Container for medical and/or pharmaceutical products with interstice

Abstract

The invention pertains to a container for storing medical and/or pharmaceutical products. The container includes a plastic container body including a side wall, a base and an opening defining the storage volume, an active insert, placed inside the container body and including a tubular side wall of length L, extending from a lower extremity to an upper extremity, and an empty interstice between the side wall of the active insert and the side wall of the container body. This container is an improved container for the storage of medical and/or pharmaceutical products.

Claims

1. A container for packaging medical and/or pharmaceutical products comprising: a plastic container body comprising a tubular side wall, a base and an opening defining a storage volume, an active insert, placed inside the container body and including a tubular side wall with length L, extending from a lower extremity to an upper extremity, and an empty interstice between the side wall of the active insert and the side wall of the container body, extending over at least 50% of an outer surface of the side wall of the active insert, wherein the active insert has a V.sub.m/S.sub.e ratio ≤0.75, where V.sub.m is a total material volume of the active insert in mm.sup.3, and S.sub.e is a total surface area of the active insert in mm.sup.2.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the active insert has a V.sub.m/S.sub.exp ratio ≤0.75, where V.sub.m is the total material volume of the active insert in mm.sup.3, and S.sub.exp is a total exposed surface area of the active insert in mm.sup.2.

3. The container according to claim 1, in which the empty interstice is surrounding and extends over at least 50% of the length L of the side wall of the active insert.

4. The container according to claim 3, in which the active insert is maintained by two peripheral holding portions.

5. The container according to claim 1, in which a contact surface between the outer surface of the active insert and an inner surface of the container body is less than 5% of a surface area S.sub.insert, where S.sub.insert is a total surface area of all outer surfaces of the active insert whether they are in contact with another surface or freely exposed.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the active insert is formed of an active material comprising at least one polymer and at least one active agent capable of interacting with one or more gaseous substances including moisture, oxygen and a volatile organic compound.

7. The container according to claim 1, in which the active insert reaches 50% of its maximum capacity in less than 12 days when the storage volume is subjected to an environment of 65% RH and 30° C.

8. The container according to claim 1, in which the empty interstice has a thickness of at least 0.05 mm, over at least 50% of the length L of the side wall of the active insert.

9. The container according to claim 1, in which the side wall of the active insert includes a flared upper part towards its upper extremity.

10. The container according to claim 1, in which an inner surface of the container body has a holding portion configured to hold the active insert inside the container body, with the holding portion including a peripheral recess and/or a protrusion.

11. The container according to claim 10, in which the holding portion is adjacent to an upper extremity of the active insert.

12. The container according to claim 11, in which an external diameter of the active insert at its upper extremity is greater than an internal diameter of a top of the protrusion.

13. The container according to claim 12, in which, when the active insert is placed inside the container body, the upper extremity of the active insert is arranged below the top of the protrusion.

14. The container according to claim 1, furthermore including a cap closing the opening of the container body, the cap preferably being hinged.

15. The container according to claim 14, wherein the cap is configured to cooperate with the side wall of the container body so as to form an airtight seal.

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

17. The container according to claim 14, having a moisture penetration rate of less than 10 μg/day/mm seal length at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity.

18. The container according to claim 14, having a moisture penetration rate of less than 375 mg/mm/m.sup.2/day at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity.

19. The container according to claim 14, furthermore including at least one of medical and pharmaceutical products in the storage volume.

20. The container according to claim 1, wherein the empty interstice extends over at least 80% of the outer surface of the side wall of the active insert.

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 invention.

(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) FIGS. 8A and 8B show respectively a view from above and a perspective view of an example of an insert that can be contained in the container according to the invention.

(7) FIGS. 9A and 9B show perspective views of another example of an insert that can be contained in the container according to the invention.

