LABELLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A MULTI-PART CONTAINER, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR APPLYING A LABELLING ARRANGEMENT TO A MULTI-PART CONTAINER

Abstract

A labeling arrangement for a multi-part container includes a sleeve-shaped cap element adapted to be coupled to and surround a closure of the container, the cap element having, relative to a longitudinal axis, first and second cap portions and a severing region. The labeling arrangement further includes a fixing label having adjacent first and second label portions. The first label portion is adapted to be attached to the second cap portion, and the second label portion is adapted to be attached to a container body of the container such that the fixation label couples the cap element to the container body, such that when the container with the labeling arrangement is opened, the cap element is separable in the severing region and at least a part of the first cap portion together with a part of the closure is removable from the second cap portion and the container body.

Claims

1. A labeling arrangement (1) for a multi-part container (30), comprising: a sleeve-shaped cap element (10) having an interlocking structure on an inner surface (111, 121) and adapted to be coupled to and surround an outer surface (35, 36) of a closure (31) of the container (30) by means of the interlocking structure, the cap element (10) having, with respect to a longitudinal axis (L), a first cap portion (11), a second cap portion (12), and a severing region (14); and a fixation label (20) having a first label portion (21) and a second label portion (22) adjacent to the first label portion (21), the first label portion (21) being adapted to be attached to the second cap portion (12) and the second label portion (22) being adapted to be attached to a body (32) of the container (30) such that the fixing label (20) couples the cap element (10) to the container body (32), so that when the container (30) applied with the labeling assembly (1) is opened, the cap element (10) is separable in the severing region (14) and at least a part of the first cap portion (11) is removable together with a part (33) of the closure (31) from the second cap portion (12) and the container body (32).

2. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second cap portion (12) is arranged adjacent to and geometrically formed in coordination with the container body (32) with respect to a condition of the labeling arrangement (1) applied to the container (30) and has a predetermined circumferential geometry.

3. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 2, wherein the cap element (10) is rotationally symmetrical in coordination with the container (30) with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) and at least the second cap portion (12) has a predetermined diameter (D2) corresponding to a diameter of the container body (32), so that an outer surface (122) of the second cap portion (12) can be arranged flush with an outer surface (38) of the container body (32).

4. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein, with respect to the longitudinal axis (L), the first and/or the second cap portion (11, 12) has, on a respective inner surface (111, 121), a circumferential contour which forms a negative shape with respect to a circumferential contour on a respective outer surface (35, 36) of the closure (31).

5. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein a wall of the second cap portion (12) is cone-shaped with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) and tapers towards the first cap portion (11).

6. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, comprising: a lid element (15) which is couplable to the first cap portion (11) and which is adapted to be fixed to the closure (31) of the container (30) and to couple the first cap portion (11) to the closure (31) and to cover an upper side (37) of the closure (31).

7. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 6, wherein the lid element (15) is configured to be coupled to the first cap portion (11) and/or the closure (31) in a form-fit, force-fit and/or material-fit manner.

8. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first cap portion (11) comprises, on an inner surface (111), a contour with a toothed structure (113) which is formed in a predetermined manner in coordination with a contour with a toothed structure (153) on an outer surface (152) of the lid element (15).

9. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first cap portion (11) and the lid element (15) can be coupled to each other by means of welding and/or gluing.

10. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 6, wherein the lid element (15) comprises a sleeve portion (154) arranged between the cap element (10) and the closure (31) with respect to a state of the labeling arrangement (1) applied to the container (30).

11. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cap element (10) and/or the lid element (15) are designed as a shrink film element.

12. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second cap portions (11, 12) are connected to each other and the severing region (14) is formed between the first and second cap portions (11, 12) with respect to the longitudinal axis (L), so that, when the container (30) applied with the labeling arrangement (1) is opened, the cap element (10) can be cut through in a predetermined manner in the severing region (14) and the first cap portion (11) can be removed together with a part (33) of the closure (31) from the second cap portion (12) and the container body (32).

13. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cap element (10) comprises, in the severing region (14), a severing element (141) in the form of a perforation and/or in the form of a plurality of connecting webs.

14. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second cap portion (12) has a latching hook (123) which is arranged to form a form-fitting coupling with the closure (31) of the container (30), so that, with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cap element (10), a retaining force can be established between the cap element (10) and the closure (31) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L).

15. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the severing region (14) is formed in coordination with the container (30) in an area of the cap element (10) which, in an applied state of the labeling arrangement (1) to the container (30), is associated with a transition between a head part (33) and a threaded part (34) of the closure (31).

16. The labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, comprising: an opening detection element (141) arranged in the severing region (14) of the cap element (10) and adapted to indicate a removal of at least a portion of the first cap portion (11) together with the part (33) of the closure (31) from the container body (32) upon an opening of the container (30) applied with the labeling arrangement (1).

17. A use of the labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1 for a container (30) divisible into a plurality of parts, comprising a container body (32) and a closure (31) coupleable to the container body (32).

18. A system, comprising: a container (30) divisible into a plurality of parts, having a container body (32) and a closure (31) coupleable to the container body (32); and the labeling arrangement (1) according to claim 1, which is applied to the container (30) in such a manner that the cap element (10) surrounds the closure (31) and the first cap portion (11) is associated with a head part (33) and the second cap portion (12) is associated with a threaded part (34) of the closure (31), and that the first label portion (21) of the fixing label (20) is attached to the second cap portion (12) and the second label portion (22) of the fixing label (20) is attached to the container body (32) such that the fixation label (20) couples the cap element (10) to the container body (32).

19. A method of attaching a labeling arrangement (1) to a multi-part container (30), comprising: providing a container (30) divisible into a plurality of parts, comprising a container body (32) and a closure (31) coupleable to the container body (32), providing the labeling arrangement (1) with a sleeve-shaped cap element (10) and a fixation label (20), wherein the cap element (10) has a first cap portion (11), a second cap portion (12), and a severing region (14), and wherein the fixation label (20) has a first label portion (21) and a second label portion (22) adjacent to the first label portion (21), coupling the cap element (10) to the container body (32) and to the closure (31) of the container (30) such that the cap element (10) is attached to the container body (32) and surrounds the closure (31), attaching the fixation label (20) to the container (30) by attaching the second label portion (22) to the container body (32), and attaching the fixation label (20) to the cap element (10) by attaching the first label portion (21) to the second cap portion (12) such that the fixation label (20) couples the cap element (10) to the container body (32), such that when the container (30) applied with the labeling arrangement (1) is opened, the labeling arrangement (1) is separable in the severing region (14) and at least a part of the first cap portion (11) together with a part (33) of the closure (31) is removable from the second cap portion (12) and the container body (32).

20. The method of claim 19, wherein coupling the cap element (10) to the container body (32) and to the closure (31) comprises: placing the sleeve-shaped cap element (10) on the container body (32); and inserting the closure (31) into the sleeve-shaped cap element (10).

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein inserting the closure (31) into the cap element (10) is performed subsequent to placing the cap element (10) on the container body (32).

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the labeling arrangement (1) comprises a lid element (15), comprising: placing the lid element (15) on the first cap portion (11) of the cap element (10) and/or on a head part (33) of the closure (31), so that the lid element (15) covers an upper side (37) of the head part (33) of the closure (31) and, when the container (30) applied with the labeling arrangement (1) is opened, the lid element (15) couples the first cap portion (11) with head part (33).

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the cap element (10) and/or the lid element (15) are coupled to the closure (31) in a form-fitting, force-fitting and/or substance-fitting manner.

24. The method according to claim 23, in which the cap element (10) and/or the lid element (15) are coupled to the closure (31) by means of interlocking, by means of adhesive bonding, by means of welding and/or by means of the action of thermal radiation.

Description

[0047] In the following, embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to schematic drawings. They show:

[0048] FIG. 1 an embodiment of a system with a multi-part container and a labeling arrangement attached thereto,

[0049] FIGS. 2-10 a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement,

[0050] FIGS. 11-12 a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement,

[0051] FIGS. 13-14 a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement,

[0052] FIGS. 15-17 a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement,

[0053] FIGS. 18-19 a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement,

[0054] FIGS. 20-22 a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement,

[0055] FIGS. 23-25 a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement,

[0056] FIGS. 26-28 a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement,

[0057] FIGS. 29-31 a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement, and

[0058] FIG. 32 a flow diagram for a method of applying the labeling arrangement to a multi-part container.

