ES2524146T3 - Improved bottle for fluid products, especially products, pharmaceuticals, doctors or cosmetics - Google Patents

Abstract

The upgraded bottle (1) for fluid products, particularly pharmaceutical, medicinal and cosmetic products, comprises: - a containing body (2) for containing a fluid product, particularly a pharmaceutical, medicinal or cosmetic product, - a dispensing mouth (4) of the product defined at one end of the containing body (2), - a tearable membrane (8) for closing the dispensing mouth (4), - a closing element (5) that can be screwed or unscrewed on the end of the containing body (2) and is provided with a cap (6), inside which is defined a perforator (7) of the membrane (8), - maintaining means for maintaining the cap (6) in a safety configuration, in which the perforator (7) is substantially positioned away from the membrane (8) and in which the cap (6) can be freely turned around the screwing and unscrewing axis of the closing element (5) in at least one direction of rotation, the maintaining means comprising a first retention element (20) defined on the outer surface of the end of the containing body (2) suitable for engaging with a respective lock element (21) defined on the inner side surface of the cap (6).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Improved bottle for fluid products, especially products, pharmaceuticals, doctors or cosmetics.

Technical Field 5

The present invention relates to an improved bottle for fluid products, especially pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic products, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Background of Technique 10

Plastic bottles that are used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries are known in order to package one or more doses of fluid, liquid or pasty products and which are essentially composed of a container body in order to contain the product that, in one end extends into a neck, at the top of which a mouth is defined for dispensing; this mouth for dispensing being closed by means of a tear-off membrane.

The opposite end of the container body to the end of the neck is open, to allow, during packaging of the bottle, the introduction of the product into the container body, after which it is closed, for example, by means of sealing. twenty

On the neck, a cap is placed, from the inner stop of which a piercing element for a membrane extends internally.

On the surface of the inner face of the lid, a retaining ring is obtained which, in the packaging configuration of the closed bottle, is engaged by tightening it in a corresponding ring-shaped groove, defined on the surface of the outer side of the neck, in order to retain the piercing element at a height above the membrane that closes the dispensing mouth.

At the time of use, the lid is mounted on the neck of the container body until the retaining ring is disengaged from the corresponding groove and the piercing element drills the membrane and the mouth is opened for dispensing, after which neck cover is removed to allow dispensing of the product.

Additionally, the container body has a pair of gripping fins that extend, in diametrically opposite directions 35 relative to each other, from their outer lateral surface. Known bottles can be produced in individual units or joined together in series (strips); In the latter case, the grip fins of the container bodies of two consecutive bottles are temporarily joined along pre-break lines.

 40

In any case, these bottles are, however, susceptible to improvement, in particular in order to avoid a potentially harmful use of the product they contain.

Especially, known bottles do not have the appropriate safety means to prevent or, at least make less easy, the opening of the mouth for dispensing and the removal of the lid by children, which could swallow the product contained within the bottles incorrectly, with the obvious risks to your health.

Such bottles, moreover, do not show, in a clear and immediately noticeable way, any manipulation that has been and / or has already been opened, including involuntary opening and does not guarantee the integrity and sterility of the product that they themselves contain. fifty

In fact, it can happen that the bottles, handled or placed in storage units (drawers, cabinets, utility boxes, etc.), are subject to shocks such as to push their lid on the neck such that the element of perforation tear the membrane before the product is actually used and not being the obstacle provided by the coupling between the retaining ring and the corresponding ring-shaped groove often sufficient to counteract such blows.

In order to overcome these inconveniences, at least in part, bottles are known that include a pair of sealing flaps that protrude from the container body in diametrically opposite directions, located between the grip fins and the lid and their associated, removable by breaking, with the body, with the 60-grip fins or with the cover along the respective pre-break areas.

When the bottle is used, by rotating the lid, the aforementioned weakened areas are broken, thus demonstrating that the opening has occurred.