(8) FIG. 10 contains a graph showing the absorption of moisture over time of various containers. The x-axis represents time in days and the y-axis represents variation in the container's weight, in mg, representing the absorption of moisture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) The references below are used in the figures: 100 container 12 empty interstice (between the outer surface 609 of the side wall of the active insert 600 and the inner surface 115 of the container body 102) 14 empty interstice in the base (or bottom) 102, 102′ container body 103 horizontal part (or portion) of the flange 104 104 fastening element/flange 105 vertical part (or portion) of the flange 104 108 storage volume 110 peripheral recess (holding portion of the container body 102) 112 peripheral protrusion (holding portion of the container body 102) 113 top of peripheral protrusion 112 115 inner surface of container body 116 conical cavity on the inner surface of the bottom of the container body 102 118 peripheral cavity or groove on the inner surface of the container body 102 123 inclined surface on the inner surface of the bottom of the container body 102 150 junction area between the flange 104 and the side wall 202 of the container body 190″ axial ribs on the inner surface of the side wall of the container body 102″ 202 side wall of the container body 102 204 base (or bottom) of the container body 102 206 opening of the container body 102 300, 300′ container hermetically closed by a cap 310 hinged cap 312 ring 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 means 512 gripping portion (opening means) 514 cavity portion (opening means) 600, 600′, 600″ active insert 602, 602′, 602″ side wall of the active insert 604, 604′, 604″ base (or bottom) of the active insert 605, 605′, 605″ upper extremity of the active insert 606 lower extremity of the active insert 600 607, 607′, 607″ flared upper part of the active insert 609 outer surface of the active insert 600 613 portion of the outer surface 609 forming the outer surface of the flared upper part 607 of the active 600 insert 614, 614″ conical bulge on the outer surface of the base of the active insert 622, 622″ inclined surface on the outer surface of the base of the active insert 690″ elevated surfaces on the outer surface of the base of the active insert 600″ 692″ recessed surfaces on the outer surface of the base of the active insert 600″ 694″ bevelled surfaces on the outer surface of the base of the active insert 600″ 760 empty interstices formed by cuts or notches on the container body 860 cuts or notches 870 longitudinal ribs 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 part 103 S4 outer side surface of the vertical part S5 inner surface of the cap-connecting element T1 thickness of the horizontal part 103 of the flange 104 T2 thickness T2 of the side wall 202 of the container body 102

(10) FIGS. 1-3 show a container 100 according to the invention, without a cap. The container 100 includes a plastic container body 102 and an active insert 600 arranged inside the container body 102

(11) The container body 102 comprises a tubular side wall 202, a base 204 and an opening 206. The container body 102 defines a storage volume 108. In FIG. 2, the container is resting on its base 204. The side wall 202 of the container body 102 has a generally cylindrical shape, here in circular section.

(12) The active insert 600 includes a tubular side wall 602 with a length L, extending from a lower extremity 606 to an upper extremity 605. Here, the active insert also includes a base 604, axially spaced from its upper extremity 605.

(13) An empty interstice 12 between the side wall of the active insert and the side wall of the container body extends over at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, of the outer surface of the side wall of the active insert 600.

(14) The empty interstice 12 is in particular formed of an empty tubular space between the side walls of the active insert 600 and of the container body 102.

(15) The empty interstice 12 extends over at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, of the length L of the side wall 602 of the active insert 600. More specifically, the empty interstice 12 extends substantially throughout the length L of the side wall 602 of the active insert 600. Thus, an empty tubular space 12 extends substantially over the entire height of the active insert 600, from the outer surface 609, 613 of the active insert 600 to the inner surface of the container body 102.

(16) The width of this empty interstice 12 ranges from 0.05 mm (just below the upper extremity 605) to 0.3 mm (at the level of the side wall of the active insert which is adjacent to the base 604). In other words, the difference between the external diameter D1 of the active insert 600 and the internal diameter D2 of the container body 102 is at least 0.1 mm over at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, of the length L of the side wall of the active insert.

(17) An empty interstice 14 also extends substantially over the outer surface of the base 604 of the active insert 600.

(18) The external diameter D1 of the active insert 600 increases from its lower extremity 606 towards its upper extremity 605. Furthermore, the internal diameter D2 of the container body increases here slightly in the direction of the opening of the container body (from its lower extremity towards its upper extremity).

(19) The inner surface S2 of the side wall 202 of the container body 102 is configured to hold the active insert 600 within the container body 102. In particular, the inner surface of the side wall 202 of the container body 102 has a holding portion, provided by a protrusion 112 and a peripheral recess 110. The protrusion 112 is located above the upper extremity 605 of the active insert. Moreover, the peripheral recess 110 is configured to receive the upper extremity 605 of the active insert 600. In this way, the holding portion forms a stop that, by interacting with the upper extremity 605 of the active insert 600, prevents the active insert 600 from leaving its assembled position in the container body 102.

