WO2014033228A1

WO2014033228A1 - Flexible container for transporting products such as biocides

Info

Publication number: WO2014033228A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/067931
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Lepot
Original assignee: Flexiways Sprl
Priority date: 2012-08-31
Filing date: 2013-08-29
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Also published as: BE1020869A3; EP2890408A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns a flexible container (1) for transporting and dispensing one or a plurality of liquid products, comprising: - at least two stacked flexible walls (2) linked together at least at the periphery thereof, said walls (2) linked in this way defining an internal volume (3) capable of receiving one or a plurality of liquid products having biocide properties, - an upper portion (4) and a lower portion (5), said internal volume (3) being positioned between said upper portion (4) and lower portion (5) of said container, - at least one member for accessing said internal volume (3) capable of bringing the internal volume into fluid communication with the outside of the container, - a readable data carrier (10), characterised in that it further comprises a ventilation means for ventilating said container (1) capable of allowing an intake of air into the container, said ventilation means being positioned on one of said flexible walls (2) or on said at least one member for accessing said internal volume (3); said ventilation means comprising an air-permeable membrane. The present invention also relates to a method for decontaminating or sterilising a volume or a surface using a container filled with a liquid such as a biocide.

Description

Flexible container for transporting products such as biocides

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a flexible container for facilitating the transport, distribution and use of hazardous products. In particular, the container is suitable for the transport of biocidal products and for the decontamination of a defined surface or volume. The present invention also relates to a method of decontamination and / or sterilization.

Technological background of the invention

In the medical and pharmaceutical field, the decontamination or sterilization of production areas, packaging or packaging is subject to very strict hygiene and safety rules. Thus, these areas must be decontaminated or sterilized regularly to avoid any proliferation of bacteria or pathogens that may affect the quality of medical products in these areas.

Decontamination is often carried out by vaporization or atomization of a biocidal substance over the entire area. For example, ethylene oxide or hydrogen peroxide may be vaporized or atomized within the zone, the latter being previously confined to prevent inappropriate release to the outside. With the aid of a suitable device, the biocide is vaporized until a homogeneous dispersion is obtained inside the zone. Thus all the equipment present in the production area is in contact with the biocide and is thus decontaminated or sterilized.

The biocides used generally have very high concentrations. For example, when hydrogen peroxide is used, it has a concentration of 35% by weight. The documents US Pat. No. 8,182,743, EP 1,652,537 and WO 2007/008205 describe, in particular, decontamination units adapted to manage the vaporization of biocides at very high concentrations. This type of installation is used once or twice per year to decontaminate an entire area. Nevertheless, the management and use of biocides at such concentrations requires adapted and often very complex and expensive procedures and equipment. Such a biocidal solution at 35% by weight must be packaged in a thick and tinted glass bottle or a metal container comprising valves or caps secure to prevent escape to the outside.

Alternatively, when the user wants to decontaminate or sterilize an area more frequently with lower concentrations of biocides, it is obliged to handle, under very important safety conditions, a concentrated solution of biocide to perform the appropriate dilution. For example, a 35% by weight solution of hydrogen peroxide requires a special combination to avoid prolonged exposure that can lead to severe respiratory syndromes. When decontaminating an area, the user must also ensure that the amount of biocide required for decontamination has been effectively vaporized.

In addition, the complexity of the use of concentrated biocidal solutions during decontamination, transport and distribution of this type of solution require appropriate treatment conditions. Thus, a solution of hydrogen peroxide at 35% by weight will be labeled C, R 20/22 - 34 (corrosive, harmful by inhalation, in contact with the skin and by ingestion). Such a solution will also be classified in packing group II requiring transport under special conditions.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simplified method of decontamination or sterilization that does not require the use of restrictive procedures in the transport or handling of biocidal products. The present invention also provides a flexible container for use in the present process.

Summary of the invention

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a flexible container suitable for transporting biocidal solutions and their subsequent use in a decontamination or sterilization process. The present invention also relates to a process for decontamination or sterilization under non-restrictive conditions, for example with the aid of biocidal products. The use of the flexible container according to the present invention makes it possible to simplify the decontamination and / or sterilization process. Decontamination of a surface can be done easily and also more regularly by limiting the economic impact of, for example, stopping a production line during decontamination. The present invention thus provides a flexible container, easily manipulated during a decontamination process and adapted for transport by post in accordance with the legislation in force.

