DE19608110B4 - Use of a sample container - Google Patents

Abstract

use a sample container consisting of one opposite a sample material inert, weldable plastic, the one Receiving space forms and one with a cap (8; 108) tight lockable Filler and removal opening, a nozzle (5; 105) with a fitting bearing surface for a cylindrical Sieve and membrane filter receiving unit (113), wherein at that of the filling and removal opening opposite end of the receiving space a weld zone (2; 102), which has a suspension means (4; 104) for sample preparation in a Stomacher and subsequent membrane filtration.

Description

The The invention relates to the use of a sample container for a System for sampling, sample storage, sample preparation, Sample processing and / or for sample transport from one to the Sample material inert material with a tightly sealable filling and Removal opening.

For many microbiological, chemical and physical analyzes, for example in the field of food, environmental and hospital hygiene, in veterinary and pharmaceuticals, in the monitoring of manufacturing processes and for many other purposes, sample containers are needed, depending on which from the properties of the sample, which is for example Water or other liquids, Foodstuffs, materials for bioburden determination, materials for Trace element analysis and other chemical analyzes, high demands are made. Since the known sample containers are adapted to the respective requirements, there are a variety of different sample containers, resulting in a total of enormous effort leads. Since these products are dimensionally stable containers, For example, bottles, have these sample containers during transport as empties, but also during storage as empties, a big Space requirements. Furthermore, after transport to the laboratory the Sample to be examined in elaborately prepared containers for further processing, such as for homogenization in Stomacher and for the filtration with the aid of sterilized filter devices, transferred. The The number of workable samples is on the one hand by the transport volume and secondly because of the high processing effort for both the sample transport and processing containers as well as for filtering machinery, sterile bottles u. Like. Limited. Already at the preliminary planning and pricing need the investment costs, the running costs for reprocessing, ie personnel, Cleaning and sterilization costs, as well as the transport capacity considered because they essentially determine the final price of the analysis. A limited processing capacity leads further often to ensure that the samples to be processed one after another are of different lengths must be stored temporarily. at Numerous investigations also increase this Like the risk of contamination when transferring the sample, the measurement uncertainty.

It is known from the Prospek "Laboratory Sample Divider" from Retsch (1991) that bags with a solid formulation are used for dividing and reducing solid substances in laboratory sample dividers. From the DE 3720733A1 It is already known to homogenize samples in the Stomacher in normal plastic bags (without fixed approach).

Of the Invention is based on the object, the use of a sample container specify the samples from sampling to filtration no longer transferred Need to become. These The object is achieved by a use having the features of the patent claim 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments of the sample container are specified in the subclaims.

With the sample containers is a sterilization and in a superposition a re-sterilization easy to carry out. Furthermore, they are easy to pick up different samples and safe to handle contamination. The containers can be safe and space-saving, e.g. in cool boxes and other commercial Transport containers, be transported. At the end of the weld zone can hang be provided to the sample containers, for example in the laboratory, on holding means - for example Hook - hang up too can. The graduation allows a defined quantity withdrawal. The samples can be homogenized in the container in a Stomacher become. Further, an additive of suspension media or elution liquids possible. The holder of a membrane filter can be attached directly to the nozzle so that the desired liquid content without additional Membrane filter attachment can be filtered. Even a sterile filter holder can be coupled directly to the nozzle, wherein the sterile filter holder either processed or can be designed as disposable goods. The filtration then takes place in the usual way Way by applying a negative pressure.

Thanks to the lid, the sample container can be tightly closed for transport and storage. Unused, folded sample containers have a very small volume, which results in a low transport volume and a low transport weight of the empties. Furthermore, the inventive use of the sample container allows savings of treatment costs, which may consist of personnel, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization costs. The reduced treatment costs also lead to energy savings. Savings can also be achieved with the sample processing vessels. Furthermore, the inventive use of the sample containers leads to a higher re-contamination safety and thus also a higher accuracy of the analysis results. Also worth mentioning are time savings in sample processing and a lower one Waste volume than in the known sample containers.

