NZ205195A

NZ205195A - Tampon applicator,packaging container and closing plug with recesses and stop provections

Info

Publication number: NZ205195A
Application number: NZ205195A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: A K Roy; H D Klinke
Original assignee: Medi Pharma Vertrieb
Priority date: 1982-08-23
Filing date: 1983-08-09
Publication date: 1986-06-11
Also published as: NO832832L; PT77228A; DK153286B; ZA835584B; FI74256B; DK383583D0; EP0101981B1; PT77228B; DD210006A5; SU1314952A3; HU186340B; EP0101981A3; JPS5955258A; FI832992A; AU1830183A; YU173483A; PH20873A; KR870000422B1; DE3231314C2; DE3231314A1

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

2051 95 J Priority Date(s): | Complete Specification Filed: class: ^.^iQliQQ;..aatf:i?./ao Publication Date; P.O. Journal, No: . J .55^.

N.Z.No, NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "PACKING TUBE." We, MEDI-PHARMA VERTRIEBSGESELLSCHAFT mbH, D-5000 Koln 1, ^JL ■--* — ,W| -y J J JlM^o hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us , and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement : - 205195 Packaging Container The invention relates to a packaging container according to the preamble of claim 1 herein.

A packaging container of the generic type indicated in the preamble of claim 1 is known from Swiso Patent—Spec i fi oati on—598/Q59, wherein a double-conical bead is provided on the outer wall of the container neck for a closing cap which is forced via a plug onto the container neck, until its rim engages under the bead. The wall thickness of the bottle-shaped container must be dimensioned with respect to strength in such a way that it withstands the loads on closing. The diameter of the container neck is sized to be smaller than that of the remaining body of the container, the neck merging contin- . I uousiy into the container body. On freeze-drying, a solution which is to be dried is filled into the container. The solution is then dried. After drying, the plug is forced into the container neck and at the same time the closing cap is forced onto the neck of the container with the material, to be dried, located therein.

In the case of a metal bottle for beverages, described in U.S. Patent Specification 2,157,896, the rim of the opening of the bottle neck is flanged outwards for receiving a crown cork.

It is the object of the invention further to develop the packaging container with a plug, according to ■ 6 w i o o—Potent—Specification 598,059, in such a way th t i-ts also suitable for f reeze-dryi ng and for securely | .. 205195 receiving a cylindrical tampon applicator with a test tampon in mass production and metal can be used as the material.

The invention achieves this object by the features contained in the defining clause of the patent claim.

The result of this is that the packaging container for receiving a tampon applicator with a tampon for medical diagnosis of pathological changes in humans and animals, for example in femaLe body cavities, preferably in the vagina, is improved in such a way that the preparation of the tampon with an active ingredient is facilitated, the occupation area in a freeze-drying unit can be utilized to the optimum, a high degree of freeze-drying of the contents of the packaging container until it is sealed and beyond is ensured, and improved uniform temperature control and shorter cooling and drying times are possible, whereby a high product ion speed for the purpose of mass production is achieved. At the same time, the longer dimension of the narrowed cylindrical region of the packaging container, as compared with the depth of penetration of the closing plug, ensures perfect centering of the applicator containing the tampon, which ensures application of the active ingredient to the insertion end of the tampon in the tampon applicator, so that complete utilization of the active ingredient for the diagnosis of pathological changes is possible. The centering of the ^TEAT^vear end of the tampon applicator assists this measure and o\ the same time prevents any skewing in the position of '5 MAR I986trh e tampon applicator in the packaging container, which i v jS skewing might make removal of the tampon applicator from the container more difficult. The stop projections provided on the circumferential side of the guide ribs of the closing plug ensure secure fixing of the closing plug in its position, in which it is initially only partially placed onto the packaging container, with simultaneous centering of the plug on the opening rim of the container, so that the plug can, after freeze-drying, be pressed reliably by machine into its fully sealing position in the packaging container. The use of an applicator, known per se, for the tampon has, for the present diagnostic purpose, the particular advantage of keeping the tampon clean, so that interfering side reactions are precluded and the tampon can be introduced into the body cavity without the tampon having to be gripped by the user.

