NO832832L - PACKAGE ROER - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Packaging tubule (1) of metal of high thermal conductivity for a tampon applicator (15), which consists of two sleeves telescopically displaceable is one another, namely an introduction sleeve (17) and an ejection sleeve (18), for the diagnosis, in human medicine, of pathological changes in female body cavities, preferably in the vagina, having a closing plug (8) of elastic material, and an external diameter which, in the length section (3c) adjoining the opening (4) of the packing tubule is smaller than in a length section (3b) with a conical transition to a length section (3a) of larger diameter, and an opening edge (5), the external diameter of which is smaller than that in the length sections (3a, 3b) of larger diameter, the closing plug being provided with at least one projection (23) on its peripheral surface which comes into contact with the internal surface of the tubule, at a distance of about one quarter of its length starting from the end facing the packaging tubule, and having at least one recess (13) on the periphery of its end facing the opening of the packaging tubule, characterized in that the internal diameter of the length section (3c) adjoining the opening (4) is slightly larger than the external diameter of the introduction end (17a) of the introduction sleeve (17) of the tampon applicator, the length section (3c) adjoining the opening (4) is longer than the depth of penetration of the closing plug, the distance between the inner end face (12) of the closing plug and the bottom (2) of the packaging tubule is slightly larger than the length of the tampon applicator, the tampon applicator being centered in the region of the opening of the packaging tubule, and a centering device for the tampon applicator is provided in the bottom (2) of the packaging tubule.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging tube with a closing cap of an elastic material, especially intended for a tampon for medical diagnosis of pathological changes in humans and animals, e.g. in the female body cavity and preferably in the vagina.

Packaging tubes made of metal with an elastic cap are known. These are used for packing very different goods. The Me number gives such tubes a relatively high mechanical stability and therefore these tubes are particularly suitable for packaging shock- and pressure-sensitive objects or products such as pharmaceuticals in tablet form.

There are also known tampons which are intended for women's hygiene or for medical purposes. These include special tampons such as consists of cotton and/or cellulose fibers and which, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, is coated or impregnated with one or more chemically active substances.

Since these substances frequently, e.g. in the case of diagnoses, must react

on very small material changes, e.g. in a human body cavity, they themselves are often meqeti delicate substances. It is therefore necessary that these, respectively the thus equipped carrier materials, e.g. a tampon treated with a diagnostic agent is protected from unfavorable environmental influences from the time of manufacture to the time of use, e.g. because of. air oxygen, humidity or energy-rich light. Thereby, the term "energy-rich light" means such light (including ultraviolet light) which is more energy-rich than red light. These requirements must therefore be satisfied by the packaging material chosen for the tampon.

As diagnostic and therapeutic tampons must be kept particularly clean until use in order not to trigger disturbing side-reactions, the tampons are usually placed in tampon applicators during or immediately after manufacture. This enables an introduction of the tampon into a body cavity. without contaminating the tampon with your fingers.

It is therefore desirable to measure packaging tubes for tampons of the aforementioned kind in such a way that an applicator containing a tampon can be packaged therein.

There are certain active substances which are only stable for several months or years under the extreme exclusion of water, e.g. at a moisture content of less than 1%. Tampons containing such active substances must therefore be dried well before the packaging tube is closed. One possibility for this is freeze-drying. In preparation for this, the applicator with the tampon is arranged in such a way that it is vertical. provided packaging tube that the insertion end for the tampon faces the opening of the packaging tube. After applying a solution of active material to the tampon, the packaging tube is partially closed with a stopper, arranged in a freeze-drying device and dried with the contents.

As a holding device for several packaging tubes in the freeze-drying device, until now an aluminum block has been used in the surface of which, at certain distances, holes are arranged into which a packaging tube can be inserted in each case.

In this way, the vertically placed packaging tube is secured against falling and retains this position also in the freeze-dryer direction.

