IT201600080494A1 - PACKAGING FOR PRODUCTS WITH ESTEMPORANEA PREPARATION, PARTICULARLY MEDICINAL, PHARMACEUTICAL, COSMETIC OR SIMILAR - Google Patents

Description

"PACKAGING FOR EXTEMPORARY PRODUCTS, PARTICULARLY MEDICINAL, PHARMACEUTICAL, COSMETIC OR SIMILAR".

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a package for extemporaneously prepared products, particularly medicines, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or the like.

In the medicinal, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors, extemporaneous preparation products are known, i.e. products consisting of the solution or mixture of at least two different substances, of which, for example, one in the liquid state and the other in the powdery state , which are kept separate from each other until the moment of use.

For the packaging of these extemporaneously prepared products, the use of packages is known which essentially consist of a container which is closed at the bottom and which extends above a neck at the top of which a mouth is defined; inside the container there is a first substance, generally in the liquid state.

In the mouth of the container there is housed a tank of a second substance which is constituted by a hollow cylindrical body, closed at the bottom by a breakable bottom and open at the top; the bottom of the tank, as long as it remains intact, separates the second substance from the first.

Inside the tank there is a sealing element which is made up of a tubular body whose lower end is sectioned according to an oblique plane or shaped like a flute beak and whose upper end extends beyond the upper opening of the tank .

The cutting element is axially sliding with respect to the tank between a non-interference configuration, in which it is placed above the intact bottom of the tank itself, and a cutting configuration, in which it, pushed towards the bottom of the tank cuts along the perimeter edge putting the tank, thus open, in communication with the container.

Known packages are also provided with a covering cap which is associated with the neck of the container; the lower edge of the cap is temporarily constrained, along a breaking line, to a sealing ring attached to the neck of the container and provided with a weakened axial line at which it opens.

When the product is used, the cap is pushed towards the neck of the container causing the cutting element to slide inside the tank until it cuts the bottom of the latter; the second substance then pours from the tank to the container, inside which it mixes with the first, forming the product.

To dispense the product thus formed, simply remove the cap. Examples of similar packages for extemporaneously prepared products are shown in patent documents EP 0561322 and IT 1287425.

These known types of packages are susceptible of improvements aimed in particular at improving the isolation and separation of substances before their mixing.

In particular, the vapors released by the liquid substance present in the container permeate, in part, inside the tank where a powdery substance, often hygroscopic, is generally present.

Before the preparation of the product, when the two substances are still separated, the powdery one absorbs the vapors released by the liquid one, impregnating them and thickening into agglomerates.

When, during the preparation of the product, the tank is opened and placed in communication with the container, the agglomerates that have formed tend to remain inside the tank and, even when they have poured into the container, they hardly dissolve and they disperse completely in the liquid substance.

The composition of the product thus formed does not correspond to that envisaged for it; in the event that the product is a drug or a medicinal product, this causes an indeterminable alteration of the content of its active ingredients as well as of the dosage established for it and, therefore, a disadvantageous modification of the therapy studied for a patient.

This drawback is accentuated by the fact that the tanks of known packages are generally made of polymeric materials which have a certain degree of permeability to vapors. Furthermore, vapor permeability is accentuated at the bottom of the tank which, being of the frangible type, generally has a limited thickness and / or is bound to the body of the tank along weakening lines of even smaller thickness.

To at least partially obviate these drawbacks, bottles such as those illustrated in EP 1 186 548 and EP 1 858 774 are known, in which the container containing the second substance defines an insulating gap to hinder the passage of the vapors released by the liquid substance.

However, even these bottles are not free from drawbacks.

In fact, recent studies have shown that the presence of an insulating gap can only delay the diffusion of the vapors released by the liquid substance and, therefore, not prevent the absorption by the powder substance and the formation of inconvenient agglomerates.

The main task of the present invention is to devise a package for extemporaneously prepared products, particularly medicines, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or the like, which allows to effectively keep the component substances of the product perfectly separate and isolated from each other until the moment of preparation of the product. .

The purpose of the present invention is to devise a package which allows, in particular, to prevent the absorption by one substance, the generally powdery and hygroscopic one, of the vapors released by another, generally liquid, and, therefore, the formation of unwanted thickening and agglomerations.

