Container for medical and/or pharmaceutical products

Abstract

The disclosure pertains to a container (100, 300) for storing medical and/or pharmaceutical products. The container includes a plastic container body (102) comprising a side wall (202), a base (204) and an opening (206) defining a storage volume (108), a flange (104) formed on the container body (102) and configured to receive a connecting element (312) of a cap (310) provided with a tamper-evident mechanism (414), and an active insert (106) placed within the container body (102). This container is an improved container for the storage of products. The disclosure also pertains to a sealed package comprising this container.

Claims

1. A container for packaging of sensitive products, the container comprising: a plastic container body comprising a side wall and an opening, and defining a storage volume of the container; a cap comprising a connecting element and a lid portion configured to close the opening of the plastic container body; a flange formed on an outer periphery of the container body, the flange being configured to receive the connecting element of the cap and to vertically secure the cap thereon, wherein, before the cap is assembled to the container body, a diameter of a vertical cylindrical wall of the connecting element is smaller than an outside diameter of a vertical portion of the flange, wherein the connecting element is made of a resilient material allowing the diameter of the vertical cylindrical wall of the connecting element to enlarge when the cap is assembled on the container body, such that the enlarged vertical cylindrical wall of the connecting element exerts pressure on the flange when the cap is assembled on the container body; and an active material capable of acting on an atmosphere of the storage volume of the container to preserve the sensitive products.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a tamper-evident mechanism between the lid portion and the connecting element.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the active material is an active insert placed within the container body and defining at least a portion of the storage volume.

4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the active insert is made of a material composition comprising a polymer and at least one active agent capable of interacting with at least one gaseous substance comprising moisture, oxygen or a volatile organic compound.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the flange has a portion extending outward from the side wall of the containerbody, the portion being a horizontal portion substantially perpendicular to the side wall of the container body.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein a thickness of the horizontal portion of the flange is smaller than a thickness of the side wall of the container body, the thickness of the side wall being taken on an area adjacent to the horizontal portion.

7. The container according to claim 5, wherein a ratio between the thickness of the horizontal portion of the flange and the thickness of the side wall of the container body, taken on an area adjacent to the horizontal portion, is less than or equal to ⅔.

8. The container according to claim 5, wherein the flange further comprises a vertical portion extending vertically from an end of the horizontal portion of the flange.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the flange has an angular cross section at an angle of 90°.

10. The container according to claim 1, wherein the flange is a continuous peripheral flange.

11. The container according to claim 1, wherein a horizontal upper surface of a horizontal portion of the flange comprises a rounded or chamfered outer end.

12. The container according to claim 1, wherein the cap is a hinged cap comprising a hinge connecting the lid portion to the connecting element.

13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the cap is configured to cooperate with the side wall of the container body so as to form an airtight seal when the cap is in a closed position.

14. The container according to claim 13, having a moisture penetration rate of less than 1 mg/day at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity.

15. The container according to claim 13, having a moisture penetration rate of less than 10 μg/day/mm of seal length at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity.

16. The container according to claim 13, having a permeability to moisture of less than 220 mg.mm/m.sup.2 day at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity.

17. The container according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the container body comprises a peripheral cavity which cooperates with a bulge formed on a sealing skirt of the lid portion of the cap so as to form an airtight seal when the cap is in the closed position.

18. A sealed package comprising at least one container according to claim 1, the sealed package being substantially impermeable to gas including moisture or oxygen.

19. A method of manufacturing a container for packaging of sensitive products, the container comprising a plastic container body comprising a side wall and an opening, and defining a storage volume of the container, the container further comprising (i) a cap comprising a connecting element and a lid portion configured to close the opening of the container body, (ii) a flange formed on an outer periphery of the container body, the flange being configured to receive the connecting element of the cap and to vertically secure the cap thereon, wherein, before the cap is assembled to the container body, a diameter of a vertical cylindrical wall of the connecting element is smaller than an outside diameter of a vertical portion of the flange, wherein the connecting element is made of a resilient material allowing the diameter of the vertical cylindrical wall of the connecting element to enlarge when the cap is assembled on the container body, such that the enlarged vertical cylindrical wall of the connecting element exerts pressure on the flange when the cap is assembled on the container body, and (iii) an active material capable of acting on an atmosphere of the storage volume of the container to preserve the sensitive products, the method comprising: supplying the container with the active material; filling the container body with the sensitive products; and assembling the cap to the container body.

