EP3573900A1

EP3573900A1 - Receiving container, method for filling a receiving container, method for transporting receiving containers and use of a receiving container

Info

Publication number: EP3573900A1
Application number: EP17701478.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guido VOLLRATH; Werner BRÜSTLE; Richard WIESLI; Stanko MARKOVIC; Marc Germann
Original assignee: Nolato Treff AG
Current assignee: Nolato Treff AG
Priority date: 2017-01-24
Filing date: 2017-01-24
Publication date: 2019-12-04
Also published as: WO2018137760A1; US20210331843A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a receiving container (1) comprising a body (2) and a lid (3). The body (2) has an open end and a closed end. The lid (3) can at least partially be inserted into the open end of the body (2) in order to close the body (2). The lid (3) comprises at least one plastic component (3'') which is designed such that it can be penetrated by a cannula and is fluid-tight once the cannula is removed. The container (1) is designed such that the lid (3) can adopt at least one first and one second closed position. In the first closed position, a void in the body can be filled by a cannula through the lid (3) and gas can escape from the void by way of at least one ventilation path. In the second closed position the at least one ventilation path is closed.

Description

The present invention relates to a receptacle, a method for filling receptacles, a method for transporting receptacles and the use of receptacles according to the independent claims. Containers (for example in the form of vials) are used, inter alia, for the storage and analysis of chemical and biological samples.

When filling such containers, the pressure in the cavity increases due to the displacement of the gas present through the sample or the filling is prevented by a counter-pressure present in the container. It must be ensured that a filling is possible and that the overpressure does not lead to a leak and the contents leak out unintentionally or that the filling is not prevented by the resulting overpressure.

EP 0 517 121 proposes a vial having two open ends. In one end, a cap is inserted. The cap has a vent channel. The vial is filled by the opposite, open side. The vorhande ^¬ ne gas exits during the filling over the vent passage of the cap. After filling, the cap is pushed further into the vial, so that the vent channel is completely in the vial and an O-ring closes the fluid connection to the environment.

Since one side of the vial remains open, the vial is not sealed to the environment after being filled. A contact Therefore, minimizing the sample after filling can not be prevented. In addition, it can not be ensured that the vial is not contaminated before being filled by the open end.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide easily fillable Be ^¬ containers which allow reliable filling and simply prevent contamination of the samples. This object is achieved with a container of the independent claim.

The container, preferably a vial, comprises a body and a lid. The body has an open end and a ge ^¬ connected end. The lid is at least partially insertable into the open end of the body to close the body. The lid comprises at least one plastic component, which is designed such that it can be pierced by a cannula and, after removal of the cannula, is fluid-tight (ie sealed against gas and liquid passage). The container is designed so that the lid can assume at least a first and a second closed position. In the first closed position, a cavity of the body can be filled with a cannula through the lid. Gas can escape from the cavity in the first closed position via at least one venting path. In the second closed position, the at least one venting path is closed.

A container according to the invention can be filled with the aid of a cannula, which can be pierced directly through the lid. The gas present in the cavity (eg air or an inert gas) can escape via the venting path. This will sicherge ^¬ represents that no arises to high overpressure in the vial, which could lead to a leak or another filling by the Prevents pressure. Since the lid is introduced in the first closure position ^¬ at least partially into the container, a contamination of the cavity before filling is at least minimized. After filling, the lid is brought into the second closed position, in which the venting path is closed. In the second closed position, the cavity with the sample is hermetically separated from the environment.

Preferably, the cover in the second locked position is further introduced into the body, as in the first shutter ^¬ position. Thereby, the lid can be easily brought from the first to the second closed position. Thus, the lid can be manually or automatically inserted further into the container by applying pressure, in order to adopt the second closed position in which the venting path is closed.

Alternatively, the second closure position can be achieved for example by a rotation of the lid relative to the container.

