Device for transferring a liquid

Abstract

Device (1) for transferring a liquid (22), preferably a biopharmaceutical liquid, from a bulk storage container (11) to at least one container (12) comprising at least one conduit path (13) configured to receive at least one liquid-transfer conduit (2) for transferring the liquid (2) from the bulk storage container (11) to the at least one container (12), wherein there is provided at least one cooling device (3) for cooling at least one part of the at least one conduit path (13).

Description

Device for transferring a liquid

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for transferring a liquid, preferably a biopharmaceutical liquid, from a bulk storage container to at least one container.

[0002] In biopharmaceutical production processes, it is common to dispense large amounts of fluids into smaller packages while simultaneously ensuring an aseptically closed system.

[0003] For this purpose, either manual labor or automated filling units are used to aliquot the fluid into multiple, smaller sized containers.

[0004] To distribute the fluid in an aseptic way, so called single-use assemblies (SUAs) are being used. These units are gamma irradiated to ensure the sterility of the fluid path.

[0005] Some pharmaceutical or medical fluids are not heatstable and / or are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Thus, these fluids need constant cooling, preferably below 8 degrees Celsius (in the following °C) , to maintain a specific temperature in order to prevent damage.

[0006] According to the state of the art this is attempted to be achieved by cooling down the source holding the fluid to be filled, preferably with a jacketed mixer or a thermoplate, and then placing the liquid-filled single use containers in a cooling chamber .

[0007] This has the disadvantage of the temperature sensitive fluid being exposed to the temperature of the surrounding environment, usually room temperature, along the path from the source to the single use container until the single use containeris finally placed in a temperature regulated environment, e.g., a cooling chamber, again.

[0008] This is especially critical for single use assemblies with a small cross-sectional area of the tubing, wherein typical inner diameters of the tubing range between 1 / 8" to 3 / 8", and a large surface area of the single use containers. As a consequence, the temperature-sensitive fluid will adapt quickly to the ambient temperature and thus get damaged.

[0009] Furthermore, the filling time and length of the tubing can act as amplifying factors, meaning the longer the path from the source to the single use container and the lower the flow rate of the liquid, the bigger the heat transfer through the environment .

[0010] The effect reduces as more fluid flows through the tubing of the single use assembly and the temperature of the tubing gets closer to that of the fluid. Nevertheless, the first amount that flows through the SUA will still heat up considerably and will eventually be damaged.

[0011] It is the object of the present disclosure to at least partially eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantage and to ensure a more temperature-stable filling process.

[0012] This task is solved by a device for transferring a liquid, preferably a biopharmaceutical liquid, from a bulk storage container to at least one container according to claim 1, a device according to claim 9 and a method for transferring a liquid according to claim 16.

[0013] The device according to claim 1 comprises at least one conduit path configured to receive at least one liquid-transferconduit for transferring the liquid from the bulk storage container to the at least one container, wherein there is provided at least one cooling device for cooling at least one part of the at least one conduit path.

[0014] The advantage of this is that the cooling of the fluid is not limited to the start and the end point of the filling process, but rather maintained during the entire process, such that temperature fluctuations are at least reduced.

[0015] Furthermore, longer filling paths and / or filling processes with a slow flow rate of the fluid can be realized without the risk of damage to the fluid.

[0016] Advantageous is also the possibility to adjust the system to a desired temperature in case of an active cooling device .

[0017] The at least one cooling device may be an active cooling device and / or a passive cooling device, preferably in the form of at least one PCM (phase-change material) module.

[0018] In addition, protection is requested for a device according to claim 9 for transferring a liquid, preferably a biopharmaceutical liquid, from a bulk storage container to at least one container comprising at least one conduit path configured to receive at least one liquid-transfer conduit for transferring the liquid from the bulk storage container to the at least one container, wherein at least one part of the at least one conduit path is at least partly enclosed by at least one thermally insulating body.

[0019] The advantage of this is that the temperature set by the cooling mechanism of the bulk storage container is kept over alonger period of time, since the thermally insulating body reduces the heat flow between the liquid-transfer conduit and the environment .

[0020] The at least one thermally insulating body can also help to prevent condensation on the outside of the at least one liquidtransfer conduit which can be detrimental for moisture sensitive components .

