Abstract
An apparatus for preparing a medical solution by adding substances present in solid molded bodies to a solvent comprises a mixing container, which can be filled through an inlet with a solvent and from which the solution can be supplied to an application via an outlet, and which also has a feed port, through which the solid molded body can be introduced into the mixing container, as well as a dosing apparatus for controllable selective addition of solid molded bodies or parts thereof with different ingredients and/or different concentrations of ingredients from one or more storage containers, in which one or more corresponding receptacles of the apparatus are stored and in which the solid molded bodies are stored in such a way that they can be removed. The apparatus may also have a code detection device for detecting and analyzing a machine-readable code associated with a storage container, said code containing information about which ingredients are contained in the solid molded bodies stored in the respective storage container.
Claims
1. An apparatus (100) for preparing a medical solution by adding substances present in solid molded bodies (1360) to a solvent (108), comprising: a mixing container (102), which can be filled through an inlet (104) with a solvent (108), and out of which the solution can be supplied to an application via an outlet (106), and which also has a feed port, through which the solid molded bodies (1360) can be introduced into the mixing container (102) as well as a dosing apparatus for controllable selective addition of solid molded bodies or parts thereof with different ingredients and/or different concentrations of ingredients from one or more storage containers (120-123), which are supported in one or more corresponding receptacles (112-115) of the apparatus (100), wherein the solid molded bodies (1360) are stored in the storage container (120-123) in such a way that they can be removed.
2. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, additionally comprising: a code detection device (202; 202-x) for detecting and analyzing a machine-readable code connected to a storage container (120-123), said code containing information about which ingredients are contained in the solid molded bodies stored in the respective storage container.
3. The apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the code detection device (202; 202-x) comprises: means for detecting the fact that a storage container (120-123) is inserted into a receptacle (112-115) wherein the machine-readable code is provided by shaping of the receptacle that accommodates only storage containers with the proper shape of the part to be received by the receptacle, and/or a reader for reading out an optical code (704, 706, 710, 712) or an electrical code.
4. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein each of the receptacles for storage containers has an actuator (830; 830-x; 1130) which is releasably connectable to an ejector unit of a storage container accommodated by the receptacle, wherein the releasable connection permits a transfer of force from the actuator to a mobile closure piece (814; 814-x) of the ejector unit at least in one direction.
5. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, additionally comprising: one or more units for ensuring the conveyance of solid molded bodies to an opening in one or more storage containers connected to the apparatus.
6. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the mixing container (102) is a disposable mixing container, additionally having: a holder for removable accommodation of the disposable mixing container.
7. The apparatus (100) according to claim 6, additionally having: a guide device which automatically connects the inlet, the outlet and/or the feed port of the disposable mixing container to corresponding connections or openings on the apparatus, when the disposable mixing container is inserted into the apparatus, or which aligns the inlet, the outlet and/or the feed port relative to one another in such a way that their function is ensured.
8. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, additionally having: a heating device for heating the mixing container, a device for generating a flow in the mixing container, and/or a device for introducing a gas into the mixing container.
9. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the dosing device has a selecting device by means of which solid molded bodies (1360) or parts thereof can optionally be conveyed into the mixing container (102) or into an additional container.
10. The apparatus (100) according to claim 9, wherein the selecting device has a switch (1381) arranged upstream from the feed to the mixing container or has an ejector arranged upstream from the feed into the mixing container or wherein the closure piece has an enlarged conveyance path over which a solid molded body or parts thereof can be conveyed into the additional container.
11. The apparatus (100) according to claim 4 additionally having a deflecting device (1370; 1670), which comes in contact with the solid molded body (1360) when the closure piece (1314) has traveled a certain first distance in a first direction after removal of the solid molded body from the storage container, wherein the deflecting device exerts a force on at least one part of the solid molded body, acting in a second direction which points out of a first plane in which the first direction is located.
12. The apparatus (100) according to claim 11, wherein the deflecting device is equipped exert on contact a force on the solid molded body which causes at least first parts of the solid molded body to break off, wherein the dosing device or the closure piece is designed so that second parts of the solid molded body cannot be moved in the second direction and/or in the opposite direction or can be moved only to an insignificant extent.
