Container closure system

Abstract

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical product or container closure system containing an overpouch with an intransparent first foil and a transparent second foil, a transparent primary container for holding a transparent liquid, e.g., a pharmaceutical formulation, wherein the transparent primary container is packed within the overpouch and labeled with at least one label and wherein the at least one label acts as a light absorbing segment having a reflection R.sub.L for light in the range of about 350 nm to about 800 nm and an inner surface of the intransparent first foil of the overpouch acts as a light reflecting background having a reflection R.sub.F for light in the direction of the primary container in the range of about 350 nm to about 800 nm with R.sub.F≠R.sub.L. By the transparent second foil and the inventive reflection properties it is achieved that the at least one label on the primary container is visible and readable. Additionally, visual inspection of the content of the transparent primary container is possible. A good contrast is achieved to enhance machine and human readability.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical product comprising an overpouch with an intransparent first foil and a transparent second foil, wherein the intransparent first foil comprises a colored polymeric layer, and a transparent primary container containing a pharmaceutical formulation, wherein the transparent primary container is packed within the overpouch and labeled with at least one label comprising a barcode or a data matrix and wherein the label is machine-readable through the transparent second foil of the overpouch, and wherein the at least one label has a reflection R.sub.L for light in the range of 350 nm to 800 nm and an inner surface of the intransparent first foil of the overpouch has a reflection R.sub.F for light in the direction of the primary container in the range of 350 nm to 800 nm, wherein R.sub.L≠R.sub.F, and wherein 0.5×R.sub.L≥R.sub.F and R.sub.L≥0.5.

2. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 1, wherein the at least one label acts as light reflecting segment and the overpouch acts as a light absorbing background.

3. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 1, wherein the label is a light color, and the inner surface of the intransparent first foil of the overpouch is a dark color.

4. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 1, wherein the label is imprinted on the outer side of the transparent primary container facing the transparent second foil of the overpouch, and the inner surface of the intransparent first foil of the overpouch comprises a colored polymeric layer.

5. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 1, wherein the label contains information related to the content of the primary container.

6. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 1, comprising a symbol contrast (SC) wherein SC=|R.sub.F−R.sub.L|≥0.5.

7. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 1, wherein R.sub.L≥0.9, and R.sub.F≤0.1.

8. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 1, wherein the intransparent first foil of the overpouch is a multilayer-foil having an outer layer and an inner layer providing the inner surface.

9. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 8, comprising a metallic layer located between the outer layer and the inner layer.

10. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 9, wherein the outer layer is a polyester layer or a polypropylene layer, the inner layer is an intransparent polypropylene layer, and the metallic layer is an aluminum layer.

11. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 10, wherein the polyester layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate or the polypropylene layer comprises an oriented polypropylene layer.

12. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 10, wherein the polyester layer, the polypropylene layer and the metallic layer have a thickness between 5 μm and 50 μm and the intransparent polypropylene layer has a thickness between 50 μm and 150 μm.

13. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 1, wherein the transparent second foil of the overpouch is a multilayer foil having an outer layer and an inner layer.

14. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 13, comprising an inorganic oxide layer located between the outer layer and the inner layer.

15. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 14, wherein the inorganic oxide layer comprises an oxide of aluminum or silicon.

16. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 13, wherein the outer layer is a first polyester layer and the inner layer is a polypropylene layer.

17. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 16, wherein the polyester layer is sealed on the outside of the overpouch with a heat sealable coating.

18. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 16, wherein the polyester layer has a thickness between 5 μm and 50 μm and the polypropylene layer has a thickness between 50 μm and 150 μm.

19. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 16, comprising a second polyester layer having a thickness between 5 μm and 50 μm located between the first polyester layer and the polypropylene layer.

20. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 19, wherein the first polyester layer and the second polyester layer comprise polyethylene terephthalate.

21. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 1, further comprising an oxygen absorber or an oxygen indicator.

22. The pharmaceutical product according to claim 1, wherein the intransparent first foil is deepdrawable.

23. A container closure system comprising an overpouch with an intransparent first foil and a transparent second foil, wherein the intransparent first foil comprises a colored polymeric layer, and a transparent primary container for holding a liquid, wherein the transparent primary container is packed within the overpouch and labeled with at least one label comprising a barcode or a data matrix and wherein the label is machine-readable through the transparent second foil of the overpouch and wherein the at least one label has a reflection R.sub.L for light in the range of about 350 nm to about 800 nm and an inner surface of the intransparent first foil of the overpouch has a reflection R.sub.F for light in the direction of the primary container in the range of 350 nm to 800 nm, wherein R.sub.L≠R.sub.F, and wherein 0.5×R.sub.L≥R.sub.F and R.sub.L≥0.5.