Furthermore, the use of the sleeve-shaped applicator is advantageous, inasmuch as the introduction end of the tampon can be arranged at an axial distance from the ejection opening within the applicator sleeve, so that the introduction end of the tampon, together with the introduction sleeve end projecting beyond it, forms a cup-like depression for receiving the liquid active ingredient, so Jthat the total quantity of the active ingredient is certain to pass into the body cavity when the tampon is pushed out of the introduction sleeve of the applicator. The larger external diameter of the packaging container as compared with its upper region of narrowed diameter makes it possible, omitting an aluminum block, to place the packaging containers immediately side by side and, due to their mutual contact, to achieve good heat removal coupled with improved space utilization, so that the throughput in the freeze-drying device can be approximately doubled. The mutual contact of the packaging containers ensures better heat transfer which is important for the uniformity of the quality of the container contents and a higher production speed. The small internal diameter of the neck of the packaging container, which centers the tampon applicator in the region of the front end of the tampon, allows a shortened heat transfer path from the tampon to the container wall or through the passage channels left free by the closing plug, so that shorter cooling and drying times result.

The invention is explained below by reference to an illustrative embodiment represented diagrammatically in the drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a packaging container, in langitudi- nal section, with a tampon applicator arranged therein with \ tampon, the closing plug having been placed on only parti-lly and being shown in side view, Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section similar to Figure 1 in which, however, the closing plug has been fully inserted into the packaging container, the bottom of which is provided with a depression for centering the tampon applicator, Figure 3 shows an enlarged side view of the closing plug according to Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 shows the closing plug according to Figure 3, viewed from below.

A packaging container 1 consisting, for example, of aluminum has a bottom 2, a wall 3 with length sections 3a, 3b and 3c, and an opening 4 having an edge 5 which is flanged outwards. The cross-section of the packaging container 1 is-circular over its entire length.

The external diameter of the length section 3a of the packaging container 1 is greater than that of the upper narrowed length section 3c and that of the flanged edge 5 thereof. The length section 3b tapers conically upwards, so that a bottle-like shape of the packaging container 1 results. The bottom 2 is made thicker than the wall 3.

The length of the section 3a is, for example, 110 mm, the length of the section 3b is, for example, 10 mm and the length of the section 3c is, for example, 26 mm. The thickness of .the bottom 2 is, for example, about 0.6 to 1 mm^ and the thickness of the wall 3 is, for example, about 0.23 mm in the length section 3a and, for example, about 0.28 mm in the Length section 3c.

Suitable external diameters are, for example, 22 mm in the length section 3a, for example 16 mm in the length section 3c and, for example, 18 mm at the flanged edge 5. The height of the flanged edge 5 can, for example, be 1.2 mm.

The abovementioned dimensions can, however, be exceeded or reduced, depending on the intended use of the packaging container and the nature of its material, and as a function of the nature and shape of the object to be packaged.

For sealing the opening 4, a closing plug 8 of 205195 7 an elastic material/ for example soft rubber, is provided. The closing plug 8 has a disk-shaped gripping part 9 with an outer end face 10. The diameter of the gripping part 9 is greater than the external diameter of the sealing part 11, located below, with an inner end face 12.

Three recesses 13 are provided on three peripheral sections of the sealing part 11, which adjoin the end face 12 and are symmetrically distributed. Figure 4 shows that the boundary surface of each recess 13 has a curvature which is convex relative to the axis of the closing plug. In addition, Figures 3 and 4 show that the boundary surfaces extend parallel to the axis of the closing plug 8. As a result of this, that part of the closing plug 8 which faces the packaging container 1 and which extends over approximately half the length of the plug, is formed in the shape of three guide ribs. plug 8 so closely that the inner end face 12 is essentially formed only by three narrow surface sections 12a, 12b, 12c which overlap on the axis of the closing plug 8 and extend radially outwards from there, the longitudinal axes of two adjacent surface sections 12a, 12b, 12c forming an angle of 120°.

On the periphery of the sealing part 11, stop projections 23 are provided at the height of the recesses 13, which projections serve as stops opposite the flanged edge 5, when the closing plug 8 is pressed only partially into The recesses 13 approach the axis of the closing o\the packaging container 1.

The transition from the peripheral surface of 205195 the sealing part 11 to the end face 12 is conically chamfered, forming edge surfaces 24, in order to facilitate the insertion of the closing plug 8 into the packaging container 1.

According to Figures 1 and 2, an applicator 15 consists of an introduction sleeve 17 and an ejection sleeve 18 which is telescopicaI ly inserted into the latter and has a somewhat smaller diameter. In the region where the introduction sleeve 17 and the ejection sleeve 18 overlap, the two sleeves 17, 18 are provided with a punched nick 19. As a result, a tongue 20 is formed in the wall of the introduction sleeve 17, which tongue projects into the punched nick 19 in the ejection sleeve 18 and thus prevents the ejection sleeve 18 from inadvertently sliding out of the introduction sleeve 17.