The lid preferably has grooves with at least partially ^{circumferential} sealing surfaces. The at least one venting path preferably comprises a recess in a sealing surface of a first groove. A sealing surface of at least one second groove, however, is formed circumferentially. The container preferably has at least one counter rib, which with the

Sealing surfaces of the grooves can come into operative connection. In the first closed position, the opposite occurs with the rib Dichtflä ^¬ che the first groove operatively connected. Through the recess, the air can escape from the cavity during filling. Thereafter, the lid is further inserted into the cavity, so that the counter rib comes into operative connection with the circumferential sealing surface of the second groove. Since this sealing surface formed circumferentially is (ie has no recess), no air can escape from the cavity. The venting path is thus closed.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the lid comprises a rib and the container comprises at least two counter-grooves with at least partially ^¬ circumferential sealing surfaces, wherein a sealing surface of a first counter-groove comprises a recess and a Dichtflä ^¬ che of the second counter-groove is formed circumferentially. The rib in the lid can be in operative connection with the two sealing surfaces. In the first position, in turn gas can escape through the recess from the cavity.

It is also conceivable that the recess is present in a rib (in the lid or in the container) instead of the sealing surface of the groove.

Further alternatively, it would also be conceivable that the venting path comprises a bore in a side wall of the container, which can be closed from the inside by rotation of the lid. It would also be conceivable that the venting ^path comprises a tube in ei ^¬ nem two- or multi-part lid. A portion of the lid could be rotated relative to the at least one further part so that the tube is no longer formed throughout and a ventilation path is closed with it.

Preferably, the cavity comprises between 0.5 and 2 ml, more preferably 1 ml. Containers having such cavities have been found to be suitable for various samples. Containers ^{according to the} invention can also be designed with cavities with higher or lower volumes. Preferably, the body is 30-60 mm, more preferably 40-55 mm, more preferably 50 mm long.

The lid preferably has an area which is not insertable into the body. For example, one end of the lid may have a higher radius than the part of the lid which can be introduced into the container. The radius of this end is preferably the same size as an outer radius of the container at the open end, so that an outer side of the lid in the inserted state is flush with the outside of the container. This allows the lid over the ^¬ not brought range can be easily removed from the container when force can be put on the cover over a non introduced outside ^¬ page.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the lid can be completely inserted into the container.

Preferably, the cover has at least one at least partially encircling retaining groove on an outer side of the region which can not be introduced into the body. The circumferential or partial retaining ^¬ groove facilitates manual or mechanical removal of the lid in addition. Due to the retaining groove, an outer side of the cover in the non-insertable region has a structure which makes removal easier. In addition, for example, at an automatic distance, a counterpart to the retaining groove can be introduced into the retaining groove in order to improve a power transmission to the cover. Preferably, the lid has two plastic components or consists of two plastic components. The two components differ in their Shore hardness. The component with the lower Shore hardness is in an area of the lid Radially arranged within the component with the higher Shore hardness ^¬ . In addition, the shore-harder component is formed in the circumferential direction without interruption at least in a region of the lid which can be introduced into the body.

The component with the lower Shore hardness allows Pe ^¬ penetration with the cannula and subsequent sealing against the environment, as previously described. The shore harder component imparts additional stability to the lid by the uninterrupted design at least in the area which is inserted into the body. Due to the increased stability, the tightness of the lid can be increased again. Thus, in ^¬ example, by the shore-harder component, the contact pressure between the body and lid remains substantially the same even after prolonged storage.

If the shore-harder component is the radially outermost layer, it ensures contact between the inner surface of the body and the outer surface of the lid, which seals the contents of the container from the outside.

Alternatively, an additional component may be present radially outward, at least in the area that is introduced into the body. This layer is preferably formed from a shore-softer plastic than the circumferentially formed shore harder component. Using the shore softer Kom ^¬ component, in turn, an increased sealing effect between the lid and container can be achieved. The shore-softer component is preferably at least partially ^¬ in the region of the lid, which is introduced into the body, circumferentially surrounded by the shore-harder component. By such an arrangement, the lid in the region which can be introduced into the body is stably formed. The shore-softer component of the lid can be circumferentially surrounded by the shore-harder component over the entire length in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container or at least at a point of the lid, which is not introduced into the body, extend radially outward.

The shore softer component may be EXISTING ^¬ also in the area, which is introduced into the body, only over a certain length. In one area, for example, only the shore harder component is present, which thus forms a cavity.

It is also possible that the shore softer component radially running at ^¬ game as displayed on the closed end toward the end to the outside. The shore-softer component can thus be surrounded by the shore-harder component only over a certain length in the region which can be arranged within the cover.