[0021] Preferably the thermally insulating body consists at least partly of a plastic material that is permitted for the pharmaceutical industry or for contact with foods.

[0022] In general, the at least one conduit path may in preferred embodiments comprise a certain geometry and / or holders for holding the at least one liquid-transfer conduit in a predefined position. In this way the at least one liquid-transfer conduit can be held in place at the at least one conduit path.

[0023] In other embodiments the at least one conduit path may be a chilled surface on which the at least one liquid-transfer conduit can be disposed.

[0024] The at least one liquid-trans f er conduit may be a silicone tube, a TPE (thermoplastic elastomers) tube or a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) tube.

[0025] The at least one liquid-transfer conduit may be joined with at least one container for receiving the liquid, such as a so-called single use bag and / or a bottle.

[0026] Single use bags are in principle known and preferred containers for storing pharmaceutical, and in particular biopharmaceutical, liquids.

[0027] The at least one liquid-transfer conduit, preferably in the form of at least one TPE or silicon tube, together with one or more single use bags are also known as single use assemblies (SUA) .

[0028] The at least one container may be placed on and / or in at least one holding device during the filling process.

[0029] It turned out to be advantageous to optionally place at least one separate cooling device between the at least one holding device and the at least one container.

[0030] This at least one cooling device is either an active cooling device, preferably comprising at least one heat-trans f er conduit, or a passive cooling device, preferably in the form of at least one PCM (phase-change material) module.

[0031] This ensures that the at least one container is being cooled also during the transportation from the device for transferring the liquid to a separate cooling chamber and / or until the at least one container is transported to the cooling chamber and / or until all containers are filled.

[0032] To ensure that the correct amount of liquid is transferred to the at least one bag the device additionally can comprise at least one pinch valve and / or at least one scale.

[0033] The at least one scale is preferably integrated within the at least one holding device for the at least one container or realised as a separate component.

[0034] Traditionally, the at least one liquid-transfer conduit was not thermally controlled as it is widely believed that the usually quite short period in which the liquid is transferred fromthe bulk storage container to the at least one container would not lead to significant influence on the liquid.

[0035] However, analysis carried out by the applicant has revealed that the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid-transfer conduit can rise very quickly because of the small cross-section of the lumen in the at least one liquid-transfer conduit. Because the liquid therefore attains the temperature of the environment a negative influence is likely to occur in many scenarios .

[0036] Pharmaceutical liquids, in particular biopharmaceutical liquids, and, e.g., corresponding suspensions or the like, which can be transferred to the at least one container according to the present disclosure can for example be protein solutions, products of a separation process after a production step, antibody solutions, and / or other highly valuable products or educts in the pharmaceutical, in particular biopharmaceutical, production process.

[0037] All features and measures described in connection with the prior art can also be used or taken in connection with the present disclosure.

[0038] Advantageous embodiments of the present disclosure are defined in the dependent claims.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment the at least one cooling device is an active thermally conductive layer partly enclosing the at least one conduit path and comprising at least one heat-transfer conduit operable to hold and / or transport at least one heat conducting medium.

[0040] The heat conducting medium hereby is either a waterbased fluid, preferably water, a lipid-based fluid, preferably silicon oil, or a gas.

[0041] The heat conducting medium absorbs the heat (i.e. cooling) of the liquid-transfer conduit and / or the liquid and the heated heat conducting medium gets transported to a heat exchange system. After that the once again cool heat conducting medium is transported to the part of the cooling device surrounding the liquid-transfer conduit.

[0042] According to another preferred embodiment the at least one conduit path, is formed by at least one first body with at least one deepened structure.

[0043] The form of the structure is preferably chosen such that the first body is optimally interspersed with paths.

[0044] Furthermore, the form of the structure is preferably chosen such that it can receive the at least one liquid-transfer conduit at least partially or co-form the conduit path.

[0045] In another embodiment the at least one cooling device is formed by at least one second body with at least one deepened structure, wherein the deepened structure is operable to co-form the conduit path and / or hold at least one heat-transfer conduit.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment the cooling device comprises :- at least one heat-transfer conduit configured for holding and / or transporting at least one heat-transfer medium, and / or- at least one, preferably adjustable, cooling system pump, preferably in fluid communication with the at least one heattransfer conduit, and / or- at least one heat exchanger, preferably including a fan, preferably configured to transfer heat from the heat-transfer medium to the environment.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment the device for transferring a liquid additionally comprises at least one liquid transfer pump for pumping the liquid through the at least one liquid-transfer conduit .

