EP3083422B1

EP3083422B1 - Vial for fluid products, particularly for medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like

Info

Publication number: EP3083422B1
Application number: EP14836972.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Fontana
Original assignee: Lameplast SRL
Current assignee: Lameplast SRL
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2014-12-15
Publication date: 2018-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-15
Also published as: EP3083422A1; ITMO20130358A1; WO2015092641A1; ES2668462T3

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vial for fluid products, particularly for medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like.

Background Art

With particular reference to pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic industries the use is known of vials made of polymer material for packing one or more doses of fluid, liquid or paste products.
The known vials can be of the re-closable or disposable type and generally comprise a containment body containing a predetermined dose of product, with a substantially tubular and elongated shape, having an extremity provided with a neck, at the top of which is defined a product dispensing mouth.
The opposite extremity of the containment body is provided with an opening able to introduce the product, which is closed after filling, e.g., by sealing. Closing means removably associable with the vials in correspondence to the neck, permit the occlusion of the dispensing mouth.
The containment body and the closing means can be made separately, using forming techniques such as injection moulding or blowing, and subsequently assembled, or, alternatively, they can be made in a single body piece using the same techniques and subsequently separated before being used by a user. Furthermore, the containment body is provided with a pair of fins able to ensure the easier grip of the vial by a user, and which extend, diametrically opposite one another, from the outer lateral surface of the containment body itself.
The known vials can be made in single units or associated the one with the other in series to form a so-called "strip"; in this latter case, the fins of the containment bodies of two successive vials are temporarily associated with one another in correspondence to connection lines with easily breakable weakened sections, which permit separating one vial from the other.
With particular reference to the closing means and to their conformation, different types of vials are known according to the different ways they are used and made.
One particular type of known vial envisages, e.g., the use of a closing body which, during moulding, is made with a portion fastened to the neck of the vial along a pre-established breaking area, to occlude the dispensing mouth.
In other words, the containment body and the closing body are made in a single monolithic piece so the dispensing mouth of the vial is created initially closed and can be opened by tearing the closing element off the containment body.
To permit the grip and removal of the closing body, the latter has a grip key, of various shapes, which allows it to rotate around itself with respect to the containment body so as to break the pre-established breaking area.
Vials of this type are shown in the patent document EP 0326529 .
These known vials are however susceptible to further upgrading.
It is in fact underlined how, in the absence of a medical prescription, the ingestion of certain products contained in the vials (e.g., medicinal or pharmaceutical products) can be dangerous and the need has therefore arisen to provide vials having anti-tampering childproof means.
In this respect, the vials shown in EP 0326529 have shown themselves not to be very effective, inasmuch as even a child, after a few attempts, can manage to tear the closing body by means of the grip key, thereby obtaining access to the contents.
To this must be added that these vials of known type do not guarantee the integrity and the sterility of the product packed in them.
When these traditional vials are handled or placed in containers (drawers, cabinets, cases, etc.), in fact, their grip key can be subject to accidental and involuntary knocks, such as to break the pre-established breaking area before the fluid product is actually used.
A special type of vial, with the features of the preamble of appended claim 1, is disclosed by the patent document GB 2 039 267 .