24. The container closure system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one label acts as light reflecting segment and the overpouch acts as a light absorbing background, and wherein R.sub.L>R.sub.F.

25. A pharmaceutical product comprising an overpouch with an intransparent first foil and a transparent second foil, wherein the intransparent first foil comprises a colored polymeric layer, a transparent primary container containing a pharmaceutical formulation, wherein the transparent primary container is packed within the overpouch and labeled with at least one label comprising a barcode or a data matrix and wherein the label is machine-readable through the transparent second foil of the overpouch and wherein the at least one label has a reflection R.sub.L for light and an inner surface of the intransparent first foil of the overpouch has a reflection R.sub.F for light in the direction of the primary container, wherein 0.5×R.sub.L≥R.sub.F and R.sub.L≥0.5.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1: an exploded view of a schematically sectional view of one embodiment of a transparent foil of an overpouch of an inventive pharmaceutical product or closure system,

(2) FIG. 2: an exploded view of a schematically sectional view of one embodiment of an intransparent foil of an overpouch inventive of an inventive pharmaceutical product or closure system,

(3) FIG. 3: one embodiment of an inventive pharmaceutical product or container closure system in a schematically sectional view,

(4) FIG. 4: the inventive pharmaceutical product or container closure system of FIG. 3 in a view from above through the transparent foil of an overpouch of the inventive pharmaceutical product or container closure system,

(5) FIG. 5: one further embodiment of an inventive pharmaceutical product or container closure system in a schematically sectional view and

(6) FIG. 6: the inventive pharmaceutical product or container closure system of FIG. 5 in a view from above through the transparent foil of an overpouch of the inventive pharmaceutical product or container closure system.

(7) Subsequently, preferred but exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with regard to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) In the FIGS. 1 and 2 a transparent foil 20 and an intransparent foil 10 of one embodiment of an overpouch 1 of an inventive pharmaceutical product or container closure system are shown in an exploded view of a schematically sectional view. The sectional composition of the transparent foil 20 and the intransparent foil 10 of the overpouch 1 are clearly visible.

(9) The transparent second foil 20 of the overpouch 1 which is transparent is shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment the transparent foil 20 is not deepdrawable. To the outside of the overpouch 1 the transparent foil 20 is delimited by a polyethylene terephthalate layer 21 which is used as an outer wall 29 of the transparent foil 20. In the shown embodiment the polyethylene terephthalate layer 21 is coated on the outside with a heat sealable coating 24 which inhibits heat transmission into the overpouch 1 and into a primary container 2 of a pharmaceutical product or container closure system, respectively, when the filled primary container 2 is sealed by the overpouch 1 and, for example, stored in a storage.

(10) On the inner side of the polyethylene terephthalate layer 21 an inorganic oxide layer 23, in particular an aluminum oxide layer, is preferably directly deposited. This oxide layer 23 builds a barrier for oxygen, water vapor and other gases within the transparent foil 20.

(11) The polyethylene terephthalate layer 21, the heat sealable coating 24 and the inorganic oxide layer 25 form a layer assembly having a thickness of about 10 μm to 15 μm, preferably 12 μm. This layer assembly is bonded to an additional polyethylene terephthalate layer 25, preferably having a thickness between 12 μm and 25 μm, by means of glue 31. This additional polyethylene terephthalate layer 25 is furthermore bonded to a transparent polypropylene layer 22, preferably having a thickness between 75 μm and 85 μm, by means of glue 30. The main function of the additional polyethylene terephthalate layer 25 and the polypropylene layer 22 is in particular to enhance the stiffness and the mechanical stability of the transparent foil 20, the overpouch 1 and the pharmaceutical product or container closure system. Furthermore, the transparent polypropylene layer 22 forms the inner wall 28 of the second multi-layer foil 20 of the overpouch 1. Preferably all layers of the transparent foil 20 are transparent or essentially transparent.

