Abstract
A primary packaging for a liquid is presented including an at least partially collapsible container and a connector element for connection of the primary packaging to a withdrawal device. The connector element has at least one connector channel which is in fluid communication with an interior space of the container. The container is composed at least partially of a foil which is constructed from a first layer which, during intended use of the primary packaging, comes into direct contact with the liquid. Both the first layer and the connector element are composed of a plastics material including at least one cyclic olefin polymer.
Claims
1. A primary packaging for a liquid comprising: an at least partially collapsible container, and a connector element for connection of the primary packaging to a withdrawal device, wherein the connector element has at least one connector channel which is in fluid communication with an interior space of the at least partially collapsible container, wherein the at least partially collapsible container is composed at least partially of a foil which is constructed from a first layer which, during intended use of the primary packaging, comes into direct contact with the liquid, and wherein both the first layer and the connector element are composed of a plastics material comprising at least one cyclic olefin polymer.
2. The primary packaging according to claim 1, wherein a fraction of the at least one cyclic olefin polymer, in at least one of the plastics material of the first layer and the connector element, amounts to at least 60 wt %.
3. The primary packaging according to claim 1, wherein the first layer and the connector element are composed of two different plastics materials, each comprising a cyclic olefin polymer.
4. The primary packaging according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cyclic olefin polymer is selected from the group consisting of a cyclic olefin homopolymer and a cyclic olefin copolymer.
5. The primary packaging according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cyclic olefin polymer is producible from a monomer selected from a group consisting of cyclopentene, cyclohexene, norbornene, dicyclopentadiene, tetracyclododecene and methyltetracyclododecene.
6. The primary packaging according to claim 1, wherein the foil is constructed from at least one further second layer.
7. The primary packaging according to claim 6, wherein the at least one further second layer is composed of a plastics material comprising a fluoropolymer.
8. The primary packaging according to claim 7, wherein the fluoropolymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(ethylene-propylene).
9. The primary packaging according to claim 6, wherein at least one adhesion promoter layer is arranged between the first layer and the at least one further second layer.
10. The primary packaging according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connector channel is closed by a septum.
11. The primary packaging according to claim 10, wherein the septum is formed as a single piece with the connector element.
12. The primary packaging according to claim 10, wherein a seal element is arranged on the septum.
13. The primary packaging according to claim 10, wherein the septum is formed as a layer on a surface of a plug, such that the septum, formed as the layer, faces toward the interior space of the at least partially collapsible container when the plug is inserted as intended.
14. The primary packaging according to claim 13, wherein the septum is of cup-shaped form, and a hollow cylindrical interior of the cup-shaped septum forms a receptacle for a seal element.
15. The primary packaging according to claim 14, wherein the septum, when inserted as intended, has, on a longitudinal side averted from the interior space of the at least partially collapsible container, an undercut into which the seal element, introduced into the hollow cylinder interior and engaged by a detent action.
16. The primary packaging according to claim 10, wherein the septum is composed of a plastics material comprising a cyclic olefin polymer.
17. The primary packaging according to claim 1, wherein the connector element has at least one additional filling channel which is in fluidic communication with the interior space of the at least partially collapsible container.
18. The primary packaging according to claim 1, wherein the first layer of the foil is formed from a first plastic comprising cyclic olefin polymer and a cyclic olefin elastomer; the connector element is formed from a second plastic comprising cyclic olefin polymer and a cyclic olefin elastomer; and a relative fraction of cyclic olefin polymer in the first plastic is lower, and a relative fraction of cyclic olefin elastomer is higher, than in the second plastic.
19. The primary packaging according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connector channel, formed on the connector element, is, in a direction of a mouth attachment, formed as a narrowing pipe, and said narrowing pipe forms a sealing lip in a direction of the interior space of the at least partially collapsible container.