With the present invention, a weakly concentrated solution, for example less than 8% by weight, of biocidal products can be used. The container provided according to the present invention comprises:

at least two flexible walls superimposed and connected together at least at their periphery, said walls thus connected defining an internal volume intended to receive one or more liquid products having biocidal properties,

an upper portion and a lower portion, said internal volume being placed between said upper and lower portions of said container,

at least one access element to said internal volume,

a readable data medium,

characterized in that it further comprises means for venting said container. Said aeration means may be disposed on said at least one access element to said internal volume or on one of said flexible walls. Said aeration means may also be disposed on said upper portion or said lower portion. The aeration means may be covered or surmounted by a cap or a cap. Said aeration means is configured to allow the entry of air into said container. Said aeration means may allow a gas exchange between the internal volume of the container and the outside of the container, for example by means of an element disposed on one of said flexible walls. Said aeration means is also able to allow the entry of air via the access element to said internal volume. Thus, when a liquid is contained in the container, the aeration means can make it possible to empty the entirety of the liquid contained in said container when the latter contains it. This may be advantageous for the process according to the present invention to validate the correct operation of said method as explained in the present application. Indeed, the air entering the container creates a gas flow forcing the liquid in the container to escape from the container by the access element to said internal volume. Said aeration means may be permeable to air. Said aeration means may be impervious to the liquid contained or able to be contained in the container. Thus, said aeration means may be an air permeable membrane. Said membrane may be impervious to the liquid contained or able to be contained in the container. Thus, when the container contains a liquid, it can not flow through said aeration means. The access element to said internal volume is adapted to put in fluid communication the internal volume with the outside of the container.

Flexible containers are known from the prior art. For example, EP 2 193 775 describes a flexible container for medical use. A flexible container for food use is also described in WO 2006/123131. This type of container is not suitable for the decontamination of an area because it does not include means to control the amount of biocides used. According to the present invention, the flexible container comprises means for venting said container. Said aeration means ensures that the entire liquid introduced into it will be effectively used during decontamination. Said aeration means is therefore able to empty said container of the liquid it contains when it is used in a decontamination process. Said aeration means according to the present invention may therefore be a means of controlling the amount of biocide used in a decontamination process according to the invention.

The present flexible container further comprises a readable data carrier. This readable data medium makes it possible to store a lot of information on the product that may be contained or contained in the container. Said readable data medium also makes it possible to store data for controlling the parameters related to the decontamination or sterilization of a surface. Thus, at the end of the decontamination, a quality control of the operation can be performed easily thanks to the parameters stored on said readable data medium. The manipulator can ensure that the amount required for decontamination of the surface has been properly sprayed on it.

The present invention also relates to a method for decontaminating a volume or a surface using a container filled with a liquid, comprising the steps of:

a) filling a container according to the present invention with a liquid having biocidal properties,

b) configuring the readable data medium with a plurality of information,

c) communicating fluidically the container with a device capable of decontaminating a volume or a surface and able to empty said container of the liquid it contains, via the access element to said internal volume of said container, d ) recovering the information relating to the use of the container by said device during the decontamination of the volume or the surface to be decontaminated,

e) controlling said information with the plurality of information configured on the readable data medium and validating the decontamination process.

Brief description of the drawings

Figs. 1a-c show a view of a flexible container according to three variants of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a view of a flexible container comprising two compartments according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram detailing the steps of a method of decontaminating a surface according to one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0016] With reference to FIGS. 1a to 1c, and according to a first aspect of the invention, a flexible container 1 for transporting and dispensing one or more liquid products is provided. Said container 1 comprises:

at least two flexible walls 2 superimposed and connected together at least at their periphery, said walls 2 thus connected defining a internal volume 3 for receiving one or more liquid products having biocidal properties,

an upper portion 5 and a lower portion 4, said internal volume 3 being placed between said upper portion 5 and lower portion 4 of said container,

at least one access element to said internal volume 3,

a readable data medium 10,

characterized in that it further comprises means for aeration of said container 1. Preferably, said aeration means may be disposed on said access member to said internal volume 3 or on one of the flexible walls 2. Preferably, the aeration means comprises an air permeable membrane. Said membrane may have a permeability greater than or equal to 0.2 μιη, preferably between 0.2 μιη and 0.8 μιτι. Said aeration means may be a vent 8 provided with said membrane permeable to air and surmounted by a removable cap 9. Said vent 8 may be disposed on the surface of one of said walls 2 defining the internal volume 3 of said container 1. Said removable cap 9 is removed to allow gaseous exchange between the internal volume 3 of the container 1 and the outside of the container. Thus, the aeration means is activated and produces its effects during the removal of the removable cap 9. According to another variant of a first embodiment, said aeration means can be arranged on the access element. 3. In this case, the access element to said internal volume 3 may contain a vent 8 provided with a membrane permeable to air and surmounted by a removable cap 9. The operation is similar to that explained above when the vent 8 is disposed on one of the flexible walls 2 defining the internal volume 3. In the second variant of the first embodiment, shown in FIG. 1 b, all or part of the access element to said internal volume 3 may be made of a material permeable to air. Thus, the portion 31 of the access element to said internal volume 3 made of the material permeable to air may be a means for aeration of said container 1 according to the invention. Preferably, the portion 31 of the access member to said internal volume 3 made of the breathable material may be coated with a removable cap 9. The latter may be removed to activate the operation of the aeration means as explained above. Preferably, when an air permeable membrane is used, it is also impervious to the liquid possibly contained or able to be contained in the container 1, in particular in the internal volume 3 of the container 1.

