U.S. patent application number 13/883896 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-12 for blister packaging for liquid and use thereof and method for supplying a liquid to a fluidic assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM MICROPARTS GMBH. The applicant listed for this patent is Dirk Kurowski, Oliver Paul. Invention is credited to Dirk Kurowski, Oliver Paul.
Application Number | 20130327672 13/883896 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43836563 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130327672 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kurowski; Dirk ; et
al. |
December 12, 2013 |
BLISTER PACKAGING FOR LIQUID AND USE THEREOF AND METHOD FOR
SUPPLYING A LIQUID TO A FLUIDIC ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A packaging, particularly a blister packaging, is proposed,
having at least one cavity for holding a liquid and having an
integrated opening device. The packaging can be used as a reservoir
for a liquid for connecting to a fluidic assembly. The packaging is
opened by partial deformation of the packaging.
Inventors: |
Kurowski; Dirk; (Gevelsberg,
DE) ; Paul; Oliver; (Gelsenkirchen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kurowski; Dirk
Paul; Oliver |
Gevelsberg
Gelsenkirchen |
|
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM MICROPARTS
GMBH
Dortmund
DE
|
Family ID: |
43836563 |
Appl. No.: |
13/883896 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
November 3, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP11/69327 |
371 Date: |
July 24, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/462 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 3/52 20130101; B65D
75/368 20130101; B01L 3/502715 20130101; B65D 85/00 20130101; B65D
2205/02 20130101; B01L 2400/0683 20130101; B01L 2400/0481 20130101;
B65D 2221/00 20130101; B65D 2575/367 20130101; B65D 2575/362
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/462 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 10, 2010 |
EP |
10014438.5 |
Claims
1. Packaging (1) having at least one cavity (2) for holding a
liquid (3), the packaging (1) comprising a support (4) and a cover
(5), between which the cavity (2) is formed, characterised in that
the packaging (1) comprises an opening device (7) integrated in the
packaging (1) for opening the cavity (2) or the cover (5).
2. The packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the
opening device (7) is formed in or by the support (4).
3. The packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the
packaging (1) or opening device (7) is embodied such that it is
opened by at least partial deformation or depression of the support
(4) or cover (5).
4. The packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the
opening device (7) comprises or is formed by a portion (8)
protruding into the cavity (2) or towards the cover (5).
5. The packaging according to claim 4, characterised in that the
portion (8) is of conical and/or pointed configuration or a
combination thereof.
6. The packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the
packaging (1) comprises a channel (9) fluidically connected to the
cavity (2), the opening device (7) being arranged in or formed in
the channel (9).
7. The packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the
support (4) and the cover (5) are connected or connectable in the
connecting region (6) in an at least substantially fluidtight,
continuous, annular or circumferential manner or a combination
thereof.
8. The packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the
support (4) and the cover (5) are connected or connectable to one
another by adhesion, heat-sealing or welding.
9. The packaging according claim 1, characterised in that the
support (4) is partly deep-drawn or thermoformed in order to form
the cavity (2).
10. The packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the
cover (5) is of at least substantially flat and/or smooth or a
combination thereof configuration.
11. The packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that a
fluidic assembly (11) is connected to the packaging
(1)--particularly in fluidtight and/or gastight manner--so that
liquid (3) can be supplied from the cavity (2) to the fluidic
assembly (11).
12. The packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the
liquid (3) contains an investigation liquid, a washing liquid, a
reaction liquid or a solvent.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging, particularly
blister packaging, having at least one cavity for holding a liquid,
according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention further
relates to the use of a cavity of blister packaging as a reservoir
for a liquid and a method of supplying liquid from packaging to a
fluidic assembly.
[0002] The present invention relates to the admission of a liquid
into a packaging, particularly a blister packaging. The liquid is
admitted into a cavity in the packaging. The cavity is formed in
particular by a blister. The following description is therefore
directed to a blister pack or to a blister for holding a liquid,
even if the present invention is not restricted to this but may
also preferably be used in other liquid packaging.
[0003] The filling of one or more cavities with substances, solid
objects or liquids is known, for example, from the field of
so-called visual packaging or blister packs. Blister packs are used
in various sectors and industrial fields and are provided with at
least one cavity into which the contents to be packed therein are
introduced. As a rule the contents of the cavity are visible from
outside. However, the blister packs may also cover or encase the
contents or the liquid contained therein in airtight or concealed
manner.