13. The apparatus (100) according to claim 11, wherein the closure piece is equipped to ensure a certain orientation of the solid molded body with respect to the first direction during movement toward the deflecting device.
14. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein a detection device is provided which signals that a solid molded body is ready in the dosing device.
15. The apparatus (100) according to claim 14, wherein the detection device is equipped for optical and/or electrical detection and/or detection of a weight, a change in weight and/or a mechanical pulse.
16. A storage container (120-123; 700; 800) of an apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a storage volume which receives the solid molded body in a defined arrangement and has an opening through which solid molded bodies can be removed, an ejector unit arranged at the opening and releasably connectable to an actuator of the apparatus wherein the ejector unit comprises a closure piece (814; 814-x) which is guided movably along a predetermined trajectory and releases the opening in a first position to the extent that a solid molded body stored in the storage container can pass through the opening in the storage container to a conveyor path and which blocks the opening in the storage container in one or more positions along the trajectory that do not correspond to the first position, a machine-detectable, readable and/or analyzable code which contains information about which ingredients are contained in the solid molded bodies stored in the storage container.
17. The storage container (120-123; 700; 800) according to claim 16, wherein the closure piece comprises a component which forms a space for receiving a solid molded body and at least one area for blocking the opening in the storage container and which has either a thickness corresponding essentially to the thickness of the solid molded body to be dosed or whose top side in this area lies essentially in a plane with the highest elevation of a solid molded body accommodated in the component and facing the opening.
18. The storage container (120-123; 700; 800) according to claim 16, wherein the trajectory along which the closure piece is guided has a first section which serves to convey a solid molded body or a part thereof into the mixing container of the apparatus and has a second section which serves to convey a solid molded body or a part thereof into an additional container.
19. The storage container (120-123; 700; 800) according to claim 18, wherein the first section and the second section are separated from one another by the first position.
20. The storage container (120-123; 700; 800) according to claim 16, wherein the closure piece can be moved along the trajectory by the actuator in a linear and/or curved movement.
21. The storage container (120-123; 700; 800) according to claim 16, wherein the storage volume is equipped for positioning the solid molded bodies with respect to a direction in which the solid molded bodies are moved after being removed from the storage container.
22. The storage container (120-123; 700; 800) according to claim 16, wherein solid molded bodies stored in the storage volume are acted upon by a force acting in the direction of the opening and/or wherein the storage volume has a device which is permeable at least for gaseous fluids for connection of a space of the storage volume formed by the removed solid molded bodies connecting it to the ambient atmosphere.
23. The storage container (120-123; 700; 800) according to claim 16, wherein at least a part of the storage volume has a transparent or translucent area (1390) for optical or visual monitoring of the filling level or for detection of the fact that the filling level has dropped below the predetermined filling level.
24. The storage container (120-123; 700; 800) according to claim 16, wherein the storage volume has a device for generating an electrical or optical signal representing a filling level.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0077] The apparatus is described below with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0078] FIG. 1 shows a first schematic diagram of an example of an apparatus for preparing a solution,
[0079] FIG. 2 shows a first example of a choice of molds of receptacles for storage containers with devices for detecting coding of storage containers accommodated therein,
[0080] FIGS. 3 a)-d) show examples of detection of storage containers inserted correctly or incorrectly into receptacles according to FIG. 2,
[0081] FIG. 4 shows another example of a receptacle with devices for detection of coding of storage containers accommodated therein,
[0082] FIG. 5 shows examples of detection of storage containers inserted into the receptacle according to FIG. 4,
[0083] FIG. 6 shows another example of a receptacle with devices for detection of coding of storage containers accommodated therein,
[0084] FIG. 7 shows schematic diagrams of storage containers with variants of machine-readable codes,
[0085] FIG. 8 shows components of a first example of an ejector unit,
[0086] FIG. 9 shows the ejector unit from FIG. 8 in various working positions,
[0087] FIG. 10 shows a second example of an ejector unit,
[0088] FIG. 11 shows components of a third example of an ejector unit,
[0089] FIG. 12 shows the ejector unit from FIG. 11 in different working positions,
[0090] FIG. 13 shows a first schematic diagram of an apparatus, which makes it possible to discard a solid molded body or a part thereof in two stages,
[0091] FIG. 14 shows a second schematic diagram of an apparatus, which makes it possible to discard a solid molded body or a part thereof,
[0092] FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the apparatus from FIG. 14 in supplying one part of a solid molded body and discarding another part,
[0093] FIG. 16 shows a first schematic diagram of supplying one part of a solid molded body into two stages,
[0094] FIG. 17 shows the important steps of two alternative examples of methods for preparing a solution by means of the apparatus, and
[0095] FIG. 18 shows a second schematic diagram of an example of an apparatus for preparing a solution.