According to a second variant of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 c, the aeration means is a valve contained in the access element to said internal volume 3. Said access element to said internal volume 3 may comprise two connectors 7, one of which is provided with a valve adapted to regulate the aeration of said container 1. According to another embodiment, the aeration means may be a part of one of the flexible walls 2 made of a material permeable to air. Said part may be covered with a removable cap 9.

According to a first preferred embodiment, said access element to said internal volume 3 is a connector 7 located and held in place between said flexible walls 2 of the lower portion 4 and comprising a distal opening 20 and proximal 21 relative to to said internal volume 3. Said connector 7 has an outer wall 19, an inner wall and a lumen between the distal 20 and proximal openings 21. When a liquid is contained in the container, it preferably flows from the internal volume 3 towards the outside of the container 1 via the connector 7 via the lumen between the proximal opening 21 and the distal opening 20.

According to a first particular embodiment, a portion 31 of the connector 7 may be made of a material permeable to air. The permeability of a material corresponds to its ability to pass through the air under the effect of a pressure gradient. The air permeability of the material may be greater than 15 microns, preferably between 15 and 40 microns. The portion 31 permeable to air is preferably impervious to the liquid contained or able to be contained in the internal volume 3 of the container 1.

Preferably, the connector 7 comprises one or more lids 1 1 closing the distal opening 20 and / or the proximal opening 21 of said connector 7. When the lid 1 1 covers the distal opening 20 of the connector 7, it can extend to the inner or outer wall 19 of the connector 7. When a portion 31 of the connector is made of a material permeable to air, said portion 31 may be a part of the outer and / or inner wall of the connector 7. The lid 1 1 may also cover said portion 31.

The lid 1 1 surmounting the connector 7 is preferably disposable. Thus, the user can easily control before decontaminating or sterilizing an area if the container containing the biocide has been previously used.

As mentioned above, the connector 7 may also contain a second single-use operculum at the proximal opening 21 to ensure a better seal of the container 1. Thus, the lumen between the distal and proximal openings 21 is protected from contact with the internal volume 3 containing or capable of containing a liquid such as a solution of a biocidal product. This is particularly advantageous when a portion 31 of the connector 7 is made of a material permeable to air. Indeed, the biocidal product is not in contact with the air entering the connector 7 via said portion 31 made of a material permeable to air. The decomposition of the biocidal product is therefore limited.

The container 1 has flexible walls 2 in the form of laminated or extruded layers of plastic such as polyethylene, polyetheretherketone or an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. This type of plastic material has a certain flexibility facilitating the handling, filling, emptying and / or transport of a container according to the present invention.

According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, said container 1 may contain a plurality of reservoirs 12 independent of each other. Each reservoir 12 may contain an access element to said internal volume 3. For example, each reservoir 12 may be connected to an access element to said internal volume 3 independently of the other reservoirs. Each tank 12 may further comprise a means of aeration of said container 1. This embodiment has the advantage of being able to store in the same pocket several doses of biocide which will be used progressively as needed.

Said container 1 comprises a readable data medium 10. This support allows the storage of information relating to the product that may be contained or contained in the container, and the reading of this information for example by electronic sensor. By way of example, the readable data medium 10 may be a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. According to a preferred embodiment, the readable data medium 10 is also writable. By writable, it should be understood that information can be recorded and stored on the support throughout the use of the container 1, especially after the course of a decontamination process, in addition to and / or replacement of information previously stored. According to this embodiment, the readable and rewritable data medium may be a radio identification label which may comprise one or more radio tags comprising an electronic chip, a wound or printed antenna, said radio-tags being able to receive a radio signal and to respond in response to a different radio signal, and being configured to enable reading and writing of data. The radio tags can be active or passive. The radio identification tag 10 may also contain a battery.

Preferably, the readable data carrier 10 is disposed on the surface of one of said walls 2 defining the internal volume 3. However, readable data carrier may also be disposed on the periphery of said flexible walls 2 or on the access element to said internal volume 3.

