Liquid dispensing apparatus and liquid dispensing method using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing liquid, the apparatus transferring the liquid stored in a first container that forms a first storage space to a second container that forms a second storage space, and comprising: a coupling cap coupled to an outlet of the first container; a transfer tube which has at least a portion coupled to the coupling cap, and which has one end positioned in the first storage space and the other end extending toward the second container; a pump applying a driving force to the transfer tube from the outside of the transfer tube so as to move, from one end of the transfer tube to the other end thereof, the liquid located in the transfer tube; and a filter which is coupled to the coupling cap, and which filters external air and supplies same to the first storage space.

Description

Liquid dispensing device and liquid dispensing method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid dispensing device and a liquid dispensing method using the same.

[0002] In the medical and bio fields, situations frequently arise where liquid in an existing container must be dispensed into another container for use.

[0003] In the field, users are carrying existing containers and dispensing them themselves. This places excessive strain on the user's body, causing the user to feel fatigued, and there is also a high possibility of contamination of the liquid being dispensed.

[0004] Therefore, a dispensing device that provides user convenience and prevents contamination is needed.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a liquid dispensing device and a liquid dispensing method using the same.

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by a device for dispensing a liquid, comprising: a coupling stopper coupled to an outlet of the first container, the device transferring the liquid stored in a first container forming a first storage space to a second container forming a second storage space; a transport tube, at least a portion of which is coupled to the coupling stopper, one end of which is positioned within the first storage space and the other end of which extends toward the second container; a pump that applies a driving force to the transport tube from the outside of the transport tube to move the liquid positioned within the transport tube from one end of the transport tube toward the other end; and a filter coupled to the coupling stopper, the filter filtering external air and supplying the filtered air to the first storage space.

[0007] The above transport tube includes a first tube coupled to the coupling plug, a portion of which is located in the first storage space and the remainder of which is located outside the first storage space; and a second tube connected to the first tube outside the first storage space; wherein the first tube is made of a rigid material, and the second tube is made of a flexible material.

[0008] The above first tube is made of a metal material, and the above second tube is made of a polymer material.

[0009] The above transport tube further includes a flexible tip located in the first storage space and connected to an end of the first tube, wherein the flexible tip is made of a material less rigid than the material of the first tube.

[0010] It further includes a weight body coupled to the inlet of the second container, wherein the weight body includes a through hole connected to the second tube, and an end of the second tube is located within the thickness of the weight body.

[0011] It further includes a blocking means for blocking the end of the second tube from the outside.

[0012] The above blocking means includes a contamination prevention stopper coupled with one of the through hole and the second tube in the opposite direction to the second tube, and the contamination prevention stopper is coupled to the weight body after the dispensing of the liquid is completed.

[0013] The above weight body is a plate having a first side and a second side, and the through hole includes a first part extending from the first side and receiving an end of the second tube; and a second part communicating with the first part, extending from the second side, and receiving at least a portion of the contamination prevention plug.

[0014] The cross-sectional area of ​​the second part decreases as it approaches the first part.

[0015] The above through hole is formed at the boundary between the first part and the second part, and further includes a mounting portion for mounting an end of the second tube.

[0016] The above-mentioned mounting portion is provided with a cross-sectional area smaller than the surrounding area.

[0017] It further includes a cart on which the first container and the pump are mounted, and the cart includes a first placement section on which the first container is placed; and a second placement section located above the first placement section and on which the pump is placed; and the first placement section and the second placement section are formed integrally.

[0018] The above cart further includes a storage section for storing the weight.

[0019] The above filter operates by the pressure difference between the first storage space and the outside.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is achieved by a method for dispensing a liquid, comprising: a step of positioning one end of a transport tube inside a first container storing the liquid; a step of positioning the other end of the transport tube in a second container so that the liquid is dispensed; and a step of applying a driving force from the outside of the transport tube to dispense the liquid from the first container to the second container.

[0021] In the step of positioning the other end of the above-mentioned transport tube in the above-mentioned second container, the other end of the above-mentioned transport tube is connected to a weight body, and the weight body is connected to the inlet of the above-mentioned second container.

[0022] After the dispensing step, the method further includes a step of separating the weight from the inlet of the second container; and a step of attaching a contamination prevention stopper to the separated weight in the opposite direction to which the transport tube of the weight is connected.