[0048] The liquid transfer pump may in particularly preferred embodiments be a peristaltic pump in which the at least one liquidtransfer conduit may be placed. The liquid transfer pump then can pump the liquid in the at least one liquid-transfer conduit by peristaltic action on the at least one liquid-transfer conduit. This has the advantage that the at least one liquid-transfer conduit does not have to be separated in order to connect to inlet and outlet port of the liquid transfer pump which would have negative implications for ensuring the sterility of the at least one liquid-transfer conduit.

[0049] Further embodiments of the liquid transfer pump may be at least one gear pump, diaphragm pump, piston pump etc.

[0050] In particularly preferred embodiments the at least one first body and / or the at least one second body form at least part of the at least one heat-transf er conduit. In other words, the body or bodies making up the at least one conduit path at the same time comprise or integrate the path for the at least one heat conducting medium.

[0051] Especially preferably the device additionally comprises an open and / or closed loop controller operable to control the at least one cooling device .

[0052] In this context , open loop control ling means that the system is operable to set a predef ined value of a system variable .

[0053] In contrast to that closed loop controlling includes feedback of the system itsel f and the controller sets and / or chooses the predefined value of the system variable accordingly .

[0054] For this purpose , it is especially preferred that the device includes at least one sensor, preferably a temperature sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is placed on and / or at least partly within the at least one cooling device and / or the at least one conduit path and / or the at least one liquid-trans fer conduit .

[0055] The temperature sensors are preferably located briefly before the chilled zone of the at least one conduit path and / or within the chilled zone of the at least one conduit path .

[0056] Additionally, also the at least one cooling device itsel f may comprise at least one sensor, preferably a temperature sensor . The at least one temperature sensor of the at least one cooling device is operable to measure the temperature of the at least one heat-conducting medium and is preferably designed for permanent use . Permanent use in this sense means that the same sensor is used over several changes of the single use assembly of the filling device .

[0057] In another preferred embodiment either at least one additional cooling device for cooling at least one part of the at least one sensor or at least one additional thermally insulatingbody for insulating at least one part o f the at least one sensor is provided .

[0058] In a particularly preferred embodiment , the at least one sensor is at least partly integrated within the at least one liquid trans fer conduit and / or cooling device . Such integrated sensors are part of the single use assembly and thus get discharged after one use .

[0059] Additionally, or alternatively, at least one part of the at least one sensor is cooled and thermally insulated by an additional cooling device and an additional thermally insulating body .

[0060] It can be advantageous to enclose the at least one cooling device at least partially, preferably completely, by at least one additional cooling layer and / or at least one thermally insulating layer .

[0061] The same holds true for the thermally insulating body . Thus , it can be intended to enclose the at least one thermally insulating body at least partially, preferably completely, by at least one cooling layer and / or at least one additional thermally insulating layer .

[0062] This layered structure has the advantage of shielding the device from the environmental heat by reducing heat conduction through the corresponding thermal conductivity and / or thickness o f the individual layers as well as the overall layered structure .

[0063] In a preferred embodiment the at least one cooling device and / or the at least one thermally insulating body completely encloses and / or form- f ittingly encloses the at least one conduit path .

[0064] This allows the conduit path to be shielded in all directions from the environmental heat. Furthermore, a formfitting enclosure avoids air pockets between the conduit path and the cooling device and hence increases the cooling effect by direct contact .

[0065] In an especially preferred embodiment, the at least one cooling device (optionally the at least one first body and / or the at least one second body thereof) and / or the at least one thermally insulating body can be fastened to the at least one conduit path by the means of at least one fastening device.

[0066] The fastening device can be some external device in form of some sort of clamp, detent, glue, magnets etc.

[0067] Additionally, or alternatively, the fastening device can be integrated within the at least one conduit path and / or cooling device .