(20) Here, the holding the active insert inside in the container body does not require clamping between the side walls of the active insert and of the container body. However, a holding by clamping on a localised and restricted portion of the active insert can also be envisaged.

(21) As the outer surface 609, 613 of the active insert 600 is not pressed against the inner surface of the container body 102, this allows a better passage of the atmosphere of the storage volume 108 towards the empty interstice 12 along the outer surface 609, 613 of the active insert 600. The outer surface 609, 613 of the active insert 600 can therefore interact better with gaseous substances (in addition to the inner surface 115 directly accessible from the storage volume). Consequently, the exchange surface area (e.g. S.sub.exp) or active surface area between the active insert 600 and the atmosphere of the storage volume 108 is increased.

(22) Alternatively, the upper outer surface 613 may be pressed against the inner surface of the container body 102. The outer surface 609, 613 of the active insert 600 can interact with gaseous substances that permeate through the walls of the container body 102 (side wall and bottom wall) and that circulate around the periphery of the active insert 600 by the way of the tubular empty interstice 12.

(23) The side wall 602 of the active insert 600 includes a flared upper part 607. In other words, the external diameter of the active insert 600 near its upper extremity 605 clearly increases in relation to the remaining part of the active insert 600. In these figures, the height of the flared upper part 607 represents at most 10% of the total height of the active insert 600, and more specifically between 5 and 10% of the total height of the active insert 600. This flared part allows better holding of the active insert in the container body while accommodating an empty interstice 12. Furthermore, it may allow to further increase the distance between the side wall of the insert and the sidewall of the container body below the flared part. It may also facilitate the air to escape from the container body during the assembly of the insert in the container body and thus to limit the piston effect. For example, the vertical dotted line illustrated in FIG. 3 shows that, during the assembly, there may be no contact between the side wall of the insert and the side wall of the container until the flared upper part of the insert reaches the top 113 of the protrusion 112. Such an annular gap may be maintained between the insert and the container body during the assembly process which may allow the air to escape.

(24) The outer surface 613 of the flared upper part 607 of the active insert 600 forms, with the outer surface 609 of the active insert 600, an angle α of less than 180% preferably between 170 and 175°. This order of magnitude for the angle α is optimal because the active materials of which the active insert 600 is made of are generally not very flexible and can therefore break more easily, for example during assembly, if the dimensional constraints are not appropriate.

(25) The external diameter of the upper extremity 605 of the active insert 600 is less than the internal diameter of the container body 102 measured from the top of the peripheral recess 110 (as shown in FIG. 3). More particularly, the external diameter of the upper extremity 605 of the active insert 600 is more than the internal diameter of the container body 102 measured at the top 113 of the protrusion 112. In this manner, the insert is secured within the container body by snap-fit. There can be an edge-surface contact between the upper extremity of the insert and the inner surface of the side wall of the container body. In other words, in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction, the external diameter of the upper extremity 605 of the active insert 600 is larger than the facing internal diameter of the container body.

(26) FIG. 2 (and also FIG. 6) shows that the outer surface of the base of the active insert 600 furthermore includes an inclined surface 622. The inner surface of the base of the container body 102 includes an inclined surface 123 complementary to the inclined surface 622 of the base of the active insert 600. These complementary inclined surfaces allow the active insert to be guided during assembly inside the container and ensure proper centring of the active insert inside the container body (e.g. including the proper centring for maintaining the empty tubular interstice all around the periphery of the insert). More specifically, the outer surface of the base of the active insert 600 has a ring-shaped conical bulge 614 (having an inclined wall 622). Furthermore, the inner surface of the base of the container body 102 has a cavity 116 (having an inclined wall 123). The cavity 116 is configured to receive the conical bulge 614 of the base of the active insert.

(27) The container can be obtained by independently moulding the container body 102 and the active insert 600, preferably by injection (e.g. injection molding), then by assembling the active insert 600 inside the container body 102. The active insert 600 may be assembled within the container body 102 for example by pushing the active insert 600 into the container body 102, preferably within 24 hours after moulding the container body 102. This prevents damage, during assembly, to undercut elements present on the inner surface of the container body 102 (in particular the protrusion 112 and/or the recess 110 present in the inner surface of the container body). In addition, the plastic material in which the container body 102 is made tends to shrink and tighten around the active insert 600 when it cools, enabling the active insert 600 to be held in the container body 102, while leaving an empty interstice 12 that allows an increase in the exchange surface area between the active insert 600 and the surrounding air

(28) The container 100 can then be filled with medical and/or pharmaceutical products. The filling can then be followed by the closure of the opening of the container body 102 by a cap so as to obtain a hermetically sealed container (impermeable to air, water vapour or oxygen).