The readable data medium 10 may contain the product identification information such as for example the name of the product, for example the name of the biocide, and the concentration of the liquid contained in the container. When the liquid in the container, such as a biocide, degrades over time, the expiry date of the liquid must be identifiable. Preferably, the expiry date is present on the readable data medium 10. Alternatively, the expiry date may be written on the flexible container or on a label glued, welded or disposed on said container 1. Preferably, the readable data medium 10 may contain the expiry date and / or the volume of the liquid contained or able to be contained in the container. When the readable data medium 10 is also writable, the medium 10 may also include information on the end user of the container. Thus, when the container is used in a decontamination or sterilization process, the readable, writable data carrier may contain information on the parameters of the decontamination or sterilization process. When the container 1 contains a biocide and is intended to be connected to a decontamination device comprising a pump, the readable data carrier 10 comprises the information relating to the flow rate of the pump and to the theoretical duration t2 necessary to empty the container of the liquid which 'it contains. The theoretical duration t2 is easily deduced from the quantity of biocide contained in the container and from the flow rate of the pump.

Preferably, the internal volume 3 of said container 1 contains a biocide. The biocide may have decontaminating or sterilizing properties. Preferably, the biocide is a solution comprising a compound with oxidizing properties. The biocide may be in the form of an aqueous solution. In particular, the biocide may be a compound comprising a peroxide-type functional group. Preferably, the biocide is hydrogen peroxide. The present container also makes it possible to transport the hydrogen peroxide in solution without stabilizer. Thanks to the information contained by the readable data medium, the end user of the container containing for example a biocide can quickly know if the solution will still be effective or not for decontamination. A solution of hydrogen peroxide without stabilizer for decontaminating a production zone, for example in the pharmaceutical or medical field, has the advantage of limiting the deposition of secondary products on the surface of the zone to be decontaminated or devices present in this area. zoned. For example, if the area to be decontaminated is a syringe filling area, vaporization or atomization of a hydrogen peroxide solution containing a stabilizer will leave traces of it on the fillers. This will result in further contamination of the syringes passing through the filling area. The flexible container according to the invention is adapted to allow the transport and distribution of biocidal solutions, such as hydrogen peroxide, without stabilizer. This is allowed due to the hermeticity of the container and the low oxygen concentration therein. Indeed, when the container is filled with the biocidal solution, the internal volume 3 comprises a portion with liquid and a dead volume without liquid. This dead volume is reduced to limit the presence of air in the container and thus prevent decomposition or degradation of the biocide solution contained in the container. This dead volume without liquid can be filled with an inert gas limiting the degradation of the biocide or can be reduced by the depression or partial vacuum of the container 1. According to another embodiment, the air contained in the dead volume can be purged. For example, the air can be purged with two elements disposed on each side of said flexible walls 2 at the dead volume. Said two elements exert a force on said flexible walls 2 at the dead volume. This pressure exerted by said elements forces the air contained in the internal volume 3 to escape from said container 1. The use of a flexible container 1 makes it possible to easily evacuate the air contained in the dead volume of the container and thus avoids the degradation or decomposition of the biocidal product contained in the container. Alternatively, the internal volume 3 of the container 1 can be depressed and then filled with a solution of the biocidal product. Thus, the internal volume 3 of the container contains a reduced dead volume. The degradation or decomposition of the biocidal product contained in the container is also limited.

[0030] Preferably, the biocide is hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of less than 8% by weight. A low concentration of hydrogen peroxide makes it possible to dispense with the procedures relating to the transport of hazardous materials and the handling thereof. Thus, instead of decontaminating a surface with a concentrated solution, the present container allows the easy handling of a biocide solution adapted to the simplification of a decontamination process. This process can be more regular and faster and therefore less economically penalizing.

Figure 1a shows a view of a container 1 according to a first variant of a first embodiment of the invention. The container 1 contains flexible walls 2 superimposed. The container comprises an upper portion 5, a lower portion 4 and an internal volume 3 between the upper portion 5 and the lower portion 4. The flexible walls 2 are interconnected by their periphery 22. The container 1 comprises also a vent 8 provided with a membrane permeable to air and surmounted by a removable cap 9. Said vent 8 is disposed on the surface of one of said walls defining an internal volume 3. Said vent 8 provided with the permeable membrane in the air is a means of ventilation according to the invention. The container 1 further comprises a readable data carrier 10 disposed on the surface of one of said flexible walls 2 defining an internal volume 3. The access member to the internal volume 3 is a connector 7 located and held in place between the flexible walls 2 of the lower portion 4. The connector comprises an outer wall 19, a distal 20 and proximal opening 21. A lumen is located between the distal and proximal opening to allow the fluid volume of the internal volume 3 to be brought into contact with the outside of the container 1. The container may contain a liquid 24. This is placed in the internal volume 3. A dead volume 25 is present in the internal volume of the container when the quantity of the liquid is not sufficient to fill the entire internal volume 3. container may also comprise on the periphery of the walls 2, an opening (not shown) to facilitate the gripping of the bag or to support it. The container 1 may have several capacities. Generally, the capacity of the container is less than 5 L, preferably less than 1 L. The capacity may be 500 ml, 250 ml or 100 ml depending on the quantity or dose of biocide required for the decontamination or sterilization of a surface. or a predefined volume.