A further object of the present invention is to devise a package that allows to prepare a product of desired composition and, therefore, in the particular case of medicinal or pharmaceutical products, with a predetermined content of active ingredients, thus allowing to respect the dosage established for the therapy of a patient.

Another purpose of the present invention is to devise a package that can be used and opened in a simple, practical and easy way by users, without requiring them to make particular efforts.

Not least object of the present invention is to devise a package whose production costs and times are contained, which is easy to assemble and which allows to limit the quantities of construction materials used for its production.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a package for extemporaneously prepared products, particularly medicines, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or the like, which allows to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in the context of a simple, rational, easy and effective solution. use and low cost.

The above objects are achieved by the present package for extemporaneously prepared products, particularly medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic or the like, having the characteristics of claim 1.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a package for extemporaneously prepared products, particularly medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic or the like, illustrated by way of example, but not of limitation, in the joined tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded and partial cut-away view of the package according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an axonometric and cut-away view of the package according to the invention in the rest configuration;

Figure 3 is an axonometric and partial cut-away view of the package according to the invention in the breakout configuration;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view of the package according to the invention during the delivery of the product.

With particular reference to these figures, 1 generally indicates a package for extemporaneously prepared products, particularly medicines, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or the like.

The package 1 comprises at least a container 2, 3, at least partially hollow internally and containing a first substance S 1, the container 2, 3 comprising a container body 2 and a mouth 3 formed on the container body 2.

The container body 2, for example, is made of flexible and deformable plastic to push the first substance S 1 to exit through the mouth 3.

The package 1 also comprises at least a tank 4, 5, at least partially hollow internally and containing a second substance S2 that can be mixed with the first substance S 1 to obtain a product P.

The first substance SI, the second substance S2 and the product P obtained by mixing the two are fluids.

In this regard, it is specified that in the present discussion the term fluid products does not mean only liquid products but also viscous products, for example in the state of paste and gel, and powder products, in particular very fine powders with great flowability. The first substance SI, for example, is in the liquid state while the second substance S2 is in the powdery state.

The tank 4, 5 is associated with the container 2, 3 and comprises:

at least a substantially tubular tank body 4 extending between a first end 4a, arranged towards the inside of the container body 2 through the mouth 3, and a second end 4b, arranged on the opposite side with respect to the first end 4a; And

at least one frangible partition 5, arranged inside the reservoir body 4 between the first end 4a and the second end 4b, in which the frangible partition 5 divides the reservoir body 4 into a first sector 4c, which extends between the first end 4a and the frangible partition 5, and in a second sector 4d, which extends between the frangible partition 5 and the second end 4b.

Conveniently, the tank body 4 and the frangible separating partition 5 are made in a single monolithic body and joined along a connection line with a weakened section 6.

The connection line with weakened section 6 can be broken, allowing the separation of the frangible separating partition 5 from the tank body 4.

The tank 4, 5 can be joined to the container 2, 3 by means of first interlocking means 7.

The package 1 also comprises at least one closure body 8 which is associated with the first end 4a.

In particular, the closing body 8 closes the first end 4a to obtain an internal volume in the first sector 4c of the tank 4, 5 which contains the second substance S2 and which is temporarily separated from the internal volume of the container 2, 3, which instead contains the first substance YES.

The closure body 8 has at least one barrier layer.

In this regard, it is emphasized that, in the context of the present discussion, by "barrier layer" we mean a layer of the closure body 8 which is made of a barrier material, that is, a material impermeable to crossing by agents such as oxygen, gas, and / or water vapor.

The barrier materials can be both metallic and plastic. Some examples of barrier materials are as follows:

- aluminum, which acts as an obstacle to the crossing by oxygen, air, humidity and light;

- EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol), which acts as an obstacle to the crossing of oxygen and other gases;

- LDPE (low density polyethylene), HDPE (high density polyethylene), LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene), which all act as an obstacle to water vapor crossing.

Preferably, the barrier layer in the closure body 8 is made of aluminum and the closure body 8 consists, for example, of a sheet of polyethylene and aluminum (PE / ALU) polylaminate.

The union of the closing body 8 to the first end 4a takes place, for example, by induction welding.

However, alternative embodiments of the present invention are not excluded in which a different type of barrier layer is used and the union of the closure body 8 to the first end 4a occurs in a different way, for example by gluing, interlocking or the like. .

The package 1 also comprises at least one punch body 9 inserted inside the second sector 4d in a sliding manner along a sliding direction A.

