically carried out by trained personnel in orderto minimize the risk of harmful exposure. The undesired need for such trainedpersonnel in the production of harmless aqueous solutions of otherwise harmful chemicals and compositions, has been addressed in the prior-art as exemplified below.“Z-water” by SuperSteam Asia Pacific Pte Ltd in Singapore and PTProfessional in Karlskrona, Sweden, is formed by electrolysis of aqueous potassium carbonate. A harmless solution of aqueous potassium hydroxide isthus formed and collected from the cathodic compartment for use in domesticcleaning application. At the corresponding anodic compartment, the carboncontent of the potassium carbonate is released as waste into the surroundingsin the form of carbon dioxide. Hence, the corresponding electrolytic device maybe operated by personnel, not trained in the art of dilution, to obtain a desiredharmless solution of one chemical, generated by chemical conversion ofanother chemical. Disadvantages of this type of relatively small local devices,carrying out a chemical reaction or electrolysis to convert one compound orchemical to another, include, for example, high inefficiency and lowenvironmental friendliness, in terms of e.g. high energy need, low chemical yieldand undesired release of waste products, as compared to the correspondingindustrial production of the desired product.

Dishwasher detergent capsules may typically be coated with an externallayer of suitably modified polyvinyl alcohol or the like. The external layerprotects the user from the harmful concentrated composition trapped in theinner void of such a coating. The composition is, however, safely released anddiluted within the dishwasher during operation by the coating dissolving in thehot feedwater. Hence, the user may in practice carry out a dilution of a harmfullyhigh concentration of a composition, without having any skill in the art of dilutionand still with a minimized risk of exposure to harmful concentrations of thecomposition. Disadvantages of this type of capsules include, for example, therelatively narrow range of compatibility between layer protection and containedcomposition. Furthermore, the conditions under which the content is releasedare typically relatively harsh, e.g. the necessity of hot water as compared to coldwater.

US 2020238063 A1 discloses an automatic drug delivery device includingan enclosure and a piston disposed in the enclosure. A drug is pushed by thepiston out of the enclosure by the force generated by an expanding materialabsorbing external liquid. Disadvantages of this and other drug delivery devicesinclude, for example, undesired protracted rise of concentration in the externalliquid towards the desired target concentration of the composition, originallyresiding within the enclosure. lt would be advantageous with a diluter for simple and safe aqueousdilution of a concentrated hazardous chemical or composition that allows foravoiding some of above-mentioned disadvantages and problems.

Summary lt is an object of the invention, considering the disadvantages mentionedabove, to provide a diluter which allows for safe and facile aqueous dilution of abroad scope of chemically and physically diverse compositions. lt is another object of the invention, considering the disadvantagesmentioned above, to provide a diluter which does not contaminate the aqueoussolvent, in which the relevant composition is diluted, with solutes not beingderived from the composition. lt is yet another object of the invention, considering the disadvantagesmentioned above, to provide a diluter which is visually indicative of its state inthe process of diluting the composition intended to be diluted. lt is yet another object of the invention, considering the disadvantagesmentioned above, to provide a diluter which is at least partly recyclable and/orreloadable.

Accordingly, examples of the present invention preferably seek to mitigate,alleviate or eliminate one or more deficiencies, disadvantages or issues in theart, such as the above-identified, singly or in any combination by providing adiluter according to the appended patent claims.