[0059] Elements of the same construction and function are marked with the same reference signs across the figures. For reasons of clarity, not all of the elements shown in all of the figures are identified with the corresponding reference signs, possibly.

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a system with a multi-part container 30 and a labeling arrangement 1 attached thereto, which enables reliable and secure initial opening verification for the container 30 and also contributes to improved labeling capability and handling of the container 30. The container 30 comprises a closure 31, by means of which a container body 32 of the container 30 can be closed. The closure 31 comprises a threaded portion or threaded part 34 and a head portion or head part 33, which is screwable to the threaded part 34.

[0061] The labeling arrangement 1 comprises a cap element 10 having a first cap portion 11 and a second cap portion 12, which are formed adjacent to each other and between which a severing region 14 is arranged. With respect to a longitudinal axis L of the labeling arrangement 1 and/or the container 30, the first cap portion 11 forms an upper cap portion and the second cap portion 12 forms a lower cap portion. The cap element 10 is formed in a sleeve shape and has a toothed structure 113 on an inner surface 111, which cooperates with a toothed structure 153 of a lid element 15. The cap element 10 is configured to be coupled to and surround the closure 31 of the container 30. The cap element 10 further comprises an interlocking structure on an inner surface 111 and/or 121 of the first and/or second cap portion 11, 12 with which it is positively and/or frictionally coupleable to an outer surface 35 and/or 36 of the closure 31. Thus, a rotational retention force is established between the cap element 10 and the closure 31 with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

[0062] According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the second cap portion 12 further comprises a circumferential engagement hook 123 that engages a gap between the cap element 10 and the container body 32, and thus a further retaining force is established between the cap element 10 and the closure 31 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

[0063] The labeling arrangement 1 further comprises a fixing label 20 having a first label portion 21 and a second label portion 22 adjacent thereto. The first label portion 21 is adapted to be attached to the applied cap element 10 in a state of the fixation label 20 applied to the container 30. In particular, the first label portion 21 is adapted to be attached to the second cap portion 12 such that the fixation label 20 couples the cap element 10 to the container body 32 of the container 30. The second label portion 22 is adapted to be secured to the container body 32. In particular, this can be done by adhering the fixation label 20 to an outer surface 122 of the second cap portion 12 and an outer surface 38 of the container body 32 by means of an adhesive layer. The two label portions 21 and 22 of the fixation label 20 preferably form mutually adjacent portions of a common material web.

[0064] The two cap portions 11 and 12 are integrally formed, for example, as a common plastic component and have a deliberately introduced weakening structure, for example in the form of a circumferential indentation, perforation and/or predetermined breaking point, in the severing region 14, so that, when the container 30 applied with the labeling arrangement 1 is opened, the cap element 10 can be severed in a predetermined manner in the severing region 14 and the first cap portion 11 or at least a part thereof can be removed together with the head part 33 of the closure 31 from the second threaded part 34 of the closure 31.

[0065] Furthermore, the labeling arrangement 1 according to FIG. 1 comprises the lid element 15 which is couplable to the first cap portion 11 by means of the interlocking toothed structure 153. The lid element 15 is designed to be attached to the closure 31 of the container 30 and to cover an upper side 37 of the closure 31. In particular, the lid element 15 serves to transmit force during an opening process from the cap element 10 to the closure 31 and/or from the first cap portion 11 to the top part 33. Preferably, the lid element 15 is configured to be coupled to the first cap portion 11 and/or the closure 31 in a form-fitting, force-fitting and/or material-fitting manner. For example, the lid element 15 may be mechanically interlocked with the first cap portion 11, as shown, by means of the cooperating interlocking structures 113 and 153 and/or may be attached to the top surface 37 of the head portion 33 by means of adhesive.