[0096] The same or similar elements may be represented with the same reference numerals in the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0097] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of an apparatus 100 according to the invention for preparing a solution. Apparatus 100 comprises a mixing container 102 having an inlet 104 and an outlet 106. A solvent can be added to the mixing container 102 through the inlet 104, and a prepared solution can be discharged through the outlet 106 for use. The figure shows the mixing container 102 filled with a liquid solvent, as indicated by the surface 108, which is drawn with wavy lines, up to a lower edge of the inlet 104. A cover part 110—shown at a distance from the mixing container 102 in the figure—has four receptacles 112-115, into which storage containers 120-123 are inserted. Receptacles 112-115 are represented by squares, shown in perspective in the figure, and are not illustrated in detail. Solid molded bodies (not shown in the figure) stored therein can be removed selectively from the storage containers 120-123 and conveyed into the mixing container 102. The solid molded bodies conveyed into the mixing container 102 dissolve in the solvent contained in mixing container 102 and thus create a solution with the desired composition. When the solution has the desired composition, it can be removed through the outlet 106 and sent for use. Inlet 104 and/or outlet 106 may also be connected to cover part 110, for example, by tubes or pipes, which lead into and out of the mixing container.
[0098] A control circuit (not shown in the figure) comprises one or more processors, working memories and nonvolatile memories, which store computer program instructions, so that they can be retrieved and form a control program for preparing a solution by means of the apparatus. The control circuit and the respective components may be arranged in or on the cover part 110. Means (also not shown in the figure) for detecting a code provided on the storage containers 112-115 also provide information about the solid molded bodies stored in the respective storage containers 112-115 in a machine-readable form.
[0099] FIG. 2 shows a first example of a choice of shapes of receptacles 200 for storage containers (pedestal shapes) with code detection devices 202 for detecting a code on storage containers accommodated therein. Receptacle 200 shown at the left of the figure has an octagonal outline, which is provided for receiving a corresponding octagonal base part of a storage container. Devices 202 may be simple switches, for example, which are in a different condition, e.g., closed, when a storage container is inserted than when the storage container is not inserted and they are open, for example. Instead of simple switches, a magnetic switch or a photoelectric barrier may also be provided, or something similar that will provide the corresponding signals.
[0100] Receptacle 200, shown at the center of the figure, has a round cross section, which is provided to receive a corresponding round base part of a storage container. With this receptacle, only one device 202 is provided, as will be explained further below with reference to FIG. 3.
[0101] Receptacle 200 shown at the right of the figure has a square cross section, which is provided for receiving a corresponding square base part of a storage container. Two devices 202 are provided with this receptacle, as with the octagonal receptacle.
[0102] FIG. 3 shows examples of detection of storage containers inserted correctly and incorrectly into the pedestal according to FIG. 2.
[0103] Part a) of FIG. 3 shows storage containers with the correct base parts inserted into the proper receptacles, represented by the corresponding shapes with slightly smaller dimensions than the receptacles. Thus, a storage container with an octagonal base part is accommodated in the left receptacle 200, a storage container with a round base part is accommodated in the central receptacle, and a storage container with a square base part is accommodated in the right receptacle. The signal status of the respective devices 202 is altered in comparison with the signal status when no storage container is accommodated. For example, all the switches accommodated in a respective receptacle are now closed. The code for the contents of the storage containers is based on the shape of the base part, i.e., solid bodies with certain ingredients and optionally in a certain concentration are stored in a storage container with a base part of a certain shape. For detecting the ingredients, it is sufficient to detect the insertion of a storage container with the correctly shaped base part. The code for the shape of the base part also has the advantage for the user that the correct receptacle for a given storage container is easily recognizable. In addition, a color code may also be provided. A sequence of storage containers predetermined by the shape of the respective receptacle may be advantageous in some embodiments of the apparatus.