According to a first aspect, a diluter for protecting a user from exposure ofan internal composition, in a closed state thereof, and for releasing the internalcomposition to an aqueous environment, in an open state thereof, is provided.The diluter comprises an enclosing cylinder, a double piston element and anexpanding absorbent. The enclosing cylinder has a distal opening at its distalend, a second proximal stopper at its proximal end, and a first proximal stopperimmediately distal to or withing an inner volume of the second proximal stopper(130). The second proximal stopper is provided with a singularity or plurality ofstopper ducts adapted to allow aqueous transfer from the external surroundingto the proximal end or periphery of the first proximal stopper. The first proximalstopper is a porous or aqueous permeable structure adapted to allow aqueoustransfer from the stopper ducts to the proximal end of the expanding absorbentand to prevent transfer of the expanding absorbent to the stopper ducts. Theexpanding absorbent, being a polymeric solid, semisolid or gel, adapted toabsorb water and to expand in volume upon doing so, is arranged withing the internal volume of the enclosing cylinder immediately distal of or in conjugationwith the second proximal stopper and proximal of the proximal end of thedouble piston element. The double piston element comprises a proximal piston,at its proximal end, and a distal piston, at its distal end, the proximal piston andthe distal piston being adapted to form a gas- and liquid tight seal against theinner surface of the enclosing cylinder and to be movable along a central axisthereof, when residing in the inner volume thereof. The proximal piston and thedistal piston being, when residing in the inner volume of the enclosing cylinder,in mechanic- pneumatic- or hydraulic connection with each other via a pistonconnector selected from the group of piston connectors consisting of mechanicconnectors, an air space or the internal composition, respectively. When in theclosed state, the distal piston being at least partly residing within the innervolume of the enclosing cylinder, whereby the internal composition is preventedfrom exiting through the distal opening. When in the open state, the proximalpiston is residing within the inner volume of the enclosing cylinder and the distalpiston is residing outside the inner volume of the enclosing cylinder, wherebythe internal composition is allowed exiting to the surrounding through the distalopening.

According to a second aspect, the diluter of the first aspect may beprovided with a sinker. The combination thereof is adapted such that the diluteris arranging its central axis essentially vertically, when being in the closed stateand when the diluter is immersed in water or an equivalent aqueous liquid. Thesinker having a density exceeding the density of the water or equivalentaqueous liquid. Advantages of a combination according to this second aspectinclude, for example, a secured entrance of water or the equivalent aqueousliquid through the stopper ducts as these may be adapted, as dependent on theverticality, to be fully under the surface thereof.

According to a third aspect, the diluter of the first aspect or the secondmay be provided with a bobber. The combination thereof is adapted such thatany part of the diluter is above the surface, when being in the closed state, andfully below the surface, when being in the open state, when the diluter isimmersed in water or an equivalent aqueous liquid. The bobber having adensity being less than the density of the water or equivalent aqueous liquid.Advantages of a combination according to this third aspect include, for example,a facilitated visual detection of the state of the diluter. lf no part of the diluter, such as e.g. a part thereof having a clearly signaling color, e.g. red, can beseen above the surface of the liguid it has been put in, the user may concludethat it is in its open state.

According to a fourth aspect, a method for production of an aqueousdi|uted solution, is provided. The method of this fourth aspect comprises thesteps of: (i) providing a charged diluter, i.e. a diluter according to any aspectbeing in said closed state and charged with an internal composition beingequivalent to a composition to be di|uted; (ii) adding the charged diluter fromstep (i) to a container comprising water; (iii) awaiting transitioning from theclosed state to the open state of the diluter from step (ii); and (iv) stirring,shaking or swirling the container to obtain the desired aqueous di|uted solutionof the composition to be di|uted. Advantages of a method according to thisfourth aspect include, for example, the possibility of a user to carry out anaqueous dilution of a hazardeous concentrate, i.e. the internal composition ofthe diluter, to effectively obtain a non-hazardeous or less hazardeous di|utedvariant thereof, with a minimized risk of undesired exposure to hazardeousconcentrations of a wide variety of water-soluble chemicals, concentrates or thelike.