 65

However, these bottles do not have the appropriate safety means, mentioned above, in order to prevent or make opening less easy for children.

A different type of bottles for fluid products is made with a single body part in which, that is, the product container body, is formed together with the closing means in a single body without any interruption.

The closing means are connected to the body by means of the deformable and fragile elements that act as the security seals; The deformations or breaks of the aforementioned elements are signs of manipulation. 10

However, the manufacture of this different type of bottles in a single body piece requires complex manufacturing procedures and high production costs.

Patent document US4307821 discloses a tamper-proof container and closure assembly, which comprises a threaded neck having a perforable diaphragm at the end.

A closure is provided with internal threads that cooperate with the external threads of the neck, a piercing element and a skirt, which has a control line and a pull tab in order to remove the skirt from the rest of the closure. twenty

When the user wishes to dispense the contents, he has to pull the tongue in order to separate the skirt form from said part of the lid and then he has to turn the lid where the piercing element drills the membrane to provide an opening for the discharge at the axial end of the container.

 25

Object of the invention

The main objective of the present invention is to offer an improved bottle for fluid products, particularly pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic products, which provides adequate minimum safety requirements to prevent or in any case restrict the potential harmful use of the products contained therein. 30

Within this technical objective, another objective of the present invention is to guarantee the integrity and sterility of the products packaged within the bottles.

Another objective of the invention is that it is possible to see that the bottles have been opened, in a clear and immediate manner.

Another objective of the invention is to achieve the aforementioned intentions with a simple structure, of relatively practical implementation, safe to use and with efficient operation, as well as having a relatively low cost. 40

The above-mentioned objectives are all achieved by this improved bottle for fluid products, particularly pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetic products, in accordance with the content of claim 1

 Four. Five

Brief Description of the Drawings

Additional features and advantages of this invention will be shown even more evident by the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an improved bottle for fluid products, especially pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic products, illustrated indicatively by way of 50 non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a front view of a plurality of bottles according to a first embodiment that is not part of the invention,

Figures 2 and 3 are sectional views of a detail of the bottle of Figure 1 in a safety configuration and in a working configuration;

Figure 4 is a front view of a plurality of bottles according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views of a detail of the embodiment of the bottle according to the invention in a safety configuration, in a working configuration and in an opening configuration. 60

Embodiments of the Invention

With special reference to these figures, it has been generally referred to by reference number 1, an improved bottle for fluid products, especially pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic products. 65

The bottle 1 comprises a container body 2 of a fluid product (pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic) that has a substantially elongated and cylindrical shape and that extends at one end in a neck 3, at the top of which a mouth 4 is defined for Product dispensing.

An element for the closure 5 is associated in such a way that it can be screwed and unscrewed with the neck 3 and that 5 has a cover 6, within which a perforator 7 is defined for a closure membrane 8 which is integrated with the edge outside of mouth 4 for dispensing.

The membrane 8 can be made, for example, of a disk of polymeric material integrated with the container body 2 during the last pressing phase of the latter. 10

Advantageously, the bottle 1 includes fastening means for maintaining the lid 6 in a safety configuration, in which the perforator 7 is positioned substantially away from the membrane 8 and in which the lid 6 can be freely rotated by turning around the axis Screwing and unscrewing the closing element 5.

 fifteen

In a first embodiment that is not part of the invention and shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the closure element 5 includes a pin 9 inside the lid 6, and the perforator 7 extends from the top of the pin 9, inside this and towards the mouth 4 for dispensing.

The threading means for screwing and unscrewing the pin 9 to the neck 3 are made of a screw 10 20 defined on the outer surface of the neck 3 and a corresponding nut for the screw 11 defined on the surface of the inner face of the pin 9 .

The cover 6 is mounted on the pin 9 and is associated with it slidingly between the safety configuration above, shown in Figure 2 and a work configuration, shown in Figure 25 3, in the which the cover 6 is made integrally with the pin 9 by placing coupling means between them.