Preferably, the shore-harder component is a polypropylene and the shore-softer component is an elastomer. As shore softer components, for example, thermoplastic elastomers, rubber or silicone are possible. The thermoplastic elastomer preferably has a Shore hardness in the range of 35-48 Shore A, measured according to ISO 7619. An elastomer works well for the required conditions. Thus, the elastomer allows penetration with the cannula. Further, the elastomer seals the passage site after removal of the cannula again. Other plastics that meet the penetration and Dichtungsanfor ^¬ requirements, are conceivable. The body preferably has at least one conically tapering section on the outside. This conical section has the closed end.

Such geometry, in turn, ensures that there is no hooking between two containers. In addition, the container can be automatically transferred to a correct position if the position is detected by means of the geometry. Thus it can be brought at ^¬ playing manner for a sample removal through the cannula of the container in an upright position.

Alternatively, the container may also have a different geometry. For example, missing a conical section on the off ^¬ senseite. Preferably, the body is formed so that it has a Konizi ^¬ ity in a lower quarter of 10-15 ° and has a Koni ^¬ capacity in an upper part of 1-5 °.

It is also possible that only the lower quarter or only the upper part are conical.

The body preferably has an outer surface

Flange open at the end. A flange allows easy gripping of the container with a fork-shaped support member. The support member should be designed so that a distance of the tines is greater than the diameter of the container below the flange, but smaller than the diameter of the container at the flange. So the container can be inserted and lifted into the tines.

In addition, the flange ensures that if a lid with a larger diameter than the vial is used, no additional edge is formed by the lid. The flange is preferably formed conically, with the largest diameter is arranged at the open end. This largest outer diameter of the flange should correspond to the outer diameter of the lid, so that no additional edge is created.

In a preferred embodiment, the body comprises or consists of two plastic components. At least one Comp ^¬ component is fully opaque or opaque formed and arranged at the closed end of the body. This at least one fully opaque or opaque component has a code, preferably ^¬ example a 2D bar code, particularly preferably a data matrix code, for identifying on. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the code is applied to a non-opaque or transparent component.

With the help of the code, the container and thereby the sample can be clearly identified and identified. This allows the container to be handled fully automatically and the sample of the container to be properly assigned. In addition, such a code allows anonymization of the container or the sample.

Alternatively, a code other than a 2D code may be used, such as a color code.

Preferably, the fully opaque or opaque component includes or consists of polypropylene. Polypropylene allows easy production of a fully opaque or opaque component. In addition, it allows the production in a 2 K injection molding process, together with the rest of the body.

Alternatively, the fully opaque or opaque component can also be made of another suitable material.

Preferably, the lid and / or the body of the container is produced by an injection molding process, preferably a 2K injection molding process.

An injection molding process allows the parts of the container to be manufactured with consistent, high quality. By means of the 2 K injection molding process, the parts can be produced with two plastic components in one manufacturing process.

The invention also relates to a method for filling a loading ^¬ hälters, preferably a container as described previously. The method includes the steps:

- providing a container having a body and a lid, wherein the lid is introduced in a first closure Stel ^¬ lung into the body,

Piercing the lid with a cannula,

- filling the container through the cannula, wherein the gas at least a vent path deviates from a cavity on ent ^¬,

- Arranging the lid in a second closed position, so that the at least one venting path is closed.

Preferably, the lid is further inserted into the body to place the lid in the second closed position. The invention also relates to a method for transporting containers in a tube system with air flow. The method uses one of the containers described above.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of one of the previously described containers in an air-powered tube system. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments in combination with the schematic figures. FIG. 1 shows a lid of a vial according to the invention; FIG.

