Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – With conveying means to supply successive receivers – Conveyer with additional receiver conveying or manipulating...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-19
2003-06-10
Maust, Timothy L. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
With conveying means to supply successive receivers
Conveyer with additional receiver conveying or manipulating...
C141S009000, C141S103000, C141S104000, C141S163000, C053S474000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06575208
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and system for filling a multi-compartment container, each compartment holding a separate component, to be mixed with one another by the end-user prior to use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of formulations for human use are stored in the form of a dry particulate matter (powder) and are mixed with a liquid shortly before use to form a true solution or a dispersion. This is the case, for example, with various nutritive formulas, including maternal milk substitute formulas (baby formula), adult feeding formulas such as dietetic powders and a variety of drugs, e.g., antibiotics. The shelf life of such mixed liquid formulations is limited, and this dictates the need to prepare them only shortly before use. The limited shelf life of the mixed formulation is the result of a loss of activity of an active ingredient in the formula, for example, loss of activity due to accelerated oxidation and/or hydrolysis once the ingredient is mixed with a liquid, etc. In addition, in many cases, the mixed formulation can be more susceptible to micro-organism contamination.
In some applications, for example, formula for newborn babies and various drugs including antibiotics, it is important that a correct amount (weight and/or volume) of the dry particulate material be admixed with a correct amount (weight and/or volume) of the liquid when preparing the resulting formula. Too much or too little of any one of the required components alters the ratio and changes the resulting formulation which may need to be within close tolerances to have the appropriate effect. For example, in the case of baby formula if there is not enough dry formula the mixed liquid formulation will be diluted in which case the baby or infant will be undernourished, or if there is too much dry formula the mixed liquid formulation will be too concentrated which may give rise to digestive problems and vomiting.
In addition, in some applications it may be necessary that the filling, storing and mixing of the two compartments be performed under hygienic and in some cases sterile conditions and that the two components be of appropriate sterility and quality.
The preparation of baby formula in the home and hospitals is typically accomplished by providing cleaned and sterilized bottles and nipples, measuring a quantity of the powdered (dry particulate) material from a canister and placing it in the previously cleaned and sterilized bottle to which an appropriate measured amount of water (generally tap water), saline solution or milk is added. The nipple is then attached and the two components or components are then agitated to form the mixed liquid formula. A variety of drugs, for example, antibiotics are prepared in a similar manner by the pharmacist or the end-user.
In applications where a formula prepared by mixing two components has a short shelf-life or where the quantities, quality or sterility of the components is an important consideration in the preparation of the formula, a single container which could separately store the two components until the mixed formula is to be dispensed, permit the two components to be mixed in the container and permit the mixed formula to be dispensed from the container would be useful. In some such applications it may further be desirable that the container be pre-packaged and yet further desirable that it be configured and adapted for a single use by the end-user and even more desirable that the container be unusable after the single use. Such storage and dispensing containers would offer convenience, safety and potential savings to the end-user.
First, a pre-packaged two-compartment storage and dispensing container offers the convenience of having both component parts of a mixed formulation supplied in the correct amounts in a single easy to use container that is always ready to be mixed. In this manner, a traveler may take along as many pre-packaged containers as desired and mix the formula for use at any time, without having to measure the two or more components, or worry about forgetting or obtaining one of the components of the formula while traveling. Such a pre-packaged container, filled and packaged under the appropriate conditions, separately storing the component elements of a formula in a ready to mix manner, and adaptable to mix and dispense the resulting formulation provides a complete system for the end-user.
Second, two-compartment storage and dispensing containers offer the safety of being packaged in a manufacturing plant where the sterility of the environment and the quality and sterility of each of the components and mixed formula can be controlled. In addition, the quantity of each of the two separate components can be controlled through precise measurement if prepackaged in a container in a manufacturing facility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A multi-compartment container of the type that meets the need described above are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,254 whose disclosure is incorporated by reference herein. A method and apparatus for filling multi-compartment containers, and more specifically to an automated method and apparatus for filling multi-compartment, and preferably two-compartment containers which separately store two or more components for later mixing and dispensing is described herein.
In one embodiment, the automated method and apparatus is adapted for filling a two-compartment container having two open ends, where two or more components intended to be mixed prior to use are stored separately in each compartment. The first of such components is typically a liquid and the other a particulate solid, e.g., powdered substance. Of course, two liquids or two particulate solids (e.g. powders) may be separately stored for later mixing.
The method and apparatus for preparing a multi-compartment container may further check for leaks, maintain a sterile environment and prevent contamination of the respective compartments, including contamination from the components of the other compartments.
An example of the two-compartment container or a precursor to the two-compartment container that may be filled by the process and method described herein includes a housing having openings at both ends, the housing having a partition wall between the two openings which defines a first cavity and a second cavity. The partition wall preferably forms a seal with the housing and more preferably is movable between a sealed position, whereby a seal is formed between the first and the second cavities (“inter-compartmental seal”), and an unsealed position, whereby the first and second cavities intercommunicate.
When the partition wall is in the sealing position the contents of the two cavities, whether liquid or solid, do not mix. The container may further be provided with a displaceable member to move the partition wall from its sealed position to its unsealed position. In addition, or alternatively, the displaceable member may move the partition wall to its sealed position.
The seal of the partition wall may include an O-ring seal. The container may further comprise sealing members, sealing membranes, or sealing assemblies for sealing the openings so that compartments may be formed. A secondary seal for sealing the openings may also be included. According to a further feature of this embodiment there may also be provided a feeding nipple attached to the displaceable member or the container and in communication with the opening. The secondary seal may be exterior to the feeding nipple.
Another example of a two-compartment container comprises side walls, an opening at a top end, an opening at the bottom end capable of being fitted with a bottom wall, and a partition wall dividing the container in a fluid-tight manner into two compartments, each for holding one of the two components. The container may include a displaceable vertical elongated member with a bottom end connected to the bottom wall and its top end connected to the partition wall such that vertical axial displacement of the bottom wall yields a vertical displacement
Inbar Michael
Sharon Igal
Huynh Khoa
M.L.I.S. Projects Ltd.
Maust Timothy L.
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
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