[0068] Additionally, the at least one fastening device can comprise a locking device, preferably in form of at least one energy storage element, especially preferably at least one spring, wherein the locking device is operable to create a tight connection with the at least one conduit path.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment the cooling device and / or the at least one thermally insulating body can have a modular design, comprising at least two components, wherein the front sides of at least two components are form-fitted to each other .

[0070] A modular design is characterised by at least two components, that can be form-f ittingly arranged next to each other,such that the corresponding front side of the components are aligned .

[0071] The individual form of the components varies and needs to be selected depending on the shape of the path .

[0072] Due to the disassembly into individual modular components , the cooling device and / or the at least one thermally insulating body can be quickly and easily adapted to changes in the structure of the device for trans ferring a liquid .

[0073] In a further embodiment there is provided at least one device configured to remove any condensation fluid and / or collect any condensation fluid in a drainage container .

[0074] The device for removing the condensation fluid can be in the form of at least one layer at least partly surrounding the at least one cooling device and / or at least one insulating body, wherein the at least one layer comprises at least one surface structure , preferably a nanostructure , operable to transport the condensation fluid away from the device and / or the at least one layer comprises at least one hydrophobic material . This avoids damage to moisture-sensitive components .

[0075] The drainage container can be arranged on the bottom of the device for trans ferring liquid and / or comprise several small gutters to catch and trans fer the condensation liquid away from the moisture-sensitive components .

[0076] Protection is also sought for an arrangement comprising a device according to claim 1 or one of the above-described embodiments thereof and at least one liquid-trans fer conduit placed along the at least one conduit path .

[0077] Protection is also sought for a method for transporting liquids according to claim 16 .

[0078] The method for trans ferring a liquid, preferably a biopharmaceutical liquid, from a bul k storage container to at least one container, preferably by means of a device according to at least one of the previous claims , at least comprises :- arranging at least one liquid-trans f er conduit along the at least one conduit path,- arranging the at least one cooling device and / or the at least one thermally insulating body along the at least one conduit path, such that at least one part o f the at least one conduit path and / or the at least one liquid-trans fer conduit is cooled and / or thermally insulated, and- trans ferring a liquid from a bulk storage container to at least one container through the at least one liquid-trans fer conduit .

[0079] In a preferred embodiment , the method is a computer- implemented method, comprising at least :- preparing at least the at least one bulk storage container and the at least one container, preferably also the at least one heat-trans fer conduit , at a predetermined temperature ,- measuring the current temperature of• the at least one heat-trans fer conduit and / or the at least one heat conducting medium at least at one point on and / or at least partly within the at least one cooling device and / or the at least one conduit path, and / or• the at least one liquid-trans fer conduit and / or trans ferred liquid at least at one point on and / or at least partly within the liquid-trans fer conduit and / or the at least one conduit path at least once with at least one temperature sensor, and- if the current temperature surpasses a predetermined value, open and / or closed loop controlling the temperature, preferably according to a predetermined correlation, until a predetermined limit is exceeded.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment the predetermined correlation is a smooth, preferably linear, polynomial, or exponential, function .

[0081] In a preferred embodiment of the method the temperature is measured continuously and / or in a predetermined time interval.

[0082] In an especially preferred embodiment, the temperature is open and / or closed loop controlled by- adjusting the volume flow of a cooling system pump of the at least one cooling device and / or- adjusting at least one parameter of a heat exchanger of the at least one cooling device, and / or - adjusting a valve of the at least one cooling device.

[0083] Adjusting the volume flow of the cooling system pump can for example be achieved by altering a power of a motor driving the cooling system pump or by adjusting a pump geometry.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment the predetermined value for the temperature can be a minimum temperature value (Tmin) the current temperature may not fall below and / or a maximum temperature value (Tmax) the current temperature may not exceed.

[0085] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the temperature is open and / or closed loop controlled, preferably via a PID (proportional-integral-derivative controller) controller, to match a predetermined target value for the temperature (Tset) and / orfall below a predetermined maximum temperature ( Tmax) and / or exceed a predetermined minimum temperature ( Tmin) .

[0086] Protection is also sought for a computer program which when it is executed by an open and / or closed loop controller according to claim 6 carries out the computer-implemented method of claim 16 .