[0104] In part b) of FIG. 3, a storage container with a round base part is inserted into each of the receptacles. Thus, the wrong storage container has been inserted into the receptacles with an octagonal cross section or with a square cross section. In the octagonal receptacle, the round base part causes only the signal status of the device 202-1 to be altered, i.e., for example, a corresponding switch is closed. Device 202-2 is arranged in such a way that the round base part of the inserted storage container does not change its signal status. It is thus possible to recognize that a storage container with a non-octagonal base part has been inserted and a corresponding signal can be generated. The signal may be used to notify the user that a storage container not intended for this receptacle has been inserted.
[0105] A storage container with the correct base part has been inserted into the receptacle with the round cross section, so this does not result in a change in comparison with part a) of FIG. 3.
[0106] The storage container with the round base part inserted into the receptacle with the square cross section results in the signal status of device 202-3 being altered, for example, a corresponding switch is now closed but the signal status of the device 202-4 does not change. It is thus possible to recognize that a storage container having a non-square base part has been inserted, and a corresponding signal can be generated. Here again, the signal may also be used to point out to the user that a storage container not intended for this receptacle has been used.
[0107] The situation illustrated in part c) of FIG. 3 is similar to that in part b). In deviation from the situation described previously, in this case, storage containers with an octagonal base part have been inserted into the receptacles with octagonal and square cross sections. The octagonal base part does not fit in the receptacle with the round cross section, as indicated by the diagram with a dotted line. As described previously for the case of a storage container with a round base, by inserting a storage container with an octagonal base, only the signal of device 202-3 of the receptacle with the square cross section changes and the signal status of the device 202-4 remains unchanged. It is thus possible to recognize that a storage container having a non-square base part has been inserted and a corresponding signal can be generated. The signal may also be used here to point out to the user that a storage container not intended for this receptacle has been inserted.
[0108] Part d) of FIG. 3 again illustrates a situation similar to that in part b), but in deviation from the situation described previously, this shows a storage container with a square base part inserted into the receptacle with a square cross section. The square base part does not fit into the receptacles with the octagonal or round cross sections, as indicated by the diagram with the dotted line. In this case only the correct insertion of a storage container with a square base into the proper receptacle can be recognized.
[0109] FIG. 4 shows another example of a receptacle 400 with devices 402-1, 402-2 and 402-3 for detection of code for storage containers accommodated therein. In contrast with the receptacles described previously, only one receptacle with a single cross section is provided, but it has three devices 402-1, 402-2 and 402-3 for detection of code for storage containers accommodated therein instead of having one or two devices. Devices 402-1, 402-2 and 402-3 are arranged in receptacle 400 in such a way that detection of storage containers with different base parts is possible. If an apparatus for preparing a solution has a plurality of such receptacles, i.e., a fixed sequence or position of the storage containers inserted with respect to the arrangement of the receptacles is not necessary.
[0110] Detection of different storage containers with different base parts will now be explained with reference to FIG. 5. Part a) of FIG. 5 shows a storage container having an octagonal base part inserted into the receptacle 400. The signal statuses of devices 402-1 and 402-2 are altered in comparison with the signal status when no storage container is being accommodated, e.g., corresponding switches are now closed. The signal status of the device 402-3 is unchanged.
[0111] Part b) of FIG. 5 shows a storage container having a round base part inserted into the receptacle 400. The signal status of device 402-1 has changed in comparison with the signal status when no storage container has been accommodated, for example, a corresponding switch is now closed. The signal status of devices 402-2 and 402-3 has not changed.
[0112] Part c) of FIG. 5 shows a storage container with an octagonal base part inserted into receptacle 400. The signal statuses of all the devices 402-1, 402-2 and 402-3 have changed in comparison with the signal status when no storage container has been accommodated, for example, corresponding switches are now closed.
[0113] Part d) of FIG. 5 shows a storage container with a square base part with recesses, inserted into the receptacle 400. The signal status of the device 402-2 has changed in comparison with the signal status when no storage container was accommodated, for example, a corresponding switch is now closed. The signal statuses of devices 402-1 and 402-3 are not changed.