20. A method of using a container for packaging of sensitive products, the container comprising a plastic container body comprising a side wall and an opening, and defining a storage volume of the container, the container further comprising (i) a cap comprising a connecting element and a lid portion configured to close the opening of the container body, (ii) a flange formed on an outer periphery of the container body, the flange being configured to receive the connecting element of the cap and to vertically secure the cap thereon, wherein, before the cap is assembled to the container body, a diameter of a vertical cylindrical wall of the connecting element is smaller than an outside diameter of a vertical portion of the flange, wherein the connecting element is made of a resilient material allowing the diameter of the vertical cylindrical wall of the connecting element to enlarge when the cap is assembled on the container body, such that the enlarged vertical cylindrical wall of the connecting element exerts pressure on the flange when the cap is assembled on the container body, and (iii) an active material capable of acting on an atmosphere of the storage volume of the container to preserve the sensitive products, the method comprising: packaging the sensitive products in the container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1-2 respectively show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an example of a container according to the disclosure.

(2) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of area B of FIG. 2.

(3) FIGS. 4-5 show profile and front views of the container equipped with a hinged cap.

(4) FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view along plane A-A of FIG. 4.

(5) FIG. 7 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the container according to another embodiment, comprising a cap.

(6) FIG. 8 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the container according to another mode with another example of a flange.

(7) FIG. 9 represents a sealed package comprising at least one container according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

(8) The references below are used in the figures: 100 container (without cap) 102 container body 103 horizontal portion of the flange 104 104 flange or collar 105 vertical part of flange 104 106 active insert 107 flared upper part of the active insert 106 108 storage volume 109 outer surface of the active insert 106 118 peripheral cavity on the inner surface of the container body 102 150 of the junction area between the flange 104 and the side wall 202 of the container body 202 side wall of the container body 102 204 base of the container body 102 206 opening of the container body 102 300 container (with cap) moisture-proof 310 hinged cap 312 connecting element 314 lid portion 315 sealing skirt 318 bulge of the sealing skirt 315 321 protrusion on the inner surface of the connecting element 323 protrusion on the inner surface of the connecting element 325 recess on the inner surface of the connecting element 412 hinge (connecting the lid portion 314 to the ring element 312) 414 tamper-evident mechanism 512 grip portion (opening means) 514 cavity portion (opening means) 602 side wall of the active insert 604 base of the active insert 700 container 702 container body 703 horizontal section of flange 704 704 flange 706 active insert 800 container 802 container body 803 horizontal portion of flange 804 804 flange 806 active insert 900 sealed package 902 moisture realising substance 904 packet containing the moisture releasing substance 902 906 canister containing the moisture releasing substance 902 908 molded object containing the moisture releasing substance 902 S1 outer surface of the side wall 202 of the container body 102 S2 inner surface of the side wall 202 of the container body 102 S3 horizontal upper surface of the horizontal portion 103 S4 outer side surface of the vertical part S5 inner surface of the connecting element of the cap T1 thickness of the horizontal part 103 of the flange 104 T2 thickness of the side wall 202 of the container body 102

(9) The FIGS. 1-3 show a container 100 without a cap. The container 100 includes a plastic container body 102 with a storage volume 108, a flange 104 formed on the container body 102, and an active insert 106 mounted inside the container body 102.

(10) The FIGS. 4-6 show a container 300 consisting of the container 100 of FIGS. 1 to 3 and a hinged cap 310 assembled to the container body 102. The hinged cap 310 includes a ring connecting element 312, which is attached to the flange 104, a lid portion 314, and a 412 hinge 412 connecting the lid portion 314 to the ring element 312.

(11) The container can be obtained by moulding the container body 102, preferably by injection, then for example by assembling the active insert 106 inside the container body 102. The active insert 106 may be mounted within the container body 102 for example by pushing down the active insert 106 into the container body 102.

