WO2003068135A1

WO2003068135A1 - Double-chamber vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2003068135A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/001600
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hiroshi Yamada; Kenji Morishima; Yoichi Kawashima; Minoru Honda; Masaki Ikenoue; Manabu Fujimoto; Toyoaki Suzuki
Original assignee: Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Nipro Corporation; Fujimori Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-02-14
Filing date: 2003-02-14
Publication date: 2003-08-21
Also published as: JPWO2003068135A1; JP4469611B2; AU2003211201A1

Abstract

A double-chamber vessel (1) comprising a flexible vessel main body (10) that can be easily deformed by pressure, the main body having at least an empty chamber (12) communicating with the outside through a port (30), and a large chamber (13) liquid-tightly separated from the small chamber by an openable second partition wall (22). The small and large chambers receive a first liquid and a second liquid, respectively, and the first liquid reception ratio of the small chamber with respect to the maximum receivable volume is sufficiently lower than the second liquid reception ratio of the large chamber with respect to the maximum receivable volume. According to this arrangement of the double-chamber vessel, while effectively preventing the pre-mixing discharge of the separately received liquids, the post-mixing discharge of the liquids can be easily effected.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a multi-chamber container configured to individually store a plurality of liquids and mix and discharge the plurality of liquids when used. Light

Background art

A plurality of liquids are stored in a separated state, and the liquids are mixed at the time of use.

Various types of liquid separation storage containers configured to be capable of being discharged after being discharged have been conventionally proposed.

As such a liquid separation storage container, for example, a first chamber and a second chamber which are separated from each other in a liquid-tight manner by a partition made of a heat seal, and either one of the first chamber or the second chamber (for example, The first chamber is provided with a port capable of communicating with the outside, and a container configured so that the partition is opened by pressing either the first chamber or the second chamber is widely used. I have.

In this general-purpose container, since the port communicates with the first chamber, there is a danger that only the liquid contained in the first chamber will be discharged from the port due to an erroneous operation.

On the other hand, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-32-798 proposes a container having an empty space between the port and the first chamber.

The container attempts to solve the problems of the general-purpose container due to the presence of the empty room, but has the following inconveniences.

That is, in the container described in the above publication, the sealing strength of the first partition separating the first chamber and the vacant chamber is equal to the sealing strength of the second partition separating the first chamber and the second chamber, or More than that.

In such a container, after the second partition is opened by increasing the internal pressure of the liquid contained in the second chamber by pressing the second chamber with a predetermined pressing force, the first partition is opened. 03 01600

At the time of opening, it is necessary to press the communication chamber of the first chamber and the second chamber with a pressing force that is much larger than the predetermined pressing force.

That is, since the sealing strength of the first partition ≥ the sealing strength of the second partition, the communication between the first and second chambers is smaller than the internal pressure of the liquid contained in the second chamber required to open the second partition. Unless the internal pressure of the liquid mixture in the room is increased, the first partition will not be opened.

Further, the container described in this publication does not consider the mixing efficiency of the liquid contained in the first chamber and the liquid contained in the second chamber, that is, the fact that the two are quickly and reliably mixed.

The present invention relates to a multi-chamber container configured to store a plurality of liquids in a separated state and mix and discharge the plurality of liquids at the time of use, and to effectively discharge the stored liquid before mixing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-chamber container which can prevent the liquid after mixing and easily discharge the mixed liquid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-chamber container capable of efficiently and quickly mixing a plurality of liquids housed in a separated state. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention provides a multi-chamber container provided with a flexible container main body that can be easily deformed by pressing and a port for communicating the internal space of the container main body with the outside to achieve the above object. The container body may include at least an empty chamber that communicates with the outside via the port, a small chamber that is separated from the empty chamber in a liquid-tight manner by an openable first partition, and an openable second partition. A large chamber separated from the small chamber in a liquid-tight manner, wherein the small chamber and the large chamber respectively contain a first liquid and a second liquid, and a maximum storable volume of the small chamber. The present invention provides a multi-chamber container in which the storage ratio of the first liquid to the second liquid is sufficiently smaller than the storage ratio of the second liquid to the maximum storable volume of the large chamber.

According to the multi-chamber container having such a configuration, the first partition and the second partition are effectively prevented from opening when the small chamber is pressed, and the second partition is easily opened when the large chamber is pressed. be able to. Therefore, the mixed liquid can be easily discharged while preventing only the first liquid from being discharged from the small chamber.