[0023] In the above dispensing step, the liquid moves only inside the transfer tube and is not exposed to the outside.

[0024] According to the present invention, a liquid dispensing device and a liquid dispensing method using the same are provided.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a photograph showing the upper surface of a weight body of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 is a photograph showing the rear side of a weight body of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 is a photograph showing a shape in which a contamination prevention plug is combined with a weight body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a cart of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 is a photograph showing a combination plug and filter of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a photograph showing a combination plug and a first tube of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 is a photograph showing the first tube and flexible tip of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the shape of a weight body of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 10 is a front view of a weight body of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view along AA of Fig. 10,

[0036] Figure 12 is a photograph showing a contamination prevention stopper of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of a through hole in a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 14 is a photograph showing a storage unit of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of a through hole in a liquid dispensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of a through hole in a liquid dispensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing a liquid dispensing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The attached drawings are merely examples provided to further illustrate the technical concepts of the present invention, and therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the attached drawings.

[0043] The liquid described below may be, but is not limited to, a sheath buffer or a sheath fluid used in flow cytometry.

[0044] The liquid dispensing device (1) is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the upper surface of a weight body of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a photograph showing the rear surface of a weight body of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a photograph showing a shape in which a contamination prevention stopper is coupled to a weight body according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a cart of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 1, the liquid dispensing device (1) transfers the liquid stored in the first container forming the first storage space to the second container forming the second storage space.

[0047] Figure 1 shows the relationship between components when used for division. If not used for division, some components may be separated.

[0048] The first container may be a sheath buffer box, and the second container may be a sheath tank, but is not limited thereto.

[0049] The liquid dispensing device (1) includes a combination stopper (10), a transfer tube (20), a pump (30), a filter (40), a weight (50), a contamination prevention stopper (60), and a cart (70).

[0050] The coupling plug (10) is coupled to the outlet of the first container as shown in Fig. 6, which shows the coupling plug and filter of the liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is coupled to the first tube (210) and filter (40) described later.

[0051] In addition, as shown in Fig. 7, which shows a coupling plug and a first tube of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, a first tube (210) is coupled through a coupling plug (10), and a rubber packing (110) is located inside the coupling plug (10).

[0052] The transfer tube (20) is partially connected to the coupling plug (10), one end is located within the first storage space, and the other end extends toward the second container.

[0053] The transport tube (20) includes a first tube (210), a second tube (220), and a flexible tip (230).

[0054] The first tube (210) is connected to the coupling plug (10), and a portion of the tube is located in the first storage space, while the remainder is located outside the first storage space.

[0055] The first tube (210) located in the first storage space has a sufficient length to be able to dispense liquid located in the lower part of the first storage space.

[0056] One end of the second tube (220) is connected to the first tube (210) outside the first storage space, and the other end is connected to a weight body (50) described later.

[0057] The first tube (210) is made of a rigid material, and the second tube (220) is made of a flexible material.

[0058] That is, the first tube (210) is made of a more rigid material than the second tube (220).

[0059] In the present invention, rigid includes the meanings of hardness, stiffness, not easily bendable, and rigidity, and flexible includes the meanings of flexibility, softness, elasticity, easily bendable, and ductility.

[0060] Therefore, the material of the first tube (210) may be a metal material, and the material of the second tube (220) may be a polymer material.

[0061] For example, the material of the first tube (210) may be stainless steel or titanium, and the material of the second tube (220) may be silicon.

[0062] The soft tip (230) is located in the first storage space and is connected to the end of the first tube (210).

[0063] The soft tip (230) may be made of a less rigid material than the material of the first tube (210), such as plastic or rubber.

[0064] The flexible tip (230) prevents problems such as absorption of the bottom of the first container, damage to the bottom surface of the first container, and dispensing of the liquid that may occur when the first tube (210) touches the bottom of the first container when the liquid is dispensed through the first tube (210).

[0065] As shown in Fig. 8, which illustrates a first tube and a flexible tip of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, a hole is formed on the side of the flexible tip (230), and liquid from the first container passes through the hole. However, the shape of the flexible tip (230) is not limited thereto.

