Method for packaging thermal reactors for conditioning fluid containers and reactors therefor

Abstract

A method for packaging thermal reactors, and thermal reactors therefor, particularly for conditioning containers of fluids for parenteral administration and of the type that comprises an enclosure divided into at least one first compartment and one second compartment, mutually separated by a tearable membrane and provided with at least one filling inlet, the method comprising: introducing a first component in the first compartment through the respective inlet; introducing a second component, suitable to react with the first component with an exothermic or endothermic reaction, in the second compartment through the respective inlet; extracting from at least one of the first and second compartments the air contained therein through the respective inlet; sealing the inlet of the first compartment, containing the first component; and sealing the inlet of the second compartment, containing the second component.

1 . A method for packaging a thermal reactor, for conditioning containers of fluids for parenteral administration, the thermal reactor comprising an enclosure divided into at least one first compartment and one second compartment, said first and second compartments being separated from each other by a tearable membrane and being provided with at least one respective filling inlet, the method comprising the steps of: 
 introducing a first component in said first compartment through the respective inlet thereof,    introducing a second component, suitable to react with said first component with an exothermic or endothermic reaction, in said second compartment through the respective inlet thereof,    extracting from at least one of said first and second compartments air contained therein through the respective inlet thereof,    sealing the respective inlet of the first compartment, which contains said first component,    sealing the respective inlet of the second compartment, which contains said second component.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of associating with said enclosure, insertion means for inserting a tool for tearing said membrane.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising providing said insertion means with retention and sealing means suitable to prevent escape of said first and second components and inflow of the air that lies outside the enclosure.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising providing said insertion means with an inlet and said retention and sealing means with an insert made of elastic/elastomeric material, accommodating the insert in said inlet, crossing the insert with said tool and closing the opening formed in the insert by said tool.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising providing at least one of said first and second components in a loose solid form, preferably a particle or granule form, and providing the other one of said components in a fluid form.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said introduction step consists in filling said first compartment or said second compartment.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said extraction step follows said introduction step.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said sealing step occurs after said extraction step or said introduction step.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said sealing step comprises heat-sealing lips of said respective filling inlet.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said sealing step comprises applying fastening means to said respective filling inlet.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising providing said enclosure with a first bag, with an interior forming said first compartment, and a second bag, with walls that are at least partially constituted by said membrane, and accomodating said second bag in said first bag, said second bag forming said second compartment at the inside thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising providing said enclosure made of a material of a flexible type.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising providing said enclosure with at least one heat-conducting portion.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising providing said first and second bags associated to each other at at least one portion of respective walls thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said insertion means are provided associated at said portion.  
   
   
       16 . A thermal reactor for conditioning containers of fluids for parenteral administration, comprising: a closed enclosure, which is divided into at least one first compartment, which contains a first component, and into a second compartment, which contains a second component suitable to react with the first component with an exothermic or endothermic reaction, said second compartment being separated from said first compartment by a tearable membrane, and wherein at least one of said first and second compartments contains, respectively, the first and second components substantially in a vacuum ambient.  
   
   
       17 . The reactor of  claim 16 , wherein said enclosure comprises insertion means for inserting a tool for tearing said membrane.  
   
   
       18 . The reactor of  claim 17 , wherein said insertion means comprise retention and sealing means, which are adapted to prevent escape of said first and second components and inflow of air that lies outside said enclosure.  
   
   
       19 . The reactor of  claim 18 , wherein said insertion means comprise an inlet, and said retention and sealing means comprises an insert made of elastic/elastomeric material, said insert being accommodated in said inlet and being adapted to form an opening upon crossing thereof by said tool and to close said opening formed therein by the crossing of said tool.  
   
   
       20 . The reactor of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of said first and second components is in a loose solid form, preferably a particle or granule form, the other one of said components being in a fluid form.  
   
   
       21 . The reactor of  claim 17 , wherein said enclosure comprises a first bag having an interior thereof that forms said first compartment, and a second bag with walls at least partially constituted by said membrane, said second bag being accommodated in said first bag and having an interior that forms said second compartment.  
   
   
       22 . The reactor of  claim 24 , wherein said enclosure is made of a flexible type.  
   
   
       23 . The reactor of  claim 17 , wherein said enclosure comprises at least one heat-conducting portion.  
   
   
       24 . The reactor of  claim 21 , wherein said first and second bags are associated to each other at at least one portion of respective walls thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The reactor of  claim 24 , wherein said insertion means are associated at said portion.  
   
   
       26 . The thermal reactor of  claim 16  in combination with a container of fluids for parenteral administration.  
   
   
       27 . A first-aid kit, comprising a thermal reactor as set forth in  claim 16  and a container of a fluid for parenteral administration, said thermal reactor and container being coupled to each other by way of anchoring means.  
   
   
       28 . The kit of  claim 27 , wherein an enclosure of said reactor overlaps said container at least at a heat-conducting portion thereof.  
   
   
       29 . The kit of  claim 27 , comprising anchoring means selected from a group comprising straps, adhesive tapes, snap and hook and loop couplers.  
   
   
       30 . The kit of  claim 27 , wherein said container is constituted by a pouch.  
   
   
       31 . The kit of  claim 28 , comprising a tool for tearing a separation membrane of said enclosure.  
   
   
       32 . The kit of  claim 31 , wherein said tearing tool is of a needle type.