WO2013132373A1

WO2013132373A1 - Straw for flexible packages, particularly for enteral nutrition liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2013132373A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/051348
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Tamarindo
Original assignee: Guala Pack S.P.A.
Priority date: 2012-03-09
Filing date: 2013-02-19
Publication date: 2013-09-12
Also published as: CN104244904A; ITBS20120034A1; PL2822524T3; EP2822524A1; CN104244904B; EP2822524B1

Abstract

A straw (4) for flexible packages for enteral nutrition, suitable for being coupled to a needle (100), comprises a main wall (18b) which extends along a main axis (X) defining an inner duct (18a), terminating in a mouth (34) and a connection template (50) positioned in the inner duct (18a) so as to partially obstruct it, having a cross-shaped opening (56) for the insertion with a shaped coupling of a stem (110) of the needle (100).

Description

DESCRIPTION

"STRAW FOR FLEXIBLE PACKAGES, PARTICULARLY FOR ENTERAL

NUTRITION LIQUIDS"

[0001] The present invention relates to a straw for flexible packages, particularly for packages destined to contain liquids for enteral nutrition, that is to say liquids rich in nutritive substances for feeding people affected by diseases not permitting normal feeding through the mouth.

[0002] The packages containing the nutritive liquid are provided with a rigid straw, in which a needle is inserted connected to one end of a flexible tube, the other end of which is inserted in the stomach.

[0003] Enteral nutrition is by now so widely diffused that the connection of the tube to the packaging is performed both by trained staff within hospitals and by untrained staff when treatment is performed at the patient's home.

[0004] This unfortunately entails some drawbacks.

[0005] Often people affected by diseases such as to have to resort to enteral nutrition are connected to a number of medical devices, for example as well as to the package for enteral nutrition, to a drip, electronic diagnostic devices and the like, all connected to the patient's body by cables and tubes.

[0006] The risk therefore exists of incurring in error, an,d mistaking for example the connections of the tubes to the respective packages. For example, it has unfortunately happened that the package of the enteral liquid destined for enteral nutrition has been connected to the tube of a drip. This has lethal consequences on the patient.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to make a straw for flexible packages, particularly destined to contain nutritive liquid for enteral nutrition, which satisfies the aforementioned requirements and overcomes the drawbacks spoken of.

[0008] Such purpose is achieved by a straw according to claim 1.

[0009] The characteristics and advantages of the straw according to the present invention will be evident from the following description, made by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein :

[0010] - figures la to Id show a filling and sealing sequence of a flexible package provided with a straw according to the present invention;

[0011] -figure 2 shows a straw according to the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment;

[0012] -figure 3 shows a ground view of the straw in figure 2, from the side of the mouth;

[0013]- figure 4 is a cross-section view of the straw in figure 2 according to the cross-section plane IV-IV in figure 3;

[0014] - figure 5 is a cross-section view of the straw in figure 2 according to the cross-section plane V-V in figure 3;

[0015] figure 6 shows a side view of a needle suitable for being inserted in the straw according to the present invention;

[0016] -figure 7 shows a ground view of the needle in figure 6;

[0017] - figure 8 shows a cross-section view of the needle in figure 6 according to the cross-section plane VIII- VIII in figure 7; and

[0018] - figure 9 shows a cross-section view of the needle in figure 6, according to the cross-section plane IX-IX in figure 7.

[0019] With reference to the appended drawings, reference numeral 1 globally denotes an assembly consisting of a flexible package 2 for containing a liquid, particularly a liquid for enteral nutrition, and a straw 4 for the exit of the liquid from the package.

[0020] In particular the package 2 is of the type made from two facing walls 6., 8 connected by gusset sides 10; the two walls 6, 8 are sealed together and along the upper edge 12 the straw 4 is inserted, attached by bonding. [0021] The assembly formed of the package and of the straw (figure la) is usually made in a first plant and then transported to the filling and sealing plant (figures lb to Id) .

[0022] In particular the package 2 is filled, depending on the forecast uses, with nutritive liquid for enteral nutrition; the liquid is introduced into the package through the straw 4 (figure lb) .

[0023] Subsequently, the assembly 1 is fitted with an irremovable membrane 14, bonded to the mouth of the straw (figure lc) .

[0024] Lastly, the assembly with membrane is fitted with a protective cap 16, for example suitable for being screwed to the straw, which covers the membrane (figure Id) .

[0025] The straw consists of a tubular body which extends along a main axis X, fitted with an inner duct 18a, delimited annularly by a main wall 18b.

[0026] Preferably, the tubular body is made in one piece, by moulding, from plastic material, such as a polymers belonging to the polyolefin family.

[0027] The straw 4 comprises a connection portion 20 suitable for inserting between walls 6, 8 of the flexible package 2, and an active portion 22, which is a continuation of the connection portion 20, projecting from the package . [0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the active portion 22 comprises an abutment plate 24, projecting externally from the main wall 18b. The abutment plate 24 delimits the connection portion 20 and is suitable for forming an abutment for the walls 6, 8, useful during the insertion of the straw in the package for making the assembly 1.

[0029] Furthermore, the active portion 22 comprises a first auxiliary plate 26, axially distanced from the abutment plate 24, projecting externally from the main wall 18b, for example having more limited overall dimensions than the abutment plate.

[0030] Lastly, preferably, the active portion 22 comprises a second auxiliary plate 28, axially distanced from the first auxiliary plate 26, projecting externally from the main wall 18b, preferably having dimensions greater than the first auxiliary plate.