Since, however, the usual packaging tubes have a uniform outer diameter over most of their length and a folded edge that projects beyond this at the opening, and since the gripping edge of the attached cork often protrudes above the folded edge, until now a certain distance has been kept between the individual packaging tubes in the aluminum block if all pipes should be vertical. Nor has it been possible to place the bores for the packing tubes arbitrarily close to each other. The consequence is that the given utilization surface in the freeze-drying plant could not be optimally utilized with packaging tubes. Furthermore, the production of the aforementioned aluminum ingots is expensive and the processing cumbersome.

The present invention has the task of providing

a packaging tube of metal with a stopper of an elastic material, specially intended for a tampon for the medical diagnosis of pathological changes in humans and animals, e.g. in the female body cavity and preferably in the vagina. The packaging tube must be easy to manufacture and the tampons packaged therein, which are preferably located in an applicator, securely and permanently protected from air and especially humidity and light. Furthermore, the aim is that the packaging tube facilitates the preparation of the tampon with an active material. Furthermore, it is desired to achieve that the working surface available for the production of packaged tampons, especially the utilization surface in a freeze-drying device, is utilized optimally, i.e. that several tubes can be dried per surface unit .

According to the invention, this problem is solved by the features that appear in the characteristic part of the main claim.

The larger external diameter in the rest of the length section for the packaging tube makes it possible, without using an aluminum block, to place a larger number of such tubes next to each other without an unused space remaining between two tubes standing immediately next to each other. In this way, the performance of the freeze-drying device can be almost doubled.

Furthermore, it is achieved that the packaging tubes touch each other over a larger length section, which leads to a good heat transfer between the tubes and which is again important for the uniformity of the quality of the tube contents. An even temperature transfer is of crucial importance to achieve this.

A further advantage lies in the fact that the reduced outer diameter (which corresponds to a reduced inner diameter) in the packaging tube in the part of the tube facing the tube opening, shortens the heat transport path from the tampon to the tube wall. The consequence of this is a shorter cooling and drying time.

The reduced external diameter also means that a tampon applicator inserted in the packaging tube, e.g. consisting of an insertion sleeve and a telescopically displaceable ejection sleeve therein, is centered in the area of the packaging tube's opening, i.e. it has only a small radial clearance in relation to the inner wall of the packaging tube. As a result, operational reliability is significantly increased when using an automatic device to spray on

a solution of active substance on the insertion end of the tampon which is arranged in the applicator in the packaging tube.

Due to the fact that the outer diameter from the bottom to the top approx. 3/4 of the packaging tube is larger than the opening, the packaging tube takes on a flap-like appearance. It is particularly advantageous here that such pipes touch each other over a larger length section when they are put together closely. Thus, a good heat transfer between the packaging tubes is achieved in the freeze-drying device.

Furthermore, the closing plug of the packaging tube has at least one recess in the circumference of the end facing the packaging tube. This has the advantage that even before introduction into the freeze-drying device, the closure plug can be brought into the packaging tube in such a way that it is sufficiently attached to the tube opening but that at the same time an opening remains so that water vapor can escape. Furthermore, the closing plug already attached before drying makes it possible to completely close the pipe opening very quickly after drying. This is important to prevent water vapor from penetrating again

in the packaging tube after drying.

In principle, a single recess in the circumference of the closing plug is sufficient for the aforementioned purpose. However, for a centering of this in the packaging tube and for a rapid gas transport during drying, it is beneficial that several recesses are distributed along the closure plug ring circuit.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are indicated in the subclaims.

It is appropriate when the packaging tube exhibits a conical transition from a longitudinal section with a larger outer diameter to a longitudinal section with a smaller outer diameter. With this design, sharp edges where the applicator can be damaged by friction are avoided.

In accordance with the further development of the packaging tube, the opening edge is given an outwardly directed false edge. This achieves, firstly, greater stability for the packaging tube in the opening area and, on the other hand, a wider tube top edge, thereby avoiding a risk of damage when processing the packaging tube. Furthermore, a better sealing is achieved by closing the pipe. It has proven appropriate to make the outer diameter at the folded edge smaller than in the part of the packaging tube that has the largest outer diameter. In this way, the packaging tubes can be placed close together in a space-saving manner under mutual contact without this hindering the folded edge.