Further examples of the invention are defined in the dependent claims,wherein features for the second, third and fourth aspect of the disclosure are asfor the first aspect mutatis mutandis.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for safe dilution of hazardouswater-soluble concentrates by personnel not qualified for traditional proceduresfor dilution of such concentrates.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for safe storage and handling ofhazardous water-soluble concentrates.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a higher precision in the finalconcentration of a di|uted water-soluble concentrate.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a more environmentalfriendly process in the production-consumption chain of aqueous solutions asthe end-user product. lt should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when usedin this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings These and other aspects, features and advantages of which examples ofthe invention are capable of will be apparent and elucidated from the followingdescription of examples of the present invention, reference being made to theaccompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1A is a view from the side and proximal end of a diluter 1000 in aclosed state wherein the distal piston 210 is enclosed in the inner volume of auniformly tube shaped enclosing cylinder 100, further showing a distal opening110, a first proximal stopper 120, a second proximal stopper 130 provided witha plurality of stopper ducts 131 in the form of through holes, a double pistonelement 200 comprising the distal piston 210 mechanically attached and inspatial communication with a proximal piston 230 via an irregularly shaped solidpiston connector 220, a mass of granulated expanding absorbent 300 inbetween the proximal piston 230 and the first proximal stopper 120 within theenclosing cylinder 100, and an internal composition 400 partly filling the voidbetween distal piston 210 and the proximal piston 230, the remaining part ofwhich void is an air space 507, according to examples of the disclosure; Fig. 1B is a view of the diluter1000 of Fig. 1A, in which the same hastransitioned into an open state by water induced swelling of the expandingabsorbent 300 induced by entrance of water through the stopper ducts 131 ofthe second proximal stopper 130 and then via the first proximal stopper 120,whereby the double piston element 200 has been pushed in a distal direction torelease the distal piston 210 from the inner void of the enclosing cylinder 100while the corresponding proximal piston 230 remains therein, whereby theinternal composition 400 has partly leaked out to the surroundings through thedistal opening 110, according to examples of the invention; Fig. 2 is a demounted view of the diluter1000 of Fig. 1A from the side,showing from left to right the first proximal stopper 120, the expandingabsorbent 300 in a non-expanded dry or semi-dry form and the double pistonelement 200 (the not shown internal composition 400 may be introduced afterpartial mounting of the double piston element 200), in a suitable order by whichthese parts may be mounted, into an enclosing cylinder 100 with a pre-mountedsecond proximal stopper 130, through distal opening 110, to obtain a diluter1000 according to the invention, according to examples of the invention; Fig. 3A-D are views of the diluter 1000 of Fig. 1A after having beendropped in an aqueous liquid, e.g. water, having an aqueous surface 501,showing the diluter 1000 in (A) an essentially upwards pointing position in aclosed state, (B) in an open state after sub-maximal expansion of the expandingabsorbent 300, (C) in a tilting position in an open state after maximumexpansion of the expanding absorbent 300 after some of the aqueous liquid hasentered the internal volume of the enclosing cylinder 100 whereby dilution of theinternal composition 400 has been initiated, and (D) in a submerged positionrelative the aqueous surface 501 in an open state whereby dilution of theinternal composition 400 is continued, according to examples of the invention; Fig. 4A-D are views of a partly mounted diluter 1000 and Fig. 4E is a viewof the corresponding functional diluter 1000 of the invention after completemounting, showing (A) a double piston element 200 having a mechanic pistonconnector 220 and a bobber 504 and a sinker 503 integrated with its distalpiston 210 and its proximal piston 230, respectively, mounted in a maximumdistal position within an enclosing cylinder 100 having distal internal diameterbeing less than its proximal internal diameter, (B) the distal part of the internalvolume of the enclosing cylinder 100 having been partly filled through the distalopening 110 with an internal composition 400 leaving an air space 507, (C) thedouble piston element 200 having been pushed in a proximal direction to set thedistal piston 210 within the internal volume of the enclosing cylinder 100, (D) dryexpanding absorbent 300 having been provided proximally to the double pistonelement 200 and within the internal volume of the enclosing cylinder 100, and(E) a unit consisting of first proximal stopper 120 arranged in the inner space ofan enclosing second proximal stopper 130 having been screwed, glued or thelike to the proximal end of the enclosing cylinder 100, according to examples ofthe invention; Fig. 5A-B are views of the diluter 1000 of Fig. 1A, further comprising asinker 503 attached or integrated to/with the proximal piston 230, after havingbeen dropped in an aqueous liquid, e.g. water, having an aqueous surface 501,showing the diluter 1000 in (A) an essentially upwards pointing position partlyabove the aqueous surface 501 in a closed state, (B) in an open state afterexpansion of the expanding absorbent 300 whereby the diluter 1000 is tiltingand/or tumbling below the surface 501 and the internal composition 400 isdiluted in the aqueous liquid, according to examples of the invention; Fig. 6A-B are views of a diluter 1000 according to the invention,comprising a bobber 504 integrated with, attached to or being equivalent to a second proximal stopper 130 provided with stopper ducts 131 extending in adirection essentially perpendicular to the outer plane of the enclosing cylinder100 near or at the proximal end thereof to allow peripheral transfer of water tothe first proximal stopper 120, and a sinker 503 integrated with or attached tothe distal piston 210, having been dropped in a container comprising water orsimilar with an aqueous surface 501, showing the diluter 1000 (A) in a closedstate in a vertical direction having a part of its proximal end above the aqueoussurface 501, and (B) in an open state in a vertical direction fully submergedresiding with its distal end at the container bottom 505 and having its charge ofinternal composition 400 being diluted, according to examples of the invention;Fig. 7A-C are views of a diluter 1000 according to the invention,comprising a distal piston 210 in the form of a snap-lid attached to the outside ofthe enclosing cylinder 100 near or at the distal end thereof by a connector 506,having been dropped in a container comprising water or similar with an aqueoussurface 501, showing the diluter 1000 in (A) a closed state held in a verticaldirection by a floating power induced by the air space 507, in (B) a closed statewherein the expanding absorbent 300 has absorbed water whereby theproximal piston 230 has been pushed in a distal direction whereby the air space507 has been compressed whereby the pressure on the proximal side of thedistal piston 210 is substantially higher than on the corresponding distal side, in(C) the moment when the distal piston 210 detaches from the enclosing cylinder100 whereby the diluter 1000 enters an open state and the internal compositionviolently exits the distal opening 110, according to examples of the invention;Fig. 8A-C are views of a diluter 1000 according to the invention, comprising a distal piston 210 in the form of a snap-lid attached to the outside ofthe enclosing cylinder 100 near or at the distal end thereof by a connector 506,an intermediate piston 215 attached to the distal piston 210 and the proximalpiston 230 by piston strings 240, and a sinker 503 at the proximal end, havingbeen dropped in a container comprising water or similar with an aqueoussurface 501, showing the diluter 1000 in (A) a closed state wherein an internalcomposition 400 is arranged between the intermediate piston 215 and the distalpiston 210 and the expanding absorbent 300 has absorbed none or only minoramounts of water whereby the air space 507 between the intermediate piston215 and the proximal piston 230 has a first pressure, in (B) a closed statewherein the expanding absorbent 300 has absorbed substantial amounts ofwater whereby the proximal piston 230 has been pushed in a distal directionwhereby the air space 507 has been compressed whereby a second pressure thereof is higher than the first pressure, in (C) the moment when the distalpiston 210 and the intermediate piston 215 detaches from the enclosing cylinder100 whereby the diluter 1000 enters an open state and the internal compositionviolently exits the distal opening 110 mechanically aided by the distally movingintermediate piston 215, according to examples of the invention; andFig. 9 is a view of the diluter 1000 of Fig. 1A in an open state, showing the transfer of internal composition 400 from a syringe 502 via the distal opening110 to the inner volume of the enclosing cylinder 100 distally of the proximalpiston 230, according to examples of the invention.

