Abstract:
A device for determining and displaying at least one physical, chemical or biological property of a test liquid or for detecting substances and/or organisms contained therein by reaction with at least one indicator or reactant. The indicator(s) ( 2.0 ) is/are can be accessed in or via at least one reaction chamber ( 1.5 ) provided with at least one inlet for the test fluid. Said device is embodied in the form of a deep-drawn cup-shaped element ( 1.1 ) which is scaled by a covering film ( 1.2 ). The shape and/or material properties of the reaction chamber(s) is/are preferably selected in such a way that a reset effect is created after deformation such that the original shape can be restored by creating an absorption effect until the original volume is substantially re-created.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a device for determining and displaying at least one physical, chemical, or biological property of a stamped-out feature, or for detecting substances and/or organisms contained therein by reaction with at least one indicator or reactant.  
         [0002]     The test liquid of particular interest here is water, along with its physical and chemical properties and its ingredients, that is, substances or combinations thereof that are as a rule contained in water, either intentionally as additives or unintentionally as contaminants.  
         [0003]     Water is used in the most manifold ways, as a fundamental nutrient, in industry, but also increasingly in the recreational field. Being an element necessary for life, water is one of our most important resources. Environmental factors have an ever-increasing influence on the quality of our water. To lend the water or other liquids certain properties, such as protection against bacterial contamination or a change in its degrees of hardness, it is necessary to add certain additives to the water. Excessively high concentrations of additives can be harmful or even be toxic to some organisms.  
         [0004]     To prevent major damage to humans, the environment, and material, a constant detection of certain ingredients or microorganisms and their concentration in water and other liquids must be performed. The methods for detection must be reliable, simple to handle, and replicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In general, the detection is performed by means of an indicator, which when put together with the medium (test liquid) to be tested leads to certain reactions, such as a change of color. In many cases, the liquid to be tested must first be withdrawn from a larger container and then put together with the indicator in a certain volumetric ratio. From a separate comparison panel, such as a color palette, the ingredients and their concentration are then ascertained.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The invention is intended to make this detection simpler. This object is attained by means of the provisions of the body of claim  1 .  
         [0007]     A fundamental concept of the invention is considered to be that the test liquid can be withdrawn without the aid of an intermediate holder and reacts with the indicator in the reaction chamber.  
         [0008]     In an especially preferred feature, the fundamental construction of the reaction chamber in which the detection is performed comprises a thermoplastic bottom film, which is deformed into a deep-drawn cup-shaped element, with a covering film sealed onto it and contains the indicator required for the detection, which before activation is protected against such external factors as moisture. An information-carrying medium required for the detection, for instance in the form of a comparison strip, is preferably placed directly on the device or in a separate chamber. With this simple embodiment, the known technology for producing deep-drawn packages and blister packs can be equipped and used for the intended purpose.  
         [0009]     Other preferred features can be learned from other dependent claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     A plurality of exemplary embodiments will be described in further detail in conjunction with drawings, which show:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1 : an elevation view and section of the first exemplary embodiment;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2 : a first exemplary embodiment in perspective;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3 : the manipulation of the first exemplary embodiment;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4 : a second exemplary embodiment of the device of the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5 : a third exemplary embodiment of the device of the invention in a front view and in section;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6 : the manipulation of the third exemplary embodiment.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7 : a fourth exemplary embodiment in a front view and in section and in the activated state;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8 : a fifth exemplary embodiment;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9 : a sixth exemplary embodiment;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10 : the manipulation of the sixth exemplary embodiment;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11 : (missing)  
         [0022]      FIG. 12 : a seventh exemplary embodiment with two chambers;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13 : the manipulation of the seventh exemplary embodiment;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14 : an eighth exemplary embodiment;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15 : the manipulation of the eighth exemplary embodiment;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16 : a ninth exemplary embodiment;  
         [0027]      FIG. 19 : a twelfth exemplary embodiment;  
         [0028]      FIG. 20 : a thirteenth exemplary embodiment;  
         [0029]      FIG. 21 : the manipulation of the thirteenth exemplary embodiment;  
         [0030]      FIG. 22 : possible ways of hanging up the device of the invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 23 : a first way of standing up the device of the invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 24 : a second way of standing up the device of the invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 25 : a third way of standing up the device of the invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 26 : a first variant of the aspiration opening without a rated breaking point; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 27 : a second variant of the aspiration opening without a rated breaking point. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a first exemplary embodiment of the device of the invention, which for the sake of simplicity will hereinafter be called a liquid tester. The liquid tester  1 . 0 , in its basic construction, comprises a bottom film, which is deformed thermoplastically into a deep-drawn cup-shaped element  1 . 1 , and a covering film  1 . 2  sealed onto it and thus forms a deep-drawn package. The deep-drawn cup-shaped element  1 . 1  is tapered on one end to form a breakaway tip  1 . 3 , which serves the purpose of later withdrawal of the test liquid, and is separated from the rest of the deep-drawn package by a rated breaking point (crease)  1 . 4 . Between the deep-drawn cup-shaped element  1 . 1  and covering film  1 . 2 , a reaction chamber  1 . 5  for receiving the test liquid is thus formed, and in a region  1 . 5 . 1  it is designed such that after deformation, by the interplay of its shaping and the choice of material, it resumes its original form again and thus a pump mechanism is created in which, when the deformed deep-drawn cup-shaped element  1 . 1  resumes its original form a negative pressure builds up, thus causing suction on the inlet opening  1 . 9  after the breakaway tip  1 . 3  has been broken off.  