According to the further embodiment, it exhibits

with the inner surface of the packaging tube in contact with the circumferential surface of the closure plug and at a distance of about 1/4 of the length, counted from the end facing the tube, at least one projection. This facilitates positioning of the closure plug on the tube before drying. The projection acts as an abutment in relation to the opening frame

when the stopper is only partially pressed into the tube so that the opening remains partially open.

For the most part, the size of the packaging tube is measured so that the distance between the inner end surface of the closure plug and the bottom of the packaging tube is somewhat greater than the length of a tampon applicator, which is known per se and consists of two telescope-like sleeves that can be moved into one another. This makes it possible for a diagnostic tampon including the associated applicator to be placed in the packaging tube.

According to the further suitable embodiment, a depression is arranged at the bottom of the packaging tube, the diameter of which is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the rear end of the tampon applicator to be packed. In this way, the rear end of the applicator is also centered in the packaging tube so that the applicator in the tube is aligned axially in cooperation with the smaller internal diameter of the tube in the opening parts. This increases the security that the applicator and thus also the device arranged therein! tampon takes the correct position for spraying the solution of active substance and is subjected to a uniform cooling.

It is advantageous when the packaging tube consists of a metal with high thermal conductivity, e.g. aluminum. In this case, a fast one is guaranteed. heat transport between the pre-package tubes.

The invention shall be illustrated in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings where:

Fiour (1) shows parts of an enlarged longitudinal section through

a first embodiment of a packaging tube;

Figure 2 is an enlargement of section A in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlargement of section B in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of a closure plug for packaging tubes according to Figure 1; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the underside of a closure plug according to Figure 4; Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through a packaging tube according to Figure 1 and through a tampon applicator with a tampon arranged therein, whereby the closure plug is only partially fitted and is shown from the side; ..figure 7 is a longitudinal section corresponding to figure 6 including a fully fitted closing plug, and with a recess in the bottom of the packaging tube.

A packaging tube 1 as in e.g. consists of aluminum exhibits a bottom 2, a wall 3 with longitudinal sections 3a, 3b, 3c,

as well as an opening B4 with an outwardly folded edge 5. The cross-section of the packaging tube 1 is circular-cylindrical over its entire length.

In the longitudinal section 3 a:. the outer diameter of the packaging tube is larger than in the longitudinal section 3c and at the false edge 5. In the longitudinal section 3 "b, an outer diameter of the packaging tube 1 is reduced conically upwards. Together, a bottle-like shape for the packaging tube is thereby obtained.

Section A in Figure 1 is enlarged in Figure 2 and shows that the edge 5 is folded in such a way that in cross-section it is approximately curved circular and that the cutting edge 6 touches the wall 3 on the outside. Thereby, a risk of damage due to the core edge 6 is excluded.

Section B in figure 1 is shown enlarged in figure 3. From there it can be seen that the base 2 is made thicker than the wall 3. Furthermore, the inner surface 2 A and the outer surface 2 B of the base 2 are mostly arranged vertically on the wall 3 Only in a bottom section 2 C immediately next to the wall 3 does the inner surface 2 A rise conically towards the wall 3 while the outer surface 2B merges into the wall 3 by a rounding.

The in the bottom section 2 c conical continuous inner surface 2

A forms an angle of approx. 7 to 10° with the horizontal plane.

The length of section 3A is e.g. 110 mm, the length of section 2B e.g. 10 mm and the length of section 3c e.g.

26 mm. The thickness of the base 1 is e.g. of 0.6 more

1 mm, the thickness of the wall 3 in the longitudinal section 3a. e.g. of 0.23 mm and i in the length section 3 c e.g. at 0.28 mm.

