Pump support for a portable pump

Abstract

A carrier for transporting and administering food or other liquids in the intestines includes a housing having a bottom tray, a back plate and two side plates and a front plate for attachment of a feed pump. A plurality of support elements are provided to hold the container in place within the housing. The support element is height-adjustable relative to the bottom tray, thereby allowing the containers to be supported at different positions above the bottom tray. The front plate is removable from the housing and can be used as a support for the feed pump. The carrier can be easily integrated into a backpack or the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support for a portable pump and an associated container for transporting and administering enteral food or other liquids. Background Art

[0002] Patients with certain medical problems may need to be given enteral food or liquids in predetermined doses throughout the day. Containers that hold enteral food or liquids have many different structures and shapes, with necks and screw fittings of different sizes and shapes. A stand may be used to allow a container (such as a bottle or pouch) to be suspended so that the enteral food or liquid can be fed through a feeding set either under gravity or via a pump. These feeding sets can be used in at least the following different configurations:

[0003] - With drip chamber – for use with gravity feed

[0004] -With drip chamber – for use with a pump

[0005] -Without drip chamber – for use with pump

[0006] In this context, a feeding set is understood to generally mean a tubing assembly with the necessary connectors for connecting to a container on one side and to a patient feeding tube on the other side with or without a drip chamber. Furthermore, it must be noted that the drip chamber may also have a range of sizes.

[0007] In most cases, patients with no or limited mobility will use a feeding set with a drip chamber. The drip chamber is located between the container and the tubing, acting as a microbial barrier, thereby preventing bacteria from traveling up into the container where they could multiply and become harmful to a very debilitated patient. An additional advantage of using a drip chamber is that it provides visual feedback of enteral food or liquid being fed through the tubing.

[0008] The conventional supports mentioned above are usually in the form of an infusion pole or can be integrated into the bed frame. This has the disadvantage that they greatly restrict the freedom of movement of patients who are not bedridden. These patients may be better served with a portable carrier that can be used as both a stationary frame and a mobile frame carried in a backpack.

[0009] A component for an enteral feeding kit that can be carried in a backpack is shown in WO 2019 / 112429, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The component includes a protective housing for a container for an enteral feeding solution, which is assembled in a backpack together with a pump. The pump can be used to deliver the feeding solution while moving. Alternatively, the container can be raised and suspended on an adjustable container stabilizer for delivery by gravity. It has been found that this solution is very versatile in giving patients considerable freedom. The pump is held by being vertically inserted between a plurality of support ribs integrally formed with the housing, and can be removed when necessary, for example for programming. However, it has been noted that a different housing must be provided for each change in the pump design. In addition, although the pump is well retained for horizontal movement, if the backpack or carrier is inverted, the pump can move freely vertically and may fall off the support ribs.

[0010] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a carrier that can at least partially eliminate the above inconveniences. Summary of the invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a carrier for transporting and administering enteral food or other liquids is provided. The carrier comprises a housing having a bottom tray, a back plate and two side plates and a feed pump holding element. Support elements are provided for holding a container in place in the housing, and these support elements include an adjustable container stabilizer, which can extend vertically relative to the back plate. The feed pump holding element includes a removable front plate, which is releasably fixed between the side plates and has a front surface, and the feed pump can be attached to the front surface. The housing can also have an open upper side, thereby allowing the container to extend out of the housing, above the top edge of the back plate and / or the side plate. Due to the removable front plate, a series of different pumps can be fastened to the front plate and therefore fixed to the housing of the carrier. The present invention also relates to such a front plate, which acts as an adapter between a pump and the carrier, thereby providing greater design versatility. This also ensures greater safety, because the pump can be fixed to the front plate in a manner that prevents the pump from releasing when the carrier is inverted or shaken. The front plate can also be used independently as a benchtop stand for the pump.

[0012] The front plate can have any suitable shape that allows it to be connected to the pump and the housing. It can be square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, oval or any other suitable shape. It can be flat or its profile is designed to match the rear surface of the pump. It can be provided with protrusions and holes, for example, for positioning purposes, which can be customized for the intended pump. Preferably, a screw connector is provided on the rear surface of the front plate for releasably attaching the feed pump. Multiple screw connectors can be provided or multiple positions can be provided for screws to be inserted to accommodate a range of different feed pumps. It will be understood that other forms of connection can also be envisioned, including bayonet, hook and eye fasteners, studs, etc.

[0013] In an embodiment, the plate comprises an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges, the side edges being provided with clips for engaging the side panels. The side panels of the housing may be provided with left and right holes, and the clips may comprise resilient fingers arranged to extend from within the housing into these holes. One clip on each side edge may be sufficient, but it is not excluded that further clips may be provided. In an embodiment, the resilient fingers may extend through the housing from the inside towards the outside. They may be accessible from the outside of the housing in order to release them from the holes to disengage the front panel.