[0004] A typical blister pack usually comprises two films which in
turn may be made up of several layers of different or identical
materials. The films are generally made of plastics and/or metal,
e.g. aluminium, while other materials such as paper or the like may
theoretically also be used, or used in addition. The two films are,
in particular, a base layer or base film (support) and a cover
layer or cover film (cover).
[0005] In the base film or support there may be one or more wells
or depressions for holding the liquid, into which the liquid,
particularly a pharmaceutical formulation, is introduced. The cover
film or the cover is then placed on the base film or support and
fixed or attached thereto, and this is done, for example, at the
edges or in a connecting region, particularly in flatly abutting
surface regions, preferably by adhesion, heat-sealing, welding or
the like.
[0006] DE 103 43 668 A1 discloses a particularly leaktight blister
pack for medicaments; the opening of the blister pack is not
described in detail.
[0007] DE 20 2007 003 050 U1 discloses a blister pack for a liquid
active substance. Here, the active substance is supposed to be
released into the environment by diffusion. However, this is
precisely what the packaging according to the invention sets out to
prevent.
[0008] The present invention relates in particular to a blister
packaging which is mounted on a fluidic assembly, preferably a
medicinal cartridge (for example a so-called biosensor), in which
the liquid introduced into the cavity of the blister packaging,
particularly provided with a reagent or a number of reagents, is
supposed to initiate or permit a certain analytical reaction in the
cartridge. The opening of the cavity, if required, should be
capable of being carried out easily and/or in a defined manner.
[0009] The problem on which the present invention is based is to
provide a packaging, particularly a blister packaging, having a
cavity for holding a liquid, a use of such a packaging and a method
of supplying liquid to a fluidic assembly, while simple and/or
defined opening of the packaging or cavity is enabled or
assisted.
[0010] The above problem is solved by a packaging according to
claim 1, a use according to claim 12 or a method according to claim
13. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the sub-claims.
[0011] According to the proposal, the packaging comprises an
opening device integrated in the packaging for opening the cavity
or, in particular, a cover of the packaging. The opening device is
formed, in particular, in or by a support of the packaging. This
permits simple and/or economical manufacture, and simple and/or
defined opening of the packaging or of the liquid-filled
cavity.
[0012] According to the proposal, the packaging or a blister
packaging having an integrated opening device as mentioned
hereinbefore is used as a reservoir for a liquid, particularly for
an investigation liquid, a washing liquid, a reaction liquid, a
solvent or the like, while the packaging or cavity is connected to
a fluidic assembly for receiving the liquid after the packaging or
cavity has been opened. This enables the fluidic assembly to be
supplied with the liquid in a very easy and inexpensive manner. The
fluidic assembly is, in particular, a microfluidic investigating
device, for example, for detecting at least one analyte in a
biological sample such as blood or blood constituents.
[0013] According to the proposal, liquid is supplied from the
packaging to a fluidic assembly configured in particular as
mentioned hereinbefore, by the packaging being--at least
partially--deformed in order to actuate the opening device and
thereby open the packaging or cavity. Moreover, the packaging or
cavity can be deformed (additionally and/or in a second step) in
order to expel liquid from the packaging and/or supply it to the
fluidic assembly--particularly under pressure. In this way, a very
simple and/or defined opening is made possible, and the opening may
in particular also be automated and/or capable of being carried out
using a punch or other tool that deforms the packaging in order to
open it.
[0014] Further advantages, features, properties and aspects of the
present invention will be apparent from the claims and the
following description of a preferred embodiment by reference to the
drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic section through a proposed
packaging; and
[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section through the packaging with
an associated fluidic assembly.
[0017] In the Figures the same reference numerals have been used
for identical or similar parts where corresponding or comparable
properties and advantages are achieved, even if the description is
not repeated.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows in diagrammatic section a proposed packaging 1
having at least one cavity 2 for receiving a liquid 3.
[0019] The packaging 1 seals in the liquid 3 preferably at least
substantially in fluidtight and/or gastight manner.
[0020] The packaging 1 is embodied in particular as a blister pack.
The cavity 2 is formed in particular by a blister of the packaging
1 or blister pack.
[0021] The liquid 3 is, in particular, an investigation liquid, a
washing liquid, a reaction liquid, a solvent or the like,
particularly preferably for use in a microfluidic system for
determining an analyte or value and/or for investigating, in
particular, a preferably biological sample or the like.
[0022] The packaging 1 comprises a support 4 and an associated
cover 5.
[0023] The support 4 is, in particular, an at least substantially
flat or planar element and/or flat material and/or a base layer or
base film or the like.