Such coupling means may include, for example, one or more protrusions 12 defined on the outer surface of the pin 9, near the lower edge and convenient to be inserted into the respective grooves 13 defined longitudinally on the inner surface of the lid 6.

Once the cover 6 has been moved to the working configuration, after the insertion of the protuberances 12 into the grooves 13, the relative rotation between the pin 9 and the cover 6 is prevented.

 35

Alternatively, other different types of coupling means can be provided in which the protrusions and relative grooves are formed and distributed differently in the pin 9 and in the cover 6.

The fastening means above for the maintenance of the cover 6 in the safety configuration may be of the type of elastic means 14 that act in contrast to the movement of the cover 6 from the safety configuration to the work configuration. In particular, such elastic means 14 are made with a plurality of leaf springs fixed to the inner surface of the lid 6, in the stop and engaged by bending on the outer surface of the pin 9, in a substantially conical upper part 15 and with a substantially divergent cross section towards the container body 2. Usually, the bottle 1 may consist of a first retaining ring 16 defined protruding from the outer surface of the pin 9 and a second retaining ring 17 45 defined protruding at the base of the surface of the inner face of the lid 6.

The first and second retaining rings 17 and 16 are suitable to be engaged together to prevent the cover 6 and the pin 9 from moving further away from each other in the safety configuration.

 fifty

Advantageously, the bottle 1 consists of a sealing collar 18 coaxially mounted on the neck 3 and removably installed by tearing, between the container body 2 and the closure element 5.

In particular, the upper surface of the sealing collar 18 is associated with the lower part of the pin 9 along first weakened areas 19, of the type of pre-established break lines. 55

Usually, the bottle 1 comprises a ring-shaped protrusion 30 defined protruding from the outer surface of the neck 3, below the closure element 5 and suitable for retaining the sealing collar 18 around the container body 2 after its separation from the pin 9.

 60

However, different conformations and arrangements of the ring-shaped projection 30 cannot be ruled out.

In a second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the closure element 5 consists of a cover 6, mounted directly on the neck 3. 65

The perforator 7 is defined by protruding from the top of the lid 6, inside and towards the mouth for dispensing 4.

The fastening means for maintaining the lid 6 in the security configuration comprise a first retaining element 20, of a first tooth of the type of ring shape defined protruding from the lateral surface of the neck 3, which engages with an element of corresponding lock 21, of the ring-shaped groove type, 5 defined on the surface of the inner face of the lid 6.

In particular, the installation of the first ring-shaped tooth 20 within the ring-shaped groove 21 allows the lid 6 to be locked in the safety configuration.

 10

The product 1 also comprises a second retaining element 22, which consists of a second tooth of the defined ring-shaped type protruding from the lateral surface of the neck 3, below the first ring-shaped tooth 20.

Usually, in the working configuration, with the cover 6 also mounted on the neck 3, the second tooth of the ring-shaped type 22 is mounted inside the ring-shaped groove 21.

The bottle 1 comprises threaded means, which, in the working configuration, allow to screw and unscrew the cover 6 to the neck 3.

 twenty

The threaded means are constituted by a screw 23 defined on the outer surface of the neck 3 and a nut 24 for the corresponding screw defined on the inner side surface of the cover 6.

Usually, in the safety configuration the screw 23 and the nut 24 are located separated from each other.

 25

Similarly to the first embodiment illustrated above, the bottle 1 comprises a sealing collar 18 coaxially fixed on the neck 3 and removably installed, by tearing, between the container body 2 and the closure element 5.

In particular, the upper surface of the sealing collar 18 is associated with the lower part of the cover 6 along 30 of first weakened areas 19, of the type of pre-established break lines.

The bottle 1 also comprises a pair of grip fins 25 extending from the container body 2 along diametrically opposite directions.

 35

With reference to both the first and second embodiments and as shown in Figures 1 and 4, several bottles 1 can be associated with each other by means of the grip fins 25 and by interleaving the second weakened areas 26 , of the predetermined breakage line type or the like.