[0014] According to one embodiment, clips may be provided extending backwards from the front plate as feet, on which the front plate can stand at an angle once removed from the housing. This allows the front plate to be used as a stand, on which the pump can stand once removed from the backpack and carrier. Depending on the position and length of the feet, the plate can stand on a surface such as a table at an angle from 10 to 45 degrees. This can significantly improve the viewing comfort of the display of such a pump. The front plate can stand on its feet and the lower edge or the corresponding lower edge of the feed pump. It will be understood that the lower edge does not need to be a straight edge joining the two side edges, and can be arched downwards, for example in the middle. The central contact point can better serve as a third foot, allowing the front plate to stand as a tripod on a less uniform surface.

[0015] In an embodiment, the clip is located near the upper edge and the front plate is further attached to the housing near its lower edge. Providing three or more connection points helps to stably retain the front plate in place, especially when the pump is relatively heavy. In a preferred embodiment, this connection at the lower edge is a pivotable connection. It will be understood that the front plate need not be completely removable from the housing and can only be pivoted to an open position, for example for connecting the pump. However, a fully removable front plate is preferred as this allows it to be used as a stand.

[0016] The pivoting of the front plate may be achieved by any suitable means, including additional hinge elements. Most preferably, no additional elements are provided and the hinges are integrally formed directly with the front plate and the housing, respectively. In one embodiment, the front plate includes left and right trunnions near its lower edge, which engage in bearings formed in the side plates. The trunnions are effectively pins received by curved bearing surfaces, all of which are aligned along a common axis.

[0017] These support elements can include a height-adjustable lower support element, which allows the height between the bottom tray and the support element to be adjusted so that enough space can be obtained for container necks and feed kits of various sizes and shapes with or without a drip chamber. There can also be a height-adjustable rear support element, which provides further support and stability for larger containers and / or containers in higher positions. In addition, the support element can include a container retaining element, which also adapts or adapts the size of longer containers with other support elements. Therefore, the height-adjustable support element helps to use different types of feed kits with and without a drip chamber. The adjustability of the support element allows the carrier to be adjusted to be as compact as possible for the container and feed kit it carries, thereby ensuring that the carrier can be comfortably carried around in a bag. The bag can be a pouch, a net, a backpack, a front backpack, a waist bag, a travel bag, etc.

[0018] The container retaining element further ensures that the container is fixed in place in the carrier and can withstand the loads caused by movement. The container retaining element can be a strap, a band or a web. However, other types of retaining elements can also be used, such as a snap connector or a hook and eye type fastener.

[0019] The carrier can be used as a removable support in a special bag, which is specially designed to match the carrier, or used in a bag of personal choice. The housing of the carrier is thus used as a protective housing for the container and the pump and the feeding kit. The bottom tray can be provided with an opening (if this is required), such as for the passage of cables or tubes. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom tray is implemented as an overflow tray without an opening. Therefore, the overflow tray is an integral part of the housing, shaped as a recessed area, such as a dish, or with an upright edge. Through the presence of the overflow tray, the housing can retain the overflowed enteral food or liquid, thereby helping to ensure that any bag for carrying will remain clean. In addition, the bottom tray of the housing is designed to provide a stable base for the carrier in the bag and on any flat surface. As a result, the carrier is also suitable for use as a stationary frame on a countertop or bedside table, for example. The lower edge of the front plate can extend in front of the overflow tray, so that the pump is held in front of the overflow tray. Alternatively, the front plate can be located deeper in the housing, so that the pump is held in the housing, above the overflow tray.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the lower support element includes a container resting shelf extending between these side panels, which is repositionable so that the distance between the shelf and the bottom tray is variable. The lowest position of the shelf can be aligned with the upper edge of the front plate. The shelf can also extend to and / or be attached to the back plate. The shelf provides a stable support for any container, wherein the load generated by the weight of the container and any additional loads generated by the movement are distributed from the contact surface of the container to the shelf attachment point or area on the shell. In addition, the shelf acts as a separator between the container and the bottom tray in the shell. The shelf has an opening for bottles, which have a neck and a shoulder, wherein the shoulder rests on the shelf so that the neck with a connection to the feed kit can be located in the space above the bottom tray.

[0021] The height of the shelf can be adjusted so that sufficient space is available between the shelf and the bottom tray so that the tubing of the feed set does not form a kink. To this end, the side panels each include two or more ribs or slots that are arranged in pairs at two or more heights from the bottom tray to position the shelf. These heights are set to obtain sufficient space for most bottles attached to a feed set without a drip chamber and to a set with a drip chamber. Further pairs of ribs or slots can be provided at intermittent heights to take into account smaller drip chambers or shorter bottle necks.

