Concentrate container having supporting elements

Abstract

A container for dialysis concentrates, in particular acidic dry concentrates, has integral supporting elements. When these dry concentrates are dissolved directly by a dialysis machine to form liquid concentrates, the container must provide a volume of 4-12 liters. To impart the required stability to the container, the container includes the integral supporting elements, which manifest their supporting function only when the container is used on the dialysis machine.

Claims

1. A container for containing a concentrate suitable for preparing a dialysis solution, said container comprising: a connecting element situated at a top portion of the container by which the container is connectable to a dialysis machine or to a preparation unit for a liquid concentrate; an inner container, and an air cushion structure that exerts a supporting function to the container only when air is supplied thereto, a bottom of the air cushion structure being situated at a bottom portion of the container; an insertion element in communication with the connecting element, the insertion element being configured to communicate the air to the container and a liquid concentrate from the container; and a non-return valve that provides for communication of the air between the inner container and the air cushion structure, the container being self-standing in a substantially vertically upright orientation.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the concentrate is a dry concentrate.

3. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a vent.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the concentrate is an acidic liquid concentrate associated with preparing the at least one dialysis solution for a hemodialysis.

5. A dialysis machine or a preparation unit for preparing a dialysis concentrate, wherein the dialysis machine or the preparation unit is connected to a container according to claim 1.

6. The dialysis machine or preparation unit according to claim 5, wherein the dialysis machine or the preparation unit is configured to supply the air to the container.

7. The dialysis machine or preparation unit according to claim 5, further comprising at least one control or regulating unit that controls or regulates at least one of the supply of the air to and a removal of the air from the container.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is configured to hold the concentrate, and wherein the air cushion structure surrounds the concentrate-containing inner container.

9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the insertion element communicates a liquid and the air to the container.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the liquid is water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Additional details and advantages of the invention are described in greater detail on the basis of the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which show;

(2) FIG. 1: Schematic view of a container for concentrates according to the prior art.

(3) FIG. 2: Schematic front view of a container according to the invention with the filled air cushion, partially filled with liquid concentrate.

(4) FIG. 3: Perspective rear view of a container according to the invention with a filled air cushion.

(5) FIG. 4: Schematic front view of a container according to the invention mounted on a dialysis machine.

(6) FIG. 5: Perspective view of a container according to the invention with an unfolded supporting element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

(8) FIG. 1 illustrates a container 1 according to the prior art.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a container 10 according to the invention, which is designed as an inner bag 14 having flexible walls made of plastic. The walls are welded together on the bottom side of the container, forming a valley-shaped area 19. A connecting means 12 provided on the top side of the container has a first connector 120 which is directed outward and a second connector 122 which is also directed outward and with which the container 10 is mounted on the dialysis machine. The first connector 120 forms the fluid connection to the insertion means through which the fluid and/or gas is introduced into the container 10. The insertion means protrudes into the lower valley-shaped area 19 of the container 10, which is partially filled with concentrate 20. This design optimizes the dissolving of the dry concentrate in the preparation of a liquid concentrate by a method such as that described in DE 10 2011 106 248.7. The second connector 122 forms the fluid connection to the vent means 16′ through which gas that is introduced into the container during the execution of the method described in DE 10 2011 106 248.7, for example, can be expelled from the container into the dialysis machine. The inner bag 14 is largely surrounded by an air-filled outer bag 22. A non-return valve 24 connecting the inner bag 14 to the outer bag 22 is provided in the wall 14. The outer bag 22 can thus be filled with gas, which is sent from the dialysis machine into the inner bag through the connector 120 and the insertion means 16. However, the gas can also be introduced into the container 10 from the outside through a valve (not shown) mounted in the outer bag. The outer bag 22 is shown here in the filled state. Due to its rigid shape, it supports the fluid-filled inner bag 14. The outer bag 22 has a straight shape on the bottom, so that the container 10 is self-supporting.

(10) FIG. 3 shows the supporting function of the air cushion in the perspective diagram of the container 10.

(11) FIG. 4 shows the container 10 of acid concentrate connected to a dialysis machine 30. Since the container 10 stands on the bottom, there is no tensile load due to the weight of the container on the connection of the dialysis machine 30.

(12) FIG. 5 shows a container 10 according to the invention, stabilized by a foot 40 that unfolds during the filling operation.

(13) The invention being thus described, it will be apparent that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be recognized by one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.