Advantageously, the caps 6 of the bottles 1 can be equipped with a suitable operating key 27 to make it easier for the user to grip which can be composed of a band that is substantially wrapped around the lid 6 and integral with the same (Figures 1-3) or, alternatively, by a pair of operating flaps, each diametrically opposed to the other and defined protruding from the surface of the outer side of the lid 6 (Figures 4-5).

 Four. Five

Usually, the operating keys 27 of the caps 6 of the bottles 1 can be associated against each other, by interleaving the weakened third zones 28, of the predetermined breakage line type or the like.

At the end of the container body 2 opposite the neck 3 an opening 29 is defined through which, during the packaging phase of the bottle 1, the product is introduced; after filling, the opening 29 is closed, for example, by sealing its lips.

The operation is as follows.

 55

With particular reference to the first embodiment, which is not part of the invention, which is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, before being used the bottle 1 is in the safety configuration (Figure 2).

After the bottle 1 has been removed from the strip, as shown in Figure 1, the cap 6 is further mounted on the neck 3 by a pressure action and slides from the safety configuration to the configuration of the work, in contrast to the action of leaf springs 14.

In said working configuration, the protuberances 12 are mounted in their respective grooves 13 and a turning and screwing action on the lid 6 causes the integral rotation of the pin 9, with the screwed itself of the

pin 9 on the neck 3 and the movement of the perforator 7 closer to the mouth for the dispensing 4, so close as to contact and break the membrane 8 (figure 3).

During the sliding of the cover 6 from the safety configuration to the work configuration, the lower edge of the cover 6 engages on the upper surface of the sealing collar 18, causing the first 5 weakened aerial 19 to rupture and the fall of the sealing collar 18 below the ring-shaped shoulder 30.

The ring-shaped protrusion 30 retains the sealing collar 18 around the container body 2 during the subsequent stages of the use of the bottle 1.

 10

A turning and unscrewing action of the cover 6, always lowered in the work configuration, allows the removal of the entire closing element 5 from the neck 3, thus releasing the mouth for the dispensing 4 and allowing the use of the product that It is inside the container body 2.

With particular reference to the embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 4-7, the bottle 1 is in the safety configuration before being used (Figure 5).

After the bottle 1 has been removed from the strip, as shown in Figure 4, the cap 6 is further mounted on the neck 3 by a pressure action and slides from the safety configuration to the working configuration, with the removal of the first ring-shaped tooth 20 from the ring-shaped groove 20 21.

In such a working configuration, the screw 23 is fixed in the nut 24 and a turning and screwing action in the cover 6 causes the perforator 7 to approach the mouth for the dispensing 4, as close as for the contact and the breakage of membrane 8 (figure 6). 25

A subsequent turning action in the direction of unscrewing it in the operating key 27 allows the cover 6 to be removed from the neck 3, thus releasing the mouth for the dispensing 4 and allowing the use of the product that is inside the container body 2 (figure 7).

 30

During unscrewing for the removal of the cover 6, the upper edge of the sealing collar 18 engages on the lower surface of the second ring-shaped tooth 22, causing the breakage of the first weakened areas 19 and the separation of the sealing collar 18.

The second ring-shaped tooth 22 retains the sealing collar 18 around the container body 2 during the subsequent stages of the use of the bottle 1.

In practice it has been found how the described invention achieves the proposed objectives and in particular the fact that the particular conformation of the closure element and the presence of the fastening means in the security configuration guarantee the safety requirements suitable for prevention or in any case the restriction of a potentially harmful use of the products contained in them.

In fact, to open the bottle, a pressure has to be exerted on the lid to change the safety configuration to the work configuration, something that makes such an opening less immediate and thereby protects the children or, in In general, people who could use the products contained in it inappropriately and who at the same time restrict the possibilities of accidental opening of the bottle.