(12) If a primary container 2 which is filled with a pharmaceutical solution 3 is sealed with an overpouch 1 containing a transparent foil 20 as the above described second multi-layer foil 20, it is possible to look through the transparent foil 20 into the interior of the overpouch 1 and to recognize label 4, for instance in form of barcodes 4a arranged on the primary container, while gas permeation through transparent foil 20 is inhibited essentially by the inorganic oxide layer 23. So it is possible to read all information labeled on the primary container 1 without destroying the overpouch 1 and the protection for the primary container 1 and the pharmaceutical solution therein, respectively.

(13) The first multi-layer foil 10 of the overpouch 1 which is intransparent is shown in FIG. 2. In a preferred embodiment the intransparent first multi-layer foil 10 is deepdrawable. To the outside of the overpouch 1, the intransparent foil 10 is delimited in this embodiment by a polyester layer 11 which is used as an outer wall 19 of the intransparent foil 10. In a specific embodiment, the polyester layer 11 is formed out of polyethylene terephthalate, preferably having a thickness between 12 μm and 25 μm. In a further embodiment the intransparent foil 10 is delimited by a polypropylene layer 11 which is used as an outer wall 19 of the intransparent foil 10. In a specific embodiment, the polypropylene layer 11 is formed out of oriented polypropylene, preferably having a thickness between 12 μm and 25 μm.

(14) This layer 11 is bonded to an aluminum layer 13, preferably having a thickness between 12 μm and 25 μm, by means of glue 32. That aluminum layer 13 builds a barrier for oxygen, water vapor and other gases within the intransparent foil 10.

(15) Furthermore, this aluminum layer 13 is bonded to a polypropylene layer 12, preferably having a thickness between 75 μm and 85 μm, by means of glue 33. One function of this polypropylene layer 12 is to enhance the stiffness and the mechanical stability of the intransparent foil 10, the overpouch 1 and the pharmaceutical product or container closure system. The main function of this polypropylene layer 12 is hidden in its white color. Because of the white coloring of the polypropylene layer 12 labels 4 as barcodes 4a which are printed in black or generally in dark color on transparent primary containers 2 which are filled with a preferable transparent pharmaceutical solutions 3 are very good readable by humans and machines. The black or dark printing on the primary container gives a good contrast to the white background.

(16) Furthermore, because of the aluminum layer 13 of the intransparent foil 10 and the inorganic oxide layer 23 of the second multi-layer foil 20, a good protection against oxygen, water vapor and other gases is provided for pharmaceutical solutions 3 within a primary container 2 when the overpouch 1 with the described transparent foil 20 and the intransparent foil 10 are used for overwrapping and sealing.

(17) FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of an inventive pharmaceutical product or container closure system in a schematically sectional view wherein a primary container 2 with a pharmaceutical solution is overwrapped and sealed by an inventive overpouch 1. The filled primary container 2 is securely held within the overpouch 1 and therefore, the pharmaceutical solution 3 is protected against oxygen, water vapor and other gases. On the primary container 2 beneath the transparent foil 20 of the overpouch 1 a label 4 is printed. The label 4 can be embodied as and/or can comprise a 1-dimensional or 2-dimensional barcode or data matrix. As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the overpouch 1 is formed out of the intransparent foil 10 and the transparent foil 20 which are welded together in a welding area 1′ in a boundary area of the overpouch 1.

(18) If a machine or a human being wants to read the label 4 of the primary container 2 it is necessary that electromagnetic radiation has to fall onto the pharmaceutical product or container closure system. Since human beings can see electromagnetic radiation in the visible range between 350 nm to 800 nm the label 4 of the primary container 2 has a refection property of R.sub.L while the intransparent foil 20 of the overpouch 1 has a refection property of R.sub.F in that range. For instance in this embodiment the following parameters could be used: R.sub.F≤0.05 while R.sub.L≥0.80. The difference of the reflected radiation in the visible range of electromagnetic radiation between 350 nm to 800 nm gives a good contrast of the at least one label of the primary container on the background of the intransparent foil of the overpouch since a symbol contrast SC which is defined by the absolute value of the difference of R.sub.F and R.sub.L has a high value of at least 0.75. Therefore the contrast of the label 4 of the primary container 2 is very good on the background of the intransparent foil 20 of the overpouch so that the label can be read easily by human beings as well as by machines through the transparent foil 10 of the overpouch.

(19) The reflection of the transparent foil 20 of the overpouch 1 and the transparent primary container 2 and the transparent pharmaceutical solution 3 do not essentially contribute and can therefore be neglected even if the radiation reflected by intransparent foil 10 of the overpouch 1 is running twice through it.

