FR2601586A1 - Device for breaking the tips of ampoules, in particular pharmaceutical ampoules - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is noteworthy in that it comprises a means allowing the end of the ampoule to be engaged and, by the effect of tilting, this end to be sheared, characterised in that it comprises, in a single unit, a profiled body 1 of elongate shape extending at its base and on one side in a profiled tongue 1, 2, of large length, allowing positioning and bearing of the thumb of the user, the said body 1 having in its longitudinal axis and in the extension of the tongue an internally profiled opening 1, 4 allowing the engagement and holding of the end of the said ampoule, the thumb of the user bearing on the face of the body opposite the tongue and acting as a stop for the end of the ampoule, the user holding, with the other hand, the body of the ampoule and causing, by a tilting effect, the shearing of the end of the ampoule.

Description

 The invention relates to a device for breaking the tips of ampoules, in particular pharmaceutical ampoules.

 Small saws are generally used to cut off the ends of the bulbs, but they are inconvenient, hurtful, and if they are not sharpened it is practically impossible to detach the said ends.

 To overcome these drawbacks, some have designed devices or devices ensuring a shearing or guillotine function at the ends of the bulbs.

 However, these devices involve manipulation in several phases, requiring actions on some of their mechanism to break the ends of the bulbs. Their manufacture is quite expensive and on the other hand there is the problem of the evacuation of the cut part of the bulb. For certain people handicapped by illness or old age, it is not always easy to exert pressure and cut the end of the said bulb, and gripping the devices often proves to be unpleasant.

 Furthermore, these devices or apparatuses according to the prior art are ill-suited to be stored in the usual packaging.

 The invention overcomes these drawbacks and proposes a simple solution, with a very reduced manufacturing cost, the device not being modifiable in its position for cutting the ends of the bulb.

 According to a first characteristic, the device comprises a means authorizing the engagement of the end of the bulb and, by tilting effect, its shearing, characterized in that it comprises in one piece a profiled body of elongated shape extending at its base and on one side by a very long profiled tongue allowing the positioning and support of the thumb of the user, said body having in its longitudinal axis and the extension of the tongue an internally profiled opening and allowing engagement and maintaining the end of said bulb, the thumb the user the user coming to bear on the face of the body opposite the tongue and acting as a stop at the end of the bulb, the user now with the other hand the body of the bulb and effecting by a tilting effect the shearing of the end of the bulb.

 These characteristics and others will emerge clearly from the following description.

To fix the subject of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawing or:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention.

 FIG. 2 is a front view according to FIG. 1.

 Figure 3 is a view illustrating in section the phase of introduction of the end of the bulb to be cut and its maintenance by the fingers of the user.

 Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating the breakage of the end of the bulb.

 Figure 5 is an alternative view.

 The device according to the invention is made in one piece from all suitable materials, wood, plastics and others. I1 comprises a body (1) of elongated shape, substantially rectangular for example with a rounded outer periphery (1.1) and extending at its base and on one side by a tongue (1.2) of great length. This tongue is shaped so as to allow the positioning and the support in a soft and comfortable way of the thumb of the user. It also advantageously bears against the face (facing the tongue, said face advantageously abutting angularly sloping to facilitate positioning of the thumb. According to another arrangement, the body has in its thickness at least one opening ( 1.45 in the longitudinal median plane in the area of extension of said tongue This opening (1.4) is internally profiled for the reception of the end (2.1) of the bulb (2), and is situated in a plane substantially above of the upper plane of the tongue. This opening is of cylindrical or conical shape to adapt to the profile of the end of the bulb. In addition and as it appears in the drawing figures, the end of said bulb may substantially protrude when the tongue is opened to be kept in pressure by the part of the user's thumb.

However and preferably the user's thumb rests on the face of the body opposite the tongue, acting as a stop for the end of the bulb, FIG. 5. The user thus firmly holds the breaker device bulb between thumb and forefinger. When the bulb (2) has been inserted, it suffices for the user to exert a slight downward force according to arrow F, with the second hand which holds the body of the bulb, thus causing the breakage of the end of it trapped in the body (1). The exercise of a counter-force F 'at the force F, which is in opposition allows the level of the body (1) to effect a clean and precise rupture. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the end cut from the bulb is always inserted into the orifice (14) as long as the user maintains his support in position on the projecting part on the side of the tongue. The latter can at the desired time throw the broken part of the bulb into a bin or the like, thus controlling its evacuation. In the case where the user does not act directly on the end of the bulb in front between broken, it is evacuated very quickly.

 The device is simple, quick, inexpensive to make, and is very easy to handle. It avoids any risk of injury. Furthermore, given its small footprint, it fits perfectly into existing packaging.

 As a variant, the device could have two opposite bodies on either side of the tongue at a distance sufficient to avoid any discomfort, said bodies being arranged with similar or different shaped internal openings.

 Provision could thus be made for the tongue (1.2) to be of flared profile at its front extremist to enter into simultaneous correspondence with one or more internal openings made in the body of the device.

Claims (5)

-1- Device for breaking ampoules, of the pharmaceutical ampoule type, comprising a means authorizing the engagement of the end of the ampoule and by shearing effect its shearing, characterized in that it comprises in one piece a body (1) profile of elongated shape extending at its base and on a caté by a tongue (1.2) profiled of great length authorizing the positioning and the support of the thumb of the user, said body (1) peendent in its longitudinal axis and the extension of the tongue, an opening (1.4) internally shapes and authorizes the engagement and the maintenance of the end of said bulb, the thumb of the user coming to bear on the face of the body opposite the tongue and making abutment office at the end of the bulb, the user holding the body of the bulb with the other hand and shearing the end of the bulb by a tilting effect. -2- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the body (1) has in its extension of connection with the tongue (1.2) a face (1.3) angled angularly.  -3- Device according to claims 1 and 2 together, characterized in that it comprises two opposite bodies on either side of the tongue, arranged with similar or different shaped internal openings. -4- Device according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3 together characterized in that each tab has at its front end a flared profile for Btre in correspondence Si- multanbe with one or more internal openings rXalisbes in the body of the device . -5- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the bulb extends substantially from the body (1) of the side of the tongue and is held by the support of the thumb of the user.