FR2769485A1 - Aseptic distributor for fluid with single use - Google Patents

Abstract

The distributor has a stopper (5) which is fixed hermetically to the container (6) and is crossed by a supple tube (3), through which the fluid (6) flows. This passes through a peristaltic pump (7) that controls the flow. A supple air tube (1) crosses the stopper and the air passes through an anti-bacterial filter (9) and a non-return valve (10).

Description

 The present invention relates to an aseptic device for disposable or reusable use of fluid.

 In what follows, it is understood that, within the meaning of the invention, it will be considered as being able to be designated by "fluid" any liquid, gaseous, pasty, or even solid product in the form of powder, that is to say that is, likely to flow.

 Devices of this type are already known, used for example in the laboratory or, as a general rule, any installation in which it is necessary to carry out an aseptic fluid sampling at a given time and requiring frequent cleaning or changing of the sampling device.

 The known devices are imperfect and incomplete, not making it possible to carry out the whole of the present invention. This is impractical, there is also a risk in use for applications where aseptic treatment is imperative.

The invention proposes to remedy these various drawbacks by an effective device which does not require, for operation, external input other than a pinching system and tightening of a flexible withdrawal pipe.

 In accordance with the invention, this result is obtained with an aseptic single-use or reusable fluid distribution device comprising a plug hermetically fixed on an inverted fluid container, this plug being traversed by a flexible fluid withdrawal duct which passes through a means for pinching and loosening a flexible hose, and by another flexible air passage conduit provided with an anti-bacterial filter in contact with the air and with a non-return fluid means between the anti-filter -bacterial and the container fluid, so that the entire device is accessible, removable, cleanable and reassembly manually.

 In all that follows, reference will be made to a fluid constituted by a liquid soap.

 In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aseptic fluid distribution device will consist of a liquid soap dispenser placed upside down above a hospital sink.

 Patients whose immune defenses are weakened or even disappeared cannot be brought into contact with pathogenic germs which would come from an infected liquid soap duct. No system currently in place at the hospital offers a single-use device that can be cleaned or sterilized on liquid soap bottles.

 The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description below of a preferred embodiment with reference to the appended FIG. I which is a longitudinal section of the device according to the invention.

 The cap (5) hermetically closes the inverted bottle (6) of liquid soap while leaving free passage to the soap (3) and air (1) pipes. A flexible plastic pipe (I) conveys the air (2) which enters the bottle through the cap (5). A flexible plastic hose (3) conveys the soap (4) through the plug (5). A peristaltic pump (7) with a front opening allows the soap hose (3) to be easily removed or replaced.

When the peristaltic pump (7) is actuated for example by the effect of an electronic detection of the approach of the hand to the orifice of the outlet (8) of the soap pipe (3), liquid soap (4) is expelled. The soap volume (4) of the bottle (6) decreases and a call for air occurs to compensate for this loss of soap volume (4).

The air is sucked through an anti-bacterial air filter (9), it being understood that this filter (9) stops all bacteria, the aforementioned air passes through a non-return valve with elastic lips like duckbill ( 10) and progresses through the air hose (1), passes through the liquid soap (4) and passes through the air volume (2) of the bottle (6). The volume of liquid soap (4) which is expelled is thus constantly compensated for by the identical air volume (2).

When the soap bottle (6) is empty, it is removed from the cap (5). The liquid soap hose (3) is manually removed from the peristaltic pump (7) and the anti-bacterial filter (9), the non-return valve (10) and the plug (5) which have barbed hose fittings remain connected to the air (I) and soap (3) hoses. The materials from which the above parts are made are resistant to detergents, decontaminants and sterilization. For a new soap bottle, the same complete cleaned device is then available. Note the ease with which any defective parts, anti-bacterial air filter (9), non-return (10), plug (5) and flexible hoses (1) and (3) can be replaced.

Arrangements can be made to the device described without departing from the scope of the invention.

Anisi we can conceive the complete replacement of the device. Disposable devices therefore do not need to meet certain criteria such as detergency or sterilization.

It is conceivable that if there is no risk of wetting of the anti-bacterial air filter (9) or of harmful emanations of the fluid on the integrity of the filter (9) by having the bottle (6) placed at the place therefore with the plug (5) not in contact with the fluid (1) to suppress the non-return (10). In this case, the fluid pipe (3) passing through the plug (5) will go to the bottom of the fluid bottle (6).

It is also possible to design a fluid container in the form of a retractable pocket replacing the rigid fluid bottle (6). In this case the air hose (1) disappears with the non-return valve (10) and the air filter (9) since the volume of the withdrawn fluid (4) is compensated by the retraction of the bag.

Finally, one can conceive of a multiplicity of fluid pipe (3) passing through the plug (5) supplied by the same fluid (4).

Claims (5)

 1) Aseptic single-use or reusable fluid distribution device characterized in that it comprises a plug (5) hermetically fixed on a container (6) of fluid (4), this plug (5) being traversed by a flexible conduit (3) for withdrawing fluid which passes by a clamping and loosening means (7) of flexible pipe, and by another flexible duct (1) for air passage provided with an anti-bacterial filter (9) contact with air so that the entire system is accessible, removable, cleanable and reassemblable manually.  2) A dispensing device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a non-return means (10) of fluid (4) which is disposed between the anti-bacterial filter (9) and the fluid (4) of the container ( 6).  3) Dispensing device according to claim 1 characterized in that the preferred mode of pinching and loosening (7) of the tube (3) is provided by a peristaltic pump.  4) A dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that all the parts connected to flexible hoses, are by means of fluted pipe ends.  5) Dispensing device according to claim 2 characterized in that the preferred non-return means is a non-return with elastic lips.