(20) FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of an inventive pharmaceutical product or container closure system in a view from above through the transparent second multi-layer 20 foil of an overpouch 1 of the pharmaceutical product or container closure system. In particular, this illustration makes the goal of the invention very clear.

(21) The primary container 2 is filled with a pharmaceutical solution 3 and printed with a label 4, 4b, 4c which contains for instance information of the content 6 and information of the use 7 of the primary container. By reading this information 6 and 7 it is possible that humans can be informed directly about the use and the content. Furthermore, a label 4 with a barcode 4a was printed on the primary container 2 so that all necessary information is stored therein and can be read by a machine which can deliver this information to a data management system, especially a healthcare, patient and/or drug management and administration system. The labels 4 and the barcode 4a are printed preferably with black color, for instance ink, on the transparent primary container 2 so that this black ink builds up a very good contrast to the white intransparent polypropylene layer 12 of the first multi-layer foil 10 of the overpouch 1 which is visible because of the intransparent foil 20 of the overpouch and the different reflections R.sub.F of the intransparent foil 10 of the overpouch 1 and R.sub.L of the labels 4, 4a, 4b and 4c.

(22) Especially when the pharmaceutical solution 3 within the primary container 2 is transparent, too, it is even possible to inspect the pharmaceutical solution 3 optically by humans or by machines. On the white background contaminations especially in form of particles or turbidities or color changing have a good visibility and are good indicators or signs of degeneration of the pharmaceutical solution 3 within the primary container 2.

(23) Additionally, ports 26, 27, oxygen absorber 8 and oxygen indicator 9 are illustrated in FIG. 4. The oxygen absorber 8 is located on the surface of the primary container 2 in direction to the overpouch 1. This oxygen absorber 8 is located between two ports 26 and 27 of the primary container so that it does not block the labels 4 or the barcode 4a so that they are still visible. One port 26 can be used for infusion of a pharmaceutical solution 3 while the other port 27 can be used for adding additional pharmaceuticals or drugs into the pharmaceutical solution after destroying the overpouch 1 and before infusing the pharmaceutical solution into a patient.

(24) Although the overpouch 1 should be gas tight, it is possible that leaks occur through which, in particular, oxygen can enter the overpouch and contaminate the pharmaceutical solution 3 within the primary container 2. To detect such an entry of oxygen into the sealed overpouch an oxygen indicator 9 is also located on the surface of the primary container 2 in a way that neither the labels 4 nor the barcode 4a are blocked. Such an oxygen indicator 9 changes its color if oxygen is present in the sealed overpouch 1 so that an oxygen entry easily can be determined.

(25) As already mentioned before, FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment where the label 4 is provided by black color on the transparent primary container 2. The inner surface 18 of the intransparent first foil 10 is provided by white color, preferably a white colored layer.

(26) Finally, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a further embodiment of an inventive pharmaceutical product or container closure system. In contrast to FIGS. 3 and 4 the label 4 is provided by white color on the transparent primary container 2. The inner surface 18 of the intransparent first foil 10 is provided by black color, preferably a black colored layer. In addition, it is illustrated that only a part of the inner surface 18 of the intransparent first foil 10 is provided with the black color. The intransparent area is located below or covered by the area of the primary container 2 in which the label 4 is located.

(27) It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, features of the above described specific embodiments can be combined with one another. Further, features described in the summary of the invention can be combined with one another. Furthermore, features of the above described specific embodiments and features described in the summary of the invention can be combined with one another.

(28) Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

(29) All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

(30) The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

(31) Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present disclosure. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

(32) Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(33) 1 overpouch 1′ welded area of the overpouch 2 primary container 3 pharmaceutical solution 4 label 4a barcode 4b label with information of the content of the primary container 4c label with information of the use of the primary container 6 information of the content of the primary container 7 information of the use of the primary container 8 oxygen absorber 9 oxygen indicator 10 intransparent foil 11 polyester layer or polypropylene layer 12 intransparent colored polypropylene layer 13 aluminum layer 18 inner wall or surface 19 outer wall or surface 20 transparent foil 21 polyethylene terephthalate layer 22 polypropylene layer 23 inorganic oxide layer 24 heat sealable coating 25 polyethylene terephthalate layer 26 port 27 port 28 inner wall 29 outer wall 30 glue 31 glue 32 glue 33 glue R.sub.F reflection of the intransparent foil 10 or its inner surface 18 R.sub.L reflection of the label 4, 4a, 4b and 4c