[0024] The support 4 may be relatively rigid or else flexible
and/or deformable at least in some areas. Preferably, the support 4
has relatively great rigidity or strength in its main direction or
plane of extent.
[0025] In the embodiment shown, the support 4 is preferably more
rigid or stiff in construction than the cover 5 and/or sufficiently
rigid to at least substantially or primarily determine the
deformation of the packaging 1.
[0026] The cover 5 is preferably an at least substantially flat or
planar and/or smooth element or flat material and/or a cover layer
or cover film, particularly preferably for flatly covering the
associated support 4.
[0027] Preferably, the support 4 and/or the cover 5 is or are
embodied as a film and/or made of film, plastics, metal and/or a
composite material containing plastics and/or metal, in
particular.
[0028] The support 4 and the cover 5 may theoretically be made from
the same material. In the embodiment shown, the support 4 and the
cover 5 are, however, preferably made from different materials.
[0029] The cover 5 is preferably of flexible and/or deformable
construction and is in particular capable of being opened, for
example, by tearing open, pressing in, piercing or the like,
particularly preferably in order to take out or dispense the liquid
3. Alternatively or additionally, the support 4 may also be
openable in corresponding manner.
[0030] At least one cavity 2 for holding the liquid 3 is formed
between the support 4 and the cover 5. Particularly preferably, a
number of cavities 2 are formed.
[0031] In particular the packaging 1 or the support 4 and/or cover
5 may particularly preferably consist of a strip of continuous
material or the like. The continuous material can then be divided
or separated into individual packages 1 each having at least one
cavity 2 for holding the liquid 3, before or preferably after the
introduction of the liquid 3, as required. The following
description will detail only the preferred construction of a cavity
2, even though the continuous material or the packaging 1 may
comprise several such cavities 2, optionally also of different
sizes and/or containing different liquids 3.
[0032] In order to form the cavity 2, a depression or concavity is
preferably formed in the support 4 and/or cover 5, preferably only
in the support 4 in the embodiment shown, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
The depression or concavity is particularly in the form of a well.
The depression or cavity 2 is produced in particular by
thermoforming and/or deep-drawing, in this case of the support
4.
[0033] After the introduction of the liquid 3 into the depression
or concavity or cavity 2--in the support 4 according to the
embodiment shown--the packaging 1 or cavity 2 is closed or sealed.
To do this the cover 5 is placed on top and at least partly
attached to the support 4 in a connecting region 6. The connecting
region 6 is formed in particular in the region of flatly abutting
surface regions of the support 4 and cover 5. The connecting region
6 adjoins the cavity 2, particularly laterally and/or
circumferentially. For example, the connecting region may surround
the cavity 2 in an annular configuration.
[0034] The connecting region 6 or, in the case of a plurality of
cavities, the plurality of connecting regions 6, is or are
preferably located in a plane E and/or main plane of extent E
and/or on a flat side of the packaging 1, the support 4 and/or
cover 5. In particular, the connecting region 6 surrounds the
cavity 2 in question in a circumferential and/or annular
manner.
[0035] The connecting of the support 4 and cover 5 is preferably
carried out by heat-sealing, welding, adhesion and/or any other
suitable method.
[0036] The support 4 and the cover 5 are connected or connectable
with one another at least substantially in fluidtight manner, in
particular in at least substantially gastight, continuous, annular
and/or circumferential manner.
[0037] FIG. 1 shows the proposed packaging 1 in the filled state.
The cavity 2 (the blister) is filled with liquid 3 and sealed.
[0038] According to the proposal, the packaging 1 comprises an
opening device 7 integrated therein, for opening the packaging 1 or
cavity 2 or cover 5. The opening device 7 is preferably formed in
one piece with the packaging 1 or the support 4 and/or formed in or
by the support 4, as indicated by way of example in FIG. 1.
[0039] The opening device 7 preferably comprises a portion 8
protruding into the cavity 2 or towards the cover 5 or is formed
thereby.
[0040] Particularly preferably, the opening device 7 or the portion
8 is produced by thermoforming or deep-drawing the support 4 or the
material that forms the support 4. Alternatively or additionally,
the opening device 7 or the protruding portion 8 may also be formed
by an additional element, piece of material or the like that is in
particular fixedly connected to the support 4, and/or by a
thickened portion. In particular, the opening device 7 or the
portion 8 may also be reinforced relative to other portions or
areas of the support 4, for example, by means of a reinforcing
structure (not shown) such as ribs or the like, and/or by a
thickening of the material, by strengthening of the material, by an
insert, by an additional layer and/or by additional or different or
modified material or the like.
