Cover for a container for receiving an enteral nutrition solution

Abstract

Disclosed is a cover for a container for receiving enteral nutrition solutions, having a thread which can be brought into engagement with a mating thread of a container for receiving an enteral nutrition solution in order to cover an opening in the container for receiving the enteral nutrition solution, and having a connection piece for the connection of a hose line. An opening device having a first part connected to the cover in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner and having a second part which is permanently connected to the first part is arranged on an inner side of the cover. In a starting state of the opening device, the second part of the opening device is fixed to the first part of the opening device by a fixing element and, in an opening state of the device, is movable relative to the first part of the opening device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a cover for a container for receiving enteral nutrition solutions and an opening device that is arranged on an inner side of the cover to cut into a covering disposed at an opening of the container, wherein the cover includes a connecting device for connection to a connection partner on the container and a connection piece for connection to a hose line, wherein the opening device comprises first and second parts, the first part being connected to the cover and the second part being connected to the first part, wherein the second part comprises a first end region, a second end region, a displacer, and a cutting knife, wherein the cutting knife comprises a blade having a tip and a cutting edge, the tip being at the second end region and the cutting edge extending away from the tip along a line between the second end region and the first end region, wherein the displacer comprises a wing that extends laterally outward from the blade along a plane that is perpendicular to the line and that widens in a direction of the first end region, wherein the wing's width at the first end region is greater than the wing's width at the second end region, wherein, in operation, the tip punctures the covering, the cutting edge forms a cut in the covering, and the wing pushes the covering laterally, thereby increasing the size of the opening formed by the cutting edge, wherein the opening device transitions between a starting state and an opening state, and wherein, in the opening state, the second part is movable relative to the first part.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fixing element and a hinge, wherein, in the starting state, the fixing element fixes the first and second parts together, and wherein the hinge connects the first part and the second part independently of the fixing element.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hinge element acts on the first end region.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end region is situated opposite the first end region in a direction of longitudinal extent of the opening device, wherein a hinge is disposed on the second end region, moving the second part around a hinge axis causes the first end region to cover a distance on a circular arc that is greater than the distance covered by any other portion of the second part.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, in order to provide the blade tip, an underside of the blade and a lateral surface of the blade that is formed in the second end region of the second part of the opening device that is situated opposite to the first end region in the direction of longitudinal extent of the opening device are arranged at an acute angle to one another.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wing is positioned on the blade so as to be offset away from the blade tip in the direction of the first end region.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fixing element that connects the first and second parts together in the starting position, wherein a retaining force that retains the first part in the cover is greater than a force that is required to release the connection, which is brought about via the fixing element, between the first and second parts and wherein the fixing element has a cross section that tapers starting from the first part in the direction of the second part.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the starting state, the second part of the opening device extends substantially parallel to the first part of the opening device, wherein, in the opening state, the second part of the opening device extends transversely to the first part of the opening device, and wherein the first part of the opening device has a through-opening in a central region through which an attachment piece of a hose line can be guided in order to contact the second part of the opening device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection piece has a selection device with a cruciform geometry in order that an attachment piece adapted to a geometry of the selection device can be introduced into the connection piece and wherein the selection device is arranged in an upper region of the connection piece, with an upper side of the connection piece being provided by the selection device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a break-off cap for closing the connection piece.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a seal that comprises a slot, wherein the seal is arranged between the connection piece and the opening device, and wherein the slot is adapted to the geometry of a selection device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first part connects to the cover in a force-fitting manner.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the container, wherein the container has an opening via which an enteral nutrition solution can be fed into the container or out of the container, wherein the covering comprises a foil and the connecting device for receiving a cover is arranged around the opening, and wherein the connecting device of the cover and the connection partner of the container are connected to one another in such a way that the cover covers the opening and closes it in a liquid-tight manner.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wing extends laterally from an upper side of the blade.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second part is connected permanently to the first part.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fixing element, wherein, in the starting state, the fixing element fixes the first and second parts together.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wing is a first wing, wherein the displacer further comprises a second wing that extends laterally in a direction opposite the first wing.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wing is a first wing, wherein the displacer further comprises a second wing, wherein the first and second wings are configured in the manner of wings of a Concorde-type jet aircraft.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wing is triangular in shape.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first part is directly connected to the second part.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a twist-off cap for closing the connection piece.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a filter, wherein the cover comprises a ventilation opening, and wherein the filter closes the ventilation opening.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade comprises a spine and wherein the wing extends from the spine.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first part connects to the cover in form-fitting manner.

Description

(1) Further details and particulars of the present invention will be explained with reference to an exemplary embodiment and corresponding figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1A shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an opening device;

(3) FIG. 1B shows a plan view of the opening device of FIG. 1A;

(4) FIG. 2A shows a side view of a bottle which is closed with a cover and which is filled with an enteral nutrition solution;

(5) FIG. 2B shows a sectional view through the cover region of the bottle from FIG. 2A;

(6) FIG. 2C shows a sectional view (perpendicular to the sectional view in FIG. 2B) through the cover region of the bottle from FIG. 2A;

(7) FIG. 2D shows a perspective plan view of the cover (without connected bottle);

(8) FIG. 3A shows a side view of the bottle from FIG. 2A after it has been connected to a hose line, and

(9) FIG. 3B shows a sectional view through the cover region of the bottle shown in FIG. 3A.

