METHOD FOR FILLING A BLISTER PACKAGING WITH LIQUID, AND BLISTER PACKAGING WITH A CAVITY FOR FILLING WITH LIQUID

A method for filling a cavity, of a packaging, particularly a blister packaging, with a liquid and a packaging suitable for this purpose are proposed. The cavity is completely filled with the liquid by an acceleration force or by continuous throughflow.

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.

FIG. 1in schematic plan view andFIG. 2in schematic section show a proposed packaging1according to a first embodiment. The packaging1comprises at least one cavity2which can be filled with a liquid3. InFIGS. 1 and 2the cavity2has already been partially filled with the liquid3.

to In the embodiment shown the packaging1comprises an additional cavity2A which is associated with, more particularly fluidically connected to, the cavity2that is to be filled.

The packaging1is embodied in particular as a blister pack. The cavity2or2A is formed in particular by blisters of the packaging1or blister pack.

The liquid3is, 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.

The packaging1comprises a support4and an associated cover5.

The support4is, 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.

The support4may be relatively rigid or else flexible and/or deformable at least in some areas. Preferably, the support4has relatively great rigidity or strength in its main direction or plane of extent, or a flat side or main plane of extent E of the preferably flat packaging1.

In the embodiment shown, the support4is preferably more rigid or stiff in construction than the cover5and/or sufficiently rigid to at least substantially or primarily determine the deformation of the packaging1.

The cover5is 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 support4.

Preferably, the support4and/or the cover5is 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.

The support4and the cover5may theoretically be made from the same material. In the embodiment shown, the support4and the cover5are, however, preferably made from different materials.

At least one cavity2for holding the liquid3is formed between the support4and the cover5. Particularly preferably, a number of cavities2are formed (cf.FIG. 12).

In particular the packaging1or the support4and/or cover5may particularly preferably comprise a strip of continuous material or the like. The continuous material can then be divided or separated into individual packages1, each having at least one cavity2and optionally2A for holding the liquid3, before or preferably after the introduction of the liquid3, as required. The following description will detail primarily only the filling of a cavity2, although this applies correspondingly to a plurality of cavities2.

In order to form the cavity2or2A, a depression or convexity, respectively, is preferably formed in the support4and/or cover5, preferably only in the support4, in the embodiment shown, as illustrated inFIG. 1. The depression or convexity is particularly in the form of a well. The depression is produced in particular by thermoforming and/or deep-drawing, in this case of the support4.

After the partial introduction of the liquid3into the depression or convexity or cavity2and/or2A—in the support4according to the embodiment shown—the packaging1or cavity2and2A is closed or sealed. In order to do this, the cover5is placed on top and at least partly attached to the support4in a connecting region6. The connecting region6is formed in particular in the region of flatly abutting surface regions of the support4and cover5. The connecting region6adjoins the cavities2and2A, particularly laterally and/or circumferentially. For example, the connecting region may surround the cavities2and2A in an annular configuration.

The connecting of the support4and cover5is preferably carried out by heat-sealing, welding, adhesion and/or any other suitable method.

The support4and the cover5are connected or connectable with one another in the connecting region6at least substantially in fluidtight manner, in particular in at least substantially gastight, continuous, annular and/or circumferential manner.

FIGS. 1 and 2show the proposed packaging1in the partially filled state. The cavities2and2A (blisters) are each partly filled (for example to 50% to 70% of the respective volume) with the liquid3and sealed but are still fluidically connected to one another.

In the embodiment shown, the packaging1preferably comprises a supply region for supplying liquid3for in particular totally filling the cavity2with the liquid3. The supply region in the first embodiment comprises or is formed by a channel7, in particular. Particularly preferably, the fluidic connection is provided between the two cavities2and2A via this supply region or channel7.