[0114] Part e) of FIG. 5 shows another storage container with a square base part with recesses, inserted into the receptacle 400. The signal statuses of devices 402-2 and 402-3 have changed in comparison with the signal status when no storage container is accommodated, for example, the corresponding switches are now closed. The signal status of the device 402-1 has not changed.
[0115] The combination of signal statuses of the devices 402-1, 402-2 and 402-3 makes it possible to deduce the shape of the base part of the storage container accommodated therein, and when there is a unique association between the shape of the base part and the contents of the storage container, it is also possible to deduce the contents.
[0116] FIG. 6 shows another example of a receptacle 600 with devices 602 for detecting a code on storage containers accommodated therein. In this example, eight devices 602 for detecting a code on storage containers accommodated therein are arranged along one side of the receptacle with a square cross section. Devices 602 are represented by rectangles as an example, some of which are shown with black filling and some are shown without any filling. The devices may include switches, for example, each of which can assume an open condition and a closed condition, and therefore, in their entirety, may constitute a binary code. A storage container 604, represented by the internal frame in the figure, is inserted into receptacle 600. The base part of the storage container 604 is provided with bays on the side facing the devices 602, these bays bringing the devices 602 situated in the area of bays 606 into a first condition when inserted. Devices situated in areas outside of bays 606 are brought into a second condition. When the devices include switches, they may be open in the area of the bays, for example, and closed in areas outside of the bays. This is illustrated in the figure by the different type of filling of the rectangles representing devices 602. The code shown as an example in the figure, representing eight devices 602, can be represented in binary form as 01100010, so that on the whole, 256 different codes can be represented with eight devices 602 in the figure.
[0117] FIG. 7 shows schematic diagrams of storage containers 700 with additional examples of variants of machine-readable codes. Part a) of this figure shows a machine-readable barcode 704 applied to the base part 702 of the storage container 700. When inserted into the receptacle or in the inserted condition, barcode 704 can be read by a reader (not shown in the figure) arranged in the corresponding receptacle, and a signal representing the information contained therein can be sent to a control device of the apparatus for preparing the solution. Barcode 704 can also be read out by a reader not arranged in the receptacle, for example, a portable reader, which is connected by signal to the device for preparing the solution or to a reader arranged in a certain area of the apparatus for preparing the solution. Barcode 706 can also be read out by such a reader, expediently prior to the insertion of the storage container into the corresponding receptacle. In this case, detection of the fact that a storage container has been inserted into a receptacle may be necessary in order to create an association of the receptacle and the storage container and/or the contents of the storage container from the sequence of readout of the barcode and detection of the insertion of the storage container into the receptacle. In part b) of the figure, the barcodes have been replaced by two-dimensional codes 710, 712, represented by QR codes in the figure. The preceding discussion applies to detection and allocation accordingly.
[0118] FIG. 8 shows components of a first example of an ejector unit of a storage container of the apparatus for preparing a medical solution. The left part of the figure shows a top view of a storage container 800 having a base part 802 and a storage volume 804. The storage volume 804 has two webs 18 arranged on the inside, serving to position solid molded bodies stored in the storage volume with respect to the base part 802. The storage volume 804 is open on the bottom side, i.e., on the side abutting against the base part 802. The base part 802 illustrated as an example in the figure is a right-angle parallelepiped (cube) open on the right and left sides, like the shell of a matchbox. The dotted lines on the top and bottom sides of the base part represent the inner borders of the side walls of the parallelepiped. The area on the right side of the base part, shown with dotted lines, is a recess 812 in the lower surface of the base part, by means of which an actuator of the apparatus for preparing a solution (not shown in the figure) can be connected to the ejector unit. A closure piece 814 (shown on the right side of the figure) can be inserted movably into the hollow base part 802 of the storage container 800. The arrow indicates the direction in which the closure piece 814 can be inserted into the base part 802. Closure piece 814 has a recess or punched-out area 818, in which a solid molded body can be accommodated in the base body 816. The recess or punched-out area 818 has two protrusions 820, which correspond in a certain position of the closure piece 814 to the storage volume with the webs 18 of the storage volume and hold a solid molded body accommodated in a defined position therein. It should be pointed out that the ejector unit may also be designed without the webs 18 and protrusions 820. A dovetailed depression 822, into which an actuator of the apparatus (not shown in the figure) can be inserted from beneath through the recess 812, is arranged on the right side of the closure piece 814.