[0022] A further advantage of attaching the shelf to the side panels is that the shelf provides additional rigidity for the carrier housing. In addition, the shelf may include one or more locking elements at the rear edge that may engage with the back plate of the housing. The back plate of the housing may include, for example, one or more locking elements at two or more heights of the bottom tray to receive the one or more locking elements. These locking elements may receive the slots and may be positioned so that when the shelf is positioned on a rib or in the slot, the locking element is locked in the slot. Locking the shelf in the housing increases its rigidity and ensures that the desired carrier configuration is maintained throughout the mobile use.

[0023] The shelf can be slidably positioned on each set of ribs or in each set of slots by moving in the direction of the ribs or slots, wherein the ribs or slots extend from the front edge of the side panel toward the back panel. The ribs or slots can be tilted downward toward the back panel to ensure that the container rests naturally against the back support. An angle of at least 5 degrees relative to the bottom tray has been shown to provide the desired effect. In order to increase the ease of use, the shelf can be symmetrical about its own plane so that the shelf can be used upside down without problems. Therefore, the user does not need to pay attention to the orientation of the shelf in this regard when positioning the shelf in the housing, and avoids placement errors. This increases user convenience and reduces user errors. In order to further allow such a shelf to be easily positioned, the shelf can be slightly triangular / trapezoidal in a side view, and the ribs can also be slightly triangular / trapezoidal to accommodate the shelf. In order to engage without being squeezed, the angle between the upper surface and the lower surface of the shelf can be selected to be between 5 and 10 degrees.

[0024] The adjustable container stabilizer enables the carrier to provide adequate stable support to containers that are sized or placed so that the center of gravity of the container extends above the housing of the carrier. The adjustable container stabilizer makes the carrier suitable for use with larger sized containers that cannot otherwise be properly accommodated by the portable carrier frame, such as containers greater than 500 ml. In addition, such a stabilizer allows the height of the carrier to be increased only when necessary. This can be done independently of adjusting the height of the lower support element. Therefore, when using small containers, the height of the carrier can be kept at a minimum, thereby providing ease of transportation in a bag.

[0025] The stabilizer can be located in or against the back plate so that the longitudinal centerline of the stabilizer is parallel to the back plate, whereby the stabilizer can be slidably moved along its centerline, and wherein the back plate further includes a container stabilizer locking element located at two or more heights from the bottom tray. The advantage of this configuration is that the stabilizer can be completely hidden in the back plate, thereby allowing the size of the carrier to be limited to the size of the shell. By storing the stabilizer in the back plate, the stabilizer can further add rigidity to the shell. In addition, in this configuration, the stabilizer can be a single extendable element, thereby limiting the total number of components of the carrier and minimizing the total weight of the carrier. The adjustable container stabilizer can be a plate with a lockable element. Advantageously, the plate-like stabilizer located in the back plate is prevented from rotating about the longitudinal axis, thereby further adding stability to the carrier and keeping the container in a set position.

[0026] Alternatively, the adjustable container stabilizer may be a wire frame formed from a single continuous wire, the wire ends of which may be locked into the stabilizer locking elements. The wire frame may also be used to suspend products therefrom, for example when using a bag as a container. An advantage of having a wire frame formed from a single wire is that such a wire has no sharp corners or points, making the use of such a wire frame safe for the user and without damaging the bag in which the carrier may be transported.

[0027] Additionally, the container stabilizer may include a hanging hook to help hang the carrier on a hook or infusion rod holder. It will be appreciated that in this case, these container stabilizer locking elements must prevent it from being withdrawn further from the backing plate than desired.

[0028] In order to further increase the stability of the carrier, the container stabilizer locking elements can be spaced apart in pairs, symmetrical about the center line and located at two or more heights from the bottom tray. The stabilizer locking elements can be simple slots or eyelets into which the lockable elements of the stabilizer can be snapped into place. This allows the stabilizer to be configured as an easy-to-use mechanical system, whereby the stabilizer can be manually pushed out of the locked position for repositioning. These slots allow easy, cheap and robust adjustability, wherein the stabilizer simply snaps into the locked position. This is particularly convenient in the case where the stabilizer is a wire and the lockable element is the end of the wire. The elasticity of the wire can be used to keep the lockable element in the slot.

