Automated system for adding multiple fluids to a single container

• US 5,056,568 A
• Filed: 05/04/1990
• Issued: 10/15/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Clintec Nutrition Company
• Inventors: Lewis, Robert E., Becker, Michael J., Warner, Donald W., Zielsdorf, Randall A., Starai, Rudolph, Vos, James P., DiGianfilippo, Aleandro, Hitchcock, James R., Huang, Leon
• Primary Examiner(s): CUSICK, ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US07/500,811
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/83, 141/94, 141/95, 141/96
• US Class Current: 141/1
• 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: G01G 17/06 having means for controlling the supply or discharge

Abstract

A method for transferring fluids from multiple source containers to a single receiving container wherein fluid is transferred from a source container to a transfer chamber under the influence of a differential pressure and under the control of an occlusion force between the source container and the transfer chamber; the amount of fluid in the transfer chamber is confirmed; and, subsequently, the fluid is transferred from the transfer chamber to the receiving container under the influence of a differential pressure and under the control of an occlusion force between the transfer chamber and the receiving container.

Claims

1. A method for transferring fluids from multiple source containers to a single receiving container, comprising the steps of:

providing a transfer chamber in fluid communication between said source containers and said receiving container, each source container having a separable fluid communication line connected to said transfer chamber which is initially subject to a removable occlusion force, said transfer chamber and said receiving container also having a fluid communication line therebetween which is initially subject to a removable occlusion force;

selecting an amount of one of said fluids to be transferred;

generating a signal indicating said amount of said fluid to be transferred;

transferring said selected fluid from its source container to said chamber under the influence of a pressure differential and by removing the occlusion force between said source container and said transfer chamber;

measuring the amount of said fluid in said chamber;

generating a signal indicative of the actual amount of said selected fluid present in said chamber;

terminating transfer of said fluid when said actual amount of said fluid present in said chamber is equal to or greater than said selected amount by again subjecting said fluid communication between said source container and said transfer chamber to an occlusion force; and

then

transferring said fluid from said chamber to said receiving chamber under the influence of a pressure differential and by removing the occlusion force between said transfer chamber and said receiving container.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transferring said selected fluid from its source container to said chamber under the influence of a pressure differential comprises the step of placing said chamber under vacuum pressure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transferring said fluid from said chamber to said receiving chamber under the influence of a pressure differential comprises the steps of placing said chamber on a positive pressure and placing said receiving container under a vacuum pressure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of terminating transfer of said fluid when said actual amount of said fluid present in said chamber is equal to or greater than said selected amount comprises reestablishing said occlusion force on the fluid communication line connecting said source container to said chamber.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of selecting an amount of one of said fluids to be transferred comprises depressing one or more numeric keys operative to effect such selection.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of measuring the amount of fluid in sid chamber comprises weighing said chamber by means of a load cell.