Mixing bag
The mixing bag's innovative design with aligned upper spaces and peeling seals addresses bulkiness issues, enabling efficient mixing and compact transportation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024093761
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing multi-chamber medical containers with drugs arranged one above the other are bulky, causing inconvenience in transportation and handling.
A mixing bag with two upper internal spaces aligned front-to-back, separated by a lower internal space, and sealed portions that allow communication between the upper and lower spaces upon peeling, minimizing vertical expansion and ensuring compact design.
The compact design facilitates easier transportation and handling while ensuring efficient mixing of contents without the need for excessive lower internal space volume.
Smart Images
Figure 2025185490000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] This invention relates to a mixing bag. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-chamber medical container in which the container body is divided into a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber by a communicable partition means. Different types of medicines are stored in the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, and the different types of medicines are mixed when the partition means is opened. The first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are arranged next to each other, one above the other, when the multi-chamber medical container is viewed from the front.
[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a medical container comprising a container body including a soft bag in which a first medicine chamber and a second medicine chamber are formed by a partition, an ejection port connected to the first medicine chamber, and an ejection port covering member surrounding the ejection port. By strongly pressing the first medicine chamber or the second medicine chamber, the partition is released and the first and second medicine chambers become connected. The first medicine chamber and the second medicine chamber are also arranged next to each other, one above the other, when the medical container is viewed from the front. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-211558 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-173316
[0005] Both the multi-chamber medical container of Patent Document 1 and the medical container of Patent Document 2 are designed to mix different types of drugs immediately before use, and are therefore transported with the different types of drugs stored inside. Because the different types of drugs are arranged one above the other, the container dimensions are large, which may cause inconvenience in transporting and handling. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a compact mixing bag.
[0007] The mixing bag of this invention has two upper internal spaces lined up in the front-to-back direction and a lower internal space that is continuous with both of the two upper internal spaces, the volume of the lower internal space being smaller than the volume of each of the two upper internal spaces, and first and second sealing portions that separate each of the two upper internal spaces so that they can communicate with each other are formed at the boundaries between each of the two upper internal spaces and the lower internal space.
[0008] Both the first and second seals divide the internal space of the mixing bag into multiple subspaces that can communicate with each other. The first seal separates one of the two upper internal spaces lined up in the front-to-back direction (the front space) so that it can communicate with the lower internal space, and the second seal separates the other of the two upper internal spaces lined up in the front-to-back direction (the rear space) so that it can communicate with the lower internal space. The communication between the front space and the lower internal space, and the communication between the rear space and the lower internal space, is achieved by peeling (removing) the first and second seals. The contents that have been previously filled in each of the two upper internal spaces enter the lower internal space and are mixed by peeling off the first and second seals.
[0009] According to this invention, the two upper internal spaces that communicate with the lower internal space by peeling off the first and second seals are arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction of the mixing bag, so the overall size (expansion) of the mixing bag can be made smaller than mixing bags in which two partial spaces are arranged side by side in the up-down or left-to-right direction, making it suitable for transportation and handling. Although the two upper internal spaces and the lower internal space are arranged vertically with the first and second seals in between, the lower internal space is a space for mixing the contents of the two upper internal spaces, so there is no need to ensure its volume is larger than necessary. Therefore, in the mixing bag of this invention, the volume of the lower internal space is smaller than the volume of each of the two upper internal spaces. The vertical expansion of the mixing bag can also be kept to a minimum.
[0010] Preferably, the first and second seal portions are formed side by side in the front-rear direction, which allows the first and second seal portions to be formed simultaneously, which is convenient in terms of manufacturing.
[0011] However, the first and second seal portions do not necessarily have to be formed side by side in the front-to-back direction (at the same location); for example, the first seal portion may be positioned closer to the top end of the mixing bag than the second seal portion.
[0012] In one embodiment, the first and second seal portions have equal seal strength. The first seal portion and the second seal portion can be peeled off almost simultaneously, preventing only one of the two upper internal spaces from communicating with the lower internal space, and preventing the contents from being forgotten to be mixed.