[0031] Said auxiliary plates may be used for handling of the assembly, for example for the storage thereof in loading containers.

[0032] Furthermore, the active portion 22 comprises an annular safety portion 30, to make a guarantee seal engaged with a safety ring of the protective cap 16, and a threading 32 for the screwing of said cap 16.

[0033] The main wall 18b ends with a mouth 34 for access to the inner duct 18a, delimited annularly by a support crown 36.

[0034] The straw 4 comprises a connection template 50, which forms a partial obstruction of the end section of the inner duct 18a, next to the mouth 34, suitable for forming a shaped coupling with a stem 110 of a needle 100.

[0035] The template 50 is recessed in relation to the crown 36 of the main wall 18b for example by a predefined length 52, such as to permit the application and optimal bonding of the membrane 14 to be applied to the straw.

[0036] The template 50 comprises a septum 54, preferably made in one piece with the tubular body of the straw, configured so as to make a cross-shaped opening 56 for the insertion of the stem 110 of the needle 100.

[0037] Preferably, the cross-shaped opening 56 is positioned axial symmetrically to the. main axis X of the straw.

[0038] The septum 54 comprises first tracts 58 internally defined by a flat surface, projecting inwardly from the main wall 18a; said first tracts are for example parallel in pairs, converging towards the centre of the aperture.

[0039] The septum 54 further comprises connection tracts 60, preferably arched, defining an inwardly concave surface, which joins the first tracts to each other. [0040] Preferably, moreover, the cross-shaped opening 56 is surrounded by lateral apertures 62, from which it is separated by said septum 54, which form the intake of ducts communicating with the inner duct 18a.

[0041] Advantageously, said lateral ducts facilitate the rapid filling of the package with the nutritive liquid.

[0042] The straw 4 is suitable for being coupled to the needle 100 for use of the nutritive liquid.

[0043] In particular the needle 100 comprises the stem 110, externally shaped to form a shaped coupling with the cross-shaped opening 56 of the straw 4.

[0044] The needle and the straw are reciprocally engaged so as to be airtight, for example by means of a gasket.

[0045] Moreover, the needle 100 comprises an attachment portion 120 for the connection to the tube to be introduced into the stomach.

[0046] According to one embodiment variation (not shown) , the straw is provided with references for the .correct positioning of the stem of the needle relative to the cross-shaped opening, so that, when the membrane is broken by the needle, the stem thereof is inserted without difficulty in the cross-shaped opening.

[0047] According to a further embodiment variation, the membrane 14 applicable to the straw 4 is provided with references for the correct positioning of the stem 110 of the needle 100 relative to the cross-shaped opening 56.

[0048] For example, such references on the membrane consist of a picture of the cross-shaped opening shown on the visible surface of the membrane.

[0049] Innovatively, the straw according to the present invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks spoken of, it that it only permits a needle having an appropriately shaped stem to be inserted in the duct.

[0050] Advantageously, in addition, the structure of the straw is particularly simple, inasmuch as composed of a single piece.

[0051] It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make modifications to the straw described above so as to satisfy contingent requirements all contained within the sphere of protection as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Straw (4) for a flexible package (2), suitable for being coupled to a needle (100), comprising:

- a main wall (18b) which extends along a main axis (X) by defining an inner duct (18a) and terminates in a mouth

(34) ;

- a connection template (50) positioned in the inner duct (18a) so as to partially obstruct it, having a cross- shaped opening (56) for the insertion with a shaped coupling -of a stem (110) of the needle (100).

2. Straw according to claim 1, made in one piece of a plastic material, such as a polymer belonging to the polyolefin family.

3. Straw according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the template (50) is recessed for a predefined length (52) in relation to a crown (36) of the main wall (18b) .

4. Straw according to any of the previous claims, wherein the template (50) comprises a septum (54) which defines the cross-shaped opening (56) .

5. Straw according to claim 4, wherein the septum (54) comprises first tracts (58) internally defined by a flat surface, projecting inwardly from the main wall (18a) .

6. Straw according to claim 5, wherein said first tracts are parallel in pairs.

7. Straw according to claim 5 or 6, wherei the septum (54) comprises connection tracts (60) which join the first tracts (58) to each other.

8. Straw according to claim 7, wherein the connection tracts are defined by an inwardly concave surface.

9. Straw according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cross-shaped opening (56) is surrounded by lateral apertures (62), from which it is separated by said septum (54), which form the intake of ducts communicating with the inner duct (18a) .

10. Straw according to any of the previous claims, comprising a connection portion (20) suitable for being inserted between walls (6, 8) of a flexible package (2) , and an active portion (22) which is a continuation of the connection portion (20) .

11. Assembly (1) comprising;

a flexible package (2) for containing a liquid, comprising two walls (6, 8) facing and connected by gusset sides (10);

a straw according to any of the previous claims, inserted in an edge (12) of the package.

12. Assembly according to claim 11, comprising a membrane (14) irremovable except by damaging it, which closes the mouth (34) .

13. Assembly according to claim 12, comprising a protective cap (16) suitable for being joined to the straw, for example by screwing.

14. Group comprising:

- an assembly (1) according to any of the claims from 11 to 13;

- a needle (100) fitted with a stem (110) suitable for being inserted with a shaped coupling into the straw (4) of the assembly (1) .

15. Group according to claim 14, wherein the needle and the straw may be coupled tight.