CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATING REAGENTS IN SUCH A CONTAINER

Abstract

The invention discloses a container for reagents for an analyzer in process automation technology, comprising an, in particular bottle-shaped, container wall which is designed to form a first compartment for a first reagent; an insert which is arranged at least in some sections in the first compartment, and which forms a second compartment separated from the first compartment for a second reagent, wherein the insert comprises a closure; and a punch which is movable at least between a first position and a second position, wherein the punch, in moving from the first position to the second position, opens, in particular cuts through, penetrates, pierces or presses out, the closure and clears a path from the second compartment into the first compartment, whereby second reagent enters the first reagent. In addition, the invention also discloses a corresponding method.

Claims

1. A container for reagents for an analyzer in process automation technology, comprising a container wall which is designed to form a first compartment for a first reagent; an insert which is arranged at least in some sections in the first compartment, and which forms a second compartment separated from the first compartment for a second reagent, wherein the insert comprises a closure; and a punch which is movable at least between a first position and a second position, wherein the punch, in moving from the first position to the second position, opens, cuts through, penetrates, pierces or presses out, the closure and clears a path from the second compartment into the first compartment, whereby second reagent enters the first reagent.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the punch is arranged in the insert and is mounted movably inside the insert.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the punch comprises a seal which is arranged on the outer diameter of the punch.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the punch is designed as a hollow body.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the punch comprises a closure plug which comprises a predetermined breaking point, wherein a reagent removal tube can be pushed through the predetermined breaking point after the breaking.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the punch comprises a cutting edge.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the insert is flanged at one end against a section of the container wall.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the insert is designed as a hollow cylinder or as a bag.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a magnetic stirrer.

11. A method for activating reagents with a container, the container including a container wall forming a first container for a first reagent; an insert arranged at least in some sections in the first compartment, and which forms a second compartment for a second reagent, wherein the insert comprises a closure; and a punch which is movable at least between a first position and a second position, the method comprising: opening a cover of the container; moving the punch from the first position to the second position; and mixing the reagents which are now no longer separated from one another using magnetic stirrers.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: penetrating the predetermined breaking point and inserting a reagent removal tube into the container as far as the container bottom; a container wall which is designed to form a first compartment for a first reagent; an insert which is arranged at least in some sections in the first compartment, and which forms a second compartment separated from the first compartment for a second reagent, wherein the insert comprises a closure; and a punch which is movable at least between the first position and the second position, wherein the punch, in moving from the first position to the second position, opens, cuts through, penetrates, pierces or presses out, the closure and clears a path from the second compartment into the first compartment, whereby second reagent enters the first reagent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] One embodiment provides that the container is filled by a method comprising the steps of: Placing the seal onto the punch; inserting the closure plug into the punch; filling the container as a first compartment with the first reagent; inserting the insert into the container; filling the insert as a second compartment with the second reagent; inserting the punch into the insert; and screwing a cover onto the container.

[0037] This is explained in detail with reference to the following FIGURE.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows the claimed container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The claimed container in its entirety is denoted by reference sign 1 and is shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] The container 1 comprises a container wall 2 which is designed to form a first compartment K1 for a first reagent R1. The container 1 with its wall 2 is of bottle-like design with a bottle neck 10 and a large bottle neck opening, for instance larger than 2.5 cm, in particular larger than 4 cm.

[0041] An insert 3 for receiving a second reagent R2 is introduced through the bottle neck 10. The insert 3 is cylindrical, for example. The insert 3 forms a second compartment K2 which is separated from the first compartment K1. In diameter, the insert 3 is smaller than the bottle neck opening. The insert is chemically resistant, in particular resistant to the reagents R1, R2. The insert is closed on one side by a transportable and storage-proof closure 11. The closure 11 is designed, for example, as a membrane. On the opposite side, the insert 3 is lipped (reference numeral 9), such that the lip 9 forms a sealing surface for the bottle neck 10. The insert 3 can transition into a bag underneath the bottle neck 10 for the purpose of volume expansion.

[0042] The reagents R1, R2 are already filled into the container 1 at the factory by the distributor of the container. The container 1 is thus immediately ready for operation by the user.

[0043] One embodiment provides that only one reagent, for example the second reagent R2, is filled into the container 1 at the factory by the distributor of the container. The corresponding other reagent, in this case the first reagent R1, is filled in directly on site by the user. In this case, the first reagent R1 may be a standard solution, water or a solvent. Water may also be used, for example, to dilute a stock solution or a solid standard substance. As a result, the standard solution is formed from the stock solution exactly filled in by the manufacturer or the standard substance and the amount of water filled in by the user. This procedure saves transport costs.

[0044] A hollow cylinder, the punch 4 is introduced into the insert 3. The insert 3 and the punch 4 are sealed in a liquid-tight manner by means of a seal 6. The punch 4 has a cutting edge 5 at the bottom for piercing or pressing out the closure 11. The cutting edge 5 cuts through, penetrates, pierces or presses out the closure 11. Accordingly, the cutting edge 5 can also be designed as a pointed end, knife-like, or the like.

[0045] The punch 4 is movable between a first position (top) and a second position (bottom). In moving from the first position to the second position, the punch opens the closure 11. As a result, a path from the second compartment K2 into the first compartment K1 is cleared, whereby second reagent R2 enters the first reagent R1.

[0046] After the two reagents R1, R2 are no longer separated from one another, they are mixed. This takes place, for instance, after closing a cover (see below) by shaking the container 1 alternatively or additionally, the container 1 comprises a magnetic stirrer. The entire container can then be placed on a corresponding holder and the reagents R1, R2 are mixed by means of the magnetic stirrer.

[0047] On the opposite side, the punch 4 is closed in a fluid-tight manner with a media-resistant closure plug 8. The closure plug 8 has a predetermined breaking point 7, for instance a pre-punched one, through which a reagent removal tube can be pushed after activation and intermixing of all reagents R1, R2 is carried out later. After puncturing, the predetermined breaking point 7 does not give a completely circumferential form fit to the hose, such that, although the hose can be fixed, there is also an air opening to the atmosphere.

[0048] The container 1 comprises a cover: When closed, the latter presses the lip 9 of the insert 3 in a sealing manner against the upper edge of the bottle neck 10, whereby the container 1 is tightly closed.

[0049] By dividing the interior of the container into at least two separate compartments K1, K2 in which two reagents R1, R2 are stored separately from one another, a simple transport takes place with user-friendly activation of the reagent system by breaking open the barrier and then mixing or dissolving of the reagents R1, R2.