[0066] The pump (30) applies a driving force to the transport tube (20) from the outside of the transport tube (20) to move the liquid located inside the transport tube (20) from one end of the transport tube (20) to the other end.

[0067] The pump (30) is powered from the outside and is installed on the outside of the second tube (220), as shown in Fig. 1.

[0068] The pump (30) may be a peristaltic pump, but is not limited thereto.

[0069] A peristaltic pump compresses a second tube (220) from the outside of a flexible second tube (220) without direct contact with the liquid, thereby moving the liquid inside the second tube (220) from a first container to a second container.

[0070] The filter (40) is connected to the coupling plug (10) and filters the outside air and supplies it to the first storage space.

[0071] The filter (40) operates based on the pressure difference between the first storage space and the outside, and when the pressure in the first storage space is lower than the outside pressure, it filters air from the outside and supplies it to the first storage space.

[0072] The filter (40) prevents the problem of the internal pressure of the first storage space dropping when the liquid is dispensed, preventing the liquid from being injected into the transfer tube (20).

[0073] The weight body (50) is connected to the inlet of the second container and includes a through hole (510).

[0074] In the present invention, the term “bonding” includes a state in which it is simply seated, a state in which it is fitted into a groove, a state in which it is compressed and sealed, a state in which it is fixed by a screw thread combination, etc.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the weight body (50) is a circular plate-shaped body in which multiple plates of different materials are integrated by screw connection.

[0076] One of the plates of different materials of the weight body (50) is made of a metal material for imparting weight, and may be, for example, stainless steel.

[0077] The other plate of the weight body (50) can be made of a resin material such as Teflon.

[0078] However, the shape and material of the weight body (50) are not limited thereto, and the weight body (50) may be a plate-shaped body made of a single material, and may have any shape that can be combined with the entrance of the second container.

[0079] The through hole (510) is connected to the second tube (220) on the upper surface (first surface) of the weight body (50), and the end of the second tube (220) is located within the thickness of the weight body (50).

[0080] The shape of the weight body (50) is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0081] For convenience of explanation, the transport tube (20) connected to the weight body (50) is not shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0082] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the shape of a weight body of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a front view of a weight body of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along AA of FIG. 10.

[0083] The weight body (50) is a circular plate having a first surface (top surface) and a second surface (rear surface), and a through hole (510) penetrating the thickness is formed in the center of the weight body (50).

[0084] The first surface is a surface located on the upper part of the weight body (50) and is a surface formed in the direction in which the weight body (50) is combined with the transport tube (20).

[0085] The second side is located at the bottom of the weight body (50), is the side facing the second storage space of the second container, and is the side opposite to the connection with the transport tube (20) of the weight body (50).

[0086] On the first side, grooves are formed spaced apart from each other around the through hole (510) as shown in Fig. 9.

[0087] This home is designed so that the user can easily hold the weight (50) when combining and separating the weight (50) from the inlet of the second container.

[0088] However, in another embodiment of the present invention, protrusions may be formed spaced apart from each other around the through hole (510), and in another embodiment, a handle may be formed.

[0089] The cross-sectional area of ​​the second side corresponds to the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet of the second container and is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first side, but is not limited thereto.

[0090] Here, “correspondence” means equal or slightly smaller.

[0091] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the weight body (50) is in the form of a first plate and a second plate that are tightly connected to each other by screws.

[0092] However, it is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment of the present invention, the first plate and the second plate may be formed as a single body using an adhesive.

[0093] Next, the contamination prevention stopper (blocking means, 60) is attached to the weight body (50) after the liquid is dispensed as shown in Fig. 4.

[0094] The contamination prevention stopper (60) is composed of a portion inserted into the end of the through hole (510) and / or the second tube (220) and a handle portion located on the outside of the weight body (50), as shown in Fig. 12, which shows a contamination prevention stopper of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] The surface of the insertion portion of the contamination prevention plug (60) has a multi-stage shape for sealing, and the handle portion has an expanded cross-sectional area for the user's convenience in handling.

[0096] However, the shape of the contamination prevention plug (60) is not limited to this, and the shape of the contamination prevention plug (60) can be any plug type shape, and the handle part can also have various shapes for the convenience of the user.

