GB2258206A - Package for sterile articles - Google Patents

Package for sterile articles Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2258206A
GB2258206A GB9215589A GB9215589A GB2258206A GB 2258206 A GB2258206 A GB 2258206A GB 9215589 A GB9215589 A GB 9215589A GB 9215589 A GB9215589 A GB 9215589A GB 2258206 A GB2258206 A GB 2258206A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
articles
package
sheeting
flexible
surrounding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9215589A
Other versions
GB9215589D0 (en
Inventor
Wolfgang Heidl
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MUENNERSTAEDTER GLASWARENFABRI
Original Assignee
MUENNERSTAEDTER GLASWARENFABRI
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MUENNERSTAEDTER GLASWARENFABRI filed Critical MUENNERSTAEDTER GLASWARENFABRI
Publication of GB9215589D0 publication Critical patent/GB9215589D0/en
Publication of GB2258206A publication Critical patent/GB2258206A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/06Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
    • B65D71/08Wrappers shrunk by heat or under tension, e.g. stretch films or films tensioned by compressed articles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/06Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
    • B65D71/063Wrappers formed by one or more films or the like, e.g. nets
    • B65D71/066Wrappers formed by one or more films or the like, e.g. nets and provided with inserts
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65D81/2007Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum
    • B65D81/2023Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum in a flexible container
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65D81/2007Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum
    • B65D81/2023Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum in a flexible container
    • B65D81/203Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum in a flexible container with one or several rigid inserts
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00006Palletisable loads, i.e. loads intended to be transported by means of a fork-lift truck
    • B65D2571/00012Bundles surrounded by a film
    • B65D2571/00018Bundles surrounded by a film under tension

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

A package for sterile articles (3) for pharmaceutical and/or chemical applications. comprises a plastic sheet covering (5, 6) enclosing a plurality of such articles. In order to reduce the danger of damaging the plastic sheet during transport and also to ensure that any possible damage can be obviously recognized, a vacuum is formed between the plastic sheet covering (5, 6) and the articles (3) so that the plastic sheet covering is applied closely against the articles, and a relatively strong plastic sheet (5, 6) is used. The articles (3) may optionally be supported by a tray (1) within the plastic sheet covering. <IMAGE>