[0087] Further details and advantages of the present disclosure are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings . The figures show :Fig . 1 : a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the conduit path 13 of a device 1Fig . 2 : a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the conduit path 13 of a device 1 with a first body 131 and a second body 32Fig . 3 : a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the conduit path 13 of a device 1 with a device 9 to remove condensation fluid and a drainage container 91Fig . 4 : a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the conduit path 13 with a cooling device 3 and a fastening device 7 with a locking device 71Fig . 5 : a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a container 12 in the form of a single-use bag and a corresponding holding device 14 with a separate cooling device 37Fig . 6 : a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the device 1 , a bulk storage container 11 and several containers 12Fig. 7: a flow chart of a method for controlling the temperature T

[0088] Figure 1 shows the conduit path 13 in a cross-sectional view. The conduit path 13 is configured to hold at least one liquid-transfer conduit 2 for transferring the liquid 22 from the bulk storage container 11 to the at least one container 12.

[0089] The at least one conduit path 13 is formed by at least one first body 131 with at least one deepened structure 132. The heat-transfer conduit 31 in Figure 1 is formed by drillings within the first body 131, which are operable to hold the at least one heat-conducting medium 311.

[0090] It would be also possible to identify the first body 131 in Figure 1 as second body 32 forming the cooling device 3, wherein the second body comprises at least one deepened structure 33 and is operable to co-form the conduit path 13 and / or hold at least one heat-transfer conduit 31.

[0091] The at least one liquid-transfer conduit 2 in Figure 1 is cooled by a cooling device 3 comprising at least one heattransfer conduit 31 operable to hold and / or transport at least one heat conducting medium 311.

[0092] Additionally, the conduit path 13 in Figure 1 is completely and form-f ittingly enclosed by at least one thermally insulating body 6 and / or thermally insulating layer 61.

[0093] The cooling device 3 and the additional thermally insulating body 6 and / or thermally insulating layer 61 are fastened to the conduit path 13 via at least one fastening device 7.

[0094] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the conduit path 13 of a device 1 with a first body 131 and a second body 32.

[0095] The first body 131 comprises at least one deepened structure 132 that is operable to hold the at least one liquidtransfer conduit 2.

[0096] The second body 32 comprises at least one deepened structure 33 that is operable to hold the at least one heattransfer conduit and / or co-forms the conduit path 13.

[0097] Even though the first and second body (131,32) are depictured as rectangular in Figure 2, their form is not limited to this specific geometry. The form is rather chosen depending on the individual embodiment of the device 1 and its conduit path 13.

[0098] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the conduit path 13 of a device 1 with a device 9 to remove condensation fluid and a drainage container 91.

[0099] The device 9 for removing condensation fluid comprises preferably at least one layer of at least one hydrophobic material and / or comprises at least one surface structure, preferably a nanostructure .

[0100] Additionally, the embodiment in Figure 3 includes at least one drainage container 91 to collect condensation fluid and thus secure any moist-sensitive components of the device 1 from defect and / or destruction.

[0101] Figure 4 shows a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the conduit path 13 with a cooling device 3 and a fastening device 7 with a locking device 71.

[0102] The locking device 71 comprises at least one spring and ensures a stable, secure and form-fitted hold of the thermally insulating body 6 and / or thermally insulating layer 61 as well as the conduit path 13 itself in and / or on the device 1.

[0103] The arrows within the at least one heat-transfer conduit 31 show the direction of flow of the at least one heat-conducting medium 22.

[0104] A flow of the heat conducting medium is achieved by at least one cooling system pump 34, wherein the at least one cooling system pump 34 is in fluid communication with the at least one heat-transfer conduit 31 and at least the flow rate of the at least one cooling system pump 34 is adjustable.

[0105] The cooling device 3 depictured in Figure 4 furthermore comprises at least one heat exchanger 35, preferably including a fan, preferably configured to transfer heat from the heat-trans f er medium 311 to the environment.

[0106] The effectiveness of the heat exchange of the at least one heat exchanger 35 can preferably be adjusted. In the case of a fan this can for example be easily achieved by controlling the rotational speed of the rotor blades.