The piercing body 9 is movable between a rest configuration moved away from the frangible separation partition 5 and a breakthrough configuration in which the breakable separation partition 5 and the closing body 8 are pierced by the punching body 9 to allow the mixing of the first substance S 1 and the second substance S2 and the formation of the product P. In this regard, it should be emphasized that, in the context of this discussion, by breaking through the closing body 8 one can mean indifferently one of the following circumstances:

the closing body 8, under the thrust of the punching body 9, detaches at least in part from the first end 4a without breaking;

the closing body 8, under the thrust of the punching body 9, breaks without completely detaching from the first end 4a;

the closing body 8, under the thrust of the punching body 9, breaks and detaches from the first end 4a.

In any case, it is easy to understand how the breakthrough of the frangible separation partition 5 and the closure body 8 is intended to communicate the internal volume of the first sector 4c, initially closed and isolated when the perforator body 9 is in the rest configuration. , with the internal volume of the container 2, 3, when the piercing body 9 passes into the piercing configuration.

The perforator body 9 includes:

a first extremal section 9a turned towards the inside of the container body 2 and equipped with an edge 10 at least partially inclined with respect to the sliding direction A which facilitates the breaking through of the breakable separation partition 5 and of the closing body 8; and

a second extremal portion 9b, opposite the first extremal portion 9a. Advantageously, the piercing body 9 has a substantially tubular conformation and the second extremal section 9b is provided with a passage opening 11 for the exit of the product P.

Preferably, the second extremal section 9b is a dropper, ie it is equipped with a very narrow passage opening 11 having a predetermined diameter according to the rheological properties of the product P, so as to allow the crossing of the product P only in the form of drops.

The package 1 also comprises at least one thrust cap 12 arranged at least partially around the piercing body 9, the thrust cap 12 being activated to push the piercing body 9 from the rest configuration to the piercing configuration.

The push cap 12 can be screwed onto the external surface of the tank body 4.

In other words, the thrust cap 12 has an internal thread 13 while the reservoir body 4 has an external thread 14 onto which the internal thread 13 of the thrust cap 12 can be screwed.

The activation of the thrust cap 12 therefore takes place by screwing and not by simple pressure, which facilitates the operator by reducing the force that the latter must apply to open the package 1.

The thrust cap 12 includes an internal occlusion portion 15 designed to close the passage opening 11 obtained on the second extremal section 9b, in the breakout configuration the thrust cap 12 being removable to free the passage opening 11.

The package 1 also comprises a closure cap 16, 17 provided with:

a first portion 16 of substantially tubular conformation, which is associated with at least one of the container 2, 3 and the tank 4, 5; and a second portion 17, defining the thrust cap 12 and joined to the first portion 16 by interposition of frangible joining means 18.

The first portion 16 and the second portion 17 are made in a single monolithic body and the frangible joining means 18 comprise a joining line with a weakened section.

At the moment of use, the screwing of the second portion 17 or thrust cap 12 onto the tank 4, 5 causes the breakage of the frangible joining means 18, which acts as a tamper-evident element as it signals the first opening of the packaging 1.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the closure cap 16, 17 can be joined to the tank 4, 5 by means of second interlocking means 19.

However, alternative embodiments are not excluded in which the closure cap 16, 17 can be joined directly to the container 2, 3.

It is emphasized that the closing cap 16, 17 has no openings and, once fitted on the tank 4, 5, it protects the tank body 4 and the piercing body 9 (in particular the second extremal portion 9b which acts as a dropper) from external environment, preventing the passage of liquids, powders, and other contaminants.

The operation of package 1 is as follows.

The package 1 is manufactured in the form of five separate components (figure 1): the container 2, 3, the tank 4, 5, the closure body 8, the piercing body 9 and the closure cap 16, 17, which integrates the push cap 12.

At the time of packaging, the container 2, 3 is filled with the first substance S 1 and the tank 4, 5 is filled with the second substance S2, which is poured through the first end 4a, which is then closed by means of the closing body 8 .

At this point the package 1 is assembled by fitting the tank 4, 5 into the mouth 3, inserting the piercing body 9 in the second sector of the tank 4, 5 and, finally, fitting the closing cap 16, 17 around the piercing body 9 and the tank 4, 5 until the first portion 16 fits into the tank 4, 5 (Figure 2).