[0013] In one embodiment, a partition is provided to separate the upper space into two upper internal spaces aligned in the front-to-rear direction, creating a total of three internal spaces: the two upper internal spaces separated by the partition, and a lower internal space that is continuous with both of the two upper internal spaces.
[0014] Preferably, the mixing bag is provided with a surface film that forms the surface of the mixing bag, a back film that forms the back of the mixing bag, and a partition film that is positioned between the surface film and the back film and divides the upper space into front and back.
[0015] In one embodiment, the edges of the first and second seal portions are formed in a wavy shape, which allows the first and second seal portions to be peeled off smoothly.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, a discharge tool for discharging the contents to the outside is connected to the lower end of the lower internal space, and the contents that have entered the lower internal space are discharged to the outside through the discharge tool.
[0017] In one embodiment, the lower end of the lower internal space to which the ejector is connected is formed obliquely downward toward the ejector, so that the contents in the lower internal space can be completely ejected from the ejector to the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a multi-chamber infusion bag according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an end view of the multi-chamber infusion bag taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of a multi-chamber infusion bag in a state where the first partition seal portion is open. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an end view of the multi-chamber infusion bag taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view of a multi-chamber infusion bag according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of a multi-chamber infusion bag according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view of a multi-chamber infusion bag according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view of a multi-chamber infusion bag according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Figure 1 is a front view of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 of the first embodiment. Figure 2 is an end view of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front view of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 in a state in which the first and second drug chambers 11 and 12, which will be described later, are connected, and Figure 4 is an end view of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3. Hatching in Figures 1 and 3 indicates the sealing area (the same applies to other figures). The thickness of the film that makes up the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 is depicted with considerable emphasis in Figures 2 and 4.
[0020] The multi-chamber infusion bag 1 has a vertically long rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is composed of three flexible films 51, 52, and 53 made primarily of plastic. Two flexible films 51 and 52 form the front and back surfaces of the multi-chamber infusion bag, and one flexible film 53 forms a partition wall separating the first and second drug chambers 11 and 12, which will be described later. Instead of using two flexible films 51 and 52, the front and back surfaces of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 may be formed by folding one flexible film; for example, the right end of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 is the folding position of the one flexible film. Hereinafter, the two flexible films 51 and 52 that make up the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 will be referred to as the "front surface film 51" and the "back surface film 52." The flexible film 53 that separates the first and second drug chambers 11 and 12 will be referred to as the "partition film 53." If the front and back surfaces of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 are made of a single flexible film, the portions of the flexible film located on the front and back sides respectively become the front film 51 and the back film 52.
[0021] The front and back films 51, 52 may be made of polyethylene (PE) film, for example, produced by the inflation method, with a thickness of 100 to 500 μm, a flexural modulus of 50 to 800 MPa, and a tensile modulus of 50 to 300 MPa. Polypropylene (PP) or other polyolefin films may be used instead of the PE film. Furthermore, instead of a single-layer film, a multilayer film with an intermediate layer of ethylene-vinyl copolymer resin (EVOH) may be used.
[0022] The partition film 53 may be a single layer film or a multilayer film having the same structure as described above.
[0023] The front and back films 51, 52 are sealed around the entire periphery of the upper end, lower end (except for the part where the outlet member 42 described later is provided), left end, and right end of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 (periphery seal part 31), and the peripheral seal part 31 forms the internal space of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1. If the front and back surfaces of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 are made of a single flexible film as described above, sealing of the folded ends is not necessarily required. The seal part is formed by heat welding the front and back films 51, 52 (there is also a part where a partition film 53 is sandwiched between them). A circular hook hole 41 is opened in the sealed area at the upper end of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1, and the hook hole 41 can be used to hang the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 from a hanger or the like.
[0024] A cylindrical outlet member 42 is connected to the lower end of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1, approximately at the center in the left-right direction. The outlet member 42 is a hollow tubular member made of hard polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like, with open top and bottom ends. Front and back films 51, 52 are watertightly and airtightly adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the outlet member 42. The outlet member 42 is firmly fixed to the lower end of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1, so that the medicine will not leak from the outer peripheral part of the outlet member 42.