The sample container is preferably designed as a bag: But other deformable or semi-rigid containers are possible.

in the The following is the use of the sample bag based on the drawing shown. There are two embodiments of possible sample containers explained in detail.

It demonstrate

1 a side view of a first embodiment, 2 the side view of a second embodiment together with a detachable with the nozzle body and a clamp for pressing the body to the nozzle.

A universally applicable sample container for a system for sampling, sample storage, sample preparation, sample processing and sample transport is such 1 shows as a flat bag 1 trained, at his one, in 1 End shown above, a weld zone 2 which is parallel to the edge line 3 and extends at a distance to this over the entire bag width. Depending on the application is already in the production of flat bag 1 executed in the weld zone a tight weld. The flat bag 1 but also, for example, for the introduction of the sample material, first at the the welding zone 2 be open end and be provided only after the introduction of the sample material with the weld.

The flat bag 1 Therefore, consists of a weldable plastic, which is also inert for the sample material. Between the welding zone 2 and the borderline 3 has the in 1 End shown above at least one hole, in the exemplary embodiment, two holes 4 on to the flat bag 1 to hang on hooks. Instead of the holes 4 Of course, other suspension means, such as one or more tabs, could be provided.

This in 1 bottom of the flat bag shown below 1 is through a neck 5 formed, which also consists of a inert material for the sample material, but of a hard plastic. The stub 5 is therefore to the other part of the flat bag 1 forming film welded. From one end of the border line 3 leads at right angles to her a straight longitudinal edge line 6 to the neck 5 , The other longitudinal edge line 7 of the flat bag 1 runs from the edge line 3 from initially parallel to the longitudinal edge line 6 until about the middle between the two ends of the flat bag 1 , From here, the longitudinal edge line approaches 7 steadily the longitudinal edge line 6 until she has the neck 5 reached. In the area of this the longitudinal edge line 6 approaching section of the longitudinal edge line 7 is one at the neck 5 beginning graduation 9 provided, which allows a defined quantity extraction. Of course, it is also possible, one over the entire length of the flat bag 1 extending graduation or in the part of constant bag width to provide a second graduation, which at the weld zone 2 starts. At the neck 5 is a cap 8th molded, which, optionally with the interposition of a seal, by means of a snap connection in close contact with the nozzle 5 can be held, which limits a filling and removal opening. The snap connection may be formed, for example, in the form that the closure cap 8th is provided with a circumferential bead in a circumferential groove of the neck 5 can snap. In the embodiment, the nozzle is 5 formed with an internal thread for screwing on a filter attachment. The stub 5 but could also be designed so that the connection of a filter attachment or other device could be done in other ways.

The filter bag 1 is a disposable bag that comes ready to use and does not need to be reprocessed after use.

If the flat bag 1 is intended for receiving samples that make it difficult to homogenize after filtration, a second plastic bag with a Verbandstoffähnlichen structure may be provided in its interior, which retains large parts during filtration, as may be required for example in food and wastewater investigations.

Also in 2 illustrated embodiment in the form of a bag; which is a flat bag, but which could also have a different bag shape, consists of a sample material inert plastic that is weldable. In accordance with the embodiment according to 1 has the flat bag 101 in the 1 End portion shown above a weld zone 102 on which parallel to the adjacent edge line 103 and extends at a distance from this over the entire bag width. Also with this flat bag 101 can in the welding zone 102 already during the bag production or after the introduction of the sample material. dense weld can be provided, which extends over the entire bag width. In the area between the border line 103 and the welding zone 102 is at least one hole for attaching the flat bag 101 provided on hooks: The in Ausfüh For example, two holes are provided with 104 characterized.

The two longitudinal edge lines 106 and 107 which are from the margin line 103 up to a nozzle provided at the other end of the bag 105 extend, run, starting at the edge line 103 , initially at right angles to this and thus parallel to each other. Following this they approach steadily and to the same extent to the neck 105 , which is aligned on a longitudinal center line. Along the one longitudinal edge line 106 is one beyond their kink point reaching, at the weld zone 102 beginning graduation 109 and along the other longitudinal edge line 107 one at the neck 105 beginning graduation 110 intended. Due to the reduced bag width, the latter makes it possible to read even relatively small quantities and quantity changes.