For the outer diameter in the length section 3 a, the value is e.g. of 22 mm is suitable, in the length section 3c is e.g. 16 mm is suitable and for the outer diameter in the false edge 5 is e.g. 18 mm suitable. The height of the false edge 5 can e.g. amount to 1.2 mm.

However, depending on the intended purpose of the packaging tube and the type of material, as well as the type and design of the item to be packaged, the target can be exceeded or undershot.

A closing plug is used to close the opening 4

8 of an elastic material, e.g. soft rubber. The plug 8 shown in Figure 4 has a disk-like gripping part 9 with an outer end surface 10. The diameter of the gripping parts 9 is larger than the outer diameter of the underlying sealing part 11 with an inner end surface 12.

On three sections of the sealing part 11 lying next to the end surface 12 and symmetrically distributed around the perimeter, three recesses 13 are arranged. From figure 5 which shows the closure plug seen against the inner end surface 12, it can be seen that the limiting surface for the recesses 13 is curved convex in relation to the axis of the closure plug. Furthermore, figures 4 and 5 show that the limiting surfaces 14 run parallel to the axis of the closure plug 8. By means of such a design, it is part of the closure plug 8; which faces the packaging tube 1 in a length of more than half of the plug length formed in the form of three ribs.

The recesses 13 go so far towards the axis of the closure plug 8 that the inner end surface 12 is essentially only formed by three narrow surface sections 12 å--.., 12 b, 12 c which overlap each other at the axis of the closure plug 8 and from there extend radially outwards, whereby the longitudinal axes of two side-by-side surface sections 12 a., 12 b., 12 c form an angle of 120°. In the circumference of the sealing part 11, protruding parts 23 are arranged at the height of the recesses 13, which form a stop against the false edge 5 when the closure plug 8 is only to be partially pressed into the packaging tube 1. The transition between the circumferential surface of the sealing part 11 and the end surface 12 is phonically bevelled, creating edge surfaces 24 to facilitate an introduction of the closure plug 8 into the packaging tube 1.

Figures 6 and 7 show how a tampon applicator 15 in which a tampon 16 is located is arranged in the packaging tube 1.

The applicator 15 consists of an insertion sleeve 17 and an ejection sleeve inserted therein in a telescopic manner. -| 8 with a slightly smaller diameter. In the area where the introduction shelter 17

and the ejection sleeve 18 overlap each other, both sleeves 17, 18 are equipped with a punching 19. Thereby a tongue 20 is formed in the wall of the insertion sleeve 17 into which the punching 19 of the ejection sleeve 18 projects and which thus prevents the ejection sleeve 18 from accidentally slipping off the insertion sleeve 17. However, this ariteration can also be realized in another way, e.g. by a circumferential groove on the ejection sleeve 17 and inner bead on the insertion sleeve 17, with respectively reversed. There is thus a mutual fixation of the two sleeves 17 18 corresponding to a grid connection.

The tampon 16 is arranged in such a way in the insertion sleeve 17 that the insertion end 17a>\ of the insertion sleeve 17 projects above the insertion end 16 a;, to the tampon and thereby forms a free space 21 at the insertion end 17 A to the insertion sleeve 17. This free space 21 serves by applying an active material to the insertion end 16a- of the tampon 16 and occupying the quickly sprayed solution of active material which needs a somewhat longer time to penetrate the tampon 16. The space 21 occupies approx. 3 ml solution.

In order to prevent part of the solution or active material while the solution is in the space 21 and also later disappearing into the wall of the insertion sleeve 17 and thereby being lost to the tampon, the inner wall of the insertion sleeve 17 can be coated with an impermeable material, such like for example. a silicone, a wax, a plastic layer respectively a foil, such as a PVCD foil, or an aluminum foil.

The extraction cord 22 for the tampon 16 passes through the ejection sleeve 18.