2 shows an external view of a vial according to the invention in the closed state;

3 shows an external view of a vial according to the invention in the open state

4a-c: a longitudinal section through a vial according to the invention in different closure positions;

5a, b: a longitudinal section through a vial according to the invention in different closure positions. FIG. 1 shows a lid 3 of a vial 1 according to the invention (see FIG. 2 or 3). The lid 3 is partially insertable into an open end of a body 2 (see Figure 2 or 3) and is formed of two components 3 ^λ , 3 ^{λ λ} , which differ in their Shore hardness. The lid 3 is with a 2 K

Injection molding process. The shore-harder component 3 ^λ is a polypropylene. The shore-softer component 3 ^{λ λ} is a thermoplastic elastomer with a Shore hardness of 40 Shore A according to ISO 7619 measured. The shore-softer component 3 ^{λ λ} is in a region of the lid 3, which can be introduced into the body 2, in the circumferential direction completely surrounded by the shore-harder component 3 ^λ . In an upper end of the lid 3, however, the shore-softer component 3 ^{λ λ runs} radially outward. The Shore-softer component 3 ^{λ λ} extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vial 1 only over a partial distance of the shore harder component 3 ^λ . A towards the closed end zei ^¬ ing end of the lid 3 is formed only by the shore-harder compo ^¬ nent 3 ^λ , which forms an additional, open on one side cavity.

The shore-softer component 3 ^{λ λ} allows a penetration of the lid with a cannula for sample filling and / or sampling. After removal of the cannula from the cover 3, closes the shore-softer component 3 ^{λ λ} the passage opening automatically ^¬ table.

The lid 3 has a lower region 5, which can be introduced into the body 2. In addition, the lid 3 has an upper region 4 which has a larger radius than the lower region 5 and can not be introduced into the body 2. The lower region has two grooves 6. A sealing surface ei ^¬ ner lower groove 6 ^λ is partially formed circumferentially. A recess 7 interrupts the sealing surface of the lower groove 6 ^λ . A sealing surface of an upper groove 6 ^{λ λ} is formed completely circumferential.

In a first closing position of the lid is introduced 3 in the body 2, that the sealing surface of the lower groove 6 ^λ with a counter-rib 12 (see Figure 5) of the body 2 in Wirkver ^¬ bond occurs. Through the recess 7 there is a vent ^¬ path between a cavity of the vial 1 and the environment.

This allows gas during filling of the vial 1 from the cavity escape. This prevents that an excessively high pressure in the cavity is created, which could lead to a leak or prevents further filling. In a second closed position, the lid 3 is further inserted into the body 2, so that the sealing surface of the upper groove 6 ^{λ λ} comes into operative connection with the counter rib 12. Since the sealing surface ^¬ the upper groove is formed circumferentially, there is no fluid connection between the cavity and the environment.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of a vial 1 according to the invention with body 2 in the closed state. The lid 3 is in the second closed position.

The body 2 is formed by two plastic components 2 ^λ , 2 ^{λ λ} . Both components 2 ^λ , 2 ^{λ λ} are polypropylene, wherein a component 2 ^{λ λ is formed} opaque. The body 2 is again formed by a 2K injection molding process. The opaque component 2 ^{λ λ} is disposed at a closed end of the body 2. At its surface facing away from the body 2, the opaque component has a data matrix code (not shown). The code is used to identify the vial. This allows the vial to be automatically assigned and edited.

At the open end, the body 2 has a flange 10 (see Figure 3), which is formed by the non-opaque polypropylene component 2 ^λ . The flange 10 is formed flush with an outer diameter of the upper portion 4 of the lid and thereby ensures that two vials 1 with their lids 3 do not get caught. There are created by this training virtually no additional edges through the lid 3 or the body 2. At the closed end, the outer wall runs in the opaque region 2 ^{λ λ} conical. The area has a conicity of 10 °. The upper section has a low taper of 2 °.

FIG. 3 shows an external view of a vial 1 according to the invention with body 2 in the open state. A region near the open end of the body 2 has a counter rib 12 (see FIG. 5) which can interact with the grooves 6 ^λ , 6 ^{λ λ} .

FIGS. 4a-c show a vial 1 ^{according to the} invention in different closure positions. In FIG. 4 a, the lid 3 is not introduced into the body 2. The vial 1 is in an open position.

In Figure 4b, the cover 3 is in the first shutter Stel ^¬ lung. The cover 3 is partially inserted into the body 2 ^¬ . Through a cannula 11, the vial 1 can be filled. Gas that was in the vial can escape through the vent channel (indicated by dashed arrows). This prevents excessive overpressure inside the vial 1.

In Figure 4c, the lid 3 in the second closed position. The lid is further inserted into the body 2 and the venting channel thereby closed.

Figures 5a and 5b show a longitudinal section through a inventions dungsgmässes Vial 1 in a first and second closure Stel ^¬ lung.