[0097] In another embodiment of the present invention, instead of the contamination prevention plug (60), a door type configuration may be employed as a blocking means for opening and closing the end of the through hole (510) and / or the second tube (220).

[0098] The door type configuration may be, but is not limited to, a sliding door or a fan-shaped revolving door.

[0099] Next, referring to Fig. 13, which shows the shape of a through hole according to one embodiment of the present invention, the shape in which the second tube (220) and the contamination prevention plug (60) are coupled to the through hole (510) will be described in detail.

[0100] For convenience of explanation, the shapes of the weight body (50), the second tube (220), and the contamination prevention plug (60) are simplified and illustrated in Fig. 13.

[0101] The through hole (510) has a constant cross-sectional area and extends from the first surface (top surface) to the second surface (rear surface).

[0102] An end of a second tube (220) is connected to the through hole (510) from the direction of the first surface, and the end of the second tube (220) is located inside the through hole (510).

[0103] When the dispensing is completed, the contamination prevention plug (60) is connected from the direction of the second surface, and the contamination prevention plug (60) is inserted into the end of the second tube (220).

[0104] However, it is not limited to this, and when dispensing is completed, the contamination prevention plug (60) may be inserted only into the inside of the through hole (510).

[0105] Next, the cart (70) forms a first placement section (710), a second placement section (720), and a storage section (730), and includes wheels that can be moved.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 5, a first container is placed in the first placement section (710), a pump (30) is placed in the second placement section (720), and a weight (50) is stored in the storage section (730).

[0107] The first batch unit (710) and the second batch unit (720) are formed as one piece.

[0108] The second placement unit (720) is positioned above the first placement unit (710), but in other embodiments, the first placement unit (710) may be positioned above the second placement unit (720), and may be positioned at the same height.

[0109] As shown in Fig. 14, which shows a storage unit of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit (730) is located on the side of the cart and stores the weight (50) separated from the inlet of the second container when liquid is not dispensed.

[0110] In the present invention, the form in which the second tube (220) and the contamination prevention plug (60) are connected to the through hole (510) can be modified in various ways, and this is explained with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0111] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of a through hole in a liquid dispensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of a through hole in a liquid dispensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] As illustrated in FIG. 15, according to another embodiment, the through hole (510) is formed with a first portion extending from the first surface (upper surface) and a second portion extending from the second surface.

[0113] The first part accommodates the end of the second tube (220), and the second part has a contamination prevention plug (60) inserted when dispensing is completed.

[0114] The first and second parts are connected to each other, and the cross-sectional areas of the first and second parts are constant.

[0115] The cross-sectional area of ​​the first part is larger than that of the second part, and a mounting portion for mounting the end of the second tube (220) is located at the boundary between the first part and the second part.

[0116] The anchoring portion is formed in the transverse direction of the thickness of the weight body (50), and stably positions the end of the second tube (220) within the thickness of the weight body (50).

[0117] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 16, according to another embodiment, the first part and the second part are connected to each other, and the second part has a cross-sectional area that decreases as it gets closer to the first part.

[0118] This reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​the second part facilitates the insertion of the contamination prevention plug (60).

[0119] A mounting portion for mounting the end of the second tube (220) is located at the boundary between the first and second parts, and the mounting portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the surrounding area.

[0120] Hereinafter, a dispensing method using a liquid dispensing device (1) will be described with reference to FIG. 17.

[0121] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing a liquid dispensing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] First, one end of the transport tube (20) is positioned inside the first container (S10).

[0123] At this time, at least a portion of the first tube (210) is positioned in the first storage space, and the flexible tip (230) is positioned so as to be immersed in the liquid stored in the first storage space.

[0124] The other end of the transfer tube (20) is positioned so that liquid is dispensed into the second container (S20).

[0125] At this time, the weight (50) connected to the end of the second tube (220) is connected to the inlet of the second container.

[0126] The steps of positioning one end and the other end of the transport tube (20) can be performed simultaneously, and the order is not limited.

[0127] Next, a driving force is applied from the outside of the transfer tube (20) to dispense the liquid from the first container to the second container (S30).

[0128] At this time, the pump (30) compresses the second tube (220) from the outside of the second tube (220), so that the liquid in the first container is transferred to the second container.