[0066] The interlocking structure 113 of the first cap portion 11 is formed as a circumferential recess or groove on the inner surface 111 of the cap element 10 in coordination with the interlocking structure 153 on an outer surface 152 of the lid element 15, which is complementary to the recess in the form of a bead or protruding annular protrusion. Alternatively or additionally, the first cap element 11 may also comprise a protruding region or one or more toothed elements which engage in corresponding recesses on the lid element 15, so that a particularly stable and reliable retaining force can be set up between the cap element 10 and the closure 31 with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

[0067] The lid element 15 has a sleeve section 154, which is arranged between the cap element 10 and the closure 31 with respect to the longitudinal axis L. In this way, a particularly reliable hold can be established between the first cap portion 11 and the lid element 15, as well as between the lid element 15 and the head part 33 of the closure 31, which allows for a reliable transmission of force when the container 30 is opened. Alternatively, the lid element 15 can also be formed as a flat disc (see FIGS. 18 and 19) and have a predetermined surface structure on a circumferential outer side, which enables reliable coupling with the cap element 10.

[0068] By means of the described labeling arrangement 1, among other things, a reliable and cost-effective sealing solution for syringes with a Luer-lock thread can be realized. The labeling arrangement 1 enables secure sealing of, for example, primary packaging in the pharmaceutical field, such as injection vials or vials, whereby an intactness of a medicament package can be guaranteed or at least clearly indicated. As will be explained below with reference to further FIGS. 2 to 32, the labeling arrangement 1 can prevent unintentional or unauthorized reuse of a suitably labeled primary packaging after its use, or at least clearly visibly and reliably indicate that an initial opening of the primary packaging has occurred. Thus, by means of the labeling arrangement 1, a manipulation of the primary packaging is also counteracted or indicated by a first opening proof.

[0069] In the following, the labeling arrangement 1 is described predominantly in cooperation with a syringe as a container 30, which has a syringe head realized by the closure 31 and a syringe body realized by the container body 32. However, the principle is also applicable to other pharma packaging, such as injection vials or vials. The container 30 may be configured as a glass syringe or plastic syringe 30, which for opening purposes comprises the removable head part 33 arranged together with the threaded part 34 on or at the syringe body 32. In the context of this description, terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “head” and “body”, refer to an operational arrangement or application and orientation of the labeling arrangement 1 and the container 30. The closure 31 of the container or syringe 30 thus forms a top part or head of the syringe 30, which is at least partially removed for opening the syringe 30. The body of the container or syringe 32 then forms a lower portion of the syringe 30, which realizes a vessel for receiving and storing a predetermined content.

[0070] The first label portion 21 of the fixation label 20 is associated with the closure 31 or the cap element 10 arranged therearound and can therefore also be referred to as the upper label portion 21. The second label portion 22 of the fixation label 20 is associated with the lower syringe body 32 and can therefore also be referred to as the lower label portion 22.

[0071] The cap element 10 has a contour on the inner surface 111 and/or 112, which is formed in a predetermined manner in coordination with a contour on the outer surface 35 and/or 36 of the closure 31. Provided that the lid element 15 comprises the sleeve portion 154, the inner surface 111 of the first cap portion 11 may be formed in coordination with a contour on the outer surface 152 of the sleeve portion 154. An inner surface 151 of the lid element 15 is preferably also formed to match the outer surface 35 and/or the top surface 37 of the head portion 33 with respect to its contour. Particularly preferably, the contours of the components that adjoin each other are formed such that they form partially or completely complementary geometries. Preferably, the second cap portion 12 has a conical inner geometry that realizes a negative shape to a circumferential contour at the outer surface 36 of the threaded part 34.

[0072] The threaded portion 34 of a Luer-lock thread extends conically in the direction of the syringe body 32 (see FIGS. 2 to 4), so that it has a smaller diameter at a lower end than at an upper end. Accordingly, the second cap portion 12 preferably has a conical geometry in which a wall of the second cap portion 12 is thicker at a lower end than at an upper end. Thus, a reliable positive fit of the cap element 10 with the closure 31 can be established. A wall thickness of the cap element 10 is preferably also formed to match any difference in diameter between the head portion 33 and the threaded portion 34 of the closure 31. In this way, the cap element 10 can form a geometry compensation between the Luer-lock closure 31 and the syringe body 32 as an adapter. In particular, the geometries and elements described refer to rotationally symmetrical embodiments with respect to the longitudinal axis L, as is common in syringes.