[0029] The back plate can be configured with a top rib that partially surrounds the stabilizer at the rear. The top rib can be positioned so that the stabilizer passes between the main surface of the back plate and the top rib. This top rib configuration restricts the stabilizer from moving primarily in the vertical direction while imparting rigidity to the top edge of the housing to prevent bending, such as when loaded with containers or subjected to external forces.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the back plate of the housing includes a first set of strap slots and a second set of strap slots, the sets being spaced apart in pairs about and along a longitudinal centerline of the housing, and wherein a distance between the centerline and the first set of strap slots is greater than a distance between the centerline and the second set of strap slots. The container retaining element may include at least one strap that is connectable through a pair of strap slots to encircle the container. Thus, the strap slots may be set to different widths, thereby allowing the container retaining element to more effectively retain containers of various sizes. The variable position of the container retaining element allows the carrier to accommodate a variety of containers, including 125 ml bottles, 2L pouches, and baby bottles.

[0031] Additionally, the container retaining element may further comprise at least one vertical strap attached to the adjustable container stabilizer, and wherein the strap is adaptable to the size and shape of the container. An advantage of this configuration is that the strap automatically moves while adjusting the stabilizer.

[0032] In another embodiment, the carrier further includes adjustable feet, the feet being adjustable between a first position and a second position, in which the first position the feet are within the perimeter of the shell, and in which the feet extend from the shell to a position where they can engage a surface on which the shell is placed to stabilize the carrier. The adjustable feet can be extended for use when the carrier is used as a stationary frame outside the bag, such as a bed support or table top. As will be further described below, the shape of the shell is designed to have a height greater than its base so as to fully accommodate all elements it is intended to support. Advantageously, the extended feet provide a larger footprint for the carrier, which increases the stability of the shell. This is particularly desirable when the carrier is used in combination with a large container (which causes the carrier to be heavy on top) and when the stabilizer is extended to the maximum.

[0033] The legs may include a wire frame having a size corresponding to the horizontal cross-section of the housing above the bottom tray. Such a wire frame is easily stored within the housing when not in use and, due to its minimal size, adds minimal weight to the carrier. Having a wire frame helps to make the carrier lightweight, making it more comfortable to carry. For a carrier bottom tray having a square or rectangular shape, the wire frame may have a U-shape with diverging legs and cross members. The legs may be stored within the housing and away from the back of the housing, with the cross member stored on the outside of the housing, adjacent to or in a recess in the back surface of the back plate.

[0034] The housing may further include a guide in which the leg can slide. The guide defines a path between the storage position and the extended stable position. Extending the leg is a simple manual operation in which the user pulls the accessible portion of the leg at the back of the carrier. The leg then slides through the guide, for example until the end of the wire frame snaps into the leg locking points. These locking points can be slots or openings in the side panels of the carrier at the ends of the guides. The leg can be returned to the storage position by pushing the two wire ends inward, releasing them from the locking points, and then pushing the cross member of the wire frame toward the back panel of the housing, wherein the guide guides the leg to the storage position.

[0035] The guides may be retaining ribs or grooves on the inner surface of the side panels of the housing. The guides may also extend toward the front of the housing to form abutment surfaces for the front panel. Once the front panel is correctly attached in place, the front panel may abut these abutment surfaces to prevent deflection. In an embodiment, the guides include webs integrally formed with the side panels. These webs may have guide sections leading to the support. The guide sections may guide the above-mentioned trunnions to the correct position within the support.

[0036] The carrier may further include one or more tubing guides for properly guiding the tubing set to prevent kinking or entrapment. The tubing guides may be provided in the back panel and one of the side panels. Additionally or alternatively, the tubing guides may be provided on the rear side of the front panel. This is particularly desirable where a pump is being used, allowing the user to insert tubing into the tubing guides when the front panel is removed, thereby minimizing kinking or tangling of the tubing when the front panel is reattached.

[0037] The housing of the carrier can be sized to fit within a backpack and sized to accommodate a range of known enteral food and medical liquid containers. The shape of the housing is then optimized to be comfortably carried within a backpack while being suitable for accommodating a range of containers. The carrier can be designed to match a specific backpack, or a backpack can be designed around the carrier. The carrier can also be carried in a bag of the user's choice, which is a backpack or any other type of bag that fits around the carrier. When carried in the bag, the housing provides rigidity to the bag and helps protect the pump and container from being squeezed. To aid in comfortable carrying, the weight of the carrier is minimized so that the weight of the carrier is maintained between 300 grams and 500 grams.