Fig 1b shows a container according to a second variant of the first particular embodiment of the present invention. The container 1 contains flexible walls 2 superimposed. The container comprises an upper portion 5, a lower portion 4 and an internal volume 3 between the upper portion 5 and the lower portion 4. The walls 2 are interconnected by their periphery 22. The container may contain a liquid 24. It is disposed in the internal volume 3. A dead volume 25 is present in the internal volume of the container when the quantity of the liquid is not sufficient to fill the entire internal volume 3. The container 1 comprises a readable data carrier 10 , for example a radio-identification label, disposed on one of the flexible walls 2 of the container 1. The access element to said internal volume 3 comprises a connector 7 located and held in place between the flexible walls 2 of the lower portion 4. The connector comprises an outer wall 19, a distal 20 and proximal opening 21. A portion 31 of the connector 7 is made of a material permeable to air. The portion 31 may extend over the entire connector 7. The portion 31 is impermeable to the liquid 24. Said portion 31 is an aeration means according to the present invention. The connector can be surmounted by a lid 1 1 not shown.

Fig 1c shows a container according to a third variant of the first particular embodiment of the present invention. The aeration means is integrated with the access element to said internal volume 3. The access element to said internal volume 3 comprises two connectors 7,7 'each having a distal 20,20' and proximal opening 21, 21 and an outer wall 19,19 '. The connector 7 'further comprises a valve 32. The valve 32 serves to regulate the entry of air into the container 1 and acts as an aeration means according to the invention.

The various aeration means described above in relation to FIGS. 1 a-c can be combined with one another to improve or facilitate the entry of air into the container.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the container 1 may contain several reservoirs. Figure 2 shows a view of a container according to this second particular embodiment. A wall 23 separates two reservoirs 12, 12 'formed by the internal volume 3 and 3'. Each internal volume surface 3 and 3 'may comprise a readable data carrier 10 and 10' and a vent 8,8 '. The wall of each tank may be provided with this vent 8,8 'comprising a membrane permeable to air and surmounted by a lid 9,9'. The wall 23 may be formed by the junction between the flexible walls 2. These may be welded or glued to form a wall 23 sealing the liquid passage from a tank to another tank. Each tank is provided with an access element to said internal volume 3 which is preferably a connector 7 as described above. Thus, the contents of each tank can be taken independently of the other tank. According to a second variant of the second embodiment, the surface of the internal volumes 3,3 'do not comprise vent 8,8'. In this case, the aeration means may be arranged on the access element to said internal volume 3 as described previously with reference to Figure 1b. According to a third variant of the second embodiment, the access element to said internal volume 3 of each tank may be that described above with respect to FIG. 1c.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of decontaminating a volume or a surface using a container filled with a liquid is provided. The method comprises the steps of:

a) filling a container 1 according to the invention with a liquid 24 having biocidal properties,

b) configuring the readable data medium 10 with a plurality of information such as the volume of liquid contained in the container, the expiry date of the liquid and the identification of the liquid,

c) putting in fluidic communication the container 1 with a device able to decontaminate or sterilize a volume or a surface and able to empty said container of the liquid that it contains, via the element of access to said internal volume 3 of said container 1,

d) recovering the information relating to the use of the container 1 by said device during the decontamination of the volume or the surface to be decontaminated,

e) controlling said information with the plurality of information configured on the readable data medium 10 and validating the decontamination or sterilization process.

Preferably, the liquid contained in the container is hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of less than 8%.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step of activating the aeration means of the container. Activation of the aeration means may be effected by removing the cap or cap overlying said aeration means. If the aeration means comprises an air-permeable membrane, the activation of the aeration means can be achieved by the removal of the cap 9 surmounting said membrane that it is disposed on the surface of one of said walls. 2 defining an internal volume 3 of said container 1 or on the access element to said internal volume 3. Thus, the entire liquid contained in the internal volume 3 of said container 1 can flow through said device. This removal step can be performed at the end of step c) of the present method.

The method may also comprise a step of closing the distal opening 20, the proximal opening 21 of the connector 7 or both openings by one or more lids before step b).

In addition, the step c) of establishing a fludic communication of the container 1 with the decontamination or sterilization device may be performed by tearing or piercing the lids sealing the distal opening 20 and / or the proximal opening. 21 of the connector 7.

Preferably, in step a) of the present process, the container 1 is filled with a defined quantity of liquid determined according to the surface of the zone to be decontaminated or sterilized. Preferably, step a) comprises reducing the dead volume contained in the internal volume 3 of the container 1 containing the liquid 24.