(12) The process can then be followed by filling the container 100 with medical and/or pharmaceutical products. The filling may include inserting the medical and/or pharmaceutical products into the container 100 and joining the hinged cap 310 to the container body 102 so as to obtain a moisture-proof container 300. The assembly can be carried out by conveying a cap over a container body and then applying a downward vertical force to the cap so that the ring connecting means of the cap snaps onto the flange of the container body.

(13) The presence of the active insert 106 inside the container body 102 makes it possible to use a hinged cap which presents a smaller bulk and a lower weight than the hinged caps provided with a drying chamber. In particular, the hinged cap 310 does not contain any drying chamber and/or any active agent.

(14) The presence of the active insert 106 within the container body 102 also reduces the risk of leakage of the active agent compared to the solutions of the prior design where a cap comprising a chamber filled with dehydrating agent is used. Indeed, the drying chambers of the prior design are generally closed by a cardboard disc which can be loosely fixed (for example defects can occur during fastening by crimping the end of the drying chamber), which can move from its original location or which can be damaged during the handling of the cap, especially when dispensing in bulk on packaging lines, during transport or during handling by the consumer.

(15) In addition, the active insert 106 is mounted inside the container body 102 and is therefore closer to the sensitive products stored in the container 100, compared to the existing containers where the active agent is located in a drying chamber of the cap. In the figures, the active insert 106 surrounds the said products. In other words, the active insert defines at least a portion of the storage volume. This proximity improves the active function.

(16) Referring to FIG. 1, the container body 102 has a generally cylindrical shape and the flange 104 is peripheral and continuous. The flange 104 is formed over the entire periphery of the container body 102. This allows a simple manufacture and an effective holding of the cap when assembled on the flange.

(17) Referring to FIG. 2-3, the 102 container body comprises a side wall 202, a base 204 and an opening 206 defining a storage volume 108.

(18) The container body 102 is further provided with a flange 104 which includes a horizontal portion 103 which extends perpendicularly from the outer surface S1 of the side wall 202 of the container body 102. Portion 103 forms a ring on the container body 102. The portion 103 comprises a horizontal upper surface S3. This surface S3 prevents the risk of downward displacement of the ring connecting element 312 of the hinged cap 310.

(19) Indeed, on the flanges of the prior art, comprising an inclined upper surface, the ring connecting element could slide or even disengage from the flange when a strong vertical pressure was applied to the hinged cap 310. The hinged cap thus has the advantage of being firmly attached to the flange.

(20) Moreover, the cap being well maintained on the flange, the axis of rotation of the hinge 412 remains fixed and well defined. The hinged cap can therefore pivot along a fixed and well-defined axis of rotation, which allows the sealing surfaces to be correctly positioned and to complement one another when the hinged cap 310 is closed and thus guarantees a good airtightness between the cap and the container body.

(21) The flange 104 further comprises a vertical portion 105 which extends vertically and downwardly from the periphery of the horizontal portion 103. The portion 105 forms a cylinder around the container body 102. Thus, the flange 104 has a cross-section in the form of an angle, the angle here being 90°. This angular shape allows a particularly good holding of the hinged cap 310 on the flange.

(22) In the figures, the angular or bent shape of the cross-section of the flange 104 is rounded. In other words, the outer edges of the angular shape meet gently and a radius is present between the upper surface of the horizontal portion 103 and the outer surface of the vertical portion 105. This also makes it easier to snap, the hinged cap 310 being guided and well recentred around the flange 104 when it is assembled on the container body 102 and to decrease the downward pressures necessary for the assembly of the hinged cap 310 on the container body 102.

(23) Other embodiments are also possible. For example, the angular shape of the cross-section of the flange 104 may be chamfered or may form a right angle. In the second case, this makes it possible to increase the horizontal upper surface of the horizontal portion 103 and thus to further improve the stability or holding of the hinged cap on the flange.