(29) The cap can be moulded with the container body 102 and connected to it by means of a hinge. Alternatively, the cap can be moulded separately and assembled on the container body 102, for example by means of a cap-connecting element configured to be fixed on a fastening means provided on the container body.

(30) FIGS. 4-6 show a closed container 300 consisting of the container 100 in FIGS. 1-3 and a hinged cap 310 assembled on the container body 102.

(31) With reference to FIGS. 1-7, the container body 102 furthermore includes a fastening means 104 configured to fix a cap. The fastening means can be any element enabling a cap or part of a cap to be fixed to the container body.

(32) In the figures, the fastening means 104 is a flange formed on the outer surface of the side wall 202 of the container body.

(33) The flange 104 is peripheral and continuous. In other words, the flange 104 is formed over the entire periphery of the container body 102. The flange 104 includes a horizontal portion 103 which extends perpendicularly from the outer surface S1 of the side wall 202 of the container body 102. The 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.

(34) Indeed, on the flanges of known containers 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.

(35) 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 is essential for the sealing surfaces to be correctly positioned when the hinged cap 310 is closed and thus for guarantee a good airtightness between the cap and the container body.

(36) 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 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.

(37) In the figures, the angular shape of the cross-section of the flange 104 is rounded. In other words, a radius is present between the upper surface of the horizontal portion 103 and the outer surface of the vertical portion 105, and optionally the outer edges of the angular shape may meet gently. This also makes it easier to snap, the hinged cap 310 being guided (e.g. by this rounded surface) and refocused around the flange 104 when it is assembled on the container body 102 and to reduce the downward pressures required for the assembly of the hinged cap 310 on the container body 102.

(38) 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 (e.g. slightly) increase the horizontal upper surface of the horizontal portion 103 and thus to further improve the holding of the hinged cap on the flange.

(39) The horizontal portion 103 has a thickness 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 spot where the flange 104 is formed on the container body 102. More particularly, as illustrated in the figures, the T1/T2 ratio is less than or equal to ⅔, and preferably at least equal to ⅓. This range of relative values makes it possible to reduce the risk of shrinkage (or surface defects due to a plastic material accumulation on area 150 at the junction of the flange and due 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.

(40) The cap 310 includes a lid portion 314, intended to close the opening of the container body in an airtight manner, and a ring connecting element 312, intended to be fixed by means of the fastening means 104 of the container body. The cap also has an optional hinge 412, connecting the lid portion 314 to the ring connecting element 312.

(41) The cap 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 sealed from the atmosphere outside the container.

(42) The hinged cap 310 also includes a tamper-evident means comprising here 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.

(43) The hinged cap 310 is also provided with an opening means comprising a gripping portion 512 formed on the lid portion 314 and a cavity portion 514 formed on the lid portion 314 and/or in the ring element 312. Such an opening means is ergonomic.

(44) Such a cap may for example be injection moulded in a single piece in the closed position, using slide moulds.

(45) In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the container 300′ includes a container body 102′ and an active insert 600′. The active insert 600′ is shown in FIGS. 8A-8B. The active insert 600′ can be similar to the active insert 600 of FIGS. 1-6, but also includes cuts or notches 860.

(46) The container body 102′ is similar to the container body 102 but with some differences. Alternatively, it could be identical to the container body 102.

(47) The active insert 600′ includes a flared upper part 607. The upper part may in variations not be flared.

(48) The holding portion of the container body 102′ includes a peripheral protrusion 112 and a peripheral recess 110 below the peripheral protrusion 112. The peripheral recess 110 is configured to receive the upper extremity of the flared part 607 of the active insert. Thus, the holding portion of the container body 102′ is configured to hold the active insert 600′, more specifically to interact with the part 607 of the side wall of the active insert. Here, the holding portion of the container body 102′ is configured to interact with the upper extremity 605 of the active insert. In other words, the upper extremity 605 of the active insert 600′ cooperates with a holding portion of the inner surface 115 of the container body 102′. More specifically, the outer surface of the (e.g. side wall of the) active insert 600′ is in contact with the inner surface of the container body 102′ only at its upper extremity 605 (contact of the edge-surface type).