[0119] FIG. 9 shows the ejector unit from FIG. 8 in various working positions. In part a) of the figure the closure piece 814 is shifted out of a central position to the right out of the base part 802 of the storage container 800. Base part 802 in this example is connected by a dovetailed connection to an actuator 830 so that a back and forth movement of the actuator 830 in a plane is transferred to the closure piece 814. The part of the base body 816 of the closure piece 814 opposite the actuator 830 is situated in the area in which the opening in the storage volume 804 is located and blocks it so that no solid molded body can leave the storage volume 804. A solid molded body (not shown in the figure), which was optionally previously accommodated in the recess or the punched-out area 818 of the base body 802, is moved away by the closure piece 814.
[0120] In part b) of the figure, the closure piece 814 has been shifted out of a central position to the left out of the base part 802 of the storage container 800. In this position, the area of the base body 816 of the closure piece connected to the actuator 830 as well as the actuator 830 itself blocks the opening of the storage volume 804, so that no solid molded body can leave the storage volume 804. A solid molded body (not shown in the figure) optionally previously accommodated in the recess or punched-out area 818 of the base body 802 is moved along together with the closure piece 814.
[0121] A solid molded body accommodated in a recess or punched-out area 818 of the base body 802 can be pushed out of the base part 802 of the storage container 800 with a further shift to the left or right and can then leave the recess or punched-out area 818. Depending on the embodiment, shift in a first direction may convey a solid molded body accommodated in a recess or punched-out area 818 of the base body 802 into a mixing container, and a shift in another direction can be used to convey the solid molded body into another container.
[0122] FIG. 10 shows a second schematic diagram of an exemplary ejector unit of a storage container 800-1, representing a modification of the ejector unit described in conjunction with FIG. 9. In this modification, actuator 830-1 has a width corresponding to that of the closure piece 814-1. Improved blocking of the opening of the storage volume 804-1 can be achieved in this way and also offers better protection for the solid molded body remaining in the storage volume 804-1. Furthermore, the base body 816-1 has a slot on the side opposite the actuator 830-1 into which deflecting means (not shown in the figure) in which they can engage, deflecting a solid-state molded body or parts thereof into a certain direction out of the deflection plane.
[0123] FIG. 11 shows a second schematic diagram of components of a third example of an ejector unit of a storage container 1100. The components shown in the figure correspond essentially to those described with reference to FIG. 8. In contrast with that, two other recesses 1140 and 1142 are provided in the lower surface of the base part at the left side of the base part 1102 and can be connected to corresponding connecting elements 1144 and 1146 of closure piece 1114 by means of connecting elements of an expansion element.
[0124] FIG. 12 shows components of the ejector unit of the storage container 1100 presented in FIG. 11 with the connected expansion element 1150 in various positions. Expansion element 1150 has dovetailed components 1152 and 1154 which engage in coupling elements 1144 and 1146 of the closure piece 1114. It is pointed out that with the ejector unit shown in this figure but also in other variants presented in this description, other types of connections are also possible instead of the dovetailed connection, for example, the other connections may use differently shaped intermeshing connecting elements that are releasably engaged in a form-fitting manner or magnets or electromagnets or the like. It is also possible to bring an actuator into contact with the closure piece without connecting them and to have it act in only one direction. Any movement in the other direction may be induced, for example, by a spring force acting on the side of the closure piece opposite the actuator.
[0125] In part a) of the figure, the closure piece 1114 has been pulled out of its central position toward the right by actuator 1130. Expansion element 1150 is connected to the closure piece by means of the coupling elements 1152 and 1154, which engage with the coupling elements 1140 and 1142 of the closure piece. Because of the connection of closure piece 1114 and expansion element 1150, the expansion element has also been pulled to the right and blocks the opening to the storage volume. A slot 1156 with which a deflecting unit (not shown in the figure) engages is also shown in this figure. The function of the deflecting unit is described elsewhere.
[0126] In part b) of the figure, the closure element 1114 has been moved to the left out of a central position by the actuator 1130. Because of the connection between the closure piece 1114 and expansion element 1150, the expansion element has also been moved to the left. The opening in the storage volume is now blocked in part by the closure piece 1114 and in part by the actuator 1130.