Detailed Description Specific examples of the invention will now be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examplesset forth herein, rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure willbe thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention tothose skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of theexamples illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limitingof the invention. ln the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

The diluter 1000 of the invention essentially comprise an enclosingcylinder 100 with a distal opening 110, at one end, and a proximal stopper 130being provided with stopper ducts 131, at or near another end, a double pistonelement 200 and an expanding absorbent 300. ln a typical case of use, a diluter1000 charged with an internal composition 400, e.g. a concentrated aqueoussolution of one or several compounds such as e.g. an alkali metal hydroxide ora concentrated detergent, may be added through the opening of a containerpartly filled, e.g. filled 10 to 95% such as 80 to 95% of its maximum capacity,with an aqueous liquid, such as e.g. tap water or deionized water. Thecontainer, such as e.g. a plastic container equipped with a screw cap or similarand having a volume of e.g. 1 to 25 liters, may the be closed. After a waitingperiod under which the diluter 1000 is allowed to enter an open state, the closedcontainer may be shaken, swirled or the like to allow the thereby releasedinternal composition 400 to be homogenously diluted in the aqueous liquid. Thistypical case includes cases in which a hazardous internal composition 400 may lO be advantageously safely diluted to yield a non- or less hazardous aqueoussolution for direct application, such as e.g. for spraying on a surface to becleaned.