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a vial for fluid products, particularly for medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like which children cannot open.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a vial for fluid products, particularly for medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like which is able to better resist knocks and ensure the integrity and sterility of the fluid product packed in it.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vial for fluid products, particularly for medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like which allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.
The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present vial for fluid products, particularly for medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like, having the characteristics of claim 1, and by the strip of vials of claim 10.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better evident from the description of several preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a vial for fluid products, particularly for medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like, illustrated by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view illustrating a strip of vials according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figures 2 and 3 are axonometric views illustrating the opening of one of the vials of figure 1;
Figure 4 is an axonometric view illustrating a strip of vials according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figures 5 and 6 are axonometric views illustrating the opening of one of the vials of figure 4.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in figures from 1 to 3, globally indicated by 1 is a vial for fluid products, particularly for medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like.
In this respect, it is specified that in the present treatise by the term "fluid products" not only liquid products are meant but also viscous products, e.g., in the state of paste and gel, and powder products, in particular very fine powders having great fluidity.
The vial 1 comprises a hollow body 2 which is intended to contain a fluid product.
The hollow body 2 has a lateral surface on which is defined at least one (preferably two) substantially protruding spacing fin 3, which is associated in a removable way along a weakened area 4 with the spacing fin 3 of one or more adjacent vials 1, so as to form a strip S of vials 1 made in a monolithic body, i.e., in a single body piece (figure 1).
In correspondence to an extremity of the hollow body 2 is defined a substantially rectilinear sealing edge 8.
As any person expert in the sector knows, at the point where the sealing edge 8 is present, a mouth had been previously obtained which made possible access to the inner volume of the hollow body 2; the closure of the mouth, obtained as said by means of the sealing of its edges, is done once the fluid product has been introduced, before placing the vial 1 on the market.
On the substantially opposite side with respect to the sealing edge 8, the vial 1 extends along a longitudinal axis A in a neck 9 which terminates in at least a closing body 5.
The closing body 5 is made up of a monolithic body together with the hollow body 2 and, in an initial configuration, is joined to the hollow body 2 along a pre-established breaking line 6 able to allow the separation of the closing body 5 from the hollow body 2 in an opening configuration wherein, on the hollow body 2, in correspondence to the pre-established breaking line 6, an outflow opening 7 is obtained through which the fluid product can be dispensed.
The closing body 5 has a maximum extension of less than 1 cm.
In this respect, it is specified that, within the ambit of the present treatise, by "maximum extension" of the closing body 5 is meant the maximum dimension of the body itself in all spatial directions: height, width and length.
In practice, the reduced dimensions of the closing body 5 on the one hand do not allow the user to easily grip it with his/her fingers and, on the other, make the closing body 5 less exposed and vulnerable to accidental knocks.
In this respect, it is underlined that, by virtue of these characteristics, in the initial configuration, the closing body 5 is completely uncovered, i.e., not protected by rigid covering hoods or caps.
The closing body 5 has a substantially cubic shape.
More in detail, the closing body 5 has substantially the shape of a cube with the sides measuring less than 0.5 cm.
This conformation, so compact and collected, is considerably effective for obtaining both the previously-mentioned results, i.e., lack of grip by the user and lesser vulnerability to accidental knocks.
To remove the closing body 5, at least a release lever 10 is provided which, in the initial configuration, is spaced apart from the closing body 5 and which can be arranged in a coupling configuration in which it is associated in a prismatic way with the closing body 5 to lever on the body itself and remove it by tearing off from the hollow body 2, to obtain the opening configuration.
It is possible to provide just one release lever 10 to be used for the opening of all the vials 1 of the strip S but, preferably, the strip S has a plurality of release levers 10, at least one for each of the vials 1.
The release levers 10 are made in a monolithic body with the hollow bodies 2 and the closing bodies 5 and, in the initial configuration, are joined to the hollow bodies 2 along a breakable length 11 able to allow the separation of the release levers 10 from the hollow bodies 2.
In the embodiment shown in figure 1, in the initial configuration, each lever 10 is joined to a corresponding hollow body 2.
In particular, each release lever 10 is joined in part to the neck 9 and in part to one of the spacing fins 3 of the relative vial 1.
In other words, therefore, each vial 1 has its own dedicated release lever 10 and can be easily separated from the others and used in a totally independent way. The release lever 10 comprises a prismatic coupling seat 12 and the closing body 5 has a lateral surface 5a shaped substantially matching with the prismatic coupling seat 12.
In this respect, the fact is underlined that the closing body 5 is, as already said, substantially cube-shaped and the lateral surface 5a is defined by four faces of the cube adjacent to one another and slightly concave.
Advantageously, the release lever 10 consists of a plate-shaped element having a shaped cavity defining the prismatic coupling seat 12.
In the embodiment shown in the figures from 1 to 3, the shaped cavity 12 is blind, i.e., it is obtained on a pre-established face of the plate-shaped element 10 and has a closed bottom.
The opening of each vial 1, therefore, occurs as follows:

