Automated system for adding multiple fluids to a single container

• US 4,967,811 A
• Filed: 10/17/1988
• Issued: 11/06/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Clintec Nutrition Company
• Inventors: Vos, James P., Lewis, Robert E., DiGianfilippo, Aleandro, Becker, Michael J., Warner, Donald W., Hitchcock, James R., Huang, Leon, Zielsdorf, Randall A., Starai, Rudolph
• Primary Examiner(s): Cusick, Ernest G.
• Application Number:
  US03/217,924
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1-5, 141/94-96, 141/, 141/83, 141/100-105, 141/236, 177/1, 177/25, 177/60, 604/403, 222/56, 222/57, 222/52, 222/77, 222/145
• US Class Current: 141/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/74 for weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 3/002 Compounding apparatus specially for enteral or parenteral nutritive solutions bottling liquids B67C
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/84 Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/083 bending longitudinally, i.e. modifying the curvature of the tube axis
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/108 of the peristaltic type
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/12 Flow or pressure control devices or systems , e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0006 Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 17/06 having means for controlling the supply or discharge

Abstract

A device is described for accurately transferring multiple individual fluids from multiple source containers into a single receiving container. Fluid flows from the multiple source containers through individual fluid conduits to a chamber having a single fluid outlet conduit. The fluid outlet conduit is in fluid communication with a single receiving container. A pressure conduit is in communication with the chamber for alternately creating positive and negative pressures in the chamber to cause fluid to flow from the individual source containers into the chamber, and to cause fluid to flow from the chamber into the receiving container in response to commands from a control means in the device.

Claims

1. A device for transferring material comprising:

a source container;

a receiving container;

a conduit connecting said source and receiving containers;

a chamber having a chamber outlet in communication with said receiving container;

first occlusion means for selectively preventing movement of said material from said conduit to said chamber;

pressure means for selectively creating differential pressures between said chamber and one of said source and receiving containers to control the movement of material into and out of said chamber;

second occlusion means for selectively preventing movement of material from said chamber outlet to said receiving container; and

control means for controlling said first and second occlusion means and said pressure means, said control means causing said first occlusion means to allow material to move through said conduit while causing said second occlusion means to prevent material from moveing into said receiving container and said control means also causing said pressure means to create a pressure differential between said chamber and said source container to cause material to move from said source container to said chamber, said control means further causing said first occlusion means to prevent material movement through said conduit after a predetermined amount of material has been delivered to said chamber, said control means then further causing said second occlusion means to allow material to move from said chamber through said outlet by causing said pressure means to create a positive pressure differential between said chamber and said receiving container to force material from said chamber into said receiving container.

2. A device for transferring multiple individual fluids from multiple source containers to a single receiving container in which fluid flows from said multiple source containers through individual fluid conduits into a chamber having a chamber fluid outlet conduit in fluid communication with the receiving container, the invention comprising:

first prevention means for selectively preventing fluid flow from each of said individual fluid conduits to said chamber;

pressure means for selectively creating pressure differentials between said chamber and one of said source containers and receiving container to control fluid flow into and out of said chambers;

second prevention means for selectively preventing movement of material from said chamber outlet to said receiving container; and

control means for controlling said first and second prevention means and said pressure means, said control means causing said first prevention means to allow fluid to flow through at least two of said individual fluid conduits while causing said second prevention means to prevent material from moving into said receiving container and causing said pressure means to create a pressure differential in said chamber and said source containers to cause fluid to flow from at least two source containers into said chamber, said control means further causing said first prevention means to prevent fluid movement through said conduits after a predetermined amount of material has been delivered to said chamber, said control means further causing said second prevention means to allow said fluid to flow from said chamber through said outlet conduit causing said pressure means to create a pressure differential between said chamber and said receiving container to force fluid from said chamber into said receiving container.