[0073] FIGS. 2 to 10 show an embodiment example of the labeling arrangement 1 in various positions of assembly or attachment to the syringe 30. Such an assembly procedure can be carried out according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 32 for a procedure for applying the labeling arrangement 1 to the container 30.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows in a schematic side view the individual parts of the system, which can be provided individually or partially coupled in a step S1. With an arrow pointing downwards it is indicated that in a further step S2 a coupling of the components cap element 10 and syringe body 32 can take place.

[0075] FIG. 3 shows the coupling that has taken place, in which the sleeve-shaped cap element 10 is placed on the syringe body 32. A downward pointing arrow indicates a next possible coupling. In a step S3, the threaded part 34 and the head part 33 can be coupled, in particular screwed together, if the closure 31 is not already provided coupled.

[0076] FIG. 4 shows the coupling that has taken place, in which the head part 33 is screwed into the threaded part 34. With an arrow pointing downwards, a next possible coupling is indicated. In a step S4, the closure 31 can now be inserted into the sleeve-shaped cap element 10. In particular, when the closure 31 is inserted into the cap element 10, a positive coupling is formed, which is set up by means of matched contours and/or interacting toothed structures.

[0077] FIG. 5 shows the coupling of the closure 31 to the cap element 10 that has taken place, in which the closure 31 is inserted into and surrounded by the cap element 10. With an arrow pointing downwards, a next possible coupling is indicated, in which the lid element 15 is placed on the cap element 10 and the closure 31. This can be done in a further step S5 in which, for example, the sleeve portion 154 of the lid element 15 is pushed between the cap element 10 and the closure 31 until the interlocking structures 113 and 153 engage and mesh, and the lid element 15 contacts the head portion 33 of the closure 31. Such force-transmitting contact between the lid element 15 and the closure 31 may be formed on the top surface 37 and/or on the outside or outer surface 35 of the closure 31.

[0078] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a condition of the system in which the cap element 10 and the lid element 15 are disposed on the container 30.

[0079] FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate a fully arranged state of the labeling arrangement 1, in which the fixation label 20 is also arranged on the container 30. The fixation label 20 is attached to the syringe body 32 and the second cap portion 12 of the cap member 10 in a further step S6 of the method. The fixation label 20 is wrapped around the syringe body 32 and around the second cap portion 12 and has, for example, an adhesive layer on an underside thereof by means of which it is adhered to the respective components so that the first label portion 21 is adhered to the second cap portion 12 and the second label portion 22 is adhered to the syringe body 32. The fixation label 20 may form a wrap-around label or an over-round label, surround the circumference of the syringe, and partially come to rest on itself. Alternatively, the fixation label 20 is formed to cover only a circumferential portion of the surface 38 of the syringe body 32 and the outer surface 122 of the second cap portion 12.

[0080] The fixation label 20 serves as an identifying medium and may include lettering or printing indicating, for example, information regarding the contents of the container 30. In addition, the fixation label 20 is used to fix the threaded portion 34 in position and to prevent unwanted rotation of the threaded portion 34. The fixation label 20 couples the second cap portion 12, which in turn is coupled to the threaded member 34, to the syringe body 32 so that movement of the threaded member 34 relative to the syringe body 32 is resisted.

[0081] FIG. 8 further illustrates that by means of the cap element 10 and/or by means of the second cap portion 12 a circumferential equality of the adapted threaded part 34 and the syringe body 32 is achievable, so that a simple and wrinkle-free labeling of the adapted container 30 is possible. At least in a lower portion of the second cap portion 12 facing the syringe body 32, the cap element 10 has a diameter D2 substantially corresponding to a diameter of the cylindrical syringe body 32. In an upper portion of the second cap portion 12 and/or in the region of the first cap portion 11, the cap element 10 has, for example, a diameter D1 which is larger than the diameter D2, so that a geometry of the closure 31 is taken into account and, as it were, converted into an adapted cylindrical shape.

[0082] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an opening process of the container 30, in which a rotational movement is performed on the upper, first cap portion 11, so that the cap element 10 tears or breaks open in the severing region 14. By means of applying force from the outside to the sleeve-shaped cap element 10 by applying pressure to the upper, first cap portion 11, a form fit can be formed which allows reliable force transmission to the head part 33 of the closure 31. The first cap portion 11 can thereupon be removed from the remaining components together with the lid element 15, if any, disposed thereon and the head part 33 of the closure 31 disposed therein. The severed cap element 10 now serves, in particular, as proof of opening and clearly visibly indicates that initial opening has occurred. Alternatively to embodiments of the labeling arrangement 1 with the lid element 15, it is also possible to provide the labeling arrangement 1 without a lid element 15 and further form a reliable initial opening indication for the container 30 and anti-rotation means for the threaded part 34.