[0129] In addition, the shaking of the end of the second tube (220) is reduced by the weight of the weight body (50) combined with the inlet of the second container, so that the liquid is dispensed stably.

[0130] When the dispensing is completed, the weight (50) is separated from the inlet of the second container (S40).

[0131] Finally, the contamination prevention plug (60) is connected to the through hole (510) in the opposite direction to the connection of the transfer tube (20) (S50).

[0132] According to the present invention, when the liquid is dispensed, the pump (30) operates outside the transport tube (20), so that the liquid moves only inside the transport tube (20), does not come into contact with other components, and is not exposed to the outside, so that the contamination prevention effect is excellent.

[0133] And since there is no process of lifting the first container when dispensing liquid, it does not cause fatigue to the user's body, and it can be conveniently transported using a cart (70).

[0134] In addition, the liquid is dispensed stably without shaking at the end of the second tube (220) due to the weight (50), and even when stored, a contamination prevention stopper (60) is inserted into the weight (50) and placed in the storage section to prevent foreign substances from entering the inside of the transport tube (20).

[0135] While specific aspects of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific descriptions merely represent preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the substantial scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. In a device for dispensing liquid, The device transfers the liquid stored in the first container forming the first storage space to the second container forming the second storage space, A coupling plug coupled with the outlet of the first container; A transport tube, at least part of which is connected to the coupling plug, one end of which is located within the first storage space and the other end of which extends toward the second container; A pump that applies a driving force to the transport tube from the outside of the transport tube to move the liquid located within the transport tube from one end of the transport tube to the other end; and A device comprising a filter coupled to the above-mentioned combination plug and supplying the filtered external air to the first storage space.

2. In paragraph 1, The above transport tube, A first tube coupled to the above-mentioned coupling plug, a portion of which is located in the first storage space and the remainder of which is located outside the first storage space; and A second tube connected to the first tube from outside the first storage space; The above first tube, It is a rigid material, The above second tube, A device made of flexible material.

3. In paragraph 2, The above first tube is made of metal, The above second tube is a device made of a polymer material.

4. In paragraph 2, The above transport tube, Further comprising a flexible tip located in the first storage space and connected to an end of the first tube; The above soft tip is, A device made of a material less rigid than the material of the first tube.

5. In paragraph 2, It further includes a weight body coupled to the inlet of the second container; The above weight is, including a through hole connected to the second tube; A device in which the end of the second tube is located within the thickness of the weight body.

6. In paragraph 5, A device further comprising a blocking means for blocking an end of the second tube from the outside.

7. In paragraph 6, The above blocking means is, A contamination prevention plug coupled with one of the through hole and the second tube in the opposite direction to the second tube; The above contamination prevention stopper is a device that is connected to the weight body after the dispensing of the liquid is completed.

8. In paragraph 7, The above weight body is a plate having a first side and a second side, The above through hole is, A first portion extending from the first surface and accommodating an end of the second tube; and A device comprising a second portion communicating with the first portion, extending from the second surface, and accommodating at least a portion of the contamination prevention plug.

9. In paragraph 8, A device in which the cross-sectional area of the second part decreases as it approaches the first part.

10. In paragraph 8, The above through hole is, A device further comprising a mounting portion formed at the boundary between the first part and the second part and configured to mount an end of the second tube.

11. In paragraph 10, The above-mentioned fixing part is, A device with a small cross-sectional area compared to its surroundings.

12. In paragraph 5, Further comprising a cart on which the first container and the pump are mounted; The above cart, A first arrangement section in which the first container is arranged; and A second arrangement part is located above the first arrangement part and includes the pump; A device in which the first arrangement section and the second arrangement section are formed integrally.

13. In paragraph 12, The above cart, A device further comprising a storage unit for storing the above weight.

14. In paragraph 1, The above filter is a device that operates by the pressure difference between the first storage space and the outside.

15. In the method of dispensing liquid, A step of positioning one end of a transport tube inside a first container storing the above liquid; The other end of the transport tube is connected to a weight body, and the weight body is connected to the inlet of the second container, and the other end of the transport tube is positioned in the second container so that the liquid is dispensed; and A method comprising: a step of dispensing the liquid from the first container to the second container by applying a driving force from the outside of the transport tube so that the liquid moves only inside the transport tube and is not exposed to the outside;

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