The supply region or channel7is preferably initially not sealed during the covering of the cavity2and cavity2A or of the support4by the cover5and/or during the preferably fluidtight sealing of the packaging1, particularly by joining the support4and cover5in the connecting region6. Even if the packaging1is preferably completely closed, the cavity2that is to be filled is initially not completely fluidically closed but remains in fluidic connection with the additional cavity2A and/or other cavities2and/or the environment or a filling apparatus or the like, via the supply region and in particular a discharge region (which will be discussed in more detail hereinafter).

FIGS. 1 and 2show the packaging1with partially filled cavities2and2A and with a fluidic connection still open between the two cavities2and2A, i.e. with the channel7still open.

The objective is to fill the cavity2that is to be filled at least substantially completely with the liquid2and/or with no gas bubbles, i.e. in particular without trapping any air. In the present invention this is also basically referred to, for short, as “total filling” of the cavity2.

For (total) filling of the cavity2, liquid3is passed through the supply region or channel7to the already covered cavity2, from the additional cavity2A in the embodiment shown. This supplying and (total) filling is carried out in particular by an acceleration force indicated by arrow B inFIG. 1.

Preferably, the additional cavity2A is larger in size than the cavity2that is to be filled, particularly by at least 10% by volume, particularly preferably by at least 50% by volume. In this way it is possible to ensure, even when the cavities2and2A are only partially pre-filled before the sealing of the device1or covering, that sufficient liquid3is available in the additional cavity2A to enable total filling of the cavity2that is to be filled.

FIG. 3in a schematic plan view andFIG. 4in a schematic section show the packaging1after (total) filling of the cavity2or flow of liquid3from the additional cavity2A into the cavity2. The acceleration force B preferably used for filling the cavity2is indicated again by a corresponding arrow inFIG. 3. The force used as the acceleration force B is, in particular, gravitational force, for example by in particular at least substantially vertical alignment of the already pre-filled packaging1, and/or a centrifugal force acting on the liquid3, for example by corresponding rotation of the device1, particularly about a rotation axis located on the left adjacent to the additional cavity2A in the representation according toFIG. 1.

When the cavity2is totally filled with the liquid3, gas8, particularly air, is able to or has to escape from the cavity2or is displaced therefrom. This gas8is preferably discharged through a discharge region adjoining the cavity2that is to be filled. This may for example be a vent (not shown).

However, the discharge region is preferably formed between the support4and cover5, particularly by the channel7, another channel or the like.

In the first embodiment, the displaced gas8is preferably supplied to the additional cavity2A. The discharge region is accordingly connected to the additional cavity2A.

In the first embodiment shown, the discharge region is preferably formed by the same fluidic element as the supply region, thus in this case the (common) channel7. to The channel7preferably has for this purpose a relatively large cross-section and/or a suitable cross-sectional shape, for example a relatively flat cross-section. Possible alternative design and constructional details will be discussed hereinafter.

After (total) filling of the cavity2with the liquid3the supply region or channel7and/or the fluidic connection between the two cavities2and2A can be closed. This is done for example by corresponding deformation of the channel7which is preferably formed by a depression in the support4and/or a corresponding deformation of the cover5or the like. In particular, the support4and cover5are connected in the region of the fluidic connection or in the supply region, to interrupt the fluidic connection and/or seal off the cavity2in totally fluidtight manner.

After the closing of the fluidic connection or of the channel7, as indicated for example by the dashed line inFIGS. 3 and 4, the filled and now hermetically sealed cavity2may if required also be separated from the rest of the packaging1, for example by separating along the dashed line or the like from the supply region, the channel7and/or the additional cavity2A.

Further embodiments of the proposed packaging1and the proposed method for filling the cavity2of such a packaging1, particularly a blister packaging, will be described hereinafter by reference to the other figures. In the description that follows, only essential differences will be emphasised. The remarks and explanations provided earlier therefore apply in a supplementary or corresponding manner, in particular. Moreover, individual features and aspects of the various embodiments may also be combined with one another as desired and/or implemented independently of one another in a packaging1according to the present invention.

FIG. 5shows in schematic section a proposed packaging1according to a second embodiment. The second embodiment largely corresponds to the first embodiment, except that the fluidic connection or channel7is of different construction, namely it is formed not by a depression or convexity in the support4as in the first embodiment, but by a depression or convexity in the cover5.