         [0037]     On the opposite side of the breakaway tip  1 . 3 , a striplike indicator  2 . 0  is placed in a separate indicator chamber  1 . 6 ; this indicator can be equipped with one or more reactants or saturated with them. The indicator chamber  1 . 6  communicates with the reaction chamber  1 . 5  or forms a part of it, so that the test liquid can come into contact with the indicator  2 . 0 .  
         [0038]     A marking  1 . 7  makes it possible to tell what the aspirated volume of test liquid is. It can be made as a deep-drawn marking or embossing in the bottom film or applied in printed form on the deep-drawn cup-shaped element  1 . 1  and/or on the covering film  1 . 2 .  
         [0039]     At a suitable point, one or more information-carrying media are applied to the liquid tester  1 . 0  in the form of comparison scales taking the form of a color palette  1 . 8 . The color palette may be in form of a printed inscription or a label. The comparison scales described and the volumetric markings can be used in all the exemplary embodiments that follow and will therefore not be mentioned again there.  
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows the liquid tester  1 . 0  in perspective. For activating the liquid tester  1 . 0 , it is broken open along its rated breaking point  1 . 4 , thus exposing the inlet opening  1 . 9  for the test liquid.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  shows the various phases of withdrawing the test liquid T: 
        A: The inlet opening  1 . 9  of the liquid tester  1 . 0  is kept below the level of the surface of the test liquid T.     B: By pressure on the reaction chamber  1 . 5 , the air is made to escape from the liquid tester  1 . 0 .     C: With the relief of the reaction chamber  1 . 5 , the test liquid is aspirated into the reaction chamber  1 . 5 .     D: Once the liquid tester  1 . 0  is inverted, the indicator  2 . 0  is bathed by the test liquid and reacts with it, and as a result a coloration ensues, for instance, that can be compared with the colors on the comparison scale.          
         [0046]      FIG. 4  shows a second exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  5 . 0 . Its fundamental structure is identical to the liquid tester  1 . 0  and will not be described in further detail.  
         [0047]     At a suitable point, one or more deep-drawn cup-shaped elements  5 . 1  are provided as indicator chambers, which are demarcated from the other chambers and can receive an indicator  5 . 2  in the form of a comparison strip of arbitrary shape.  
         [0048]      FIG. 5  shows a third exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  6 . 0 . The fundamental structure of the liquid tester  6 . 0  is identical to the liquid tester  1 . 0  and will not be described in further detail.  
         [0049]     The indicator chamber  6 . 1  that receives the indicator  6 . 4  is disposed between the inlet opening  6 . 9  and the reaction chamber  6 . 3  in the region of the lengthened breakaway tip  6 . 2 , so that in use, the indicator  6 . 4  is at first bathed by the test liquid, but does not remain in the test liquid, once the liquid tester  6 . 0  has been rotated approximately 1800.  
         [0050]      FIG. 6  shows the liquid tester  6 . 0  in the various phases of its use. 
        A: The opened breakaway tip  6 . 2  and thus the inlet opening  6 . 9  of the liquid tester  6 . 0  are kept below the level of the liquid.     B: By pressure on the reaction chamber  6 . 3 , air is made able to escape from the liquid tester  6 . 0 .     C: With the relief of the reaction chamber  6 . 3 , the test liquid is aspirated into the liquid tester  6 . 0 .     D: After the approximately 180° rotation of the liquid tester  6 . 0 , the indicator strip  6 . 4  is no longer bathed by the test liquid.          