Upon contact, water enters through stopper ducts 131 of the secondproximal stopper 130 to reach the outer surface of the first proximal stopper 120at its proximal end (se for example Fig. 1A-B) or the peripheral part thereof (seefor example Fig. 6A-B). The second proximal stopper 130 and the stopper ducts131 thereof are suitably arranged to allow entrance of water into the diluter1000, while simultaneously preventing any part of the first proximal stopper 120or the expanding absorbent 300 to exit therefrom when the expandingabsorbent 300 increases in volume and pressure when absorbing water. Thestopper ducts 131 may consist of a singularity or plurality of passages, such ase.g. through holes having a diameter the range of 1 to 10 mm, or any othersuitable geometry as known by the skilled person. The first proximal stopper120 is selected from a suitable cohesive material with an ability to absorb waterfrom the stopper ducts 131 and transfer that water internally, e.g. by beingporous, to allow delivery to the expanding absorbent 300. Examples of suitablematerials include, but is not limited to, cellulose fibres, e.g. cotton, modifiedcellulose fibres, wettex® clothing and the like. The second proximal stopper 130may be an integral part of the enclosing cylinder 100. Such a monolithic unitmay advantageously be produced by injection molding. The first proximalstopper 120 and the second proximal stopper 130 may be separately producedas one integrated unit, e.g. by attaching the former within a central cavity at thedistal side of the latter (see for example Fig. 6A-B). Such an integrated unit orthe second proximal stopper 130 may be mounted in or at the proximal end ofthe enclosing cylinder in a production step, e.g. by press fitting, gluing, screwingby the aid of threads or by any other suitable means known to the skilledperson.

Water is transferred to the expanding absorbent 300 from the secondproximal stopper 130, whereby it absorbs such water and increases in volume.The expanding absorbent 300 may be a water absorbing sponge, e.g. apolyvinyl alcohol sponge, a polyurethane sponge, a cotton fiber sponge, alignocellulose sponge, and/or a chitosan sponge. lt may be a polymeric solid, asemisolid, a gel, granular, powdered or mixed or immobilized on a carrier in theform of suitable fibers, as well known in the art. The expanding absorbent 300may typically contain a superabsorbent polymer of the kind employed indisposable hygiene products. lt may be independently selected from or 11 comprise one or several of the group of absorbents consisting of sodiumpolyacrylate modified lignocellulose, chitosan modified lignocellulose, polyethermodified polyurethane, sodium polyacrylate modified styrene-butadiene rubber,polytetrahydrofuran modified butadiene rubber and acrylamide modifiedethylene-propylene rubber. The type, volume, pressure resistance andexpansion rate of the expanding absorbent 300 can be set as required bysuitable choice of type of absorbing polymer, its cross-linking and its mixing withsuitable excipients, as well known to the skilled person. As dependent on thespecific choice of expanding absorbent 300 and specific design of secondproximal stopper 130, the former may render the first proximal stopper 120obsolete as a separate element. For example, the expanding absorbent 300may be coherent in a wet as well as dry state, such that no residues or partsthereof are released from the interior of the diluter, via stopper ducts 131, to theexternal environment, e.g. surrounding water. The first proximal stopper 120and the expanding absorbent 300 are then to be understood as two integratedparts referred to as “expanding absorbent 300”.

The expanding absorbent 300 is residing withing the internal volume of theenclosing cylinder 100, distal to or in conjugation with the second proximalstopper 120 and proximal to the proximal piston 230. When the expandingabsorbent 300 increases in volume, the proximal piston 230 is pushed fon/vards,i.e. in a distal direction within the enclosing cylinder 100, due to its movabilityand sealing against the inner surface thereof. The proximal piston 230 is, uponmovement, communicating a force to the distal piston 210. The distal piston 210will thereby also, in a continuous fashion or suddenly, be pushed forward. lnsome embodiments, such a force is primarily communicated mechanicallythrough a solid element connecting the distal end of the proximal piston 230with the proximal end of the distal piston 210 (see for example Fig. 1A-B, Fig. 2,Fig. 3A-D, Fig. 4A-E, Fig. 5A-B, Fig. 6A-B and Fig. 9). Such a solid elementmay be equivalent with the internal composition 400, when being a solid, e.g. apowder or free floating crystalline material. ln other embodiments, such a forceis communicated primarily through a hydraulic connection, in which the internalcomposition 400 is a liquid, thus being equivalent with a hydraulic liquid. ln yetother embodiments, such a force is communicated through a combinedhydraulic and pneumatic connection, in which the internal composition 400 is aliquid, being equivalent with a hydraulic liquid, and the air space 507 beingequivalent with a pneumatic gas (see for example Fig. 7A-C and Fig. A-C). Theelement by which such a force is communicated, between the proximal piston 12 230 and the distal piston 210, may herein be referred to as “piston connector220”, independent on the mechanism by which the force is communicated. Theproximal piston 230, the distal piston 210 and the piston connector 220, mayherein collectively be referred to as “double piston element 200”.