[0127] FIG. 13 shows a first schematic diagram of an apparatus 100 which enables the supply or ejection of a solid molded body or a part thereof in two stages.
[0128] In part a) of the figure a solid molded body 1360 is accommodated in the recess or punched-out area 1318 of the closure piece 1314 of the ejector unit. Additional solid molded bodies 1360 are stored in the storage volume of the storage container 1300. Closure piece 1314 and solid molded body 1360 are moved in the direction of the arrow. In doing so, deflecting unit 1370 engages in the slot in the closure piece 1314. In this diagram, the solid molded body 1360 abuts against the deflecting unit 1370. The deflecting unit 1370 is a wedge or a triangular part of a feed channel 1380, for example, leading to a feed port in the mixing container (not shown in the figure). The figure also shows a transparent or translucent area 1390 on the storage container 1300 which permits visual monitoring of the filling level.
[0129] In part b) of the figure, solid molded bodies 1360 and closure piece 1314 are moved further in the direction of deflecting unit 1370. Deflecting unit 1370 here has blocked the movement of solid molded body 1360 and caused it to be broken along the intended breaking line. The part broken off falls into the feed channel 1380. A switch 1381 that can be switched between two outlets is provided in the feed channel 1380. One of the outlets leads to the mixing container (not shown in the figure) while the other leads to another container, also not shown, which accommodates solid molded bodies or parts thereof that are not used to prepare the solution.
[0130] In part b) of the figure, initially only a part of the solid molded body 1360 reaches the feed channel 1380. The other part remains in the recess or punched-out area 1318 in the closure piece 1314. When the closure piece 1314 is moved further to the right, the other part of the solid molded body 1360 also enters the feed channel where it is sent further by means of the switch 1381 either to the mixing container or to the additional container.
[0131] FIG. 14 shows a second schematic diagram of an apparatus 100, which makes it possible for a solid molded body or a part thereof to be discarded. In the storage volume of the storage container 1300, solid molded bodies 1360 are stored; of these, one was accommodated in the recess or punched-out area 1318 of the closure piece 1314 and was moved to the right until it moved out of the recess or punched-out area 1318 of the closure piece 1314 via the right feed channel 1380-2 which leads to the additional container. In the same way, a solid molded body 1360 accommodated in the recess or punched-out area 1318 of the closure piece 1314 can be moved toward the left until it reaches the left feed channel 1380-1 which leads to the mixing container. The figure also shows a deflecting unit 1370, the function of which is explained with reference to FIG. 15. In this embodiment of the apparatus, no switch is necessary in the feed channel 1380-1. Feeding or ejecting take place through corresponding choice of direction in which the solid molded body 1360 is moved until it exits from the closure piece 1314.
[0132] FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of apparatus 100 from FIG. 14 in supplying a part of a solid molded body 1360. Solid molded body 1360 is conveyed as described with reference to FIG. 14, for example. As described with reference to FIG. 13, a solid molded body 1360 is broken on deflecting unit 1370 and enters the left feed channel 1380-1 leading to the mixing container. A remaining part of solid molded body 1360 is conveyed into the right feed channel 1380-2 through which it reaches the additional container.
[0133] FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of apparatus 100 from FIG. 13. In this embodiment the deflecting unit 1670 is altered in comparison with that in FIG. 13. Instead of pressing the solid molded body against a stationary wedge until it breaks along the intended breaking line, in this embodiment the closure piece 1314 is pressed against a deflecting unit 1670, which is mounted so it can rotate about an axis and exerts a force on the solid body 1360 acting essentially at a right angle to the direction of displacement. In part a) of the figure, the closure piece 1314 has just come in contact with deflecting unit 1670. In part b) of the figure, the deflecting unit 1670 has already broken the solid molded body at the intended breaking line. For the sake of simplicity, deflecting unit 1670 is only shown schematically in the figure as part of a circle with stop surfaces, which come in contact with the closure piece 1314 and/or the solid molded body 1360. The arrow points in the direction of the rotation induced by displacement of the closure piece 1314. Part b) of FIG. 16 shows a situation comparable to that in part b) of FIG. 13. Deflecting unit 1670 has converted the linear movement of closure piece 1340 into a rotational movement, and the top part of the deflecting unit is pressing on the solid molded body 1360 and has broken it at the intended breaking line.