However, this locking can also be realized in a different way, for example by a peripheral gropve on the ejection sleeve 18 and an internal bead on the introduction sleeve 17, or vice versa. There is then a mutual fixing two sleeves 17, 18, similar to an adhesive i on.

The tampon 16 is arranged in the introduction 17 in such a way that the introduction end 17a of the introduction sleeve 17 projects beyond the introduction end 16a of the tampon 16 and thus forms a free space 21 at the introduction end 17a of the introduction sleeve 17.

This free space 21 serves to receive the solution of active ingredient which is rapidly sprayed on at this point, when an active ingredient is applied to the introduction end the i<V>e c ? /J O J? %Ji i vjy^eeve 205195 16a of the tampon 16, and which requires a little extra time for penetrating into the tampon 16. The space 21 has a capacity of about 3 ml of solution.

In order to prevent a part of the said solution/ while it is present in the space 21 and also later, or of the active ingredient from migrating away into the wall of the introduction sleeve 17 and hence being lost from the tampon, the inner wall of the introduction sleeve 17 can be coated with an impermeable material, for example with a silicone, a wax, a plastic layer or film, such as PVC film, or an aluminum foil.

A withdrawal cord 22 if the tampon 16 extends through the ejection sleeve 18.

According to Figure 1, the closing, plug 8, placed only partially onto the packaging container 1, is centered by its stop projections 23 on the flanged edge or bead 5. In this position, a flow channel 25 connects the interior of the packaging container 1 to its outer surroundings, so that freeze-drying of the contents of the packaging container is possible. Immediately after the end of the drying process, the closing plug 8 is pressed into the packaging container 1 until the handle part 9 strikes the flanged edge 5, as shown in Figure 2.

The depression 26 in the bottom 2 of the packaging container has a diameter somewhat larger than the external diameter of the rear end 18a of the ejection sleeve 18. Consequently, the rear end of the tampon applicator 15 is centered in the packaging container 1 and thus is, on the one hand, protected from radial displacement at this end 2051SS and/ on the other hand/ axially aligned relative to an injection needle which is not shown and by means of which a solution of active ingredient is sprayed onto the tampon 16.

The procedure when using the packaging container 1 can/ for instance/ be as follows: The applicator 15 containing the tampon 16 is placed into the upright packaging container 1 in silch a way that the introduction end of the tampon faces the opening 4 of the packaging container 1. Using an automatically operated filling device/ about 2 ml of a solution of active ingredient are then sprayed by means of an injection needle into the free space 21. Subsequently/ the closing plug 8 is partially pressed into the opening 4 of the packaging container 1, as shown in Figure 1. A multiplicity of packaging containers 1 which have been prepared in this way and are placed close to one another with mutual contact, are introduced into a freeze-drying apparatus. The mutual contact of the packaging containers 1 ensures rapid cooling of the containers and their contents. Due to the vacuum applied, the solvent/ for example water, of the solution of active ingredient vaporizes from the tampon 16 and escapes from the packaging container 1 via the recesses 13 in the closing plug 8. After the drying process has been tompleted/ the closing plugs 8 are each pressed fully into MARI986£\?he packaging containers 1 until tight closure is obtained.

The packaging container 1 thus facilitates the application of an active ingredient to the tampon 16/ reduces the costs of drying the contents of the container and, due to the exclusion of moisture, air and light/ ensures a 2oSJ 9S long storage life of the packaged tampon 16 up to the time when it is used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

J3G5l3j>

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM ISi-

1. A packaging container with an elastic closing plug, which can initially be placed on partially and immediately afterwards can be placed on fully, to make a seal, for freeze-drying a substance contained therein, the packaging container being of metal and having an upper narrowed cylindrical section and a lower widened cylindrical section, the external diameter of which is greater than the external diameter of the narrowed section or of the closing plug, wherein a) the narrowed cylindrical section is longer than the depth of penetration of the closing plug and extends over the front end of a tampon applicator in the container, which is centered by this section, b) a depression molded into the bottom region of the lower cylindrical section receives and centers the rear end of the tampon applicator, c) the lower part of the plug has three recesses, forming three guide ribs which are provided with stop projections on the circumferential side and project beyond the internal diameter of the narrowed cylindrical section, and d) the narrowed cylindrical section extends down to less than substantially one quarter of the length of the packaging container.

2. A packaging container according to claim 1 substantially as herein described or exemplified. MEDI—PHARMA VERTRIEBSGESELLSCHAFT mbH By Their Attorneys HENRY HUGHES LIMITED