FIG. 3 represents a diagram describing the various steps of the decontamination process using a container according to the invention. The method first comprises step 200 of selecting an area (eg a volume or a surface) to be decontaminated. This area may be a production line, filling or packaging of products for medical or pharmaceutical use. In particular, in the medical or pharmaceutical field, it is essential to regularly decontaminate the production or packaging areas to prevent any contamination of medical products by pathogens. This decontamination is generally carried out twice a year under very strict safety conditions and requiring the production to be stopped for several days. The present method allows, in particular, the use of a less concentrated biocidal solution and therefore less constraining from a regulatory point of view. Decontamination can be performed more regularly and under less stringent conditions. As soon as the zone to be decontaminated is selected, the quantity of biocide necessary for the decontamination or sterilization of the zone is determined (Step 210). The amount of biocide depends in particular on the characteristics or type of surface or volume to be decontaminated or sterilized. Indeed, the amount of biocide may depend on the materials present on the surface or the volume to be treated. If absorbent materials are present, a larger amount of biocide is required. Determining the amount of biocide includes determining the volume of the biocide solution needed for decontamination. This step 210 may also contain the determination of the concentration of the biocide in the solution. This step can also contain the selection of the most effective biocide according to the surface or the volume to be decontaminated. The container 1 according to the invention is then filled with the determined quantity of biocide during step 220. If the surface to be decontaminated is large, it is possible to use several containers according to the invention, each container being connected independently to a decontamination or sterilization device. The devices will then be arranged in several places in the zone to be decontaminated or sterilized. As soon as the filling of the container 1 is performed, the access element to said internal volume 3 is hermetically sealed. In particular, if the access element to said internal volume 3 is a connector 7 as described above, the distal opening 20, the proximal opening 21 or the two openings 20,21 of the connector 7 are closed by a cover to Disposable. Thus, the user can check at any time if the container has remained in sealed conditions. The container 1 comprises a precise dose of biocide determined according to the surface to be decontaminated. The use of a disposable operculum makes it possible to verify, for example, that an additional quantity of biocide has not been added subsequently.

In a subsequent step 230, the readable data medium 10 is configured with a series of information such as the name of the biocide, the volume of biocide present in the container and the expiry date of the biocide solution. If the container has several reservoirs, the readable data carrier 10 may be configured with the volume and expiry date of the solution contained in each reservoir. The readable data medium 10 may also contain information on the concentration of the biocide. Since the amount of biocide present in the container depends on the area to be decontaminated, the readable data carrier 10 also includes information on the parameters subsequently used by the decontamination or sterilization device. The readable data medium 10 is configured with the parameters such as the theoretical duration of the misting or atomization of the biocide and the flow rate of the pump of the decontamination device. This information will be intended for the decontamination or sterilization device and read by it. When the readable data medium is also writable, the support 10 may receive information relating in addition to the user's identifier, the date of filling of the container, a unique identification number, information as to whether the container has already been used or not, The information relating to the procedure of the process such as the actual duration of misting, the actual flow rate of the pump misting device. The surface of one or more flexible walls 2 of the container 1 may also contain information on the name of the product, the name of the user, a logo, safety pictograms, the date of filling, the time of printing information, the amount of biocide or a unique identification number.

The container 1 filled with the biocide is then conveyed to the decontamination zone. Routing can be done easily if the biocide concentration is low. In particular, if the container contains a solution of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of less than 8%, the container can be routed without special precautions, particularly by mail if the filling site of the container is removed from the area to be decontaminated.

In step 240, the container 1 is put in place in the decontamination device. The device can be a vaporizer or an atomizer. The device comprises in particular a pump and a means for nebulizing or atomizing the biocide contained in the container 1. The container 1 thus contains a predetermined quantity of biocide and adapted to the zone to be decontaminated. The container 1 is then placed in fluid communication with the decontamination device during step 250. The fluidic communication setting comprises in particular the opening of the access element to said internal volume 3 of the container 1. When the access element to said internal volume 3 is a connector 7 whose distal 20 and / or proximal opening 21 is closed by one or more lids 1 1, the fluidic communication is to tear or pierce or lids 1 1. As mentioned above, the lid 1 1 is disposable. Thus the biocide contained in the container 1 flows through the decontamination device to be atomized or vaporized in the area to be decontaminated. The decontamination device may be located in the decontamination zone. When the area to be decontaminated is large, a plurality of devices may be disposed in said area. Each device then uses a container 1 according to the invention independently. The amount of biocide in each of the containers is determined according to the position of the device in said area. Alternatively, the decontamination device is disposed outside this zone. The device is then connected to connectors conveying the biocide in the required area. When the area to be decontaminated is large, a plurality of connectors can route the biocide to different locations in said area for homogeneous decontamination or sterilization. Preferably, the aeration means of said container 1 is not covered by an element of the decontamination or sterilization device to facilitate its activation and the passage of air.