[0083] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement 1, which comprises a two-part cap element 10, which are placed laterally around the closure 31 as indicated by the arrows and interlock with each other by means of a snap-in structure 16. In this regard, the cap element 10 may be closed at the top with the lid element 15 or may surround the closure 31 without a lid and form a sleeve that is open at the top.

[0084] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement 1, according to which the upper and lower cap portions 11 and 12 each have an interlocking structure 161 and 162 that interlock with each other and form a reliable hold. The lower, second cap portion 12 may also be referred to as a crown onto which the closure 31 is placed with the surrounding first cap portion 11 as a sleeve with or without a lid element 15, so that the engagement structures 161 and 162 interlock.

[0085] FIGS. 15 to 17 show a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement 1, according to which the cap element 10 is made in two parts in the form of crowns. The first cap portion 11 and the second cap portion 12 each have a crown shape and can be inserted into each other or arranged on top of each other. The separation or severing region 14 can then be formed between the two cap portions 11 and 12, which allows the upper crown to be removed from the lower one.

[0086] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate that the fixation label 20 is wrapped around the container 30 and the cap element 10 disposed thereon. In doing so, the fixation label 20 extends to the upper, first cap portion 11 and thus covers both crowns. Thus, by means of the fixation label 20, both cap portions 11 and 12 are coupled to the syringe body 32. According to this embodiment, the fixation label 20 has a severing region 24 comprising a perforation 25 that allows a predetermined severing of the fixation label 20 when the container 30 provided with the labeling arrangement 1 is opened. Preferably, an adhesive-free surface is formed in the severing region 24, so that a simple and low-resistance cutting through of the fixation label 20 and removal of the first label portion 21 is possible.

[0087] FIGS. 18 and 19 show a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement 1, according to which the cap element 10 is formed with an attached lid element 15. The lid element 15 is connected to the cap element 10 by means of a coupling element 17, for example in the form of a plastic strip. The coupling element 17 forms a mechanical joint, so that the lid element 15 can be placed on the cap element 10 when required and covers the upper side 37 of the closure 31.

[0088] FIGS. 20 to 22 show another embodiment of the labeling arrangement 1, according to which the first cap element 11 is configured as a tubular or foil element. Moreover, the lid element 15 is formed integrally with the first cap portion 11 and realizes a portion of the foil element covering the upper surface 37 of the closure 31. The first cap portion 11 thus forms, together with the lid element 15, a kind of foil pocket which is slipped over the closure 31 and coupled to the syringe 30 by means of the fixing label 20. In particular, the foil element can also be formed as a shrink foil which can be selectively shrunk and adapted to an outer contour of the enclosing elements by means of the action of heat radiation.

[0089] When the container 30 sealed with the labeling arrangement 1 is opened, the first cap portion 11 is severed or torn through by means of exerting pressure and turning on the head part 33 of the closure 31, so that a section of the first cap portion 11 with the head part 33 of the closure 31 can be removed from the syringe body 32. In this regard, the tearing may be performed along a predetermined tearing element or may be performed without a predetermined tearing position due to the thinly configured film element. According to such an embodiment, the severing region is not specifically located in the first cap portion 11 and is located between the second cap portion 12 and the upper side 37 of the closure 31.

[0090] FIGS. 23 to 25 show a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement 1, according to which the first cap portion 11 is configured as a shrink tube or shrink film element arranged on the second cap portion 12. By means of exposure to thermal radiation 19, the first cap portion 11 can be selectively shrunk and conform to the outer surface 35 and 36 of the closure 31. The fixation label 20 in turn fixes the second cap portion 12 and the threaded portion 34 fixedly disposed therein to the syringe body 32.