         [0055]      FIG. 7  shows a fourth exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  7 . 0 . The fundamental structure of the liquid tester  7 . 0  is identical to the liquid tester  1 . 0  and will not be described in further detail.  
         [0056]     The striplike indicator  8 . 0  here is not placed in a separate chamber but instead is fixed in its end region  8 . 1  between the deep-drawn film  7 . 1  and the covering film  7 . 2 , so that it protrudes into the reaction chamber  7 . 3 . After the aspiration of the test liquid and ensuing rotation of the liquid tester  7 . 0  into the vertical position, the indicator strip  8 . 0  is no longer bathed by the test liquid in its region  8 . 2  that is equipped with indicators.  
         [0057]      FIG. 8  shows a fifth exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  9 . 0 . The fundamental structure is equivalent to the liquid tester  1 . 0  and will not be described in further detail.  
         [0058]     In the lengthened region  9 . 1  of its breakaway tip, the liquid tester  9 . 0  has two indicator chambers  9 . 3  and  9 . 4 , which can receive indicators  10 . 1  or  10 . 2  of arbitrary form.  
         [0059]      FIG. 9  shows a sixth exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  10 . 0 . The fundamental structure is equivalent to the liquid tester  1 . 0  and will not be described in further detail.  
         [0060]     The liquid tester  10 . 0 , besides the reaction chamber  10 . 5  for aspirating the test liquid, also has an indicator chamber  10 . 2  for receiving a reactant  11 . 0 , which can be in either solid, liquid or powder form. The chambers  10 . 1  and  10 . 2  are surrounded by a solid seal  10 . 3  extending all the way around. Extending between the two chambers is a peelable zone  10 . 4 . To make the package easier to peel open, an unsealed region  10 . 5  adjoins the indicator chamber  10 . 2 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 10  illustrates the use of the liquid tester  10 . 0 . 
        A: The breakaway tip  10 . 7  of the liquid tester is broken open along the crease  10 . 6 .     B: The inlet opening  10 . 9  of the opened breakaway tip  10 . 7  is kept below the surface of the liquid. Pressure on the reaction chamber  10 . 1  causes air to escape from the liquid tester  10 . 0 .     C: By the relief of the reaction chamber  10 . 1 , test liquid is aspirated into the reaction chamber  10 . 1  of the liquid tester  10 . 0 .     D: The liquid tester  10 . 0  is rotated by approximately 180°.     E: By pressure on the supply chamber  10 . 2  that contains the reactant  11 . 0 , a communication is established between the reaction chamber  10 . 1  and the supply chamber  10 . 2  via the peelable connection  10 . 4 , and a reaction between the test liquid and the reactant  11 . 0  can now take place.          
         [0067]      FIG. 12  shows a seventh exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  12 . 0 . Its construction is equivalent, except for its rated breaking point  12 . 1 , to the liquid tester  10 . 0  and will not be described in further detail.  
         [0068]     Beyond the rated breaking point  12 . 1 , the liquid tester  12 . 0  extends in mirror symmetry, forming two indicator chambers  12 . 3  and  12 . 4  for receiving different reactants  13 . 1  and  13 . 2 . The two reaction chambers  12 . 5  and  12 . 6  that serve to receive the test liquid are joined together by a common breakaway conduit  12 . 7  used later for aspirating the test liquid.  
         [0069]      FIG. 13  illustrates the use of the liquid tester  12 . 0 . 
        A: The liquid tester  12 . 0  is broken open along its rated breaking point  12 . 1 ; the flat sides of the liquid tester  12 . 0  are folded up against one another.     B: The resultant inlet openings  12 . 8 . 1  and  12 . 8 . 2  are held below the surface of the liquid. Exerting pressure on the reaction chambers  12 . 5  and  12 . 6  simultaneously causes the air to escape from the reaction chambers.     C: With the relief of the reaction chambers  12 . 5  and  12 . 6 , the test liquid is aspirated into the liquid tester  12 . 0 .     D: After the rotation of the liquid tester by approximately 180°, with simultaneous pressure exerted on the supply chambers  12 . 3  and  12 . 4 , the peelable connection between the chambers  12 . 3  and  12 . 5  and between the chambers  12 . 4  and  12 . 6  is undone, so that the reactants  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  can react with the test liquid.          