[0025] The hollow (internal space) of the outlet member 42 is filled with, for example, a rubber stopper (not shown), and the hollow of the outlet member 42 is blocked by this rubber stopper. A needle tube is inserted into the rubber stopper from the lower end opening of the outlet member 42, and the tip of the needle tube is brought to the internal space of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 (the mixed drug chamber 13 described below), whereby the drug is discharged to the outside through the needle tube.
[0026] The multi-chamber infusion bag 1 has a seal portion 21 extending laterally that divides the internal space of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 into an upper space and a lower space, thereby dividing the internal space of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 into the upper space and the lower space. Also, referring to FIG. 2, the range of the upper space divided by the seal portion 21 is further divided in the front-to-rear direction (front-to-back direction) by a partition film 53. Hereinafter, the space on the front side (front side, front side) of the upper space divided into front and back (front and back) by the partition film 53 will be referred to as the "first medicine chamber 11," and the space on the rear side (back side, rear side) will be referred to as the "second medicine chamber 12." The entire periphery of the partition film 53 is sandwiched between front and back films 51, 52, which are heat-sealed to each other. The lower space divided from the first and second medicine chambers 11, 12 by the seal portion 21 will be referred to as the "mixed medicine chamber 13." The upper end opening of the outlet member 42 is located at the center of the lower edge of the mixed medicine chamber 13 .
[0027] In the initial state (when the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 is unused), first medicine chamber 11 and second medicine chamber 12 contain different types of liquid medicine A and B, respectively (see Figure 2). On the other hand, in the initial state, no medicine is contained in mixed medicine chamber 13, and mixed medicine chamber 13 is empty (see Figure 2). As will be described later, medicine A in first medicine chamber 11 and medicine B in second medicine chamber 12 enter mixed medicine chamber 13, where they are mixed (mixed medicine AB). The volume of mixed medicine chamber 13 is smaller than the volumes of first medicine chamber 11 and second medicine chamber 12 of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1, respectively.
[0028] The laterally extending seal portion 21 separating the first and second drug chambers 11, 12 from the mixed drug chamber 13 includes a pair of tapered seal portions 21A that are continuous with the peripheral seal portions 31 at the left and right ends of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1, respectively, and that extend partway toward the center while narrowing in seal width, and a communicating seal portion 21B that is continuous with each of the narrow ends of the pair of tapered seal portions 21A. The upper and lower edges of the communicating seal portion 21B are formed in a wavy shape (a continuous plurality of uneven shapes). The technical significance of forming the communicating seal portion 21B so that the upper and lower ends are wavy will be described later.
[0029] In seal section 21 including communicating seal section 21B, surface film 51 and partition film 53 are sealed together (FIG. 2, front seal section 21a), and back film 52 and partition film 53 are also sealed together (FIG. 2, rear seal section 21b). Front seal section 21a and rear seal section 21b are also aligned in the front-to-rear direction. Front seal section 21a between surface film 51 and partition film 53 separates first drug chamber 11 and mixed drug chamber 13, and rear seal section 21b between back film 52 and partition film 53 separates second drug chamber 12 and mixed drug chamber 13.
[0030] The peripheral seal portion 31 at the upper end of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 includes narrow seal width areas on both the front and back sides. These narrow seal width areas are the drug insertion ports 35, 36. That is, drug A is inserted into the first drug chamber 11 through the drug insertion port 35 (between the surface film 51 and the partition film 53). Drug B is inserted into the second drug chamber 12 through the drug insertion port 36 (between the back film 52 and the partition film 53). After inserting drugs A and B, the upper end of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 used as the drug insertion ports 35, 36 is sealed, thereby completing the multi-chamber infusion bag 1, in which drug A is stored in the first drug chamber 11 and drug B is stored in the second drug chamber 12.