[0038] The size of the housing can be designed to have a height between 20cm and 50cm, preferably between 23cm and 26cm. The width between the side panels can be between 10cm and 30cm, preferably between 13cm and 15cm. The depth of the bottom tray from front to back can be between 10cm and 30cm, preferably between 12cm and 15cm. The side panels can extend 15cm to 30cm forward from the back panel at the base, and can be tapered upwards to be between 5cm and 10cm at its upper end. The depth of the bottom tray, i.e. measured in the height direction of the housing, can be between 0cm and 3cm, preferably between 0.5cm and 2cm, and the size of any dish-shaped area is preferably designed to match the depth and width of the bottom plate to a great extent. It can have a volume of 50cc to 200cc, preferably as large as possible in the available space, to maximize the ability of its collection of spills. The size of the height of the shelf can be between 7-25cm compared to the bottom of the housing, depending on the type of reservoir and feed kit.

[0039] According to another aspect, the housing and the front plate of the portable carrier can be made of a dishwasher-safe material, preferably an amorphous copolyester, such as Tritan™. Thus, the entire carrier can be simply and hygienically cleaned in a dishwasher without discoloration or damage to the housing material. The elements of the carrier can be manufactured using an injection molding process, allowing certain parts to be integrally formed. Furthermore, the housing can be made transparent, allowing visual control during use.

[0040] The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a carrier as described above or below, a container for containing enteral food or liquid, a feeding kit and a feeding pump. The feeding kit may or may not have a drip chamber. The assembly may also comprise a bag in which the elements of the assembly are contained, wherein the bag has a base adapted to match the bottom tray, or wherein the size of the bag is designed to snugly receive the housing. The bag is preferably a backpack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The present invention will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown. The accompanying drawings are intended for illustration purposes only and do not limit the inventive concept. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the limitations presented in the attached claims.

[0042] Figure 1 A mobile enteral feeding assembly comprising a carrier according to the invention is depicted.

[0043] Figure 2A Shows Figure 1 Isometric view of the front side of the carrier.

[0044] Figure 2B Shown is a front panel Figure 2A of the view.

[0045] Figure 2C Shown from behind Figure 2B front panel.

[0046] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2A An isometric view of the rear side of a carrier with extended container stabilizers and feet.

[0047] Figure 4A An isometric front view of a container resting shelf for use with a carrier according to the present invention is shown.

[0048] Figure 4B An isometric rear view of a container resting shelf for use with a carrier according to the present invention is shown.

[0049] Figure 5 The assembly of the carrier and feed pump is shown.

[0050] Figure 6 Shown is a feed pump with the front plate used as a table support. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Figure 1 A mobile enteral feeding assembly 1 according to the present invention is depicted. The assembly 1 comprises a backpack 100, a carrier 200, an enteral feeding or liquid container 300, a feeding set 400 and a feeding pump 500.

[0052] The enteral feed or liquid container 300 is connected to the feeding set 400 at its main opening and placed upside down into the carrier 200. Due to the upside down placement of the container 300, the enteral feed or liquid will naturally flow into the tube 400 under gravity. The carrier 200 is designed to provide good stability for the container and is equipped with a fastening device that holds the container in a predetermined position within the carrier.

[0053] The feeding set 400 extends through a feeding pump 500, wherein the pump is configured to pump enteral food or liquid from a container through the feeding set 400 to a patient carrying the assembly at a predetermined rate. The feeding pump 500 may be any conventional feeding pump, such as the Flocare Infinity™ pump available from Nutricia, and is not a further part of the present invention.

[0054] The carrier 200 forms a protective housing that partially surrounds the container and the feed pump. In addition, the carrier 200 is shaped to fit into the backpack 100 so that the back panel of the carrier rests ergonomically against the back of the person carrying the backpack 100, and the bottom tray of the carrier keeps the carrier stable within the bag while also preferably serving as a spill tray to keep the bag clean.

[0055] The backpack 100 shown in this example is a backpack specifically designed to accommodate the carrier 200 as well as the container and feeding pump. The specially designed backpack shown includes a large entry zipper for accessing, inserting and removing the entire carrier and a smaller entry zipper for accessing the control panel of the feeding pump. Alternatively, the backpack can be any bag of the patient's choice.

[0056] Further details of the carrier 200 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 .

[0057] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3 Isometric views of the front and rear of a carrier 200 according to the present invention are shown. The carrier 200 comprises a housing 201 having a front panel 220 and a repositionable container shelf 250, wherein the housing 201 is further equipped with an adjustable container stabilizer 212 and adjustable feet 234. The housing 201 has a bottom tray 202, a back panel 206 and two side panels 210.

[0058] The bottom tray 202 of the housing is shaped and designed to form a stable base for the carrier 200 when carried in the backpack 100 and when used as a countertop stand. To this end, the front and rear corner areas of the bottom tray are shaped and designed to rest in the same plane B, whereby at least the front corner of the bottom tray contains the feet 204. In addition, the bottom tray 202 includes an overflow tray 218 for collecting any enteral food or liquid that may overflow from the connection between the container 300 and the feeding set 400, thereby keeping the backpack 100 or the countertop on which the carrier is used clean.