         [0074]      FIG. 14  shows an eighth exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  14 . 0 . In its fundamental construction, the liquid tester  14 . 0  is equivalent to the liquid tester  1 . 0  and will not be described in further detail.  
         [0075]     The liquid tester  14 . 0 , besides the reaction chamber  14 . 1  which serves to receive the test liquid, also has an indicator chamber  14 . 2  for receiving a reactant  15 . 0 . The chambers  14 . 1  and  14 . 2  are surrounded by a solid seal  14 . 5  extending all the way around. Extending between the two chambers is a peelable zone  14 . 6 . An unsealed region  14 . 7  makes it easier to make the communication between the two chambers by pressing on the reaction chamber  14 . 1 .  
         [0076]      FIG. 15  shows the use of the liquid tester  14 . 0 . 
        A: Pressing on the reaction chamber  14 . 1  undoes the peelable connection  14 . 6  between the chambers  14 . 1  and  14 . 2 . The reactant  15 . 0  can slide from the indicator chamber  14 . 2  into the reaction chamber  14 . 1 .     B: The liquid tester  14 . 0  is broken open along its rated breaking point  14 . 3 .          
         [0079]     C: The inlet opening of the liquid tester  14 . 0  is kept below the surface of the liquid. Pressing on the reaction chamber  14 . 1  causes the air to escape from the liquid tester  14 . 0 . 
        D: With the relief of the reaction chamber  14 . 1 , the test liquid is aspirated into the inlet opening  14 . 9  of the liquid tester  14 . 0 .     E: The liquid tester  10 . 0  is rotated by approximately 180°; the reaction can take place.        
 
         [0082]      FIG. 16  shows a ninth exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  16 . 0 . The fundamental structure is equivalent to the liquid tester  1 . 0  and will not be described in further detail.  
         [0083]     The reaction chamber  16 . 1  is adjoined by an indicator chamber  16 . 2 , which is suitable for receiving a reactant  17 . 0  which is in pastelike form or upon introduction is liquid but hardens after that. The chambers  16 . 1  and  16 . 2  are open toward one another in the region  16 . 4 , so that in use, the reactant  17 . 0  can react with the liquid to be tested.  
         [0084]      FIG. 17  shows a tenth exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  18 . 0 . Its construction is equivalent to the liquid tester  16 . 0 .  
         [0085]     The reaction chamber  18 . 1 , which serves to receive the test liquid, is adjoined by an indicator chamber  18 . 2 , which receives a reactant  19 . 0  in solid form. The two chambers are open toward one another in the region  18 . 3 . The indicator chamber  18 . 2  is designed such that in use, the reactant can be bathed by the test liquid. The gap S at the opening  18 . 3  is selected such that the reactant  19 . 0  is firmly retained in the indicator chamber  18 . 2 .  
         [0086]      FIG. 18  shows an eleventh exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  20 . 0 . The fundamental construction is essentially equivalent to the liquid tester  1 . 0  and will not be described in further detail.  
         [0087]     The liquid tester  20 . 0  has a reaction chamber  21 . 1 , which serves simultaneously to receive the test liquid and (as an indicator chamber) to receive the reactant  21 . 0 . The reactant  21 . 0  is introduced loosely into the reaction chamber  21 . 1  and can be either solid, liquid, or applied to substrate material.  
         [0088]      FIG. 19  shows a twelfth exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  22 . 0 . The fundamental construction is equivalent to the liquid tester  1 . 0  and will not be described in further detail.  
         [0089]     The reaction chamber  22 . 1  that serves to receive the test liquid is continued in the form of two tubes  22 . 2 . 1  and  22 . 2 . 2 , which are each embodied on their end as respective indicator chambers  22 . 3 . 1  and  22 . 3 . 2 , which receive indicators  24 . 0  and  25 . 0  in the form of substrates with a reactant. With the liquid tester  22 . 0 , various measured values of the test liquid can thus be ascertained and displayed simultaneously.  