(24) The horizontal portion 103 has a thickness T1 less than that of the side wall 202 of the container body 102 on the area adjacent to the flange. This means that the thickness T1 of the horizontal portion 103 is smaller than the thickness T2 of the side wall 202 of the container body 102 at the place where the flange 104 is formed on the side wall 202. More particularly, as illustrated in the figures, the T1/T2 ratio is less than or equal to ⅔ and preferably less than ½. This range of relative values makes it possible to reduce the risk of shrinkage (or surface defects due to an accumulation area 150 of plastic material at the junction of the flange on the side wall and to the shrinkage of this material during cooling) while having a sufficiently resistant flange 104. Such a relative thickness of the horizontal portion 103 thus allows a better quality of the internal surface of the container body 102 which can have a decisive impact on the quality of the airtightness of the container.

(25) Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, the lid portion 314 comprises a sealing skirt 315 which has a bulge 318. Furthermore, the inner surface of the container body 102 comprises a peripheral cavity 118. When the cap closes the opening of the container body, the bulge 318 formed on the sealing skirt 315 cooperates with the peripheral cavity 118 of the side wall 202 of the container body 102 so as to form an airtight seal. In this way, the storage volume 108 is insulated from the atmosphere outside the container.

(26) The inner surface S2 of the side wall 202 of the container body 102 is configured to hold the active insert 106 within the container body 102. For example, the active insert may be held by clamping (tightening).

(27) In FIG. 7, the container 700 includes a container body 702 and an active insert 706. The connecting element of the cap includes, on its inner surface, protrusions 321 and 323 intended to receive and secure the flange 704 of the container body 702. The connecting element of the cap comprises, on its internal surface, a recess 325 (formed between the protrusions 321 and 323) intended to cooperate with the flange of the container body. The cap 310 further includes a sealing skirt comprising a bulge 318 which cooperates with a peripheral cavity 118 on the inner surface of the side wall 202 of the container body 702.

(28) The connecting element of the cap comprises on its inner surface a vertical cylindrical surface S5 which cooperates with the surface S4 of the vertical portion of the flange once the cap is assembled on the container body. Preferably the diameter of the vertical cylindrical surface S5 of the connecting element is smaller than the outer diameter of the vertical portion of the flange before the cap is assembled to the container body. The connecting element of the cap is made of a resilient material which allows the diameter of the vertical cylindrical wall of the connecting element to be enlarged during assembly on the container body. In this way, and after assembly of the cap on the container body, the connecting element of the cap exerts pressure on the vertical surface S4 of the flange, limiting the rotation of the cap around the container body, particularly in the case of an opened cap.

(29) FIG. 8 shows a container body 802 in which the flange only has a horizontal portion 803. This horizontal portion 803 is located at the upper end of the side wall of the container body but may be located on another portion of the side wall near the opening of the container body. The horizontal part 803 comprises a horizontal upper surface S3 which is rounded at its outer end in order to facilitate the assembly of the cap on the flange.

(30) Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the hinged cap 310 includes a tamper-evident mechanism comprising breakable links (or bridges) 414 connecting the lid portion 314 to the ring connecting element 312. The breakable links 414 are broken at the first opening of the hinged cap 310, which is then visible to the consumer.

(31) The hinged cap 310 is also provided with an opening means comprising a gripping portion 512 formed in the lid portion 314 and a cavity portion 514 formed in the lid portion 314 and/or the ring element 312. Such an opening means is ergonomic. Such a cap may for example be injection moulded using slide moulds.

(32) FIG. 9 shows a sealed package 900, comprising a plurality of containers 100 according to the disclosure. The sealed package 900 can be for example a sealed pouch whose walls comprise an aluminium layer. The package 900 is airtight sealed and is substantially impermeable to gas, and in particular, to moisture and oxygen.

(33) The package further comprises an active agent, more particularly a moisture releasing substance 902 (not shown) able to release moisture inside the package 900. The moisture releasing substance 902 can be water and/or a hydrated active agent, such as for example silica gel, clay, deliquescent salt or a mixture thereof.

(34) The moisture releasing substance can be contained in a packet 904 that is permeable to moisture, in a canister 906 that is permeable to moisture and/or in the polymer material of a molded object 908. Indeed, the molded object 908 can be made of an active material comprising the moisture releasing substance retained in a polymer matrix, for example a thermosetting polymer or a thermoplastic polymer. The molded object 908 can be of any shape, for example a tablet, a sphere, a wafer, or, as illustrated in FIG. 9, under the shape of pellets of the compound comprising the substance and the polymer.