When the distal piston 210, or at least an effective part thereof, is residingwithin the internal volume of the enclosing cylinder 100, the diluter is in a closedstate. ln such a closed state, the internal composition 400 is residing within thespace defined by the distal side of the proximal piston 230, the proximal side ofthe distal piston 210 and the enclosing cylinder 100. Hence, the internalcomposition 400 is sealed from the outer environment in such a closed state.When, however, the distal piston 210 is pushed fon/vard beyond the distalopening 110, the internal composition 400 is in a communicative relationshipwith the outer environment and may enter the same via the distal opening 110.The diluter 1000 is then in an open state. The amount of expanding absorbent300 and other relevant parameters, e.g. dimensions of constituting parts of thediluter 1000, are adapted such by the skilled person that the proximal piston230 may never be pushed beyond the distal opening 110, to prevent any part ofthe internal composition 400 entering the outer environment under normal use.

The teachings of this disclosure enables a user, with a minimized risk ofhazardous exposure, to prepare an aqueous diluted solution by utilizing a diluter1000 of the invention, being pre-charged with an internal composition 400, e.g.during external production thereof. The user may ad the pre-charged diluter1000 to water, such as e.g. 900 ml of deionized water in container, such as e.g.a one-liter plastic container, followed by closing the container, such as with asealing screw-on spray handle. When the user, after a waiting period, e.g. of 5minutes to an hour, detects that the diluter 1000 has entered the open state,e.g. by noting a change in orientation or positioning within the container, theuser may shake or swirl the container to yield a homogenous diluted solution.

The teachings of this disclosure enables a producer to produce pre-charged diluters 1000 according to the invention. Such a producer may, forexample: (i) provide a combination of a suitable enclosing cylinder 100, asuitable first proximal stopper 120, a suitable second proximal stopper 130 anda suitable expanding absorbent 300 with a suitable proximal piston 230, in theinternal volume thereof, while keeping the corresponding distal piston 210outside; (ii) provide a suitable internal composition 400 within the internalvolume of the enclosing cylinder 100 distal to the proximal piston 230 (see forexample Fig. 9); and (iii) provide the enclosing cylinder 100 with the distal piston 13 210 in the internal volume of the enclosing cylinder 100 distally to the internalcomposition 400, e.g. by applying a proximal force to the distal piston 210.According to one embodiment, the diluter 1000 may comprise a sinker 503, having a density exceeding the density of the water or equivalent aqueousliquid the diluter 1000 is intended to be used in. The sinker 503 may bearranged in or on a suitable part of the diluter 1000 such that the diluter 1000arranges its central axis essentially vertically when in the closed state and whenfloating or being submerged. The skilled person will readily understand how toselect and arrange such a sinker 503, in relation to all other elements of thediluter 1000, in order to achieve the desired effect, e.g. for securing the desiredentrance of water through the stopper ducts 131 in the closed state, for enablingdesired facile exit of the internal composition 400 in the open state and/or forvisually signaling the state of the diluter 1000 to a user.