(10) FIG. 1A shows an opening clip 1 which serves as an opening device. This opening clip 1 has an upper part 2 which serves as a first part, and a lower part 3 which serves as a second part. The upper part 2 is connected to the lower part 3 via at least one retaining element 4, which serves as a fixing element, and via at least one hinge 5. The upper part 2 is preferably connected to the lower part 3 via two retaining elements 4 (see in this respect FIG. 2C) and via a hinge 5. The upper part 2 has on its upper side a projecting, preferably round structure 6 which is provided and designed to be inserted into an inner region of a connection piece of a cover. The lower part 3 has, in particular on its underside, a cutting knife-like blade 7. The blade 7 is designed to be pointed on its front region 8, with the result that a blade tip 10 is provided. For this purpose, the underside 7a of the blade 7 forms an acute angle 10 with a lateral surface 9 arranged in the front region 8. For example, the acute angle 10 lies in a range from greater than 45° to less than 90°, preferably from 50° to 85°, particularly preferably from 60° to 75°. Here, the lateral surface 9 of the lower part 3 that is arranged in the front region 8 is arranged oppositely to a rear side 11 in the direction of longitudinal extent of the lower part 3, the hinge 5 being mounted on the lower part 3 on the rear side 11. The length of the lower part 3 along the longitudinal axis of the blade 7 lies, for example, in a range from 10 mm to 50 mm, preferably from 20 mm to 30 mm.

(11) FIG. 1B shows a plan view of the opening clip from FIG. 1A, with the same reference signs as in FIG. 1A being used for the individual elements, and so reference is made to the statements given for said figure. Moreover, FIG. 1B reveals an opening 12 which is formed in an inner region of the preferably round structure 6. Through this opening there can be guided an attachment piece 22 of a hose line 21 through the structure 6 and thus through the upper part 2 of the opening device 1 in order to butt against the blade 7 of the lower part 3.

(12) Furthermore, FIG. 1B reveals the upper side 7b of the blade 7. This can also be referred to as the blade spine 7b. The upper side 7b has a greater thickness than the underside 7a of the blade 7 that is used for cutting open, which underside is also referred to as the cutting edge 7a. The blade 7 preferably has a substantially triangular cross section (see in this respect FIG. 2C) at least in certain portions. The two legs 7c of the blade 7 enclose, for example, an angle of 20° to 60°, preferably of 30° to 50°. In addition, two wings 7d are arranged laterally on the blade 7. Since a plan view of the opening device 1 is illustrated here and the two wings 7d are situated as a constituent part of the lower part 3 below the upper part 2, the wing edges are illustrated by dashed lines. The wings 7d extend laterally starting from the upper side 7b of the blade 7 (see in this respect FIG. 2C). The wings 7d are positioned here so as to be offset rearwardly from the tip 8 of the blade 7. They have a width which increases in the direction of the rear side 11. For example, the wings 7d have a substantially triangular configuration here. Moreover, a bend can be present in the legs of the triangle. For illustrative purposes: the lower part 3 or the blade 7 with the wings 7d has a similarity to the configuration of a Concorde-type jet aircraft.

(13) The wings 7d have, for example, a maximum width of 5 mm to 30 mm, preferably of 10 mm to 20 mm, in the direction of the rear part 11. The wings 7d have a greater width than the hinge 5 in the direction of the rear part 11. The hinge 5 has a width of 5 mm to 12 mm, for example. The thickness of the wings 7d is such that they are substantially not flexible, and is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, for example. The wings 7d serve here as displacers for a covering 20, for example for an aluminum foil 20, which closes a bottle 13 (see in this respect the following description).

(14) FIG. 2A shows a bottle 13 which is filled with an enteral nutrition solution and which serves as a container for an enteral nutrition solution. This bottle 13 is provided on its upper side with a cover 14 which has a connection piece 15 which is closed with a cap 16. On the underside of the bottle 13 there is arranged a hanger 17 which, in a swung-in state, is situated in a receptacle provided therefor.

(15) FIG. 2B shows a sectional illustration through the region of the cover 14 of the bottle 13 from FIG. 2A. The opening clip 1, which has been explained in detail in FIGS. 1A and 1B, is inserted in the inner region of the cover 14. Here, the annular structure 6 of the upper part 2 of the opening clip 1 is clipped in an inner region of the connection piece 15. A form- and/or force-fitting connection is obtained. The opening device 1 can be connected or is connected, preferably permanently, to the cover 14 via its structure 6 by means of a snap connection. FIG. 2C shows a sectional view perpendicular to the sectional view in FIG. 2B.