Further, according to the multi-chamber container of the present invention, when mixing the first liquid and the second liquid, the large volume of the second liquid contained in the large chamber flows into the small chamber and flows into the small chamber. Since the liquid is mixed with the first liquid stored in the room, both can be mixed efficiently and quickly.

Preferably, the maximum storable volume of the small room is 1 Z 10 or less of the maximum storable volume of the large room.

Preferably, the first partition can be more easily opened than the second partition.

In one embodiment, the first and second partitions can be formed by heat sealing.

More preferably, the surface area of the part forming the small chamber can be set to be 以下 or less of the surface area of the part forming the large chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a process chart showing a method for manufacturing the container shown in FIG. The best mode for carrying out the invention

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a multi-chamber container according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a multi-chamber container according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II in FIG.

The multi-chamber container 1 according to the present embodiment communicates a bag-shaped main body 10 configured to be capable of storing liquid therein in a liquid-tight manner, and an internal storage space of the main body and the outside. A port 30 functioning as an outlet.

At least one surface of the main body 10 is formed using a flexible film, and by pressing the flexible film, the internal housing space is compressed and housed. It is configured so that the internal pressure of the liquid can be increased.

The main body 10 is, for example, a four-sided seal formed by laminating two films and sealing the outer periphery, or a three-sided seal formed by folding one film and sealing the remaining three sides. Further, various aspects can be taken such as a double-sided seal formed by folding both sides of one film, sealing the two sides together, and sealing the upper side and the lower side.

In the present embodiment, the main body 10 is of a four-sided sealing type in which one side (front surface film 2) and the other side (back surface film 3) of two films are overlapped and each side is sealed. I have.

Naturally, the main body 10 is not limited to a rectangular shape in a front view as shown in the figure, but may take various shapes.

Further, the film sealing method may take various forms, but from the viewpoint of ease of production and control of sealing strength, preferably, a heat seal can be employed.

When the heat sealing is adopted, the film is provided with a heat sealing material such as polyethylene or polypropylene on at least the inner peripheral surface. Naturally, the film may have a single-layer structure or a laminated structure as long as the film has a heat-sealing material on the inner peripheral surface.

The main body 10 comprises at least a chamber 11 communicating with the outside through the port 30 and a small chamber 1 which is liquid-tightly separated from the chamber 11 by a releasable first partition 21. 2 and a large chamber 13 which is liquid-tightly separated from the small chamber 12 by an openable second partition 22.

Such a multi-chamber container 1 can be used for various applications, for example, can be suitably used for an infusion solution, an intraocular perfusion solution, and the like. Further, the sum of the first liquid and the second liquid is 1 It can be more suitably used if it is not more than 000 m 1, especially not more than 500 m 1. Here, the maximum storable volumes of the small room 12 and the large room 13 are defined as an X volume and a Y volume, respectively. That is, the small chambers 12 and the large chambers 13 are configured so as to be able to accommodate a maximum, X volume and Y volume of liquid, respectively.

Preferably, the small chamber 12 and the large chamber 13 have the X volume equal to the Y volume. / 10 or less. More preferably, the small chambers 12 and the large chambers 13 are configured such that the volume ratio between the X volume and the Y volume is 10: 100 to 1: 100.

The small chamber 12 contains a first liquid in a predetermined amount (hereinafter referred to as X volume). On the other hand, the large chamber 13 contains a predetermined amount of the second liquid (hereinafter, referred to as y volume).

Further, in the multi-chamber container 1 according to the present embodiment, the storage ratio x / X of the liquid amount X actually stored in the small chamber 12 with respect to the volume X is actually stored in the large chamber 13. The capacity ratio y of the liquid volume y to the volume Y is made smaller than y / Y.

That is, comparing the small room 12 and the large room 13, the small room 12 contains a relatively large amount of gas in addition to the first liquid, while the large room contains: In addition to the second liquid, a relatively small amount of gas or substantially only the second liquid is contained.

In the multi-chamber container 1 having such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained. That is, first, when the user presses the small chamber 12, as described above, the small chamber 12 has a storage ratio X with respect to the volume X of the actually stored liquid amount X as described above.

/ X is sufficiently smaller than the volume ratio y / Y of the liquid amount y actually contained in the large chamber 13 to the volume Y. The film is less nervous and the internal pressure is less likely to be applied. In some cases, the front and back films may come into contact before internal pressure is applied. As a result, unintended opening of the first partition 21 is prevented.

