Device for removing fluids from vials

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for removing a fluid from at least one container ( 300 ), for example, from a vial, that has a seal that can be punctured. The device comprises a base body ( 210 ), in which a fluid channel is formed. In order to reduce the lost volume, a pin-shaped insertion element ( 250 ) that reduces the cross-section of the fluid channel is inserted into the fluid channel through an insertion opening. Locking structures ( 262, 263 ) that retain the container on the device in a removal position and in a storage position different therefrom can be provided so that the container can be stored on the device without the seal being punctured accidentally. Such a device can be used in particular to fill an applicator ( 100 ) having one or more fluid reservoirs from one or more vials.

1 . A device for removing a fluid from at least one container, the device comprising:
 a basic body with an upper side and an underside, the basic body having at least one fluid channel of constant or variable cross-section running in a longitudinal direction, the upper side of the basic body being provided with an inlet opening which runs at an angle to the fluid channel and opens into the fluid channel, the underside of the basic body being provided with at least one outlet opening which runs at an angle to the fluid channel and opens out of the fluid channel at a point longitudinally offset from the inlet opening, and the basic body being provided with at least one insert opening which runs in the longitudinal direction and opens into the fluid channel;   at least one container connector for connecting a container to the inlet opening; and   at least one insert element which is inserted into the fluid channel through the insert opening and which reduces the cross-section of the fluid channel in a region between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.   
     
     
         2 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the insert element is in the form of a peg extending along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the insert element has a circumferential surface which between the inlet opening and the outlet opening is essentially in sealing contact with a defining wall of the fluid channel, wherein a first annular groove is formed in the circumferential area of the insert element close to the inlet opening which at least partially extends around the insert element, wherein a second annular groove is formed in the circumferential surface close to the outlet opening which at least partially extends around the insert element, and wherein a fluid connection is formed between the first annular groove and the second annular groove. 
     
     
         4 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the insert element has a circumferential surface which between the inlet opening and the outlet opening adjoins a defining wall of the fluid channel in an essentially sealing manner, and wherein in the circumferential surface at least one of a flattened area and/or a connection groove with a constant or variable cross-section is provided, which creates a fluid connection between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. 
     
     
         5 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a first catch structure is provided on the insert element and a complementary second catch structure is provided on the basic body, and wherein these catch structures interact with each other to hold the insert element in the basic body. 
     
     
         6 . The device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the first catch structure comprises an annular bulge on the insert element and the second catch structure comprises a complementary annular groove in a jacket wall of the fluid channel or of the insert opening. 
     
     
         7 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the fluid channel and the insert element widen conically, at least in parts, towards the inlet opening. 
     
     
         8 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , the device being configured for filling at least one reservoir of an applicator, wherein the device comprises an applicator connector for connecting the reservoir of the applicator to the outlet opening. 
     
     
         9 . The device in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the applicator connector is made in one piece with the basic body. 
     
     
         10 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein in the area of the container connector the device comprises a hollow-needle-type puncturing element connected to the inlet opening for puncturing a seal of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , the device being configured for the simultaneous removal of fluids from at least two containers,
 wherein in the base body a longitudinally running second fluid channel of constant or variable is formed, wherein the upper side of the basic body being provided with a second inlet opening which runs at an angle to the second fluid channel and opens into the second fluid channel, and the underside of the basic body being provided with a second outlet opening which runs at an angle to the second fluid channel and opens out of the second fluid channel at a point longitudinally offset from the inlet opening,   wherein the device comprises a second container connector for connecting a second container to the second inlet opening,   wherein the basic body is provided with a longitudinally running second insert opening facing away from the first insert opening and opening into the second fluid channel, and   wherein the device has a second insert element which is inserted into the second fluid channel through the second insert opening and which reduces the cross-section of the second fluid channel in an area between the second inlet opening and the second outlet opening.   
     
     
         12 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , the device comprising:
 a hollow-needle-type puncturing element connected to the inlet opening for puncturing the seal of the container in a removal position of the container; and   a container holder connected to the basic body for holding the container in the device,   the container holder has having a first catch structure for fixing the container on the container holder in a storage position, in which the container is further from the basic body than in the removal position, by way of a releasable snap connection.   
     
     
         13 . The device in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the container holder further has a second catch structure for fixing the container on the container holder in the removal position by way of a snap connection. 
     
     
         14 . The device in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the container holder has a jacket wall and wherein the first catch structure and the second catch structure each comprise a spring arm, which is formed in the jacket wall and at the free end of which a catch lug extending into the jacket wall is formed. 
     
     
         15 . The device in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the container holder has a base from which a peg extends into the inlet opening of the basic body, with an inlet opening being formed through the peg and the base, and wherein the puncturing element is held in the inlet opening.