(49) The inner surface 115 of the side wall of the container body 102 furthermore includes additional empty interstices 760 which include cuts or notches created on the peripheral protrusion 112. The cuts allow the passage of air behind the active insert 600′ (i.e. in the interstice 12 formed between the outer surface 609 of the active insert 600′ and the inner surface 115 of the container body 102′). In other words, the notches 760 bring a certain discontinuity to the peripheral protrusion 112.

(50) In this example, the upper extremity 605 of the active insert 600′ is in contact with the peripheral protrusion 112, except at the locations corresponding to the notches 760. Thus, the interstice 12 extend everywhere except on the surface where the peripheral protrusion 112 of the container body is in contact with the upper extremity 605 of the active insert (i.e. on an area of the peripheral protrusion 112 where there is no notch 760). In this way, the active insert 600′ can be inserted and held by clamping in the container body 102′, while the active surface (exchange surface) is increased by the presence of the empty interstice 12 and the interstices or grooves 760 which enable the air to circulate, substantially throughout the length of the insert.

(51) The connecting element of the cap comprises, on its inner surface, protrusions 321 and 323 intended to receive and fix the flange 104 of the container body 102′. The connecting element of the cap comprises, on its inner 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 102′.

(52) The connecting element of the cap comprises, on its inner surface, a vertical cylindrical surface S5 which cooperates with the vertical portion of the flange S4 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 105 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 (e.g. lightly) 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 a pressure on the vertical surface of the flange, which limits the rotation of the cap around the container body, particularly in the case of an open hinged cap.

(53) FIGS. 8A-8B show the active insert 600′, intended to be mounted in a container body 102 or 102′. The active insert 600′ includes at least one cut or notch 860 on its outer surface at its upper extremity 605. The cuts 860 allow a better circulation of air behind the active insert 600′ (e.g. around the outer surface of the active insert 600′) when the active insert is assembled in a container body by creating passages of air and, consequently, allow a greater atmosphere treatment kinetic inside the container.

(54) The active insert also includes longitudinal ribs 870, distributed on the periphery of the side wall of the active insert and on a lower part of the active insert. Alternatively, longitudinal ribs can be located on the inner surface of the side wall of the container body. The longitudinal ribs 870 create a clamping with the inner surface 115 of the container body 102, this clamping being on very localised contact areas. These ribs thus reinforce the holding of the active insert inside the container body and prevent the insert from moving sideways inside the container body. The height of the longitudinal ribs 870 is preferably less than 20% of the length L of the active insert. In this manner, when the insert is assembled into the container body, a tubular empty interstice can extend around the periphery of the insert on at least 80% of the length L of the insert. The longitudinal ribs are located on the lower extremity of the active insert.

(55) Alternatively, the insert can comprise no vertical ribs.

(56) In another embodiment, the container according to the invention can include a container body and an active insert 600″ as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

(57) The active insert 600″ is shown in FIG. 9A. It can be similar to the active insert 600 of FIGS. 1-6, with no ribs on the side wall 602″. The main difference is that it includes elevated 690 and recessed 692 surfaces on the external surface of the bottom 604″ of the active insert 600″. Such elevated and recessed surfaces contribute to increase the external surface of the bottom of the insert. The active insert 600″ also includes a flared upper part 607″. The outer surface of the flared upper part forms an angle α of between 135° and 175°, more preferably 170° and 175°. The outer surface of the base of the active insert has a conical bulge 614″ with an inclined wall 622″.

(58) The container body according to this embodiment (not shown) can be similar to the container body 102 in terms of internal surfaces or internal arrangements (irrespective of any external arrangement with a peripheral flange or not). In particular, the container body comprises, on the lower part of the inner surface of its side wall, 9 axial ribs distributed on the circumference of the inner surface of the side wall of the container body and intended to maintain the lower part of the insert by friction or gripping. The ribs are V-shaped in order to further limit the contact surface between the insert and the container body (as schematically represented in FIG. 9B by elements 190″). The container body also comprises a holding portion including a peripheral protrusion and a peripheral recess below the peripheral protrusion. The peripheral recess is configured to receive the upper extremity 605″ of the flared part 607″ of the active insert 600″ (as can be shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3). Consequently, two peripheral holding portions are provided, the first on the lower part of the active insert 600″ (in contact with the 9 longitudinal ribs 190″) and the second on the upper extremity 605″ of the active insert 600″ (snap-fitted below the peripheral protrusion and partially received within the peripheral recess on the inner surface of the side wall of the container body).