The decontamination is carried out according to the parameters of the decontamination device (Step 260) and the information included in the readable data medium 10 (Step 270). Preferably, the process ends when the entire container 1 is emptied of the biocide. In order to prevent part of the biocide solution from remaining in the decontamination device, the aeration means of said container 1 is activated. For example, the cover 9 overlying the air permeable membrane of the container 1 is removed. Thus, the container 1 is completely emptied of its contents. Alternatively, the user of the device can stop the process before complete emptying of the liquid contained in the container. Alternatively, the user of the device can exert pressure on the flexible walls 2 of the container 1 according to the invention to promote or accelerate the emptying of the container 1 of the liquid that it contains. Alternatively, the container 1 can be placed in a pressure tank to promote or accelerate the emptying of the container 1 of the liquid it contains.

[0047] A decontamination or sterilization process comprises three phases: an injection, contact and ventilation phase, each with a defined duration. The duration of the injection phase corresponds to the duration of atomization or misting of the biocidal product on the surface or in the volume to be decontaminated or sterilized. The duration of the contact phase corresponds to the time of the chemical reaction to result in decontamination or sterilization of the determined zone. The duration of the ventilation phase is the time required to remove the residues. The present method of decontamination or sterilization relates only to the injection phase of a decontamination or sterilization process. Preferably, the duration of the injection phase is a parameter integrated in the readable data medium 10. The device 30 determines the duration t1 necessary for the pump contained therein to empty the container of the liquid that it contains. This can easily be done by means of sensors differentiating the passage of a liquid relative to a gas such as air. This duration t1 is recorded by the device and compared to the duration t2 previously recorded on the readable data medium 10. The duration t2 corresponds to the theoretical duration of the injection phase, that is to say to the necessary duration to empty the liquid contained in the container. The theoretical duration is calculated from the flow rate of the pump and the amount of biocide contained in the container. If t1 and t2 are approximately identical with a margin of error of less than 5%, the decontamination or sterilization process is considered correctly performed. The user can also visually check if the amount of biocide has been fully used. When the readable data medium 10 is writable, the user can configure the medium with information related to the progress of the decontamination or sterilization process.

If the decontamination or sterilization functioned correctly based on information and parameters collected after it, the decontamination process or sterilization is validated (Step 280). The container can be recycled or returned to its supplier to allow good traceability of the product (Step 290), possibly this information is stored on the readable data medium, and writable.

On the other hand, if the process is not validated, the decontamination must be performed again. Thus, the method can be repeated from the filling of the container 1 according to the invention or the introduction of a new container 1 according to the invention in the decontamination device. If the container contains several tanks containing the appropriate amount of biocide for the decontamination of the defined area and only one of the tanks was used during the first decontamination, the user can directly put a second tank in fluid communication with the device and restart the decontamination. Optionally, this information can be stored on the readable data medium, and writable.

Example

The decontamination process according to the invention has been tested with the container as shown in FIG. 1 a. The container is filled with 500 ml of 8% by weight hydrogen peroxide. The decontamination device comprises a pump having a flow rate of 10 ml per minute. The volume of 20m ³ whose surfaces are to be decontaminated requires a quantity of biocide of 25 ml per m ³ . The theoretical duration t2 of the injection phase of the decontamination process is 50 minutes. The decontamination process was carried out therefore standard conditions of temperature and pressure (T = 20 ° C and atmospheric pressure). The hygrometry was around 50%. The actual duration t1 of the injection phase was 51 minutes. The margin of error was 2%. The decontamination process has been validated.

Claims

claims

A flexible container (1) for the transportation and dispensing of one or more liquid products comprising:

at least two flexible walls superposed and interconnected at least at their periphery, said walls thus connected defining an internal volume adapted to receive one or more liquid products having biocidal properties,

an upper portion (4) and a lower portion (5), said internal volume (3) being placed between said upper portion (4) and lower

(5) of said container (1),

at least one access element to said internal volume (3) able to put in fluid communication the internal volume with the outside of the container,

a readable data medium (10),

characterized in that it further comprises means for venting said container (1) adapted to allow air to enter the container, said aeration means being located on one of said flexible walls (2) or on said least one access element to said internal volume (3); said aeration means having an air permeable membrane.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a vent (8) provided with said membrane permeable to air and disposed on one of said flexible walls (2) or on the access element to said internal volume (3).

3. Container (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the aeration means is a portion (31) of the access element to said inner volume (3) made of a material permeable to air.