[0107] In Figure 4 the adjustable parameters of the at least one cooling system pump 34 and / or the at least one heat exchanger 35 are open and / or closed loop controlled by at least one controller 4. This is depictured via the dashed lines in Figure 4. Preferably the connection between the at least one controller 4 and the at least one heat exchanger 35 and / or the at least one cooling system pump 34 is an electric and / or signal (wired or wireless) connection.

[0108] The order in which the components of the cooling device 3 are arranged in Figure 4 is not limited to this speci fic arrangement . The depictured order was simply chosen for better readability and is not to be seen as limiting feature .

[0109] Figure 5 shows a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a container 12 in the form of a single-use bag and a corresponding holding device 14 with a separate cooling device 37 .

[0110] The separate cooling device 37 in Figure 5 is pre ferably a PCM module and / or comprises at least one heat-trans fer conduit 31 .

[0111] The container 12 is linked to the device 1 by at least one liquid-trans fer conduit 2 and resting on at least one holding device 14 at least for the time it takes to transfer the liquid 22 to the container 12 .

[0112] The at least one holding device 14 for the at least one container 12 can include at least one scale 16 .

[0113] The at least one scale 16 is operable to measure the weight of the at least one container 12 . Preferably the at least one scale 16 is connected to at least one controller 4 and the filling process , meaning the flow rate of the liquid 22 and / or i f further liquid 22 should be trans ferred to the at least one container 12 , is open and / or closed loop controlled depending on the amount of liquid 22 trans ferred to the at least one container 12 .

[0114] Figure 6 shows a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the device 1 , a bulk storage container 11 and several containers 12 .

[0115] In the embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figure 5 the bulk storage container 11 is linked to the at least one container12 via at least one conduit path 13, wherein the conduit path 13 is operable to receive at least one liquid-transfer conduit 2. The liquid 22 is transferred from the bulk storage container 11 to the at least one container 12 through the at least one liquid-transfer conduit 2.

[0116] The liquid 22 passes through at least one liquid transfer pump 17, preferably a peristaltic pump, and at least one temperature sensor 52. For the sake of clarity, the liquid transfer pump 17 and the sensor 52 are depictured without any thermal insulation and / or active cooling devices. However, it would of course be possible to furnish also such additional components with an active cooling or an insulation.

[0117] The conduit path 13 in Figure 6 is at least partly enclosed by at least one cooling device 3 and / or thermally insulating body 6 in form of at least two modular components 8, wherein the front sides of at least two components 8 are formfitted to each other.

[0118] The device 1 furthermore comprises at least one bubble sensor 51 to detect air bubbles within the liquid-transfer conduit 2.

[0119] Thereby it is ensured to only transfer liquid 22 to the containers 12 and / or determine when or if all of the liquid 22 from the bulk storage container 11 is already transferred to the single use containers 12.

[0120] In Figure 6 there are two bubble sensors 51 placed along the conduit path 13. One at the start right after the liquid transfer pump 17, the other at the end of the conduit path 13.

[0121] On top of the device 1 a venting container 121, preferably a venting bag, is placed, which is operable to become fluid-connected with the at least one liquid-transfer conduit 2.

[0122] As long as the at least one bubble sensor 51 detects air bubbles within the liquid-trans f er conduit 2 , the liquid-air mixture is transported to the at least one venting container 121 and not to the containers 12 .

[0123] This ensures , that the containers 12 are filled with liquid 22 only .

[0124] The liquid 22 passes through at least one pinch valve 15 before being trans ferred to the at least one container 12 . The pinch valves 15 ensure that the correct amount of liquid 22 is trans ferred to the at least one container by open and / or closing the connection between the at least one liquid-trans fer conduit 2 and the at least one container 12 .

[0125] The at least one container is placed in and / or on at least one holding device 14 that preferably comprises a scale 16 .

[0126] The temperature sensors 52 in Figure 6 are positioned briefly before and shortly after the start of the chilling zone defined by the first cooling modules 8 along the conduit path 13 . The temperature sensor shortly after the start of the chilling zone is not explicitly labelled with a reference sign for better readability of the drawing and since the speci fic form characterises it as another temperature sensor 52 clearly enough .

[0127] A further temperature sensor 52 is placed within the chilling zone , preferably integrated within the liquid-trans fer conduit 2 .