[0041] The portion 8 or its end region or free end is particularly
preferably of conical and/or pointed configuration and/or is
directed towards the cover 4 or the main plane of extent E.
[0042] In the embodiment shown, the opening device 7 is preferably
arranged or formed somewhat at a spacing from the actual cavity 2,
in particular in a channel 9 or the like that, particularly
preferably, laterally adjoins the cavity 2. The channel 9 is in
particular also formed by the packaging 1, particularly preferably
by a corresponding depression or concavity of the support 4. The
channel 9 is preferably directly fluidically connected to the
cavity 2 even when the packaging 1 is closed or the cover 5 is
closed.
[0043] Particularly preferably, the opening device 7 in the
embodiment shown is formed in the region of one end of the channel
9.
[0044] Preferably, the channel wall, spaced from the cover 5 or
another wall portion of the support 4 or channel 9 spaced from the
cover 5, is provided with the opening device 7 or the protruding
portion 8. However, other design solutions or arrangements are also
possible.
[0045] The packaging 1 or opening device 7 is preferably configured
such that the packaging 1 is opened by at least partial deformation
or depression, particularly of the support 4 or cover 5, in this
case of the support 4 or the wall of the channel 9 or of the
protruding portion 8, particularly in a predetermined region or
adjacent to the opening device 7. In particular, when depressed,
the opening device 7 or the protruding portion 8 opens the cover 5,
particularly by tearing or cutting open, piercing or the like. The
opening of the cover 5 is carried out particularly in an area that
is immediately adjacent to or opposite the opening device 7 or the
protruding portion 8.
[0046] To assist with the opening, the cover 5 may be provided in
the opening area with at least one "predetermined breaking point",
for example, by suitable weakening of the material or the like.
[0047] Alternatively or additionally, to assist with the opening,
the support 4 may be embodied to be particularly easily deformable,
or with relatively little or less force, in the region of the
opening device 7, particularly around the protruding portion 8.
This may be achieved, for example, by corresponding weakening of
the material and/or shaping of the support 4 in this region. Such
shaping may comprise, for example, the configuration of a
corresponding flexible corrugation around the protruding portion 8
or the like.
[0048] Preferably, the packaging 1 or the opening device 8
comprises a deformation region which is formed here, in particular,
by a corrugation-like structure 10 which enables particularly easy
deformation of the packaging 1 or, here, of the support 4, for ease
of deformation or actuation of the opening device 7, particularly
to enable the protruding portion 8 to be pressed relatively easily
against the cover 5 in order to open the packaging 1.
[0049] FIG. 2 shows, in a diagrammatic section, not to scale, the
proposed packaging 1 with an associated fluidic assembly 11. In
particular, the packaging 1 is fixed or non-releasably connected to
the fluidic assembly 11. In particular, the packaging is connected
or connectable to the fluidic assembly 11 in fluidtight and/or
gastight manner so that liquid 3 can be fed from the cavity 2 to
the fluidic assembly 11--particularly preferably after the
packaging 1 or cavity 2 has been opened.
[0050] In the embodiment shown, the packaging 1 is mounted or
attached to the fluidic assembly 10 particularly by its flat side
or the cover 5, for example by adhesion, heat-sealing, welding or
the like. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the drawing
diagrammatically shows that the sealed packaging 1 or cavity 2 is
attached to a support part 12 of the fluidic assembly 11
particularly by means of a sealing or adhesive layer 13, for
example, a double-sided adhesive strip. However, a different
connection and/or different design solutions are also possible.
[0051] The packaging 1 or cavity 2 is preferably arranged such
that, with its opening region, i.e. the region that can be opened
by the opening device 7, it at least partly covers a drain 14 of
the fluidic assembly 11, more particularly is arranged above it.
The drain 14 is formed, for example, by a depression, a channel or
the like, particularly in the support part 12. A channel 15 or
other, particularly microfluidic structure of the fluidic assembly
11 may adjoin the drain 14. Particularly preferably, the drain 14
and/or the channel 15 form part of a microfluidic structure of the
fluidic assembly 11. By "microfluidic" are meant here volumes of
preferably less than 1 ml.
[0052] The fluidic assembly 11 or microfluidic structure may
further comprise an investigation region (not shown) or the like,
for example, for a biological sample such as blood, blood
constituents or the like.
[0053] In the embodiment shown, the cavity 2 or the blister formed
thereby in the packaging 1 or blister packaging is preferably used
as a reservoir for the liquid 3, while the packaging 1 or cavity 2
is attached to the fluidic assembly 11 for holding the liquid 3
after the packaging 1 or cavity 2 has been opened. In theory,
however, the proposed packaging 1 can also be used for other
purposes.