[0059] The back panel 206 of the housing extends from the rear edge of the bottom tray 202 substantially perpendicular to the bottom tray 202. The back panel 206 includes wide and narrow strap openings 242, 244, shelf locking openings 270, and stabilizer locking elements 205. The strap openings 242, 244 form vertical slots relative to the bottom tray 202, which are provided for the insertion of container retaining straps (see Figure 6 ). The wide strap openings 242 are arranged at a wider distance about the centerline C of the back plate 206 than the narrow strap openings 244, thereby allowing both wide and narrow containers to be tightly strapped. This makes the container carrier also suitable for use with, for example, milk bottles. The wide strap openings 242 include three pairs of strap openings 242a-c, which are arranged at three different heights relative to the bottom tray 202, which allows the straps to be placed according to the height of the container. The same applies to the narrow strap openings 244a-c. It will be understood that alternative numbers and distributions of slots or other alternative attachment means may be provided.

[0060] In this example, the shelf locking openings 270a-e are arranged as a row of horizontal slots relative to the bottom tray 202, symmetrically placed about the centerline C of the back plate. The shelf locking openings 270a-e are arranged at five different heights relative to the bottom tray 202. The height at which each opening 70a, b is located corresponds to a predetermined height at which a container 300 can be placed into the carrier 200. The stabilizer locking element 205 will be described in more detail with respect to the adjustable stabilizer element 212.

[0061] The side panels 210 of the housing 201 extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom tray 202 and the back panel 206. The side panels 210 are provided with left and right holes 208a, b for receiving the front panel 220, as further described below. The side panels 210 have a width large enough to cover the depth of most enteral food and other liquid holding containers used. The housing 201 is triangular / trapezoidal in side view. Therefore, the housing 201 provides substantial protection to the container when carried in a bag, while still allowing good access to the container.

[0062] Further, the side panels 210 each include a positioning rib 240, a guide web 230 and a locking opening 232. The guide web 230 extends forward to form a guide section 231, which extends downward to the support members 233a, b. The guide web 230 and the locking opening 232 are described in more detail below with respect to the adjustable feet 234. The positioning ribs 240a-e are placed in pairs on the two side panels 210, so that the side panels 210 are mirror images of each other relative to the center line C, for supporting the container resting shelf 250 (in the case of the container resting shelf 250). Figure 4A and Figure 4B 201 ). The shape of the positioning ribs 240a-e matches the shape of the container resting shelf 250, whereby the shelf 250 actively contributes to the rigidity of the housing 201. In addition, the positioning ribs 240a-e are placed so that the container resting shelf 250 is assembled at an angle of at least 5 degrees compared to the bottom tray 202, thereby allowing the container to rest naturally against the back plate 206. In addition, the positioning ribs 240a-e are located at five different heights relative to the bottom tray, allowing the shelf 250 to be placed at five different heights. These heights are predetermined so that the carrier 200 remains as compact as possible while providing enough space between the shelf 250 and the bottom tray 202 so that the feed kit 400 does not get kinked. The first pair of ribs 240e are placed at the lowest height for using a container with a feed kit without a drip chamber. This height corresponds to the upper edge of the front plate 220. The openings 270a-e in the back plate 206 match the height of the pairs of locating ribs 240a-e.

[0063] exist Figure 2C 2 shows the front plate 220 from the rear. The front plate includes an upper edge 221, a lower edge 222 and two side edges 223a, b. The front plate 220 also has left and right ear shafts 224a, b and a clip formed by left and right fingers 225a, b. The front plate 220 is releasably attached to the housing 201, wherein the fingers 225a, b engage in the holes 208a, b, and the ear shafts 224a, b are received in the supports 233a, b. The front plate 220 is also provided with a screw connector 226 visible on its rear surface, the size and position of the screw connector corresponding to the threaded socket (not shown) on the rear surface of the feed pump. A pipe guide 227 can also be seen on the rear surface of the front plate 220. When the front plate is installed, the pipe guide 227 fixes the pipe in place and reduces the risk of the pipe being kinked or stuck.

[0064] The housing 201 is formed as a single piece, made in one injection molding step from a rigid, transparent, amorphous copolyester material available as Tritan™ from Eastman corp. It is dishwasher safe and can therefore be easily cleaned after removal from the bag 100. It will be appreciated that other plastic materials may be used, including both rigid and semi-rigid plastics.