The cylindrically shaped neck as in the first embodiment 105 is made of a hard plastic, while the remaining part of the flat bag 101 forming film is flexible.

With the outside of the neck 105 is about a movie hinge 111 a cap 108 connected, which, optionally with the interposition of a ring seal, the nozzle 105 can close tightly. Preferably, to the cap 108 in close contact with the free end of the neck 105 to keep a snap closure provided; for example, in the form that the cap 108 or the neck 105 is provided with a circumferential annular bead, which is able to engage in a provided on the other part, circumferential annular groove.

With the neck 105 For example, a filter holder 112 coupled to form a tight connection, which is a cylindrical filter receptacle 113 having. The stub 105 is to the diameter of the screen holder 113 adjusted so that one end face, optionally with the interposition of a ring seal, to the free end face of the nozzle 105 can be applied. To the orientation of the filter holder 113 and the filter insert in it 114 on the neck 105 and to facilitate the filling and removal opening formed by this is at the nozzle 105 one over the one contact surface for the filter holder 1.12 or any other device forming end face projecting and only over, a part of the circumference extending wall 115 molded, which as an abutting edge for the filter holder 113 or another with the neck 105 to be coupled device is used.

In the exemplary embodiment is the filter holder 113 in the radial direction to the outside something about an adjoining them funnel 116 over to it by means of a usual clamping pliers 117 to the neck 105 to be able to press, for the preparation of the clamping pliers 117 in its outer circumferential surface an annular groove 118 having. The clamping pliers 117 Can therefore be so set that at diametrically opposite points of the neck 105 and the filter holder 113 the cheeks 119 each one of the two spring-loaded pairs of jaws in the annular groove 118 engage or the filter holder 113 can engage.

Of course, other types of connections, such as screw and connectors come into question. Also a pushing on the neck 105 in the radial direction by means of guide elements can be provided if necessary.

At the itself from the Siebaufnahme 113 way narrowing funnel 116 closes a piece of pipe 120 on, that with a shut-off valve 121 with an external stopcock 122 is provided and for example a rubber stopper 123 carries, which is inserted into the receiving opening of a container.

Claims (10)

Use of a sample container consisting of a weldable plastic which is inert to a sample material and which forms a receiving space and one with a closure cap ( 8th ; 108 ) tightly closable filling and removal opening, a nozzle ( 5 ; 105 ) with a matching contact surface for a cylindrical sieve and membrane filter receiving unit ( 113 ), wherein at the filling and removal opening opposite end of the receiving space a weld zone ( 2 ; 102 ), which is a suspension means ( 4 ; 104 ) has for sample preparation in a Stomacher and subsequent membrane filtration. Use of a sample container according to claim 1 for Sampling, sample storage, sample transport or sample processing. Use of a sample container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle ( 5 ; 105 ) consists of a harder plastic than the recording space limiting material. Use of a sample container according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nozzle ( 105 ) an abutment edge ( 115 ) for the alignment of a body to be coupled with it ( 113 ) has on the filling and removal opening. Use of a sample container according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the closure cap ( 8th ; 108 ) via a deformable connecting element ( 111 ) with the neck ( 5 ; 105 ) connected is. Use of a sample container according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a snap closure for the positioning of the closure cap ( 8th ; 108 ) is present in the closed position. Use of a sample container according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the welding zone ( 2 ; 102 ) at a distance from the adjacent edge ( 3 ; 103 ) of the sample container is arranged and the area between the welding zone ( 2 ; 102 ) and its adjacent edge ( 3 ; 103 ) with at least one hole ( 4 ; 104 ) is provided. Use of a sample container according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein its dimension transversely to the longitudinal extent defined by the two ends at least on a part of its length against the neck ( 5 ; 105 ) decreases. Use of a sample container according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one graduation ( 9 ; 109 . 110 ) is preferably present with values increasing from one end to the other. Use of a sample container according to one of claims 1 to 9, with one in the sample container arranged filter bag is present.