When a relatively large amount of gas is stored in the small chamber 12, when the gas and the liquid are compared, the former is easier to flow, and the pressing force on the small chamber 12 contributes to the increase in the internal pressure of the small chamber. Difficult to do. Therefore, even if the small chamber 12 is pressed, the internal pressure of the first liquid does not rise effectively, and as a result, the first partition 21 and the second partition 22 are prevented from being opened unintendedly.

On the other hand, in the large room 13, since the accommodation ratio y ZY is large, the film is easily tensioned by a slight pressure, and the internal pressure is easily applied. And liquid for gas When the ratio of the body (second liquid) is high, the pressing force on the large chamber 13 tends to contribute to the increase in the internal pressure of the large chamber 13. Therefore, when the large chamber 13 is pressed, the internal pressure of the second liquid rises relatively easily, whereby the second partition 22 is opened.

Thus, in the multi-chamber container 1 according to the present embodiment, when the small chamber 12 is pressed, the first partition 21 and the second partition 22 are not opened, and when the large chamber 13 is pressed. The second partition 22 is opened. Therefore, the first and second liquids can be easily mixed while effectively preventing the discharge of only the first liquid.

Further, in the present embodiment, when mixing the first and second liquids, the second partition is opened from the large chamber 13 side, so that a large amount of the second liquid is stored in the small chamber 1. Will flow into 2. Therefore, the first and second liquids can be efficiently and rapidly mixed.

After the small room 12 and the large room 13 are connected, the maximum capacity of the communication space is (X + Y), and the actual amount of the mixed liquid is (X + y). .

The storage ratio (x + y) / (X + Y) of the mixed liquid amount (x + y) with respect to the volume (X + Y) is smaller than the storage ratio yZY of the large room 13 but small room 1 2 Capacity ratio x ZX.

Therefore, the first partition 21 is relatively easily opened by pressing the communication space.

Preferably, the surface area of the small chamber 12 can be set to 12 or less of the surface area of the large chamber 13. More preferably, the small chamber 12 and the large chamber 13 have a surface area ratio of 15 to 40: 100, that is, a portion of the flexible film that constitutes the small chamber 12 and the The surface area ratio of the parts constituting the large chamber 13 can be configured to be 15 to 40: 100, so that the large chamber 13 is pressed more than the small chamber 12 by the user. It can be configured to be easier. In a further preferred embodiment, the first partition 21 can be made a weaker seal than the second partition 22. That is, assuming that the internal pressure of the stored liquid (second liquid) at the time of opening the second partition 22 is the second internal pressure, the first partition 21 has a first internal pressure lower than the second internal pressure. It can be configured to open. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the ease of opening when the communication space is pressed to open the first partition 21 after the small room 12 and the large room 13 are communicated.

That is, the accommodation ratio (x + y) / (X + Y) of the mixed liquid amount (x + y) is smaller than the accommodation ratio y ZY of the large room 13 as described above. Therefore, the internal pressure of the mixed liquid is less likely to increase as compared with the increase in the internal pressure of the second liquid contained in the large chamber 13, and it becomes somewhat difficult to open the first partition 21.

On the other hand, if the first partition 21 is made weaker than the second partition 22, the first partition 21 can be easily opened.

Furthermore, if the surface area of the large chamber 13 is set to be at least twice as large as the surface area of the small chamber 12 and the first partition 21 is made weaker than the second partition 22, the following specific effects can be obtained. Obtainable.

That is, since the large room 13 is easier to press than the small room 12, the user first presses the large room 13.

Here, a pressing force that generates the “internal pressure of the contained liquid (second liquid)” (hereinafter, referred to as a second internal pressure) required to open the second partition 22 is referred to as a second pressing force.

When the user presses the large chamber 13 with the second pressing force, the second partition 22 is opened, and the second liquid contained in the large chamber 13 flows into the small chamber 12, Mixed with one liquid.

Next, when the user presses the communication space formed by the communication between the large chamber 13 and the small chamber 12, the first partition 21 is opened, and the mixed liquid can be discharged from the container body 10. State.

At this time, if the first partition 21 has a weaker seal than the second partition 22, the user does not need to press the communication space with such a large pressing force, and it is extremely easy 1 The partition 21 can be opened.