(59) Optionally, the inner surface of the base of the container body has a cavity having an inclined wall configured to receive the conical bulge 614″ of the base of the active insert (as for example shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 6).

(60) In this embodiment, a surrounding empty interstice is provided between the two holding portions, such that the air can circulate along the outer periphery of the insert in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Such a surrounding empty interstice preferably extends over at least 50%, preferably at least 80% of the length L of the side wall of the active insert.

(61) FIG. 9B shows more particularly the contact surfaces S.sub.contact between the outer surface of the active insert 600″ and the inner surface of the container body (not shown). These contact surfaces S.sub.contact are represented by: the contact between the upper extremity 605″ of the active insert 600″ and the inner surface of the container body (second holding portion): this contact surface has a vertical extension of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, more preferably less than 0.2 mm; the 9 contact lines between the 9 elements 190″ on the container body (representing the longitudinal V-shaped ribs distributed around the periphery on the inner surface of the side wall of the container body) and the lower part of the active insert 600″ (first holding portion): the ribs extend along less than 50%, preferably less than 20% of the length L of the active insert 600″; and optionally, the hatched surfaces on the bottom 604″ of the active insert 600″: the elevated surfaces 690″ can be in contact with the inner surface of the base of the container body.

(62) The remaining surface of the active insert is free from any contact with the container body. In other words, a large proportion of the outer surface of the side wall of the active insert is exposed. In particular, the contact surface S.sub.contact between the outer surface of the active insert and the inner surface of the container body is less than 5% of the total surface area of the active insert S.sub.insert, preferably less than 2%. This allows a better circulation of the air around the outer side of the insert while the insert is maintained immobile within the container body. Surprisingly, Inventors have found that such a reduced contact surface between the active insert and the container body may allow minimizing the thickness and volume of the surrounding empty interstice, without significantly affecting the absorption properties of the active insert. Superior absorption properties may be obtained by the new containers of the invention: For a given amount of active material (a given value of Vm), reducing the volume of the empty interstice may allow to increase the inner diameter of the active insert and such, the effective fill volume of the container by simultaneously providing excellent absorption kinetic; Similarly, for given effective volume (given inner diameter of the active insert), reducing the volume of the empty interstice may allow to increase the overall absorption capacity (increase Vm) of the desiccant insert.

EXAMPLES

(63) The following example illustrate the invention without limiting it.

Example 1

(64) A study on moisture absorption properties was carried out on containers with the same active insert I (same active material, same weight and same dimensions): Active insert I: consisting of an active material comprising 35% polystyrene and 65% molecular sieve 4 A. Weight (initial) of the active insert I: 5.9 g. Container S: container body and active insert I, the container body being over moulded around active insert I. Weight (initial) of the container S: 13.3 g. Container S has no empty interstice between the container body and active insert I. There is no empty interstice between the outer surface of insert I and the inner surface of the container body, the 2 surfaces being in close contact over the whole outer surface of the insert. Container A: container body and active insert I, the active insert I being moulded separately from the container body and subsequently assembled inside the container body. Weight (initial) of the container A: 11.0 g Container B: container body and active insert I, the active insert I being moulded separately from the container body and subsequently assembled inside the container body. Weight (initial) of the container B: 11.6 g

(65) Containers A, B and S are designed to receive a cap connected to the container body by a hinge.

(66) Unlike container S, containers A and B have an empty interstice between the active insert and the container body over at least 50% of the outer surface 609 of the active insert I, allowing the passage of air. Furthermore, both containers A and B have a contact surface S.sub.contact between the outer surface of the active insert and the inner surface of the container body of less than 5% of the total surface of the active insert S.sub.insert, and even less than 2%.

(67) Furthermore, containers A and B have the following parameters:

(68) TABLE-US-00001 Thickness “ei” of the empty interstice (mm): Container A Container B at the upper extremity of the active insert 0.04 0 at the height of the insert h.sub.1 = ¾ L 0.12 0.02 at a height h.sub.2 = ½ L 0.23 0.13 at the lower extremity of the active insert 0.37 0.27 V.sub.m/S.sub.exp ratio 0.70 0.70

(69) The active insert I alone (not assembled on a container body), as well as containers A, B and S, are placed in a climate chamber maintained at 30° C. and 65% RH (relative humidity). Containers A, B and S are tested open, with no cap.