the release lever 10 is detached by tearing off the breakable length 11 (figure 1);
the release lever 10 is coupled to the closing body 5 by fitting the shaped cavity 12 over the closing body 5 (figure 2);
leverage is made on the closing body 5, e.g., by rotating the release lever 10 around the longitudinal axis A, so as to break the pre-established breaking line (figure 3).

In the embodiment shown in the figures from 1 to 3, the strip S is made with the vials 1 in the initial configuration using the blowing technique which permits obtaining multi-layer walls of polymer material (of the polyethylene and/or polypropylene type) and/or barrier material (LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE, EVOH). The figures from 4 to 6 show an alternative embodiment of the vials 1 collected in a strip S.
Apart from a number of shape differences compared to the previous embodiment solution, in this embodiment as well, the vial 1 comprises a hollow body 2, spacing fins 3 connected to the spacing fins 3 of the adjacent vials 1, a sealing edge 8, a longitudinal axis A, a neck 9 and a closing body 5 totally similar in concept to those of the previous embodiment, to the detailed description of which full reference is made.
In particular, it is underlined that, in the initial configuration, the closing body 5 continues to be joined to the hollow body 2 along the pre-established breaking line 6 which is breakable thanks to the use of at least a release lever 10a, 10b.
In the embodiment shown in the figures from 4 to 6, as well, the strip S has a plurality of release levers 10a, 10b, made in a monolithic body with the hollow bodies 2 and the closing bodies 5 and, in the initial configuration, these are joined to the hollow bodies 2 along breakable lengths 11.
Unlike what is shown in the previous embodiment, nevertheless, wherein each release lever 10 is joined only to a corresponding hollow body 2, in the solution shown in the figures from 4 to 6 at least one of the release levers 10a, 10b is joined to two hollow bodies 2 of two adjacent vials 1, along two corresponding breakable lengths 11.
In particular, the strip S shown in figure 4 consists of three vials 1, two of which external and one internal.
The external vials 1 have a dedicated release lever 10a, which is joined to their hollow body 2, and a shared release lever 10b, positioned between each external vial 1 and internal vial 1; it is easy to appreciate therefore that the internal vial 1 also has two release levers, i.e., the shared release levers 10b.
In other words, the strip S shown in the figure 4 has a higher number of release levers 10a, 10b than the actual number of vials 1, ensuring in any case that for each vial 1 practical and easy access is possible to at least one release lever 10a, 10b.
In the embodiment shown in the figures from 4 to 6 as well, the release levers 10a, 10b advantageously consist of plate-shaped elements 10a, 10b having a shaped cavity 12 defining the prismatic coupling seat 12 which can be coupled to the closing bodies 5.
Unlike what is shown in the figures from 1 to 3, however, the shaped cavity 12 is not blind and is obtained passing through the plate-shaped element 10a, 10b. The opening of each vial 1, therefore, occurs as follows:

one of the release levers 10a, 10b is detached, by tearing off the relative breakable length 11 (figure 4);
the release lever 10a, 10b is coupled to the closing body 5 by introducing, from side to side, the closing body 5 through the shaped cavity 12 (figure 5);
leverage is made on the closing body 5, e.g., by rotating the release lever 10a, 10b around the longitudinal axis A, so as to break the pre-established breaking line (figure 3).

In the embodiment shown in the figures from 4 to 6, the strip S is made with the vials 1 in the initial configuration, using the injection moulding method and polymer materials of the polyethylene or polypropylene type.