In Figure 6, the closure plug 8 is not shown in longitudinal section but in side view to explain the function of the protruding part 23. When, after applying an active material to the tampon 16, it is desirable to first push the closure plug 8 partially into the opening 4 until the packaging tube 1 acts the projection 23 as an abutment against the false edge 5 which is shown in dotted line in figure 6. In this position of the closing plug 8, it remains due to the recesses 13 a flow channel 25 between the inner space of the packaging tube 1 and the outer environment. This is necessary during processing of packaging tubes and contents in the freeze-drying device. After finished drying, the closure plug 8 can be pressed in until the grip part 9 rests against the neck edge 5.

Figure 7 largely corresponds to figure 6, however, the closure plug 8 in figure 7 is shown in the closed position and in longitudinal section.

Furthermore, according to Figure 7, the packaging tube 1 has a recess 26 at the bottom, the diameter of which is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the rear end 18 a. of the ejection sleeve 18 arranged therein. In this way, the tampon applicator is centered at its rear end in the packaging tube 1 and is protected thus on the one hand against radial movement and on the other hand axially aligned against an injection needle (not shown) by means of which the active solution is injected onto the tampon 16.

When using the packaging tube, one can e.g. proceed as follows: The tampon 16 in the applicator 15 is inserted into the upright packaging tube 1 in such a way that the insertion end of the tampon faces the opening 4 in the packaging tube. With an automatically working filling device, approx. 2 ml solution of active substance injected into the free space 21. Then the closure plug 8 is partially pressed into the opening 4 of the packaging tube 1 as shown in Figure 6. A number of packaging tubes prepared in this way are then placed close to each other under mutual contact each other in a freeze-dryer. Due to the mutual contact of the packaging tubes 1, rapid cooling of the tubes and their contents is ensured. Due to the applied vacuum, the solvent evaporates, e.g. water, from the solution out of the tampon 16 and disappears through the recesses 13 in the closure plug 8 from the packaging tube 1. After complete drying, the closure plug 8 is pressed into the packaging tubes until it stops.

Overall, the packaging tubes 1 facilitate the application of an active material to the tampon 16, make drying the tube contents more cost-effective and, by excluding air and light, ensure a long shelf life for the packed tampon 16 until the time of use for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Claims (9)

1. Packaging tube (1) in particular for a tampon (16) for human medical diagnosis of pathological changes in female body cavities, preferably in the vagina. with a closed plug (8) and with an outer diameter which in the longitudinal section (3c) adjacent to the opening (4) of the packaging tube (1) is smaller than in the other longitudinal sections (3b, 3a), characterized by a combination of the following characteristics: a) The other longitudinal sections (3b, 3a) extend from the bottom (2) to over approx. 3/4 of the length of the packaging tube (1) : b) The inner diameter of the longitudinal section (3c) is insignificantly larger than the outer diameter of the item (16) to be packed; c) The closure plug (8) has at least one recess (13) at the circumference of the end facing the packaging tube (1). 2. Packaging tube according to claim 1, characterized by a longitudinal section (3b) with a conical transition from the longitudinal section (3a) with a larger outer diameter to the longitudinal section (3c) with a smaller outer diameter. 3. Packaging tube according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening edge 5 is folded outwards. 4. Packaging tube (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer diameter at the false edge (5) is smaller than the larger outer diameter in the longitudinal section (3a). 5. Packaging tube (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the circumferential surface of the closure plug (8) coming into contact with the inner surface of the tube (1) at a distance of approximately 1/4 of the length from the end facing the packaging tube (1) has at least one projection (23). 6. Packaging tube (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the distance between the inner end surface (12) of the closure plug (8) and the bottom (2) of the packaging tube (1) is somewhat greater than the length of a known in and of itself and of (2) telescopically mutually displaceable sleeves (17,18) of a tampon applicator (15). 7. Packaging tube (1) according to claim 6, characterized by a centering device for the product (15) to be packed in the bottom (2) of the packaging tube (1). 8. Packaging tube (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the bottom (2) has a recess (26) whose diameter is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the rear end (18a) of the tampon applicator (15) to be packed. 9. Packaging tube (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists of a metal! with high thermal conductivity.