(70) The containers are weighed before being placed in the climate chamber and their mass W(0) is recorded. The containers are then weighed over time t and their mass W(t) is also recorded. The variation in mass DW(t)=W(t)−W(0) represents the quantity of moisture absorbed by the active insert I.

(71) DW(inf) represents the variation in mass in equilibrium, i.e. the maximum quantity of moisture absorbed by the active insert (I) in the climatic conditions of the experiment. DW(inf) is reached when the variation in mass per day is less than 0.05%. That is to say when the following condition is verified for 2 consecutive measurements on days t2 and t1 with t2≥t1+7:

(72) $\frac{\mathrm{DW}\left(t2\right)-\mathrm{DW}\left(t1\right)}{(\mathrm{DW}\left(t2\right)*\left(t2-t1\right)}<0\text{,}05\%$

(73) The moisture absorption results are shown in FIG. 10.

(74) The horizontal axis t (d) represents time in days. The vertical axis DW(t)/DW(inf) represents the relative saturation rate of the active insert, i.e. the percentage of the quantity of moisture absorbed by active insert I at moment t in relation to its maximum absorption capacity under the same climatic conditions (30° C., 65% humidity).

(75) The containers in which the active insert has an empty interstice between the active insert and the container body over at least 50% of the outer surface 609 of active insert I absorb moisture more rapidly than the containers that do not have an empty interstice and in which the container body is over moulded around the active insert.

(76) Increasing the gap between the insert and the container body, i.e. increasing the thickness of the empty interstice, did not significantly increase the moisture absorption rate: containers A and B both reached 50% saturation in less than 10 days, while less than 4 days are required for the active insert I alone (not assembled on a container body), and more than 16 days are required for the container S without empty interstice in order to reach this same relative saturation of 50%.

(77) In order to maximise the internal storage volume, a (reduced) thickness of the empty interstice is preferable. Preferably, the thickness of the empty interstice is less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, more preferably less than 0.3 mm.

Example 2

(78) A study on moisture absorption properties was carried out on containers with an active insert made of the same active material but having different dimensions. Container A: container body and active insert I, active insert I being moulded separately from the container body and subsequently assembled inside the container body.

(79) Active insert I: consisting of an active material comprising 35% polystyrene and 65% molecular sieve 4 A. V.sub.m/S.sub.exp ratio=0.70.

(80) Container A is the same container as described in example 1. Container C: container body and active insert Ic, active insert Ic being moulded separately from the container body and subsequently assembled inside the container body.

(81) Active insert Ic: consisting of an active material comprising 35% polystyrene and 65% molecular sieve 4 A. V.sub.m/S.sub.exp ratio=0.86

(82) The two containers A and C have an empty interstice between the active insert and the container body over at least 50% of the outer surface of the active insert, but they have a different V.sub.m/S.sub.exp ratio.

(83) As previously (example 1), containers A and C are placed, in the open configuration, with no cap, in a climate chamber maintained at 30° C. and 65% RH (relative humidity). The containers are weighed over time t. Their variation in mass over time represents the quantity of humidity absorbed by their respective active inserts.

(84) The moisture absorption results are shown as previously (example 1) in FIG. 10.

(85) The horizontal axis represents time in days. The vertical axis represents the relative saturation rate of the active insert, i.e. the fraction DW(t)/DW(inf). Moisture absorption is clearly improved for the containers with a V.sub.m/S.sub.exp ratio 0.75 (the time to reach 50% of saturation is almost 2 times less for container A than for container C). The containers, in which the active insert has an empty interstice between the active insert and the container body over 50% of the external surface 609, reach 50% of their maximum adsorption capacity in less than 12 days, or even in less than 10 days.

(86) The active inserts tested in this example have an absorption capacity DW(inf) greater than 800 mg, i.e. the containers according to the invention enable the absorption of at least 400 mg of water in less than 12 days, preferably less than 10 days when they are kept in a climate chamber at 30° C. and 65% RH (relative humidity). The containers according to the invention are distinguished by a more rapid moisture absorption.