[0128] A Last temperature sensor 52 is placed shortly before the end of the chilling zone along the conduit path 13 and before the second bubble sensor 51 .

[0129] Due to the use of several, preferably even spaced, temperature sensors 52 along the conduit path 13 a uniform temperature control is ensured.

[0130] Figure 7 shows a flow chart of a method for regulating the temperature T.

[0131] The current temperature T of at least one component of the device 1, preferably the at least one heat-transfer conduit 31 and / or the at least one heat conducting medium 311 at least once at least at one point with at least one temperature sensor 52, is measured .

[0132] As a next step, the current temperature T is compared to a predetermined value for the maximum temperature Tmax. If the temperature T exceeds the maximum temperature Tmax, the at least component is cooled by the at least one cooling device 3.

[0133] If the temperature T does not exceed the maximum temperature Tmax, the current temperature T is compared to a predetermined value for the minimum temperature Tmin. If the temperature T falls below the minimal temperature Tmin, the at least component is stopped cooling by the at least one cooling device 3.

[0134] If the current temperature T neither exceeds the maximum temperature Tmaxnor falls below the minimum temperature Tmin, thus being within an allowed temperature range, the settings of the at least one cooling device 3 are maintained.

[0135] The queries described above are then repeated at regular intervals during the entire liquid transferring process.

[0136] Alternatively, or additionally, to the steps described in connection with Fig. 7 an open and / or closed loop control of the cooling device 3 can be implemented.

[0137] There are numerous variations and ways of realising this and a user will choose the type that is viewed best suited for the individual case.

[0138] A particularly preferable type of control scheme, in particular for the case of a system that is exposed to disturbances on a regular basis and requires continuous control, is a closed- loop control with a PID controller.

[0139] Not explicitly shown in the figures is an additional cooling layer (36) including at least one respective heat-trans f er conduit ( 31 ) .Reference listDevice for trans ferring a liquid bulk storage container container venting container conduit path first body deepened structure of first body holding device for container pinch valves scale liquid trans fer pump liquid-trans fer conduit liquid cooling device heat-trans fer conduit heat conducting medium second body deepened structure of second body cooling system pump heat exchanger cooling layer separate cooling device for container controller sensor bubble sensor temperature sensor thermally insulating bodythermally insulating layer fastening device locking device module component device to remove condensation fluid drainage container temperature

Claims

Claims1. Device (1) for transferring a liquid (22) , preferably a biopharmaceutical liquid, from a bulk storage container (11) to at least one container (12) comprising at least one conduit path (13) configured to receive at least one liquid-transfer conduit (2) for transferring the liquid (2) from the bulk storage container (11) to the at least one container (12) , characterised in that there is provided at least one cooling device (3) for cooling at least one part of the at least one conduit path (13) .

2. Device (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the at least one cooling device (3) is an active cooling device comprising at least one thermally conductive layer partly enclosing the at least one conduit path (13) and wherein the at least one thermally conducting layer comprises at least one heat-transfer conduit (31) operable to hold and / or transport at least one heat conducting medium (311) .

3. Device (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the heat conducting medium (311) is a water-based fluid, preferably water, a lipid-based fluid, preferably silicon oil, and / or a gas.

4. Device (1) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein :- the at least one conduit path (13) is formed by at least one first body (131) with at least one deepened structure (132) , and / or- the at least one cooling device (3) is formed by at least one second body (32) with at least one deepened structure (33) , wherein the deepened structure (33) is operable to co-form theconduit path (13) and / or hold at least one heat-transfer conduit (31) .

5. Device (1) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the cooling device (3) comprises:- at least one heat-transfer conduit (31) configured for holding and / or transporting at least one heat-transfer medium (311) , and / or- at least one, preferably adjustable, cooling circuit pump (34) , preferably in fluid communication with the at least one heattransfer conduit (31) , and / or- at least one heat exchanger (35) , preferably including a fan, preferably configured to transfer heat from the heat-transfer medium (311) to the environment.

6. Device (1) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the device (1) additionally comprises an open and / or closed loop controller (4) operable to control the at least one cooling device (3) .

7. Device (1) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the device (1) additionally comprises at least one sensor (5,51,52) , preferably a temperature sensor (52) , wherein the at least one sensor (5) is placed on and / or at least partly within the at least one cooling device (3) and / or the at least one conduit path (13) and / or the at least one liquid-transfer conduit (2) .