FIG. 5shows the packaging in a state corresponding toFIGS. 3 and 4.FIG. 5shows how the fluidic connection or the channel7is sealed by means of a tool such as a punch9or the like, and/or by heat-sealing or the like, after (total) filling of the cavity2.

FIG. 6shows in schematic plan view a proposed packaging1according to a third embodiment, without any liquid3. In contrast to the first embodiment, the fluidic connection between the two cavities2and2A or the channel7is of substantially wider configuration. This contributes to the, in particular, simultaneous supplying of liquid3to the cavity2and to the simultaneous discharge of gas8from the cavity2(this is not shown inFIG. 6). In particular, the preferably wide construction of the channel7assists with the formation both of the supply region and of the discharge region by the (common) channel7, as already explained hereinbefore.

FIG. 7shows, in schematic plan view, a proposed packaging1according to a fourth embodiment. Here, the discharge region is preferably embodied to be separate from the supply region and is formed in particular by a separate channel10, in this case between the two cavities2and2A, in particular. The dashed lines show another possible path of the (additional) channel10, preferably with a connection to the additional cavity2A on the side remote from the channel7. In particular, the channel10or a further channel, particularly for venting the cavity2or discharge region, is in this case a venting device or a venting channel for the cavity2that is to be filled.

FIG. 8shows, in schematic section, a proposed packaging1according to a fifth embodiment. In contrast to the previous embodiments, the additional cavity2A here preferably directly adjoins the cavity2that is to be filled. In the embodiment shown, the additional cavity2A surrounds the cavity2that is to be filled at least substantially completely and/or annularly. Particularly preferably in the fifth embodiment, the cavity2that is to be filled is formed or embodied as a depression in an already depressed section or base of the additional cavity2A.

In the fifth embodiment, the additional cavity2A preferably forms the supply region and, if necessary, the discharge region in the sense described hereinbefore.

In the fifth embodiment, the arrangement of the cavities2/2A is first partially filled with the liquid3and then the packaging1is sealed. The cavity2to be filled is then totally filled. This preferably occurs, in the packaging1according to the fifth embodiment, by the fact that the liquid3flows by gravity (as the acceleration force) into the cavity2which is preferably located lower down. In particular, for this purpose, the packaging1is aligned such that the cavity2forms the lowest point of the packaging1or at least a lower point than the additional cavity2A. Depending on the alignment during the initial filling of the packaging1, total filling of the cavity2that is to be filled may accordingly take place even at the initial stages or before the sealing of the packaging1. However, because of the additional cavity2A, it is possible to ensure that the liquid3introduced does not run out again in an undesirable manner, particularly before the packaging1is completely closed or before the cavities2and2A are covered or the cover5is attached to the support4.

After the introduction of the liquid3and the closure of the packaging1, the cavity2that is to be filled can be closed. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved in particular by corresponding deformation of the cover5, as shown in the schematic section according toFIG. 9, for example using a tool, punch9or the like. Excess liquid3and/or gas is displaced into the additional cavity2A and the cover5can be connected to the support4particularly in an annular region or additional connecting region2A surrounding the cavity and adjacent thereto, in order to seal off the filled cavity2in preferably fluidtight manner.

FIG. 10shows, in schematic plan view, a sixth embodiment of the proposed packaging1. The sixth embodiment is very similar to the fifth embodiment. It differs from the fifth embodiment essentially only in that the cavity2to be filled is arranged on one side of the additional cavity2A or vice versa and the two cavities2and2A are embodied to be arranged at least substantially as separate depressions or convexities and/or at the same height, starting from the main plane of extent E.FIG. 11shows, in schematic section, the packaging1according to the fifth embodiment in the sealed state but without liquid3.