[0054] In order to open the cavity 2 or dispense liquid 3, the
packaging 1 is opened by means of the opening device 7,
particularly by actuation of the opening device 7.
[0055] In order to open the cavity 2 or the cover 5 or to actuate
the opening device 7 the packaging 1 or the support 4 is deformed,
particularly preferably in the region of the channel 9 or the
opening device 7, in the embodiment shown, so that the opening
device 7 or the protruding portion 8 opens the cover 5, in
particular, especially by tearing it open, piercing it, cutting it
or the like. This--preferably only partial--deformation of the
packaging 1 or support 4 is preferably done using a tool, such as a
punch 16 as shown in FIG. 2, or the like.
[0056] In order to open the cover 5 or the cover film, the latter
is pressed by the opening device 7 or by the portion 8, for
example, into a depression located below it, such as the drain 14,
and thereby locally deformed and overstressed until the cover 5 or
the cover film tears in this region and thereby opens the cavity
2--in this case through the channel 9--towards the fluidic assembly
11.
[0057] After the opening of the packaging 1 or the cover 5, the
liquid 3 is able to flow out of the cavity 2 into the fluidic
assembly 11 or the drain 14 or the microfluidic system of the
assembly 11. This outflow of the liquid 3 can be brought about or
assisted by gravitational force, capillary forces, suction,
compression, reduced pressure, excess pressure or the like.
[0058] In the embodiment shown, deformation of the cavity 2
preferably additionally takes place after the opening of the
packaging 1 or of the cover 5, particularly in a second step, in
order to put the liquid 3 under pressure and/or expel it from the
packaging 1 or cavity 2 and convey it to the fluidic assembly 11.
This deformation of the cavity 2 may be done, for example, using a
tool, such as the punch 17 shown, or by another suitable method,
possibly also by manual deformation with a finger or the like.
[0059] The opening of the packaging 1 or actuation of the opening
device 7 or the (partial) deformation of the packaging 1 or support
4 required for this purpose, on the one hand, and the deformation
of the cavity 2 in order to place the liquid 3 under pressure
and/or expel it from the cavity 2, on the other hand, may be
carried out independently of one another, but also linked together,
as indicated by the dashed line connecting the two punches 16 and
17. For this purpose it is also possible, for example, for the
punches 16 and 17 to be formed by a shared tool or the like and/or
to be controlled or moved in correspondingly correlated manner.
[0060] The opening of the packaging 1 or cavity 2 by means of the
opening device 7 may if required also be carried out by the fluidic
assembly 11, for example, by means of a drive for the punch 16
associated with the assembly 11. The same applies to possible
deformation of the cavity 2 for placing the liquid 3 under pressure
and/or conveying it out of the cavity 2 into the fluidic assembly
11.
[0061] In addition, depending on the construction and requirements,
the packaging 1 may also be provided with a venting device (not
shown) which is opened, for example, by corresponding deformation
of the device 1 or of the support 4 or actuation of the opening
device 7 and/or when the cavity 2 is deformed, and allows ambient
air, for example, to flow through a corresponding opening in the
support 4 or cover 5 into the cavity 2. Venting may if required
also be carried out through the fluidic assembly 11, if desired
even through the opening produced by the opening device 7. For this
purpose the opening device 7 may, for example, produce a
correspondingly shaped or sufficiently large opening in the cover 5
or some other part of the packaging 1 and/or optionally a plurality
of openings, for example, by means of a number of protruding
portions 8.
[0062] A particular advantage of the combination of the proposed
packaging 1 with the fluidic assembly 11 is that it allows
connection of this kind, for example, by attachment on the flat
side, to be carried out very easily, so that a fluidtight and
preferably also gastight connection or one that is sealed off from
the ambient air can be produced between the cavity 2, on the one
hand, and the fluidic assembly 11 or the microfluidic system formed
thereby or contained therein or the drain 14 or the like, on the
other hand.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0063] 1 packaging [0064] 2 cavity [0065] 3 liquid [0066] 4 support
[0067] 5 cover [0068] 6 connecting region [0069] 7 opening device
[0070] 8 portion [0071] 9 channel [0072] 10 structure [0073] 11
fluidic assembly [0074] 12 support portion [0075] 13 adhesive layer
[0076] 14 drain [0077] 15 channel [0078] 16 punch [0079] 17 punch
[0080] 20 [0081] E plane
* * * * *