Description

PACKAGE FOR STERILE ARTICLES The present invention relates to a package for sterile articles particularly but not exclusively for pharmaceutical and/or chemical applications.
In such applications there is a requirement that the articles stored in such packaging should be sterile. This applies in particular to primary packaging articles such as storage glassware, pipettes, ampoules and the like and glasses, bottles and the like which are used in pharmaceutical and/or chemical applications and which must as a rule have a certain rigidity. These objects, particularly these packaging articles, are manufactured under "clean room" conditions and are enclosed on all sides by a plastic sheet covering. They must reach a further processor, for example a pharmaceuticals manufacturer, still in this sterile condition until they arrive in the likewise sterile working area there.Experience has shown that during transport of the articles from their manufacturer to the further processor (pharmaceutical factory or the like) the plastic sheeting can be damaged, which results in biological contamination of the articles. If the damage to the packaging is not obvious, but consists only of a small tear, which may occur at a position which does not attract attention at first sight, then there is the further risk that the damage to the packaging and consequently the contamination by the further process is not noticed and the medicament in question will be poured into or will come into contact with an unsterile container.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a package comprising a plurality of sterile articles and flexible sheeting surrounding the articles, the flexible sheeting having been applied to the articles under a vacuum so that it forms an air-tight enclosure in contact with the articles, the sheeting having a thickness selected so that the package is resistant to damage in use.
The sheeting may be of plastics material and have a thickness greater than 100P.
An embodiment of the present invention combines the following features: (a) between the plastic sheet covering, on the one hand, and the articles, on the other hand, there is a vacuum, as a result of which the plastic sheeting is applied closely against the articles, and (b) a relatively strong plastic sheet is used.
Thus two effects may be obtained simultaneously. In the first place the risk of damaging the plastic sheet, as a rule by tearing it open, is substantially reduced by the use of a thicker plastic sheet. In addition, on account of the vacuum existing between the plastic sheeting and the articles, the sheeting is applied very tightly against the articles. A closely applied sheet of this kind may be torn substantially less easily during transport than a sheet which bears only partially against the articles to be protected and is partially slightly spaced from the articles. In the latter case those regions of the plastic sheeting which project loosely outwards or hang loosely can be relatively easily torn by, for example, a sharp edge or object or also by the hand of a transportation worker.Thus the features (a) and (b) of the combination in accordance with the invention have a synergistic effect. Also, in the case of an arrangement in accordance with the invention, should the sheet become torn by accident, the result is the release of the vacuum between the sheet and the articles located inside it. This in turn results in the sheet no longer bearing closely against the articles but instead a layer of air is formed between them. This can be immediately and obviously recognized by the further processor of the articles in a medical products factory or the like. The risk of further processing of a contaminated article is thereby substantially reduced, first as a result of the substantially improved strength of the packaging and second, processing of a contaminated article may be reliably avoided as a result of the obvious visual indication of any damage.
Packaging according to the present invention may further comprise an open container containing the plurality of articles, the enclosure surrounding the open container in contact therewith.
The invention may also provide an arrangement for storing and/or transporting small objects for pharmaceutical and/or chemical applications, in particular primary packaging articles such as storage glassware, pipettes, ampoules and the like, wherein a tray-like or trough shaped receiving container, which is open at the top, is filled with the objects and is enclosed on all sides by a plastic sheet covering. In this connection the tasks are the same as those stated hereinabove, namely both to arrange for a reduction of the risk of damaging the plastic sheet during transport and also to ensure that any damage can be obviously recognized.
Hereby the advantages obtained are the same as those mentioned above, but in this case the sheeting bears tightly not only on the objects but equally tightly on the container.
Whereas the plastic sheets previously used had a thickness of about 40p, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention a sheet thickness in the range 150 - 200 is used.
The enclosure may comprise a pair of flexible plastic sheets sealed together at their peripheral edges.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making a package of sterile articles, comprising surrounding a plurality of such articles with flexible sheeting, and creating a vacuum between the plurality of articles and the flexible sheeting, to form an air-tight enclosure surrounding the articles and in contact therewith.
Further details and advantages of the invention will now be described with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view along the line II-II in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the line IV-IV in Figure 3.
The embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a trough-like receiving container or tray 1, made for example of plastic, which is open at its upper face 2 so that the objects to be packed, in this case small bottles 3, can be inserted in it. It is understood that the bottles 3 fill the internal space 4 of the tray 1.
The tray filled with the objects 3 is enclosed by a plastic sheet covering, which in this case consists of two lengths 5 and 6 which are welded or stuck together in an air-tight manner at their peripheral edges 7. A vacuum is then created between the lengths 5 and 6 thus fixed together in an air-tight manner so that the lengths 5 and 6, on account of the external air pressure, are applied tightly against the tray 1 and the upper edges 3' of the objects 3.
The enveloping of the tray together with the objects inserted in it, in particular the primary packaging articles mentioned in the introduction, can be performed by known techniques such as shrink wrapping. The air-tight connection of the lengths 5 and 6 and the creation of the vacuum can also be achieved using known techniques which therefore do not need to be separately described herein.
The thickness of the lengths of plastic sheet 5 and 6 is at least about 100u and preferably in the range between 150 and 200p.
As a result of the stability of the plastic sheeting and its tight application against the tray and the objects, in particular against the primary packaging articles mentioned in the introduction, the advantages mentioned in the introduction are obtained. In this connection it should also be borne in mind that a tray packed in this way of for example 25 x 40 cm standard size and a height of about 4 cm, as a result of filling with objects which as a rule are made of glass, has a considerable weight and because of this weight can be damaged during transport if precautions not in accordance with the invention are employed.
The alternative embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 shows a plurality of objects to be packed together, in this case likewise small bottles 3, which are enclosed by a plastic sheet covering made from the lengths 5 and 6 which are welded or stuck together at their peripheral edges 7 in an air-tight manner. In this case too there is a vacuum between the lengths 5 and 6 thus connected together in an air-tight manner, and consequently the lengths 5 and 6 are applied tightly against the objects 3, including their upper edges 3', as a result of the external air pressure. With regard to the enveloping of these objects and also the production of the vacuum, reference is made to the statements made above.
Thus, embodiments of the invention both reduce the risk of damaging the plastic sheeting during transport and also ensure that any possible damage can be obviously recognized.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS:
1. A package comprising a plurality of sterile articles and a flexible sheeting surrounding the articles, the flexible sheeting having been applied to the articles under a vacuum so that it forms an air-tight enclosure in contact with the articles, the sheeting having a thickness selected so that the package is resistant to damage in use.
2. A package as claimed in claim 1, in which the sheeting is of plastics material and has a thickness greater than 100r
3. A package as claimed in claim 2, in which the sheeting has a thickness of between 150)a and 200P.
4. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an open container containing the plurality of articles, the enclosure surrounding the open container in contact therewith.
5. A package as claimed in claim 4, in which the container comprises a flat base and side walls projecting upwardly from the periphery of the flat base.
6. A package as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, in which the enclosure comprises a pair of flexible plastic sheets sealed together at their peripheral edges.
7. A package as claimed in claim 6 when dependent on claim 5, in which the pair of flexible plastic sheets are arranged respectively above and below the flat base and are sealed together at their peripheral edges adjacent the side walls.
8. A package substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
9. A method of making a package of sterile articles, comprising surrounding a plurality of such articles with flexible sheeting, and creating a vacuum between the plurality of articles and the flexible sheeting, to form an air-tight enclosure surrounding the articles and in contact therewith.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9, in which the step of surrounding the plurality of articles with flexible sheeting comprises applying a pair of flexible plastic sheets to opposite sides respectively of the plurality of articles wherein the pair of flexible sheets are sealed together at their peripheral edges.
11. A method as claimed in claim 9 or 10, further comprising, before the step of surrounding the articles, placing- the articles in an open container, so that the flexible sheeting forms an air-tight enclosure around the container in contact therewith.
12. A method substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
GB9215589A 1991-07-27 1992-07-22 Package for sterile articles Withdrawn GB2258206A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9109291 1991-07-27
DE9112325U DE9112325U1 (en) 1991-07-27 1991-10-04 Arrangement for storing and/or transporting small items