[0031] The peripheral seal portion 31 at the lower end of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 is formed so that the lower edge 13a of the mixed medicine chamber 13 extends diagonally downward from the left and right ends toward the center. The reason why the lower edge 13a of the mixed medicine chamber 13 is formed diagonally downward toward the center is so that the mixed medicine AB contained in the mixed medicine chamber 13 can be poured toward the center. As described above, the discharge outlet member 42 is provided at the center of the lower edge of the mixed medicine chamber 13, so that the mixed medicine AB in the mixed medicine chamber 13 can be sent out toward the discharge outlet member 42 without any waste.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, taking the center of gravity of the first medicine chamber 11 as viewed from the front (the approximate intersection of the diagonal lines when the first medicine chamber 11 is viewed from the front) as the reference point C, the shortest distance L1 from the reference point C to the communication seal portion 21B is shorter than the distances L2 to L3 from the reference point C to the narrow peripheral seal portion 31 of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 that is closest to the reference point C (L1 < L2, L3). Therefore, when the first and second medicine chambers 11 and 12 are pressed (for example, strongly squeezing the first and second medicine chambers 11 and 12 of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 by hand from the front and back), the load (pressure) generated by the movement of medicine A in the first medicine chamber 11 and the movement of medicine B in the second medicine chamber 12 is likely to reach the communication seal portion 21B first. Further, as described above, since the upper and lower edge portions of the communication seal portion 21B are formed in a wavy (concave and convex) shape, when the first and second medicine chambers 11 and 12 are pressed, locations where the load generated by the movement of medicines A and B concentrates are generated, and the peeling between the front and back surface films 51 and 52 and the partition film 53 in the communication seal portion 21B (the front seal portion 21a and the rear seal portion 21b) occurs smoothly.
[0033] When the first and second medicine chambers 11 and 12 are pressed, a load is also applied to the peripheral seal portion 31 of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1, for example, the right end portion of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 shown in FIG. 1, by the medicine A in the first medicine chamber 11 and the medicine B in the second medicine chamber 12. However, since the peripheral seal portion 31 is formed flat (straight) without concavities and convexities, the load applied by the movement of medicines A and B disperses without concentrating in a narrow range. Therefore, even when the first and second medicine chambers 11 and 12 are pressed, peeling of the front and back surface films 51 and 52 does not occur in the peripheral seal portion 31 (a large force beyond what a person can exert is required to cause peeling in the peripheral seal portion 31). In contrast, since there are concavities and convexities in the upper and lower edge portions of the communication seal portion 21B, locations where the load concentrates when medicines A and B move are generated, and thereby, peeling of the front and back surface films 51 and 52 from the partition film 53 occurs in the communication seal portion 21B (the front and rear seal portions 21a and 21b).
[0034] It goes without saying that the force required to cause separation of communicating seal portion 21B increases or decreases depending on the seal width of communicating seal portion 21B. When first and second medicine chambers 11 and 12 are pressed with an appropriate force, separation occurs in communicating seal portion 21B, and communicating seal portion 21B should be formed to have such a seal width.
[0035] Referring to Figure 3, when first and second medicine chambers 11, 12 are pressed, front and back films 51, 52 are peeled off from partition film 53 at communication seal portion 21B, thereby connecting both first medicine chamber 11 and second medicine chamber 12 to mixed medicine chamber 13. Referring to Figure 4, first and second medicine chambers 11, 12 and mixed medicine chamber 13 are filled with mixed medicine AB.
[0036] There is no difference in seal strength between the two front and rear seal portions 21a, 21b that are aligned in the front-to-back direction in the communicating seal portion 21B. As a result, when the first and second medicine chambers 11, 12 are pressed, the front and rear seal portions 21a, 21b peel off at approximately the same time. In other words, only medicine A or only medicine B does not flow into the mixed medicine chamber 13. The mixed medicine chamber 13 can be filled with mixed medicines AB, preventing forgetting to mix them.
[0037] To ensure that peeling of the front and back surface films 51, 52 at the peripheral seal portion 31 (i.e., destruction of the container) does not occur, a wide seal width may be ensured at the peripheral seal portion 31. The seal strength of the peripheral seal portion 31 may be made relatively large by weakening the seal strength of the communication seal portion 21B. The seal strength may be controlled by the seal width as described above, or may be controlled by the amount of heat and / or pressure applied to the front and back surface films 51, 52 during sealing (thermal welding). Of course, a material for controlling the seal strength, such as an easy-peeling agent, may also be used.