[0065] As listed previously, Figures 2 and Figure 3 The portable carrier 200 depicted in FIG further comprises an adjustable stabilizer element 212. The stabilizer element 212 is a longitudinal element comprising a suspension hook 213, a horizontal section 214 and a retaining strap connecting rod 215 on one end extending from the top edge of the back plate 206, and a connector element 216 on the other end. In this example, the stabilizer element 212 is a wire frame formed from a single piece of wire, wherein the ends of the wire form the connector element 216. The stabilizer element 212 is located at or (partially) in the back plate 206 of the housing 201, so that the longitudinal centerline of the stabilizer substantially coincides with the longitudinal centerline C of the back plate 206. The stabilizer element 212 is mounted in / on the back plate 206 so that the stabilizer element 212 can only move along the center line C between a first position, in which the stabilizer element 212 is mostly hidden in / behind the back plate 206, with only the hook 213, the horizontal section 214 and the retaining strap connecting rod 215 extending out above the top edge of the back plate 206, and a second position, in which the stabilizer element 212 mostly extends above the top edge of the back plate 206, with only the bottom end including the connector element 216 remaining in / behind the back plate 206. To ensure that the stabilizer element 212 and the back plate 206 are aligned, and to further prevent any rotation of the stabilizer element 212 relative to the back plate 206, the upper part of the back plate includes a stabilizer rib 207. The stabilizer rib 207 is integrally formed with the housing 201 and is located in a plane parallel to the back plate 206, so that the back plate 206 is located on a first side of the stabilizer element 212, while the stabilizer rib 207 is located on a second opposite side of the stabilizer element 212. The stabilizer element 212 is thus partially surrounded and enclosed by the stabilizer rib 207. Further, the stabilizer element 212 can be locked in place at at least two different heights by using the previously mentioned stabilizer locking elements 205a-d located in the back plate 206. In the present example, the back plate 206 is provided with four pairs of locking elements 205a-d symmetrically placed about the center line C of the plate. The locking elements 205a-d are arranged at four different heights relative to the bottom tray 202, thereby allowing the stabilizer element 212 to be locked at four different extension levels relative to the back plate 206.

[0066] The higher locking positions 205a, b effectively increase the support height provided by the carrier 200 and can be used to stabilize large containers that may be greater than 500ml. In addition, the stabilizer element 212 provides additional utility because the hook 213 can be further used as a carrier handle or for hanging containers therefrom. Finally, due to the smooth continuous shape of the wire, the stabilizer element 212 does not have any sharp and / or protruding ends, the stabilizer element will not damage the carrier bag, and the user can safely carry it around.

[0067] Finally, the portable carrier 200 includes the previously mentioned feet 234. In this example, the feet 234 are bracket-shaped wires whose shape matches the cross-sectional shape of the housing 201. The feet 234 are spaced apart from the bottom plane B and are disposed at a downward angle toward the back plate 206. The ends of the bracket-shaped wires are shaped to form locking elements 235.

[0068] The legs 234 are positioned within the bottom section of the housing 201, below the lowest position of the container support shelf 250, so that the legs 234 can be slidably deployed from the back of the housing 201. In the storage position, the legs 234 are completely within the perimeter of the housing 201, with the two extended legs of the bracket-shaped wire 234 located within the housing 201, within the leg guide web 230, which is integral with the side panel 210 and angled downward toward the back panel 206. When the legs 234 are deployed to their extended position, the legs of the bracket slide through the leg guide web 230 until a final locked position is reached, wherein the locking elements 235 snap into the locking eyelets 232. Each side panel 210 includes a locking eyelet 232 at the end of the leg guide web 230 near the back panel 206. In this extended and locked position, the position of the legs 234 relative to the housing 201 is such that the back panel matching section of the bracket-shaped wire rests within the bottom plane B. The legs 234 may be returned to the retracted position by pushing the locking elements 235 back into the locking eyelets 232 and sliding the bracket back inward.

[0069] By extending the feet 234, the footprint of the carrier 200 is increased, which further improves the stability of the carrier 200. This further improved stability allows the carrier 200 to be safely used as a countertop stand for heavier and larger containers filled with enteral food or liquids, which would otherwise cause the stand to become unstable due to the higher center of gravity.

[0070] Figure 4A and Figure 4BShown is a front view and a rear view of a container shelf 250. The container shelf 250 has a front edge 256 with a recess 257, a rear edge 254, a side edge 255, a container shelf surface 251, and a locking element comprising a wide lip lock 252 and a stabilizing rib 253. The container shelf 250 is symmetrical about a plane D extending from the front edge 256 between the wide lip locks 252 and perpendicular to the front edge. As a result, the shelf is matched to the carrier, regardless of whether the currently visible shelf surface 251 is facing up or facing down. In addition, the shape of the side edge 255 is suitable for assembling around the countertop support rib 240 so that the rib increases rigidity for the shelf 250.