In Figure 5a, the lid 3 in the first closed position. The lower groove 6 ^{λ of} the lid 3 is connected to the counter rib 12 of the Body 2 in operative connection. Gas can escape through the recess 7 (see FIG. 1) during filling.

FIG. 5b shows the cover 3 in the second closed position. In this position, the upper groove 6 ^{λ λ} , which has a circumferentially formed sealing surface, with the counter rib 12 in active ^¬ connection and seals the cavity of the vial 1 from the environment.

Claims

Container (1), preferably a vial, comprising

a body (2) and a lid (3),

- wherein the body (2) has an open end and a closed end and the cover (3) is at least partially insertable into the open end of the body (2) to close the body (2),

- wherein the lid (3) comprises at least one plastic component (3 ^{λ λ} ), which is designed so that it is pierceable by a cannula and is fluid-tight after removal of the cannula,

- wherein the container (1) is formed so that the De ^¬ ckel (3) can assume at least a first and a second closure position,

- In the first closed position, a cavity of the body with a cannula through the lid (3) can be filled and gas can escape via at least one venting path from the hollow ^¬ space and

- In the second closed position of the at least one vent path is verschlosssen.

The receptacle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lid (3) is inserted further into the body (2) in the second closed position than in the first closed position.

Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (3) grooves (6 ^λ , 6 ^{λ λ} ), wherein the grooves have at least partially circumferential sealing surfaces ^¬ and the at least one vent path from a recess ^¬ (7) in a sealing surface of a first groove (6 ^λ ) um- holds and a sealing surface of at least one second groove (6 ^{λ λ} ) is formed circumferentially.

Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity comprises between 0.5 and 2 ml, preferably 1 ml.

Receiving container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said body (2) 30-60 mm, preferably 40-55 mm, special ^¬ is the preferred 50 mm long.

Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (3) has a region (4), wel ^¬ cher is not introduced into the body.

Container (1) according to claim 6, wherein the cover (3) has at least one at least partially circumferential retaining groove on an outer side of the not in the body (2) insertable region (4).

Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (3) comprises two plastic components (3 3 ^{λ λ} ) or consists thereof and the two compo ^¬ nents (3 ^λ , 3 ^{λ λ} ) differ in their Shore hardness, wherein the component having the lower Shore hardness (3 ^{λ λ),} before ^¬ preferably an elastomer or a thermoplastic Elasto ^¬ mer, in a region of the cover (3) radially inside the component with the higher Shore hardness (3 ^{λ λ)} is arranged and wherein preferably the shore-harder component (3 ^{λ λ} ) ^{¬ at} least in an area (5) of the lid (3), which in the body (2) can be introduced, is formed in the circumferential direction without interruption.

9. receptacle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (2) has at least one tapered portion on the outside and wherein the at least one conical portion has the closed end or adjacent thereto.

10. receptacle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (2) comprises two plastic components (2 2 ^{λ λ} ) or consists thereof, wherein at least one component (2 ^{λ λ} ) is formed fully opaque or opaque and on is arranged closed end of the body and this ^{¬ at} least one fully opaque or opaque component has a code, preferably a 2D bar code, particularly preferably a data matrix code for identification.

11. receptacle (1) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one fully opaque or opaque component (2 ^{λ λ} ) includes or consists of polypropylene. 12. receptacle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (2) and / or the lid (3) by an injection molding method, preferably a 2 K injection molding method is prepared. 13. A method for filling a receptacle (1), ^{vorzugswei ¬} se a receptacle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps:

- Providing a container (1) with a body (2) and a lid (3), wherein the lid (3) is inserted in a first closed position in the body (2),

piercing the lid (3) with a cannula, filling the container (1) with the cannula, whereby gas escapes from a cavity via at least one ventilation path,

- Arranging the lid (3) in a second ^{Verschlussstel ¬} ment, so that the at least one venting path is ver ^¬ closed.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lid (3) is further introduced into the body (2) to arrange the lid (3) in the two ^¬ th closed position.

15. A method for transporting receptacle (1) in a tube system with air flow, characterized in that a receptacle (1) is used according to one of claims 1-12.

16. Use of a receptacle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 ^¬ in an air-powered tube system.