[0091] FIGS. 26 to 28 show a further embodiment example of the labeling arrangement 1, according to which, in contrast to the embodiment example according to FIGS. 23 to 25, a lid element 15 is present to which the first cap portion 11 is attached as a shrink tube or shrink film element. Attached to the closure 31 and inserted into the second cap portion 12, the first cap portion 11 can be shrunk by means of the action of heat radiation 19 and adapted to an outer shape of the closure 31 and, if necessary, also to an outer shape of the second cap portion 12 and, if necessary, also to an outer shape of the second cap portion 12.

[0092] FIGS. 29 to 31 show a further embodiment of the labeling arrangement 1, according to which the first cap portion 11 is formed with or without a lid element 15 as a fixed component and the second cap portion 12 is formed as a shrink tube or shrink film element. The second cap portion 12 is connected to the first cap portion 11 and is fitted onto the closure 31 and the container body 32. Subsequently, the second cap portion 12 is selectively shrunk by the action of heat radiation 19 to conform to an outer shape of the closure 31 and, if necessary, to an outer shape of the container body 32. The fixing label 20 is then fixed to the container body 32 and the cap element 10 in such a way that it rests with its first label portion 21 at least partially on the second cap portion 12 and fixes the cap element 10 to the container body 32.

[0093] In particular, the described embodiments of the labeling arrangement 1 enable a reliable Luer-lock closure 31 of a Luer-lock thread of a glass syringe 30, which is realizable with a very small diameter due to its construction, so that it hardly contributes to a widening of the glass syringe 30 but to a unification of the geometry of the glass syringe 30.

[0094] It is a finding in connection with the present invention that small glass syringes cannot be provided with a conventional secondary closure, since the primary closure has a larger circumference than the syringe body of the glass syringe in the case of a Luer-lock thread, and previous cap solutions, which are placed on the primary closure from above, protrude at an upper end of the syringe body as a result of this procedure. Among other things, this has a disadvantageous effect on labelability and on storage options for such adapted syringes. Due to different sized circumferences, the syringe body and such a secondary closure cannot be labeled together.

[0095] By means of the described labeling arrangement 1, circumferential equality from the syringe body 32 to the adjacent cap element 10 can be established in a simple and inexpensive manner Thereupon, the two components of syringe body 32 and cap element 10 can become reliably and wrinkle-free with a label and fix the closure 31 to the syringe body 32. Due to the preferred use of the labeling arrangement 1 on a glass syringe 30 with a Luer-lock thread, a kind of Luer-lock fix-click secondary closure can be realized by means of the labeling arrangement 1, which can be easily attached to the syringe 30 in a time-saving manner. In addition, by means of the labeling arrangement 1, it is helped that the adapted syringes 30 are not applied too broadly and continue to be nestable or storable in the storage containers provided for this purpose.

[0096] By means of the labeling arrangement 1, no additional connecting label is required to close a gap between an upper and lower cap or between the closure 31 and the syringe body 32 and to provide a first-opening indication, which may also be referred to as temper evidence. The cap element 10 forms a Luer-lock cap, which is attached to the syringe body 32 of the glass syringe 30 by means of the fixation label 20 and provides an anti-rotation feature with respect to the threaded portion 34 of the closure 31.

[0097] For the most part, the labeling arrangement 1 can be applied in a cleanroom-capable manner and enables the formation of a particularly small secondary closure diameter or a particularly small diameter application on the closure 31 of the syringe 30. Due to the described mounting options and cleanroom-capability, the labeling arrangement 1 further enables a more economical production process on the customer side. Furthermore, an opening of the adapted closure 31 and targeted destruction or separation of the cap portions 11 and 12 can be performed with a hand movement.

[0098] The cap element 10 realizes an elongated sleeve, the lower, second cap portion 12 of which preferably has the same outer diameter, at least in a lower region, as the syringe body 32 of the glass syringe 30. In particular, the closure 31 realizes a Luer-lock thread, which is inserted into the sleeve-shaped cap element 10. The Luer-lock thread interlocks with the lower part of the sleeve, which is realized by the second cap portion 12, so that a stable form fit is established. In particular, the cap element 10 is tapered in the inner portion of the second cap portion 12 and is adapted to an outer contour of the Luer-lock thread. By such a construction method, it is possible to form a smaller circumference in the lower region of the sleeve than in the upper region and, moreover, to form a circumference which has the same circumference as the syringe body 32. This has a particularly advantageous effect on a storage of the syringe 30 provided with the labeling arrangement 1.