20. A method for filling a primary packaging according to claim 1, wherein a top-side and a rear-side foil of the at least partially collapsible container are, in that part of the at least partially collapsible container which is adjacent to the at least one connector channel or a filling channel, welded such that a shaft is left free in certain portions between the top-side surface and the rear-side foil surface, which has a slot that has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the interior space, the method comprising the following steps: introducing a fluid, via the at least one connector channel or the filling channel, into the primary packaging from a fluid line into the at least partially collapsible container; clamping off a region of the at least partially collapsible container which is adjacent to the at least one connector channel or the filling channel, the region is formed at least in certain portions as a shaft left free between the top-side surface and the rear-side foil surface; removing the fluid line from the at least one connector channel or from the filling channel; introducing a plug into the at least one connector channel or the filling channel; and releasing the clamping-off action.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0062] Further advantages and individual features of the invention will emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment and from the drawings.
[0063] In the drawings, in each case schematically:
[0064] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a primary packaging according to the invention;
[0065] FIG. 2 shows a perspective sectional illustration of the primary packaging as per FIG. 1;
[0066] FIG. 3 shows a perspective sectional illustration of the connector element of the primary packaging as per FIG. 1;
[0067] FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a primary packaging according to the invention;
[0068] FIG. 5 shows a perspective sectional illustration of the Primary packaging as per FIG. 4;
[0069] FIG. 6 shows a perspective sectional illustration of the connector element of the primary packaging as per FIG. 4;
[0070] FIGS. 7 and 8 show cross-sectional illustrations of foils of primary packagings according to the invention.
[0071] FIG. 9 shows a view of a longitudinal side of a connector element, wherein the connector element has been welded in certain regions between a top-side and a rear-side foil.
[0072] FIGS. 10 and 11 show perspective views of a longitudinal section through the withdrawal region of the primary packaging (without and with container/closure elements/housing).
[0073] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the withdrawal region of the primary packaging.
[0074] FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section through a connector element with filling channel and withdrawal channel.
[0075] FIG. 14 shows a detailed view of a cross section through a filling channel on the connector element with container, inserted into a housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0076] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first exemplary embodiment of a primary packaging 1 according to the invention. The primary packaging 1 comprises a collapsible container 2 which is formed from two foils 6 which lie one over the other and which are welded to one another at their edges. Owing to the selection of the section plane in FIG. 2, only one of the two foils 6 is visible in said figure. At the upper, short edge of the foils 6, the connector element 3 is welded in between the foils 6. This makes it possible to produce fluidic communication between a withdrawal device and the interior space 5 of the container 2. FIG. 3 shows more details regarding the connector element 3. It can be seen that said connector element has a connector channel 4 and a filling channel 12. The connector channel 4 is closed by means of a septum 10, which is formed as a single piece with the connector element 3. Attached to the outer side of the septum is a seal 11 which, when the septum 10 is penetrated with a cannula, prevents leaks from occurring at the transition of the septum 10 to the cannula. The seal 11 is elastically deformable for this purpose. By contrast, the filling channel 12 is closed by means of a plug 13 having an upper edge 14, which in the example shown here is, like the connector element 3, composed of a cyclic olefin polymer.
[0077] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternative exemplary embodiment of a primary packaging 1 according to the invention. The container 2 has in this case the same foil construction as described in the introduction. However, the connector element 3 is equipped with a single connector channel 4. FIG. 6 shows more details regarding the connector element 3. It can be seen that the connector channel 4 has been closed by means of a plug 13. Formed as a single piece with the plug 13 is a septum 10 which can be pierced by a cannula for the purposes of producing a fluidic connection between the interior space 5 of the container 2 and a withdrawal device. Again, a seal 11 is arranged on the outer side of the septum 10.
[0078] FIGS. 7 and 8 show two possible variants for a layered structure of the foil 6 of a primary packaging 1 according to the invention. The first layer 7 is a cyclic olefin polymer. Also provided is a second layer 8, which is a polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE). In the variant as per FIG. 7, a single adhesion promoter layer 9 has been applied between the first layer 7 and the second layer 8. In the example as per FIG. 8, two adhesion promoter layers 9, 9 have been applied between the first layer 7 and the second layer 8. The first adhesion promoter layer 9 is in this case selected so as to form a good connection with the first layer and the second adhesion promoter layer 9. The second adhesion promoter layer 9 is selected so as to form a good connection with the second layer 8 and the first adhesion promoter layer 9. In the present example, the second layer composed of PCTFE performs the function of providing a barrier layer for oxygen and other gases.