At the time of use, the thrust cap 12 is screwed onto the tank 4, 5, causing the fracture of the frangible joining means 18 and the displacement of the piercing body 9 from the rest configuration to the breakout configuration.

The second substance S2 can then pour into the container 2, 3 to form the product P (Figure 3).

To dispense the product P thus prepared, simply unscrew the thrust cap 12, which frees the passage opening 11 through which the product P can be administered (Figure 4).

In practice it has been found that the described invention achieves the proposed purposes.

This package allows, in fact, to keep the component substances of the product separate and perfectly isolated until the moment in which the product needs to be prepared.

The use of a closure body that has at least one barrier layer allows, in fact, to perfectly isolate the second substance from the first, preventing the second substance from absorbing the vapors released by the first substance, preventing the formation of thickening and agglomerates and guaranteeing the complete dissolution of one into the other.

The package according to the invention therefore guarantees the preparation of a product with a desired composition and, in the particular case of medicinal or pharmaceutical products, with a predetermined content of active ingredients, thus allowing to respect the dosage established for the therapy of a patient. .

Finally, the package according to the invention is practical and easy to use by users and does not require them to exert any particular effort.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1) Packaging (1) for extemporaneously prepared products, particularly medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic or similar products, characterized in that it includes: at least one container (2, 3), at least partly internally hollow and containing a first substance (SI), said container (2, 3) comprising a container body (2) and a mouth (3) formed on said container body (2 ); at least one tank (4, 5), at least partly internally hollow and containing a second substance (S2) that can be mixed with said first substance (SI), said tank (4, 5) being associated with said container (2, 3) and comprising : at least a substantially tubular tank body (4) extending between a first end (4a), arranged towards the inside of said container body (2) through said mouth (3), and a second end (4b), arranged on the opposite side of said first end (4a); And at least one frangible separation partition (5) disposed inside said reservoir body (4) between said first end (4a) and said second end (4b), wherein said frangible partition (5) divides said reservoir body ( 4) in a first sector (4c), which extends between said first end (4a) and said frangible partition (5), and in a second sector (4d), which extends between said frangible partition (5) ) and said second end (4b); at least one closing body (8) which has at least one barrier layer and is associated with said first end (4a), said closing body (8) closing said first end (4a) to obtain an internal volume in said first sector (4c ) of the tank (4, 5) which contains said second substance (S2) and which is temporarily separated from the internal volume of the container (2, 3) which contains the first substance (SI); And at least one piercing body (9) slidably inserted inside said second sector (4d) and movable between a rest configuration away from said breakable partition (5) and a breakthrough configuration in which said breakable partition (5 ) and said closing body (8) are pierced by said piercing body (9) to allow the mixing of said first substance (SI) and said second substance (S2) and the formation of a product (P). 2) Packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said barrier layer is aluminum. 3) Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said closing body (8) comprises a polyethylene and aluminum (PE / ALU) polycoupled sheet. 4) Package (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said tank body (4) and said frangible separation partition (5) are made in a single monolithic body and joined along a connection line with a weakened section (6). 5) Package (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said piercing body (9) comprises: a first end portion (9a) facing towards the inside of said container body (2) and equipped with an at least partially inclined edge (10) for breaking through said frangible partition (5) and said closing body (8); and a second extremal portion (9b) opposite said first extremal portion (9a). 6) Package (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said piercing body (9) has a substantially tubular conformation and said second extremal section (9b) is provided with a passage opening (11) for the exit of said product (P). 7) Packaging (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said second extremal portion (9b) is a dropper. 8) Package (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one thrust cap (12) arranged at least partially around said piercing body (9), said thrust cap (12) being activated to push said piercing body (9) from said rest configuration to said piercing configuration. 9) Package (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said thrust cap (12) can be screwed onto the external surface of said tank body (4). 10) Package (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said thrust cap (12) comprises an internal occlusion portion (15) adapted to close said passage opening (11), in said breakthrough configuration said thrust cap (12) being removable to free said passage opening (11). 11) Package (1) according to one or more of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a closure cap (16, 17) provided with: a first substantially tubular portion (16) associated with at least one of said container (2, 3) and said tank (4, 5); And a second portion (17) defining said thrust cap (12) and joined to said first portion (16) by interposition of frangible joining means (18). 12) Package (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said first portion (16) and said second portion (17) are made in a single monolithic body and said frangible joining means (18) comprise a weakened section.