According to one embodiment, the diluter 1000 may comprise a bobber504, having a density being less than the density of the water or equivalentaqueous liquid the diluter 1000 is intended to be used in. The bobber 504 maybe arranged in or on a suitable part of the diluter 1000 such that a part of thediluter 1000 is above the surface, when being in the closed state, and fullybelow the surface, when being in the open state. The skilled person will readilyunderstand how to select and arrange such a bobber 504, in relation to all otherelements of the diluter 1000, in order to achieve the desired effect, e.g. forsecuring the desired entrance of water through the stopper ducts 131 in theclosed state, for enabling desired facile exit of the internal composition 400 inthe open state and/or for visually signaling the state of the diluter 1000 to auser According to one embodiment, the diluter 1000 may comprise a sinker 503and a bobber 504, having a density being greater than and less, respectively,than the density of the water or equivalent aqueous liquid the diluter 1000 isintended to be used in. The sinker 503 and the bobber 504 may be arranged inor on suitable parts of the diluter 1000 such that a part of the diluter 1000 isabove the surface, when being in the closed state, and fully below the surface,when being in the open state. And such that such that the diluter 1000 arrangesits central axis essentially vertically when in the closed state and optionallywhen being in the open state. The skilled person will readily understand how toselect and arrange such a sinker 503 and bobber 504, in relation to all other 14 elements of the diluter 1000, in order to achieve the desired effect, e.g. forsecuring the desired entrance of water through the stopper ducts 131 in theclosed state, for enabling desired facile exit of the internal composition 400 inthe open state and/or for visually signaling the state of the diluter 1000 to auser According to one embodiment, the diluter 1000 may further comprise anintermediate piston 215 adapted to form a gas- and liquid tight seal against theinner surface of the enclosing cylinder 100 and to be movable along a centralaxis thereof, when residing in the inner volume thereof. The intermediate piston215 may be located in the inner volume of the enclosing cylinder 100, proximalof the distal piston 210 and distal of the proximal piston 230, when in the closedstate. The proximal piston 230 and the distal piston 210 may be, when residingin the inner volume of the enclosing cylinder 100, in pneumatic- or hydraulicconnection with each via the intermediate piston 215. The distal piston 210 maybe adapted to intermittently, i.e. suddenly, disconnect from the inner surface ofthe enclosing cylinder 100 at a predefined pressure difference between thedistal and proximal end of the distal piston 210. Advantages such anintermediate piston 215 brings about include, for example, a more complete andsudden release of the internal composition 400 to the surrounding aqueousliquid upon entering the open state.

According to one embodiment, the distal piston 210 of the diluter1000may be arranged as a snap-lid, adapted to suddenly release from the enclosingcylinder 100 at a predefined delta-pressure (see for example Fig. 7A-C and Fig.8A-C). A bendable or resilient connector 506 may be arranged between thedistal piston 210 and the enclosing cylinder 100 to keep the diluter 1000 as oneunit also in the open state.

According to one embodiment, one, several or all parts of the diluter 1000are made of a polymeric material independently selected from the group ofpolymeric materials consisting of polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyacrylate,polymethyl methacrylate, polyetheretherketone, polystyrene, polyethylene andteflone.

According to one embodiment, deionized water, e.g. water with a TDSbeing less than 5 mg/l, such as less than 1 mg/I or less than 0.1 mg/l, may be used for achieving transition from the closed to the open state. Advantages ofusing such deionized water, in comparison to e.g. water with a higher mineralcontent such as tap water, include a better swelling of the expanding absorbent300.

The present invention has been described above with reference to specificexamples. However, other examples than the above described are equallypossible within the scope of the invention. The different features and steps ofthe invention may be combined in other combinations than those described.The scope of the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims. l\/lore generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that allparameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein aremeant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applicationsfor which the teachings of the present invention is/are used.

Claims (10)

Claims

1. A diluter (1000), for protecting a user from exposure of an internalcomposition (400) in a closed state of said diluter (1000) and for releasing saidinternal composition (400) to an aqueous environment in an open state of saiddiluter (1000), comprising an enclosing cylinder (100), a double piston element(200) and an expanding absorbent (300), wherein - said enclosing cylinder (100) has a distal opening (110) at its distal end, asecond proximal stopper (130) at its proximal end, and a first proximal stopper(120) immediately distal to or withing an inner volume of said second proximalstopper (130); - said second proximal stopper (130) being provided with a singularity orplurality of stopper ducts (131) adapted to allow aqueous transfer from theexternal surrounding to the proximal end or periphery of said first proximalstopper (120); - said first proximal stopper (120), being a porous or aqueous permeablestructure adapted to allow aqueous transfer from said stopper ducts (131) to theproximal end of said expanding absorbent (300) and to prevent transfer of saidexpanding absorbent (300) to said stopper ducts (131); - said expanding absorbent (300), being a polymeric solid, semisolid or gel,adapted to absorb water and to expand in volume upon doing so, and beingarranged withing the internal volume of said enclosing cylinder (100)immediately distal of or in conjugation with said second proximal stopper (120)and proximal of the proximal end of said double piston element (200); - said double piston element (200) comprise a proximal piston (230), at itsproximal end, and a distal piston (210), at its distal end, said proximal piston(230) and said distal piston (210) being adapted to form a gas- and liquid tightseal against the inner surface of said enclosing cylinder (100) and to bemovable along a central axis thereof, when residing in the inner volume thereof;- said proximal piston (230) and said distal piston (210) being, when residing inthe inner volume of said enclosing cylinder (100), in mechanic- pneumatic- orhydraulic connection with each other via a piston connector (220) selected fromthe group of piston connectors consisting of mechanic connectors, an air space(507) or said internal composition (400), respectively; - when in said closed state, said distal piston (210) being at least partly residingwithin the inner volume of said enclosing cylinder (100), whereby said internal composition (400) is prevented from exiting through said dista| opening (110);and - when in said open state, said proximal piston (230) residing within the innervolume of said enclosing cylinder (100) and said dista| piston (210) residingoutside the inner volume of said enclosing cylinder (100), whereby said internalcomposition (400) is allowed exiting to the surrounding through said dista|opening (110).