         [0090]      FIG. 20  shows a thirteenth exemplary embodiment, the liquid tester  26 . 0 . The liquid tester  26 . 0  is composed of a thermoplastically deformed bottom film  26 . 1  and a sealed-on covering film  26 . 2 . The bottom film is embodied as a reaction chamber  26 . 3 , which receives a striplike indicator  27 . 0 . The reaction chamber  26 . 3  is lengthened on both ends by conduits  26 . 4 . 1  and  26 . 4 . 2 . In the region of the two conduits  26 . 4 . 1  and  26 . 4 . 2 , the covering film  26 . 2  is provided with stamped-out features  26 . 5 . 1  and  26 . 5 . 2 , which form two openings  26 . 5 . 1  and  26 . 5 . 2 . Both stamped-out features are covered by an adhesive label  28 . 0 . The region marked -a- of the adhesive label  28 . 0  is free of adhesive and is embodied as a pull tab  28 . 1 . One or more comparison tables  29 . 0  are applied to some suitable point.  
         [0091]      FIG. 21  shows the use of the liquid tester  26 . 0 . 
        A: The adhesive label  28 . 0  is pulled off.     B: The two openings  26 . 5 . 1  and  26 . 5 . 2  are (or at least one opening is) held in a vertical position below the surface of the liquid. The test liquid can penetrate the liquid tester  26 . 0  through an opening  26 . 5 . 2 ; simultaneously, the excess air can escape through the other opening  26 . 5 . 1 .     C: After the liquid tester  26 . 0  is pulled out of the liquid to be tested, excess liquid can drip out of the liquid tester  26 . 0 . The wetted indicator  27 . 0  can react.          
         [0095]     Because of the two openings, this exemplary embodiment makes do without the suction effect described above, and accordingly the reaction chamber  26 . 3  need not exert any elastic restoring force.  
         [0096]      FIG. 22  shows possible ways of hanging up the liquid tester of one of the exemplary embodiments described above: 
        A: by means of a stamped-out feature  40 . 1 , closed all the way around, in the end region of the liquid tester;     B: by means of a stamped-out feature  40 . 2  in the end region of the liquid tester, which is open toward the outer edge.          
         [0099]      FIG. 23  shows a first possible way of standing up the liquid tester  51 . 0 :  
         [0100]     The liquid tester  51 . 0  is widened by lateral tabs  51 . 1 . 1  and  51 . 1 . 2  on the side remote from the breakaway tip  51 . 2  and is demarcated from the breakaway tip by perforations  51 . 3 . 1  and  51 . 3 . 2 . By bending the tabs  51 . 1 . 1  and  51 . 1 . 2  over along the perforation lines  51 . 3 . 1  and  51 . 3 . 2 , the liquid tester can be made to stand stably in a vertical position.  
         [0101]      FIG. 24  shows a second possible way of standing up the liquid tester  52 . 0 :  
         [0102]     The liquid tester  52 . 0  is lengthened by a tab  52 . 2  on the side remote from the breakaway tip  52 . 1  and is demarcated by a perforation  52 . 3 , which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the liquid tester  52 . 0 . Folding the tab  52 . 2  over along the perforation line  52 . 3  creates a way for the liquid tester to stand up.  
         [0103]      FIG. 25  shows a third possible way of standing up the liquid tester  53 . 0 :  
         [0104]     The liquid tester  53 . 0  is widened unilaterally along its side edge  53 . 1  by a lateral tab  53 . 2  and is demarcated from the liquid tester by a perforation  53 . 3 . Folding over the tab  53 . 2  along the perforation line  53 . 3  creates a stable way of standing up the liquid tester  53 . 0 .  
         [0105]      FIG. 26  shows a first variant of an aspiration opening without a rated breaking point, as a fourteenth exemplary embodiment of the liquid tester.  
         [0106]     The covering film  60 . 1  of the liquid tester  60 . 0 , in the region of its aspiration protrusion  60 . 2 , has an inlet opening  60 . 3 , which is covered with an adhesive tab  60 . 4 . The adhesive tab  60 . 4  is free of adhesive in the region -a- and is embodied as a pull tab  60 . 4 . 1 . Before use of the liquid tester  60 . 0 , the adhesive tab  60 . 4  is pulled off.  
         [0107]      FIG. 27  shows a second variant of the suction opening without a rated breaking point, as a fifteenth exemplary embodiment.  
         [0108]     The bottom film  61 . 1  of the liquid tester  61 . 0  is provided, in the region of the aspiration projection  61 . 2 , with a stamped-out feature  61 . 3 . The aspiration projection  61 . 2  is designed such that it can receive an adhesive label  61 . 4 . The adhesive label  61 . 4  covers the inlet opening  61 . 3  and is free of adhesive in its protruding region -a-. Before the water tester  61 . 0  is put to use, the adhesive label  61 . 4  is pulled off.