Claims

Vial (1) for fluid products, particularly for medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like, comprising:
- at least a hollow body (2) for the containment of a fluid product;

- at least a closing body (5), which is made in a single body piece with said hollow body (2) and which, in an initial configuration, is joined to said hollow body (2) along a pre-established breaking line (6) able to allow the separation of said closing body (5) from said hollow body (2) in an opening configuration wherein on said hollow body (2) is obtained an outflow opening (7) of said fluid product in correspondence to said pre-established breaking line (6); and

- at least a release lever (10; 10a, 10b) which, in said initial configuration, is spaced apart from said closing body (5), and which can be arranged in a coupling configuration in which it is associated in a prismatic way with said closing body (5) to lever on said closing body (5) and remove it by tearing off from said hollow body (2), to obtain said opening configuration;
characterized by the fact that said release lever (10; 10a, 10b) is made in a single body piece with said hollow body (2) and said closing body (5) and, in said initial configuration, is joined to said hollow body (2) along a breakable length (11) able to allow the separation of said release lever (10; 10a, 10b) from said hollow body (2).
Vial (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said closing body (5) is substantially cube-shaped.
Vial (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said closing body (5) has a maximum extension of less than 1 cm.
Vial (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said closing body (5) has substantially the shape of a cube with the sides measuring less than 0.5 cm.
Vial (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said release lever (10; 10a, 10b) comprises a prismatic coupling seat (12) and said closing body (5) has a lateral surface (5a) which is shaped substantially matching with said prismatic coupling seat (12).
Vial (1) according to the claim 5, characterized by the fact that said release lever (10; 10a, 10b) comprises a plate-shaped element having a shaped cavity defining said prismatic coupling seat (12).
Vial (1) according to the claim 6, characterized by the fact that said shaped cavity (12) has a closed bottom.
Vial (1) according to the claim 6, characterized by the fact that said shaped cavity (12) is obtained through said plate-shaped element (10a, 10b).
Vial (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said hollow body (2) comprises at least a substantially protruding spacing fin (3) which is associated along a weakened area (4) with the spacing fin (3) of another vial (1) arranged adjacent to form a strip of vials (1) made in a single body piece.
Strip (S) of vials for fluid products, particularly for medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like, comprising a plurality of vials (1) made in a single body piece and joined together along weakened areas (4), each of said vials (1) comprising:
- at least a hollow body (2) for the containment of a fluid product; and

- at least a closing body (5), which is made in a single body piece with said hollow body (2) and which, in an initial configuration, is joined to said hollow body (2) along a pre-established breaking line (6) able to allow the separation of said closing body (5) from said hollow body (2) in an opening configuration wherein on said hollow body (2) is obtained an outflow opening (7) of said fluid product in correspondence to said pre-established breaking line (6);
characterized by the fact that:
- said strip (S) comprises a plurality of release levers (10; 10a, 10b), of which at least one for each of said vials (1), wherein said release lever (10; 10a, 10b), in said initial configuration, is spaced apart from said closing bodies (5), and it can be arranged in a coupling configuration in which it is associated in a prismatic way with at least one of said closing bodies (5) to lever on said closing body (5) and remove it by tearing off from said hollow body (2), to obtain said opening configuration; and

- said release levers (10; 10a, 10b) are made in a single body piece with said hollow bodies (2) and said closing bodies (5) and, in said initial configuration, are joined to said hollow bodies (2) along a breakable length (11) able to allow the separation of said release levers (10; 10a, 10b) from said hollow bodies (2).
Strip according to the claim 10, characterized by the fact that said hollow bodies (2) of the vials (1) comprise at least a substantially protruding spacing fin (3) which is associated along said weakened area (4) with the spacing fin (3) of another vial (1) arranged adjacent.
Strip according to the claim 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that, in said initial configuration, each of said release levers (10) is joined to a corresponding hollow body (2).
Strip according to the claim 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that, in said initial configuration, at least one of said release levers (10a, 10b) is joined to two of said hollow bodies (2) of two adjacent vials (1) along two corresponding breakable lengths (11).