[0071] When fully mounted on a pair of positioning ribs 240, the upper wide lip lock 252 locks into the matching shelf locking opening 270. Stabilizing ribs 253 add rigidity and stability to the rear of the shelf 250 to prevent the wide lip lock 252 from bending under the pressure of the container resting on the top surface 251. Since the positioning ribs 240 are set at an angle of at least 5 degrees, the bottom lip lock 252 is located near the back plate 206 when the shelf 250 is locked in place in the housing 201. The container resting shelf 250 can be made of the same material as the housing 201 and using the same manufacturing method. The shelf 250 is also preferably made of a material that can be cleaned in a dishwasher.

[0072] Figure 5 The assembly of a carrier 200 and a feed pump 500 according to the present invention is shown. The feed pump 500 is attached to the front plate 220 with the fingers 225 engaging in the holes 208. The container support shelf 250 is located at the uppermost counter support rib 240a.

[0073] Figure 6 The feed pump 500 is shown with the front plate 220 separated from the housing 201 which serves as a tabletop stand. The front plate 220 rests on its lower edge 222 and left and right fingers 225a, b. In this position, the feed pump is oriented about 20 degrees from the horizontal, which significantly improves readability, especially when viewed from a sitting position or in bed.

[0074] Further obvious modifications and alterations will readily occur to others upon reading and understanding the foregoing detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A carrier for transporting and administering enteral food or other liquids provided in a container, the carrier comprising a housing including a bottom tray, a back plate and two side plates and a feed pump retaining element; a support element for holding the container in place within the housing, the support element comprising an adjustable container stabilizer that can extend vertically relative to the back plate, in, The feed pump holding element comprises a removable front plate which is releasably secured between the side plates and has a front surface to which a feed pump can be attached.

2. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein: The front panel comprises an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges, the side edges being provided with clips for engaging the side panels.

3. The carrier according to claim 2, wherein: The side plate is provided with a left hole and a right hole, and the clip includes a resilient finger arranged to extend from within the housing into the holes.

4. The carrier according to claim 3, wherein: The resilient fingers are accessible from the exterior of the housing to release them from the apertures to disengage the front plate.

5. A carrier according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The clips extend rearwardly from the front plate as feet on which the front plate can stand at an angle once removed from the housing.

6. A carrier according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: The clip is located adjacent the upper edge, and the front plate is further attached to the housing adjacent its lower edge, preferably in a pivotably connected manner.

7. The carrier according to claim 6, wherein: The front plate includes left and right trunnions near its lower edge, which engage in supports formed in the side plates.

8. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The rear surface of the front plate includes a tube guide for retaining a portion of an enteral feeding tube.

9. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Screw connectors are provided on the rear surface of the front plate for releasably attaching the feed pump.

10. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The bottom tray includes an overflow tray, and a lower edge of the front panel extends forward of the overflow tray.

11. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The adjustable container stabilizer is extendable to a position such that the center of gravity of the container extends above the housing of the carrier.

12. A carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein: The container stabilizer includes a suspension hook.

13. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an adjustable foot, the foot being adjustable between a first position and a second position, in which the foot is located within the perimeter of the shell, and in the second position, the foot extends from the shell to a position enabling the foot to engage a surface on which the shell is placed to stabilize the carrier, the side panel comprising a guide within which the foot is able to slide, the guide forming an abutment surface for the front panel.

14. The carrier according to claim 7 and claim 13, wherein: The guide element comprises a web which is formed integrally with the side plate and has a guide section leading to the support element.

15. A carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein: The support element comprises a lower support element for positioning below the container and a container retaining element for retaining the container in a suitable position within the housing, wherein the lower support element is height-adjustable relative to the bottom tray, thereby allowing the container to be supported at different positions above the bottom tray.

16. The carrier according to claim 15, wherein: The lower support element includes a container placement shelf extending between the side panels, and a lowermost position of the shelf is aligned with an upper edge of the front panel.

17. A front plate for use in a carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, the front plate having a pair or more fingers for attachment to the carrier housing and arranged to be securely connected to the rear surface of a feed pump, wherein The fingers extend rearwardly from the front plate a distance to allow the front plate to stand on the fingers with the feed pump at an angle between 15 and 45 degrees relative to a horizontal surface.

18. An assembly comprising: A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, A container for food or liquids in the intestine; Feed kit; as well as A feed pump is attached to the front surface of the front plate.

19. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising a backpack having interior dimensions corresponding to exterior dimensions of the housing.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein: The backpack has an openable front panel to allow access to the feed pump.

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