A further advantage of the invention is the presence of the sealing collar that provides a quick and clear indication that the bottle has been opened.

 fifty

Claims (13)

1. An improved bottle (1) for fluid products, particularly pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetic products, comprising:  5 - a container body (2) in order to contain a fluid product, particularly a pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic product, which extends at one of the ends in a neck (3), at the top of which a mouth for dispensing (4) of said product, - a tear-off membrane (8) for closing said mouth for dispensing (4), - a closing element (5) that can be screwed or unscrewed at said end of the container body 10 (2) and that includes a lid (6), within which at least one perforator (7) of said membrane is defined (8), which protrudes from the top of the layer itself (6), - threading means composed of a screw (23) defined on the surface of the outer side of the neck (3) and a nut for the corresponding screw (24) defined on the surface of the inner face of the cover (6) of the bottle (1), being characterized by the fact that the lid (6) has a safety configuration, in which said perforator (7) is placed away from said membrane (8) and in which said screw (23) and said screw nut (24) is positioned spaced apart from each other, so that said cover (6) can be freely rotated around the screwed and unscrewed shaft of said closure element (5) in at least one direction of rotation , in which in the safety configuration, the cover (6) is maintained by fastening means consisting of at least a first retaining element (20), which in turn comprises a defined ring-shaped tooth protruding from the lateral surface of the neck (3), to dece conveniently connect with at least one respective locking element (21), which in turn comprises a ring-shaped groove, defined on the surface of the inner face of said cover (6), the cover (6) being slidable from the safety configuration to a working configuration, by means of a pressure action that also fixes the cover (6) on the neck (3), unhooking the first ring-shaped tooth ( 20) of the ring-shaped groove (21), in which in the working configuration said screw (23) is mounted on the nut for the screw (24) in such a way that one for turning and screwed action in the lid (6) causes the perforator (7) to move to approach the mouth for dispensing (4), so close as to contact and break the membrane (8) and so that an action of 30 turned in the subsequent direction By unscrewing it allows removing the cap (6) from the neck (3), thereby releasing the mouth for dispensing (4) and allowing the use of the product that is inside the container body (2). 2. A bottle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealing collar (18) placed and removable by tearing between said container body (2) and said closure element (5) . 3. A bottle (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said sealing collar (18) is associated with at least one between said container body (2) and said lid (6) along the first areas weakened 40 (19) respective. 4. A bottle (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said first weakened areas (19) are defined between the upper surface of said collar (18) and the lower part of said cap (6).  Four. Five 5. A bottle (1) according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said first weakened areas (19) are of the predetermined breakage line type. A bottle (1) according to claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it is composed of a second ring-shaped tooth (22) defined protruding from the lateral surface of said end of the container body 50 (2) below said first retaining element (20), wherein during unscrewing for the removal of said cover (6) said sealing collar (18) engages in the second ring-shaped tooth (22), causing the breakage of said first weakened areas (19) and the separation of said sealing collar (18). 7. A bottle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes at least one defined grip fin protruding from the outer side surface of said container body. A bottle (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of grip fins (25) extending from said container body (2) in diametrically opposite directions the one to the other 60 A bottle (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said grip fins (25) are associated, along the second weakened areas (26), with the grip fins (25) of the container bodies (2) of other bottles (1) arranged in series and adjacent to it. A bottle (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cap (6) is associated, along the weakened third areas (28), with the cap (6) of other bottles ( 1) arranged in series and adjacent to it. A bottle (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is composed of an operating key (27) defined integrally with said cap (6). 12. A bottle (1) according to claims 10 and 11, characterized in that said third weakened areas (28) are defined between said operating keys (27) of the caps (6) of bottles (1) arranged in series and adjacent to each other. 10 13. A bottle (1) according to claims 11 or 12, characterized in that said operating key (27) is composed of a pair of fins, diametrically opposite each other with respect to the other and defined protruding from the outer side surface of said cover (6). fifteen