4. Container (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 3 characterized in that said air permeable membrane or said portion (31) of the access element to said internal volume (3) made of a permeable material air is also impervious to the liquid (24) contained or adapted to be contained in the container (1).

5. Container (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said access element to said internal volume (3) is a connector (7) located and held in place between said walls (2) of the lower portion (4) and comprising a distal opening (20) and a proximal opening (21) with respect to said internal volume (3) and a lumen between said openings.

6. Container (1) according to claim 5 characterized in that the connector (7) comprises one or more lids (1 1) closing the distal opening (20) or proximal (21) of said connector (7) or the two openings .

7. Container (1) according to claim 6 characterized in that said one or more lids (1 1) are disposable.

8. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the aeration means is covered with a cap or a cap.

9. Container (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the aeration means is a valve (32) contained in the access element to said internal volume (3).

10. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said walls (2) are laminated or extruded layers of plastic such as polyethylene, polyetheretherketone or an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

11. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a plurality of tanks (12) independent of each other, each tank, independently of the other tanks, being connected to an access element audit volume internal (3) adapted to put each tank in fluid communication with the outside and comprising an aeration means adapted to allow an air inlet therein.

12. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the readable data carrier (10) is writable.

13. Container (1) according to claim 12 characterized in that the readable and writable data carrier (10) is a radio identification label.

Container (1) according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the readable data carrier (10) consists of one or more radio tags comprising an electronic chip, a wound or printed antenna, said radio tags being adapted to receive a radio signal and to respond in response to a different radio signal, and being configured to enable reading and writing of data.

15. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the readable data medium (10) contains the expiry date and / or the volume of the liquid (24) contained or able to be contained in the container. and optionally the name of the liquid (24) contained or able to be contained in the container (1).

Container (1) according to the preceding claim characterized in that, when the container contains a biocide and is intended to be connected to a decontamination or sterilization device (30) comprising a pump, the readable data medium (10) comprises the information relating to the flow rate of said pump and the theoretical duration t2 necessary for the device (30) to empty the container (1) of the liquid (24) that it contains.

17. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the internal volume (3) of said container (1) contains a biocide.

Container (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the biocide is hydrogen peroxide.

19. Container (1) according to claim 18 characterized in that the hydrogen peroxide does not contain stabilizer.

20. Container (1) according to claim 18 or 19 characterized in that the hydrogen peroxide has a concentration of less than 8% by weight.

21. A method of decontaminating or sterilizing a volume or surface using a container filled with a liquid, comprises the steps of:

a) filling a container (1) according to claim 1 to 20 with a liquid (24) having biocidal properties (step 220), b) configuring the readable data medium (10) with a plurality of information such as the quantity of liquid contained in the container, the expiry date of the liquid, and optionally the identification of the liquid (step 230),

c) placing in fluid communication the container (1) with a device for decontaminating or sterilizing (30) a volume or a surface and able to empty said container of the liquid that it contains, through the intermediary of the access element to said internal volume (3) of said container (1) (step 250),

d) recovering the information relating to the use of the container (1) by said device (30) during the decontamination or sterilization of the volume or the surface to be decontaminated or sterilized (step 270),

e) controlling said information with the plurality of information configured on the readable data medium 10 and validating the decontamination or sterilization process (step 280).

22. The method of claim 21, characterized in that the liquid is hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of less than 8% by weight.

23. The method of claim 21 or 22, characterized in that it comprises a step of activating the aeration means of said container (1) such as the entirety of the liquid contained in the internal volume (3) of said container ( 1) flows through said device (30).

24. The method of claim 23, characterized in that the aeration means is covered with a cap or cap and the activation of the aeration means comprises the removal of the cap or cap.

25. Method according to one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the access element to said internal volume (3) of the container (1) is as defined in claim 6 and in that the method comprises in in addition to a step of closing the distal opening (20) and / or proximal (21) of the connector (7) by a cover (1 1) before step b).

26. A method according to claim 25, characterized in that the step c) of placing in communication fludic container (1) with the decontamination device or sterilization (30) is performed by tearing or drilling of the lid (1). 1).

27. Method according to one of claims 21 to 26 characterized in that in step a), the container (1) is filled with a defined amount of liquid determined according to the surface of the area to be decontaminated or sterilized .

28. Method according to one of claims 21 to 27 characterized in that step a) comprises reducing the dead volume (25) contained in the internal volume (3) of the container (1) containing a liquid (24).

29. Method according to any one of claims 21 to 28 characterized in that the container (10) filled in step a) corresponds to a container according to claim 12 or 13, and in that step d) comprises configuring the readable and writable data medium with the information relating to the use of the container (1) by said device (30) during the decontamination or sterilization of the volume or the surface to be decontaminated or sterilized (step 270) .