[0038] 5 is a front view of the multi-chamber infusion bag 2 of the second embodiment. The shape of the communication seal part 21C separating the first medicine chamber 11 and the second medicine chamber 12 is different from that of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 of the first embodiment.
[0039] The communicating seal portion 21C differs from the communicating seal portion 21B of the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 of the first embodiment in that the upper and lower edges are not wavy, it has protrusions that protrude toward the first and second drug chambers 11 and 12, and the seal width at the protrusions is narrow.
[0040] When first and second drug chambers 11, 12 are pressed, the load generated by drugs A and B moving within first and second drug chambers 11, 12 reaches the top of the protruding portion of communicating seal portion 21C, where front and back films 51, 52 peel off from partition film 53. Drug A flows from first drug chamber 11 and drug B flows from second drug chamber 12 into mixed drug chamber 13.
[0041] 6 is a front view of the multi-chamber infusion bag 3 of the third embodiment. It differs from the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 of the first embodiment in that the wavy upper and lower edges of the communication seal portion 21D are not symmetrical (the convex and convex, and the concave and concave are in the same position), but rather the convex and concave, and the concave and convex are in corresponding positions (shifted by half a wavelength). In the third embodiment, the seal width of the communication seal portion 21D is approximately equal throughout its entirety, which allows the seal strength of the communication seal portion 21D to be approximately the same along its entire length.
[0042] 7 is a front view of the multi-chamber infusion bag 4 of the fourth embodiment. It differs from the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 of the first embodiment in that the communication seal portion 21E is formed in a wavy shape not only at the upper and lower edges but also over the entirety, and the seal width is narrow overall. By forming the seal width of the communication seal portion 21E to be narrow, it is possible to facilitate communication between the first and second medicine chambers 11, 12 and the mixed medicine chamber 13.
[0043] 8 is a front view of the multi-chamber infusion bag 5 of the fifth embodiment. It differs from the multi-chamber infusion bag 1 of the first embodiment in that the communication seal portion 21F has a periodic waveform with multiple sharp peaks facing each of the first and second medicine chambers 11, 12 and the mixed medicine chamber 13. Communication seal portion 21F of this shape also easily allows communication between the first and second medicine chambers 11, 12 and the mixed medicine chamber 13. [Explanation of symbols]
[0044] 1,2,3,4,5 mixed bag 11 First Pharmacy 12 Second Pharmacy 13 Mixing Room 21 Seal part 21a Front seal 21b Rear seal 21A Tapered seal part 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F Communication seal part 42 Discharge port member (discharge tool) 51 Surface film 52 Back film 53 Partition film
Claims
1. It has two upper internal spaces arranged in the front-to-rear direction and a lower internal space that is continuous with both of the above two upper internal spaces, The volume of the lower internal space is smaller than the volumes of the two upper internal spaces, First and second seal portions that separate the two upper internal spaces from the lower internal space so that they can communicate with each other are formed at the boundaries between the two upper internal spaces and the lower internal space, mixed bag.
2. The first and second seal portions are formed in a front-to-rear arrangement, 10. The mixing bag of claim 1.
3. The first and second seal portions have equal seal strengths.
10. The mixing bag of claim 1.
4. It is equipped with a partition wall that separates the upper space into two upper internal spaces aligned in the front-to-rear direction.
10. The mixing bag of claim 1.
5. The mixing bag is provided with a surface film that forms the surface of the mixing bag, a back film that forms the back surface of the mixing bag, and a partition film that is disposed between the surface film and the back film and divides the upper space into front and rear spaces.
10. The mixing bag of claim 1.
6. The edges of the first and second seal portions are formed in a wavy shape.
10. The mixing bag of claim 1.
7. A discharge tool for discharging the contents to the outside is connected to the lower end of the lower internal space.
10. The mixing bag of claim 1.
8. The lower end of the lower internal space to which the ejector is connected is formed obliquely downward toward the ejector.
8. The mixing bag of claim 7.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Medical double-chamber container with unopened use preventive mechanism
JP2005211558A
Medical container
JP2008173316A