[0099] An assembly of the labeling arrangement 1 can be carried out in such a way that first the entire closure 31 is inserted into the cap element 10 and subsequently the lid element 15, if present, is placed on the closure 31 from above. The lid element 15 is connected to the closure 31 of the syringe 30, for example, via a form-fit or force-fit on the inner surface 151. The outer surface 151 of the lid element 15 connects to the inner surface 111 of the cap element 10 via a form, force or substance fit. The connections ensure a rotational transmission of force from the sleeve-shaped cap element 10 to the closure 31 of the syringe 30. The described assembly steps can alternatively be performed in a different order.

[0100] A preferred embodiment of the labeling arrangement 1 may comprise the following assembly steps: [0101] 1. Coupling the assembly (cap element 10+closure 31+lid element 15) to the syringe body 32 of the glass syringe 30 [0102] 2. Alternatively, coupling the cap element 10 to the assembly (closure 31+lid element 15) and to the syringe body 32 of the glass syringe 30 [0103] 3. Alternatively: coupling the assembly (cap element 10+closure 31) to the syringe body 32 of the glass syringe 30 and to the lid element 15 [0104] 4. Alternatively: coupling the syringe body 32 of the glass syringe 30 with the cap element 10 with the closure 31 and with the lid element 15 [0105] 5. Alternatively: coupling the syringe body 32 of the glass syringe 30 with the cap element 10 and with the assembly (closure 31+lid element 15)

[0106] For example, at a supplier or in a pre-process, the following assembly steps may already be performed: [0107] 1a. Coupling the cap element 10 with the closure 31 and with the lid element 15 and thereby providing the assembly (cap element 10+closure 31+lid element 15) [0108] 1b. Coupling the cap element 10 with the assembly (closure 31+lid element 15) and thereby providing the assembly (cap element 10+closure 31+lid element 15).

[0109] In principle, the assembly operations according to 1. to 5. can be carried out in a clean room. The assembly according to one of steps 1a. or 1b., which has preferably already been pre-assembled at a supplier, can then be placed on the syringe body 32 of the glass syringe 30 in the clean room.

[0110] An opening operation of the syringe 30 applied with the labeling assembly 1 can be performed as follows: Via an externally acting angular momentum, the acting force is transmitted from the sleeve-shaped cap element 10 to the lid element 15, which in turn transmits the force to the head part 33 of the closure 31. During assembly, the lid element 15 preferably interlocks or connects with both the inner surface 111 cap element 10 and the outer surface 35 and/or the top surface 37 of the closure 31. If the acting force exceeds a holding force a perforation or existing connecting webs of the cap element 10, it separates into two halves of first and second cap portions 11 and 12. The upper, first cap portion 11 remains interlocked with the lid element 15, which in turn dwells on the head part 33 of the closure 31. The lower, second cap portion 12 of the cap element 10 fixes the lower Luer-lock thread or threaded portion 34 closure 31 and remains connected to the syringe body 32 of the glass syringe 30 via the fixation label 20.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference signs 1 labeling arrangement 10 cap element/secondary cap 11 first/upper cap portion 111 inner surface of first cap portion 113 interlocking structure of first cap portion 12 second/lower cap portion 121 inner surface of second cap portion 122 outer surface of second cap portion 123 engagement hook of second cap portion 14 severing region of the cap element 141 perforation/connecting webs 15 lid element 151 inner surface of lid element 152 outer surface of the lid element 153 interlocking structure of lid element 154 sleeve section of cap element 16 snap-in structure of cap element 161 engaging structure of first cap portion 162 engaging structure of second cap portion 17 coupling element 19 heat radiation 20 fixation label 21 first/upper label portion of the fixation label 22 second/lower label portion of the fixation label 24 severing region of the fixation label 25 severing element/perforation 30 container/syringe 31 closure/primary cap 32 container body/syringe body 33 head part of closure 34 threaded part of the closure 35 outer surface of the head part of the closure 36 outer surface of the threaded part of the closure 37 top part of the closure 38 outer surface of the body of the container D1 first/upper diameter D2 second/lower diameter L longitudinal axis S(i) step of a method of applying a labeling arrangement