Specifically, for example, as described in the section of the related art, the first partition 21 is released at an internal pressure equal to or higher than the internal pressure for releasing the second partition 22. If it is configured (hereinafter referred to as a comparison configuration), After opening the second partition 22 and mixing the liquids in the large chamber 13 and the small chamber 12, when opening the first partition 21, the user is extremely greater than the second pressing force. It is necessary to press the communication space with the pressing force.

That is, when comparing the volumes of the large room 13 and the communication space, the communication space is naturally larger. Therefore, in order to generate an internal pressure higher than the second internal pressure in the liquid mixture in the communication space, the user needs to press the communication space with a pressing force larger than the second pressing force.

On the other hand, if the first partition 21 is made to be a weaker seal than the second partition 21, when the first partition 21 is opened after the opening of the second partition 22, the user will have a relatively large pressing force. Therefore, the first partition 21 can be opened relatively easily without pressing the communication space.

More preferably, the first partition wall 21 can have such a seal strength as to be opened by a user pressing the communication space with a pressing force equal to or less than the second pressing force, Thereby, it is possible to provide the user with easier operation. That is, with such a configuration, the user can open both the first and second partition walls 21 and 22 with substantially the same pressing force. Further, in the comparative configuration, when the user first presses the liquid storage chamber (the small chamber 12 in the present embodiment) adjacent to the first partition, the first partition 21 and the second partition 22 are moved. There is a risk of being released at the same time. In such a case, part of the first liquid contained in the small chamber 12 will be discharged from the container 1 before being sufficiently mixed.

On the other hand, if the surface area of the large room 13 is set to be at least twice the surface area of the small room 12 so that the large room 13 can be easily pressed, the small room 1 can be pressed before the user presses the large room 13. 2 can be prevented from being pressed, and the liquid before mixing can be effectively prevented from being erroneously discharged.

The seals forming the first and second partition walls 21 and 22 may employ various methods such as bonding using an adhesive or heat sealing. However, from the viewpoint of easy control of the sealing strength, etc. A heat seal can be suitably used.

When adopting a heat seal as the first and second partitions 21 and 22, The adjustment of the sealing strength can be easily performed by appropriately selecting the heat sealing temperature, the heat sealing time, and / or the heat sealing width.

Next, a method for manufacturing the multi-chamber container 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a process chart showing an example of a method for manufacturing the container 1.

As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the front film 2 and the back film 3 are overlapped, and one of the upper side 10a, the lower side 10b, and the left and right sides 10c, 10d (in the illustrated form, Together with the left side 10 c), the first and second partition walls 21 and 22 are sealed. The lower side 10b is sealed with the above-mentioned port 30 interposed between the front film 2 and the back film 3.

Next, as shown in Fig. 3 (b), of the left and right side edges 10c and 10d, one of the sealed sides (the left edge 10c in the illustrated embodiment) is on the lower side. The main body 10 is arranged so as to be positioned, and the liquid to be contained is injected into the small chamber 12 and the large chamber 13 from the other open side (the right side 10 d in the illustrated embodiment). I do.

Finally, the container 1 is formed by sealing the other open side 10d.

Of course, it is also possible to manufacture the container 1 by other methods. For example, a first partition 21 is formed together with the left and right sides 10c, 10d and a lower side 10b of the main body 10 to inject a liquid into the small chamber 12, and then a second partition 22 is formed to form a large chamber. The multi-chamber container 1 can also be manufactured by injecting a liquid into 13 and sealing the upper side 10a.

Claims

The scope of the claims

A multi-chamber container comprising: a flexible container main body which can be easily deformed by pressing; and a port for communicating an internal space of the container main body with the outside, wherein the container main body includes at least the An empty chamber that communicates with the outside through a port, a small chamber that is liquid-tightly separated from the empty chamber by an openable first partition, and a liquid-tight chamber that is separated from the small chamber by a second openable partition. A small chamber and a large chamber, wherein the small chamber and the large chamber contain a first liquid and a second liquid, respectively.

A multi-chamber container characterized in that the storage ratio of the first liquid to the maximum storable volume of the small chamber is sufficiently smaller than the storage ratio of the second liquid to the maximum storable volume of the large chamber.

The multi-chamber container according to claim 1, wherein the maximum storable volume of the small room is 1/10 or less of the maximum storable volume of the large room.

The multi-chamber container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first partition is easier to open than the second partition.

The multi-chamber container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second partition walls are formed by heat sealing.