8. Device (1) according to the previous claim, wherein there is provided at least one additional cooling device for cooling and / or at least one thermally insulating body (6) for insulating at least one part of the at least one sensor (5,51,52) and / or the at least one sensor (5,51,52) is at least partly integrated within the at least one liquid-transfer conduit (2) and / or cooling device (3) .

9. Device (1) , preferably according to one of the previous claims, for transferring a liquid (22) , preferably a biopharmaceutical liquid, from a bulk storage container (11) to at least one container (12) comprising at least one conduit path (13) configured to receive at least one liquid-transfer conduit (2) for transferring the liquid (22) from the bulk storage container (11) to the at least one container (12) , wherein at least one part of the at least one conduit path (13) is at least partly enclosed by at least one thermally insulating body (6) .

10. Device (1) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein :- the at least one cooling device (3) is at least partially, preferably completely, enclosed by at least one additional cooling layer (36) and / or at least one thermally insulating layer ( 61 ) , or- the at least one thermally insulating body (6) is at least partially, preferably completely, enclosed by at least one cooling layer (36) and / or at least one additional thermally insulating layer (61) .

11. Device (1) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the at least one cooling device (3) and / or the at least one thermally insulating body (6) completely encloses and / or form- fittingly encloses the at least one conduit path (13) .

12. Device according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the at least one cooling device (3) and / or the at least one thermally insulating body (6) can be fastened to the at least one conduit path (13) by the means of at least one fastening device (7) .

13. Device (1) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the cooling device (3) and / or the at least one thermally insulating body (6) has a modular design, comprising at least two components (8) , wherein the front sides of at least two components (8) are form-fitted to each other.

14. Device (1) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein there is provided at least one device (9) configured to remove any condensation fluid and / or collect any condensation fluid in a drainage container (91) .

15. Arrangement comprising a device (1) according to at least one of the previous claims and at least one liquid-transfer conduit (2) placed along the at least one conduit path (13) .

16. Method for transferring a liquid (22) , preferably a biopharmaceutical liquid, from a bulk storage container (11) to at least one container (12) , preferably by means of a device (1) according to at least one of the previous claims, comprising:- arranging at least one liquid-transfer conduit (2) along the at least one conduit path (13) ,- arranging the at least one cooling device (3) and / or the at least one thermally insulating body (6) along the at least one conduit path (13) , such that at least one part of the at least one conduit path (13) and / or the at least one liquid-transfer conduit (2) is cooled and / or thermally insulated, and- transferring a liquid (22) from a bulk storage container (11) to at least one container (12) through the at least one liquidtransfer conduit (2) .

17. Computer-implemented method according to the previous claim, that comprises:- preparing at least the at least one bulk storage container (11) and the at least one container (12) , preferably also the at least one heat-transfer conduit (31) , at a predetermined temperature,- measuring the current temperature (T) of i. the at least one heat-transfer conduit (31) and / or the at least one heat conducting medium (311) at least at one point on and / or at least partly within the at least one cooling device (3) and / or the at least one conduit path (13) , and / or i. the at least one liquid-transfer conduit (2) and / or transferred liquid (22) at least at one point on and / or at least partly within the liquid-transfer conduit (2) and / or the at least one conduit path (13) at least once with at least one temperature sensor (52) , and- if the current temperature (T) surpasses a predetermined value, open and / or closed loop controlling the temperature (T) , preferably according to a predetermined correlation, until a predetermined limit is exceeded.

18. Computer-implemented method according to at least one of the claims 16 to 17, wherein the temperature (T) is measured continuously or in a predetermined time interval.

19. Computer-implemented method according to at least one of the claims 16 to 18, wherein the temperature (T) is open or closed loop controlled by- adjusting the volume flow of a cooling system pump (34) of the at least one cooling device (3) and / or- adjusting at least one parameter of a heat exchanger (35) of the at least one cooling device (3) , and / or- adjusting a valve of the at least one cooling device (3) .

20. A computer program which when it is executed by an open and / or closed loop controller (4) according to claim 6 carries out the computer-implemented method of claim 17.

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