[0134] FIG. 17 shows as an example flowcharts of the main steps of two alternative exemplary methods 1700 for preparing a solution by means of the apparatus.
[0135] In part a) of the figure in step 1710, the code for a storage container is first read because it contains information about the ingredients of the solid molded bodies contained therein and optionally a sequence in which solid molded bodies with different ingredients and/or concentrations thereof can be removed. In step 1720, the insertion of the storage container into a corresponding receptacle in the apparatus is detected and a signal indicating this detection is generated and made available. The signal may also contain identification of the receptacle if the apparatus has a plurality of receptacles. In step 1730, the contents of the storage container and the identification of the receptacle are linked accordingly. In step 1740, the apparatus receives an ideal composition of the solution to be prepared, and in step 1750, it receives information about the amount of solvent and its properties. The term “properties” includes not only the type of solvent per se but also the basic mixture already present, if any, with specific ingredients. Then, in step 1760, the apparatus calculates from the available information the amount and optionally the type of solid molded bodies to be added to the solvent and controls the receptacle(s) of the apparatus in such a way that the desired composition of the solution is achieved.
[0136] In part b) of the figure, the steps 1710 and 1720 are exchanged in comparison with part a). The apparatus is then equipped to detect the code of a storage container that has already been inserted into a receptacle. This may take place, for example, by means of an electric and/or mechanical code contained in a base part of the storage container or it may be accomplished by optical detection of a code and/or detection of the code by electromagnetic waves over short distances. Detection of the insertion and coding may take place essentially simultaneously but this is not necessarily the case, for example, when only one actuator is provided for activation of an ejector, and different storage containers are connected individually and sequentially to the actuator. The other steps have already been described with reference to part a) and will not be explained again here.
[0137] FIG. 18 shows a top view of a second schematic diagram of an example of an apparatus 1800 for preparing a solution. In this example of an apparatus only one actuator 1810 is provided for actuation of an ejector (not shown in the figure) of the storage container 1820. To prepare the solution, one of a plurality of storage containers 1820 arranged so they can rotate on a carousel 1830 is brought to the position aligned with the actuator 1810. In this position, the actuator 1810 can activate the storage container 1820 to remove one or more solid molded bodies or parts thereof from the storage container 1820 and convey them into the mixing container 1840. The actuator and ejector may be the same or different in construction and may have the same or similar functioning as already described above.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0138] 100 apparatus
[0139] 102 mixing container
[0140] 104 inlet
[0141] 106 outlet
[0142] 108 solvent
[0143] 110 cover part
[0144] 112-115 receptacle for storage container
[0145] 120-123 storage container
[0146] 200 receptacle for storage container
[0147] 202, 202-x coding detection device
[0148] 402, 402-x coding detection device
[0149] 600 receptacle for storage container
[0150] 602 coding detection device
[0151] 604 storage container
[0152] 606 bays
[0153] 700 storage container
[0154] 702 base part
[0155] 704, 706 barcode
[0156] 710, 712 QR code
[0157] 800, 800-x storage container
[0158] 802 base part
[0159] 804, 804-x storage volume
[0160] 810 web
[0161] 812 recess
[0162] 814, 814-x closure piece
[0163] 816, 816-x base body
[0164] 818 recess/punched-out area
[0165] 820 protrusion
[0166] 822 depression
[0167] 830, 830-x actuator
[0168] 1100 storage container
[0169] 1102 base part
[0170] 1114 closure piece
[0171] 1130 actuator
[0172] 1140, 1142 recess
[0173] 1144, 1146 coupling element
[0174] 1150 expansion element
[0175] 1152, 1154 coupling element
[0176] 1156 slot
[0177] 1300 storage container
[0178] 1314 closure piece
[0179] 1318 recess/punched-out area
[0180] 1360 solid molded body
[0181] 1370, 1670 deflecting unit
[0182] 1380, 1380-x feed channel
[0183] 1381 switch
[0184] 1390 transparent/translucent area
[0185] 1700-1760 method & method steps
[0186] 1800 apparatus
[0187] 1810 actuator
[0188] 1820 storage container
[0189] 1830 carousel
[0190] 1840 mixing container