2. A diluter (1000) according to claim 1, wherein said second proximal stopper(130) and said enclosing cylinder (100) are integral parts of one monolithic unit.

3. A diluter (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein saidsingularity or plurality of stopper ducts (131) being a plurality of through holes,independently having a diameter in the range of 1 to 10 mm.

4. A diluter (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, furthercomprising a sinker (503) and adapted such that said diluter (1000) is arrangingits central axis essentially vertically, when being in said closed state and whensaid diluter (1000) is immersed in water or an equivalent aqueous liquid,wherein said sinker (503) having a density exceeding the density of said wateror equivalent aqueous liquid.

5. A diluter (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, furthercomprising a bobber (504) and adapted such that a part of said diluter (1000) isabove the surface, when being in said closed state, and fully below the surface,when being in said open state, when said diluter (1000) is immersed in water oran equivalent aqueous liquid, wherein said bobber (504) having a density beingless than the density of said water or equivalent aqueous liquid.

6. A diluter (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, furthercomprising an intermediate piston (215) adapted to form a gas- and liquid tightseal against the inner surface of said enclosing cylinder (100) and to bemovable along a central axis thereof, when residing in the inner volume thereof,wherein - said intermediate piston (215) being located in the inner volume of saidenclosing cylinder (100), proximal of said dista| piston (210) and dista| of saidproximal piston (230), when said diluter (1000) being in said closed state; - said proximal piston (230) and said dista| piston (210) being, when residing inthe inner volume of said enclosing cylinder (100), in pneumatic- or hydraulicconnection with each via said intermediate piston (215); and - said dista| piston (210) being adapted to intermittently disconnect from theinner surface of said enclosing cylinder (100) at a predefined pressuredifference between the dista| and proximal end of said dista| piston (210).

7. A diluter (1000) according to claims 1 to 5, wherein said piston connector(220) is a mechanic connector.

8. A diluter (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, furthercomprising a bendable or resilient connector (506) attached in one end to saiddista| piston (210) and in the other end to said enclosing cylinder (100).

9. A method for production of a diluter (1000) according to any one of thepreceding claims, comprising the steps of: (i) providing said enclosing cylinder (100) with said proximal piston (230) in theinternal volume of said enclosing cylinder (100) and said dista| piston (210)outside the internal volume of said enclosing cylinder (100); (ii) providing said internal composition (400) within the internal volume of saidenclosing cylinder (100) dista| to said proximal piston (230); and (iii) providing said enclosing cylinder (100) with said dista| piston (210) in theinternal volume of said enclosing cylinder (100) dista| to said internalcomposition (400).

10. A method for production of an aqueous diluted solution, comprising thesteps of: (i) Providing a charged diluter, being a diluter (1000) according to any one ofclaims 1 to 8 being in said closed state and comprising said internalcomposition (400) equivalent to a composition to be diluted; (ii) Adding the charged diluter from step (i) to a container comprising water; (iii) Awaiting transitioning from said closed state to said open state of the diluterfrom step (ii); (iv) stirring, shaking or swirling said container to obtain said aqueous dilutedsolution of said composition to be diluted.