FIG. 12shows in schematic plan view the proposed packaging1according to a seventh embodiment. The seventh embodiment differs in particular from the previous embodiments in that the liquid3is passed preferably continuously through the cavity2that is to be filled, as schematically shown by arrow D, in order to fill the cavity2at least substantially completely and with no gas bubbles. A particularly preferred proposed construction and a corresponding particularly preferred method are described in more detail hereinafter.

In the embodiment shown, the packaging1is connected to an associated filling apparatus11. The filling apparatus11is preferably configured so as to circulate the liquid3through the packaging1, particularly by pumping. The filling apparatus11preferably comprises a pump12, a liquid reservoir13and/or a filter14and optionally additionally a gas separator (not shown).

The filling apparatus11and/or packaging1is or are preferably configured such that an in particular fluidtight and preferably also at least substantially gastight mutual connection is made possible, for passing the liquid3through the packaging1in order to fill at least one cavity2—particularly continuously or in a circuit.

In the embodiment shown, the packaging1preferably comprises a plurality of cavities2that are to be filled, which are connected in parallel to a common supply region, in this case the channel7for supplying liquid3, and/or through which the liquid3can flow in series one after the other. In particular, a common supply region or the common channel7is provided for a plurality of cavities2in the packaging1that are to be filled. Corresponding discharge regions or channels10then carry off the liquid3that has flowed through the respective cavity2and any gas or air bubbles present, at least to begin with, and form a connection to other adjoining cavities2. Finally, the liquid3that has flowed through the cavities2is drained back into the filling apparatus11through an in particular common discharge region of the packaging1or recirculated.

The filling apparatus11filters the liquid3preferably with the filter14that is optionally provided, in order to prevent or at least minimise the depositing of unwanted particles or the like in the cavities2.

The filling apparatus11is preferably provided with a reservoir13for the liquid3that is large enough to enable the packaging1or cavities2to be filled with the liquid3in the desired manner.

By means of the pump12, the liquid3can be pumped and circulated in the desired manner through the packaging1or cavities2, in particular until the cavities2have been totally filled, for example when no more bubbles of gas or air are being given off in the liquid3from the packaging1. This can be detected by means of a suitable sensor (not shown), for example a suitable volume flow meter.

The particularly preferably continuous flow D of the liquid3through the cavities2or the circulation of the liquid3through the packaging1has the particular advantage that gas, such as air, which is not shown or designated inFIG. 12, can be displaced very well from the cavities2that are to be filled, and in particular even gas or air bubbles that would otherwise have been left suspended are expelled with a high degree of probability or certainty. Accordingly, it is very easy to achieve good filling of the cavities2according to the present invention in the proposed manner.

For the filling or during the filling, the packaging1is preferably aligned at least substantially vertically or at least inclined to the horizontal, while the liquid3preferably flows through the packaging1from bottom to top, in order to expel or displace any gas (air) contained in the packaging1or in the cavities2.

It should be noted, however, that the proposed packaging1according to the seventh embodiment can also be filled with the liquid3in some other manner.

After the cavities2of the packaging1have been filled with the liquid3, the fluidic connections to and from the cavities2or the supply and discharge regions or the channels7/10are sealed off (in fluidtight manner). This is done in particular by corresponding deformation and/or corresponding heat-sealing, welding, adhesion, or the like, for example in the region of the dashed lines inFIG. 12. The filled cavities2are thus finally fluidically sealed.

Then the (totally) filled cavities2can be separated off individually or in groups, for example the packaging1may for this purpose be divided up along the dashed lines shown, for example by cutting. In particular, this division may be carried out transversely and/or longitudinally of the direction of flow D and/or the longitudinal extent of the continuous material from which the packaging1is preferably produced.

FIGS. 13,14and15show possible different channel cross-sections of the channels7or10of the packaging1. The channels7/10may, as already mentioned, be formed by corresponding depressions or convexities, particularly in the support4, as shown here, and/or in the cover5.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1packaging2cavity2A additional cavity3liquid4support5cover6connecting region6A additional connecting region7channel8gas9punch10channel11filling apparatus12pump13reservoir14filterB acceleration forceD direction of flowE plane