[0079] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a longitudinal side of a connector element 3, wherein the connector element has, in certain regions, been welded in between a top-side and a rear-side foil. The top-side and rear-side foils have been welded together in the weld region 22 and thus form the container 2. The connector element 3 together with the top-side and rear-side foils 2 form the primary packaging. In this exemplary embodiment, the connector element 3 has a filling channel 12 and a withdrawal channel 19. The top-side and the rear-side foil have been welded together such that, in that part of the container 2 which is adjacent to the filling channel 12, said foils leave a shaft 15 free in certain portions between the top-side and the rear-side foil surfaces. The shaft has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the interior space 5. Preferably, the shaft 15 has a diameter of <10 mm, particularly preferably a diameter of <5 mm.
[0080] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a longitudinal section through the connector element 3. The plugs 13 and 13 have been fitted onto the connector element in FIG. 10.
[0081] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a longitudinal section through the withdrawal region of the primary packaging 1, that is to say through connector element 3 and container 2. Plugs 13, 13 and a protective cap 16 have been fitted onto the connector element. The primary packaging has been inserted into a housing 23.
[0082] In both figures, a septum 10, 10 of that side of at least one plug 13, 13 which faces toward the container interior may be formed as a layer on the surface, such that, when the plug has been inserted as intended, the septum points toward the interior space of the container 2.
[0083] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the withdrawal region of the primary packaging. In this view, it can be seen that the connector element 3 tapers toward the container interior space 5. It can also be seen that the connector element 3 may, in plan view, be of boat-shaped form, that is to say the longitudinal ends also taper in obtuse fashion when the connector element is viewed from the filling direction. From FIG. 12, it can furthermore be seen that the top-side foil has been welded to the rear-side foil in the weld region 22, and thus encloses the interior space 5. In the region of the dark hatching 22, the foils have been welded together. In the region of the medium-dark hatching 24, the top-side foil has been welded to the connector element 3. In the regions with the light hatching, for example in the container interior space 5, the top-side foil has not been welded. Particularly good sealing action of the weld of foil and connector element arises at the sealing bead 17. The sealing bead is formed here as a comb-shaped protuberance along the connector element, wherein the prongs of the comb shape extend around the mouth regions of filling and withdrawal channels, in the direction of the container interior 5.
[0084] FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section through a connector element. Again, it is possible to see sealing bead portions 17, which, at that end of the connector element which points towards the pouch interior, project beyond the body of the connector element and are thus visible in the longitudinal section through the connector element as semicircular protuberances.
[0085] It can likewise be seen from FIG. 13 how the filling channel 12 is, in the direction of the mouth attachment, formed as a narrowing pipe, which forms a sealing lip 18 in the direction of the interior space of the container (not shown). With increasing pressure in the interior space of the container (not shown), the sealing lip presses with ever greater intensity against a plug (not shown) situated in the filling channel 12, such that the sealing action of the closure is improved.
[0086] FIG. 14 shows a detail view of a cross section through a filling channel 12 on the connector element 3. The filling channel 12 has been closed by means of a plug 13. The primary packaging has been placed into a housing 23. It can be seen how the top-side and a rear-side foil of the container 2 have been welded, in that part of the container 2 which is adjacent to the filling channel 12, such that a shaft 15 is left free between the top-side and the rear-side foil surfaces. The shaft has a diameter of a few millimeters, whereas the container interior 5 forms a space with a diameter of several centimeters. The shaft 15 thus formed can be clamped off by means of clamping-off ribs 20, 20, 21 formed on the housing. In FIG. 14, two clamping-off ribs 20, 20 have been formed on the rear side of the housing, and one clamping-off rib 21 has been formed on the front side of the housing. The clamping-off ribs are arranged in a spatially offset manner. The housing is in this case of slightly flexible form, such that, as a result of pressure on the front and rear sides, pressure can be exerted, for example in automated fashion, in each case at the level of the clamping-off ribs after the filling of the primary packaging. In this way, the fluid is enclosed in the primary packaging. This results in a time period in which a filling cannula can be removed, and the plug 13 inserted, without fluid escaping from the container, even in the case of a slight positive pressure prevailing in the pouch interior. At the same time, air is prevented from entering the container. The filling process is thus simplified and made more efficient and reliable.