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9215589D0 GB9215589D0 (en) 1992-09-02
GB2258206A true GB2258206A (en) 1993-02-03

Family

ID=25958463

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9215589A Withdrawn GB2258206A (en) 1991-07-27 1992-07-22 Package for sterile articles

Country Status (3)

Country Link
DE (1) DE9112325U1 (en)
GB (1) GB2258206A (en)
IT (1) IT1256002B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0970712A1 (en) * 1998-07-09 2000-01-12 Becton Dickinson and Company Bulk package for syringes
US9725222B2 (en) 2012-06-27 2017-08-08 Nipro Sterile Glass Germany AG Device for at least one of storing and transporting a plurality of packaging containers
US10336479B2 (en) 2014-05-05 2019-07-02 Schott Ag Method for packaging a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, and packaging structure

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9203583U1 (en) * 1992-03-17 1992-05-07 Alcan Deutschland GmbH, 3400 Göttingen Cell plate
MX2022005963A (en) 2021-05-18 2023-03-01 Gerresheimer Glas Gmbh Container for packaging units.
US20220371762A1 (en) * 2021-05-18 2022-11-24 Gerresheimer Glas Gmbh Processing method for packaging units

Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1263217A (en) * 1970-06-02 1972-02-09 American Cyanamid Co Storage stable package for absorbable polyglycolic acid sutures, and method for preparing same
EP0275701A2 (en) * 1987-01-21 1988-07-27 Nalge Company Improved packaging and method of filling and dispensing a plurality of bottles

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DE1765735U (en) * 1957-12-12 1958-04-24 Margarete Reckeweg FOLDED PROTECTION, ORDERING AND COLLECTING DEVICE FOR AMPOULES AND BOTTLES MADE OF PLASTIC FILM.
BE754944A (en) * 1969-08-19 1971-02-01 Philip Morris Inc STERILE PACKAGING AND ITS MANUFACTURING PROCESS
US3642126A (en) * 1970-02-03 1972-02-15 Deknatel Inc Suture package
DE7310020U (en) * 1973-03-16 1973-06-14 Arnzneimittel Gmbh Ravensburg Tear-open packaging
DE2829871C2 (en) * 1978-07-07 1982-06-16 J. Pfrimmer & Co, 8520 Erlangen Sterilizable packaging for medical articles
FR2437218A1 (en) * 1978-09-27 1980-04-25 Lilly Co Eli PACKAGING, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE USE OF IMPLANTS
EP0046021B1 (en) * 1980-08-11 1985-02-13 Imperial Chemical Industries Plc Sachets and methods for their production
GB2145363B (en) * 1983-08-23 1986-09-24 Grace W R & Co Vacuum skin package
US4603538A (en) * 1984-11-15 1986-08-05 Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc. Method of preparing a double sterile package
DE3617569A1 (en) * 1986-05-24 1987-11-26 Dixie Union Verpackungen Gmbh Process for the vacuum packaging of articles and pack produced by this process
KR910002559B1 (en) * 1987-12-19 1991-04-26 데루모 가부시끼가이샤 Package of medical container

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1263217A (en) * 1970-06-02 1972-02-09 American Cyanamid Co Storage stable package for absorbable polyglycolic acid sutures, and method for preparing same
EP0275701A2 (en) * 1987-01-21 1988-07-27 Nalge Company Improved packaging and method of filling and dispensing a plurality of bottles

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0970712A1 (en) * 1998-07-09 2000-01-12 Becton Dickinson and Company Bulk package for syringes
US9725222B2 (en) 2012-06-27 2017-08-08 Nipro Sterile Glass Germany AG Device for at least one of storing and transporting a plurality of packaging containers
US10336479B2 (en) 2014-05-05 2019-07-02 Schott Ag Method for packaging a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, and packaging structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9215589D0 (en) 1992-09-02
ITMI921814A1 (en) 1994-01-24
ITMI921814A0 (en) 1992-07-24
IT1256002B (en) 1995-11-17
DE9112325U1 (en) 1991-11-28

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)