(16) For sealing purposes, a membrane 18, preferably a cross-port stopper 18, is provided between the opening clip 1 and an outer region 151 of the connection piece 15. The membrane 18 is preferably a reclosable membrane. The design of the membrane 18 as a cross-port stopper assists the selection device 15a. The actual selection device 15a is provided by the shape of the connection piece 15. In detail, the selection device 15a is arranged in an upper region of the connection piece 15. The selection device 15a is preferably provided by the opening in the upper side 151 of the connection piece 15. Here, by way of example, the opening has a cruciform geometry. It is thus possible in general for only an attachment piece 22 adapted to the geometry of the selection device 15a to be introduced into the connection piece 15. In this case, this cruciform opening ensures that in general only cruciform spikes 22 as attachment pieces of a hose line can be guided through the connection piece 15. By contrast, spikes used in particular in the field of infusion therapy cannot be guided through. It is thereby possible, for example, to avoid the intravenous administration of an enteral solution.

(17) In FIGS. 2B and 2C, the opening clip 1 is situated in its starting state in which the lower part 3 extends here for example substantially parallel to the upper part 2 of the opening clip 1. An inner region 19 of the bottle 13 that is filled with the enteral nutrient solution is closed at its end facing the cover 14 with a foil 20, for example an aluminum foil 20, as a covering.

(18) Furthermore, it can be seen that the upper part 2 is connected to the lower part 3 via two retaining elements 4. In the initial state, the retaining elements 4 are preferably in one piece with the opening device 1. Here, the retaining elements 4 have a cross section which tapers from the upper part 2 to the lower part 3. They are connected to the lower part 3 via a point connection as it were. Here, the retaining elements 4 are each configured as a kind of barb.

(19) In addition, FIGS. 2C and 2D reveal the openings 14a via which the bottle 13 is ventilated during liquid removal. In order to prevent or at least reduce contamination of the liquid, a filter 14b which closes the openings 14a, for example a Porex filter, is provided. In order that the openings are not concealed, a cutout is provided in the upper part 2 of the opening device 1 (see in this respect FIG. 1B, bottom).

(20) FIG. 3A now shows the bottle 13 from FIG. 2A in a state in which the enteral nutrient solution contained in the bottle 13 can flow out of the bottle 13. For this purpose, a spike 22, for example of a hose line 21, is guided through the connection piece 15 of the cover 14. The hose line 21 is connected to the connection piece via a screw cap 22a, for example. In order for this to be possible, the cap 16 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B has been removed beforehand by being broken out or off, for example twisted off.

(21) FIG. 3B now shows how the spike 22 as an attachment piece of the hose line 21 is introduced through the connection piece 15 into the interior 19 of the bottle 13. It can be clearly seen here that the spike 22 extends through the opening 12 in the annular structure 6 of the upper part 2 of the opening clip 1 and has released the retaining elements 4 between the lower part 3 and the upper 2 of the opening clip 1 by tearing. Furthermore, the spike 22 has pressed the lower part 3 of the opening clip 1 into the interior 19 of the bottle 13. Here, the cutting knife-like blade 7 of the lower part 3 has cleanly cut open the aluminum foil 20 such that the spike 22 was subsequently able to penetrate through the cut-open opening into the interior 19 of the bottle 13.

(22) Upon pressing down the lower part 3, the aluminum foil 20 of the bottle 13 is first pierced by the tip 10 of the blade 7 and thus opened. Upon further pressing down of the lower part 3, starting from the opening point produced by the blade tip 10, the underside 7a of the blade 7 cuts open the aluminum foil 20 further. After and/or during further cutting open, the aluminum foil 20 is displaced by the widening wings 7d of the blade 7 or of the lower part 3. As a result, the gap opening produced by the blade 7 is increased in order to obtain a larger opening for a sufficient throughflow.

(23) A tearing-open of the aluminum foil by the spike 22 and a release of individual parts of the aluminum foil 20 have been reliably avoided by the cutting open of the aluminum foil 20 by means of the blade 7 of the opening clip 1. Moreover, the enteral nutrition solution can now flow out of the interior 19 of the bottle 13 through the spike 12 into the hose line 21. In order that such a flow of the nutrient solution is possible in a particularly simple manner, the bottle 13—as shown in FIG. 3A—is suspended on a hook 23 by the hanger 17. The enteral nutrient solution can then flow out of the bottle 13 by means of gravitational force. Here, the outflow behavior is particularly advantageous by virtue of the cleanly cut-open aluminum foil 20 and the large opening produced.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(24) TABLE-US-00001  1 Opening device or opening clip  2 Upper part of the opening clip  3 Lower part of the opening clip  4 Retaining element or fixing element  5 Hinge  6 Round structure  7 Blade  7a Underside of the blade or cutting edge  7b Upper side of the blade or blade spine  7c Leg of the blade  7d Wing on the blade  8 Front region of the lower part or of the blade  9 Lateral surface of the lower part or of the blade 10 Blade tip or acute angle 11 Rear side of the lower part 12 Opening 13 Bottle 14 Cover 14a Opening or ventilation opening in the cover 14b Filter in or on the ventilation opening in the cover 15 Connection piece 15a Selection device 151 Outer region or upper side of the connection piece 16 Cap or break-off cap 17 Hanger 18 Seal or membrane or cross-port stopper 19 Interior of the bottle 20 Covering or foil or aluminum foil 21 Hose line 22 Spike 22a Screw cap 23 Hook