Multi-part closure device for drug containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a multipart closure device (2) for coupling to a medical active substance container (1) with a suitable collar (101). The multipart closure device (2) comprises a sealing stopper (20), a stopper securing device (21), and preferably a protective lid (22). The sealing stopper (20) can be secured on the active substance container (1) by means of the stopper securing device (21) so as to seal an opening in a bottle neck (10) of the active substance container (1) and so as to allow an air-tight removal of a liquid active substance. The stopper securing device (21) comprises a securing cage (210) with a central ring (2101), a central opening, and a lateral wall (2102) which has a plurality of undercut webs (2103) which are molded along the lateral wall (2102) and which are adapted so as to latch onto the collar (101) of the bottle neck (10). The undercut webs (2103) are bent in a tilted manner in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the stopper securing device (21). The stopper securing device (21) additionally has an outer cage sleeve (211) which surrounds a securing cage (210) in an offset manner radially outwards, comprising a central opening (2111), said cage sleeve (211) being made of metal or plastic, and / or the cage sleeve (211) is connected to the securing cage (210) by means of a bonded connection, in particular by means of adhesion or welding, a form-fitting connection, or a force-fitting connection.

Description

[0001] Multi-part closure device for active ingredient containers

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present invention relates to a multi-part closure device for coupling to a medical active ingredient container with a suitable collar. The multi-part closure device comprises a sealing plug, a plug securing device, and optionally a protective lid. The sealing plug can be secured to the active ingredient container by means of the plug securing device, sealing an opening in a bottle neck and allowing airtight removal of liquid active ingredient. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a medical active ingredient container with a multi-part closure device and the use of a multi-part closure device.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The aseptic storage and transport of medical devices and active medicinal substances in medical drug containers is of great importance in many areas of medicine. Of particular interest here are medical drug containers in the form of medical injection vials, also known as "vials," where liquid medicinal substances are withdrawn from such medical drug containers using drawing-off and / or application needles. A specific example of the medical drug containers or vials referred to are vaccine containers, vaccine vials, or vaccine ampoules.

[0006] Wherever vaccines are administered in liquid form, care must be taken to ensure that the vaccines or vaccine concentrates are not contaminated during storage and that vaccines are not taken from medical vaccine containers that have already been unknowingly opened. In addition to aseptic storage, a guaranteed seal must also be visible until first use so that contamination of the contents can be ruled out with certainty. Accordingly, the medical vaccine containers are provided with a one-way closure device, as there are no plans to make the medical active ingredient containers resealable for longer use. The medical disciplines of interest here, in which active ingredients are administered in such medical active ingredient containers, are in particular immunology, virology, and oncology, although this is not to be understood as an exhaustive list.

[0007] A multi-part closure device for a medical drug container is known from EP2948122. The medical drug container has a bottle neck with a collar, with a rubber stopper partially inserted into the bottle neck and permanently fixed there by a retaining ring. The rubber stopper has a sealing lip that is sealingly connected to the inner surface of the bottle neck. The retaining ring encloses an edge of the rubber stopper and a collar end bead and is formed from a metal sheet. By pressing the retaining ring onto the bottle neck and bending the bottle-side edge of the retaining ring, the rubber stopper cannot become detached from the medical drug container, and vaccines can be stored aseptically. Additional means are provided to form a stopper securing device that additionally encloses the rubber stopper and the retaining ring, and a movable lid is attached.When the lid is opened and the area at the center of the rubber stopper is exposed, vaccine can be withdrawn from the interior of the medicinal active ingredient container by piercing the thinner center of the rubber stopper with a draw-on and / or vaccination syringe or a draw-on and / or application needle. EP2948122 provides for complex additional means that go far beyond the simplest possible securing of the rubber stopper with a sheet metal ring. This design is technically complex and not particularly suitable for mass production. In addition to the effort required to manufacture the multi-part closure device from EP2948122 and the large number of different components, the filling and closing of the active ingredient containers also appears to be complex and not possible with simple filling systems.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to create a multi-part closure device for a medical active ingredient container, which achieves a secure closure with improved tightness, comprises as few components as possible, an increased securing effect with low weight and nevertheless enables a simplified attachment to the bottle neck opening of the medical active ingredient container, so that the multi-part closure devices can also be easily applied on site during the filling process.

[0010] The object underlying the invention is achieved by a multi-part closure device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are listed in the subclaims.

[0011] Preferably, the multi-part closure device further comprises a protective cover which additionally protects the puncture area, is easily removable before use and further optionally comprises windows through which the integrity of the closure device can be checked.

[0012] All variations of feature combinations or minor adaptations of the invention can be found in the detailed description, illustrated in the figures, and included in the dependent patent claims. Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The subject matter of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Necessary features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from this following description, which details a preferred embodiment of the invention and some additional or optional features.

[0014] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and the drawings. They show:

[0015] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a bottle neck of a medical drug container and a matching multi-part closure device with protective lid;

[0016] Figure 2 is a sectional view of a multi-part closure device with a protective lid, placed on a bottle neck of a medicinal drug container;

[0017] Figure 3 is a partial sectional view of a multi-part closure device with sealing plug, safety cage, outer cage shell and protective cover;

[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a multi-part closure device with a protective lid without a medicinal substance container from below;

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a sealing plug alone;

[0020] Figure 6a is a perspective view of the safety cage in the insertable state; Figure 6b is a sectional view of the safety cage from Figure 6a in combination with a sealing plug;

[0021] Figure 7a is a perspective view of an alternative safety cage in the insertable state,

[0022] Figure 7b shows a sectional view of the safety cage from Figure 7a in

[0023] Combination with a sealing plug;

[0024] Figure 8 is a perspective view of another alternative

[0025] Safety cage in usable condition;

[0026] Figure 9a shows a perspective view of the medicinal drug container with the stopper securing device with protective lid, with recesses and plastic windows in the protective lid;

[0027] Figure 9b is an exploded view of a protective cover with corresponding recesses and a window layer as produced on a corresponding plastic injection molding machine; and

[0028] Figure 10 is a sectional view of a transport container in which prefabricated storage pallets with several unfilled medicinal active ingredient containers and several unattached multi-part closure devices are stored. Detailed description of the invention

[0029] The present invention is explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which, however, are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0030] An embodiment of the invention in the form of a medical active ingredient container 1 with a multi-part compact closure device 2 is shown in Figure 1. Such medical active ingredient containers 1 can also be referred to as vaccine vials, vaccine ampoule, vaccine bottles, multi-dose containers, medical bottles for the aseptic storage and dispensing of liquid vaccines and vaccine concentrates as a medical active ingredient. These medical active ingredient containers 1 are preferably made of glass or plastic and are commercially available in standardized sizes. After filling the medical active ingredient container 1, the multi-part closure device 2 is placed onto a bottle neck 10 of the medical active ingredient container 1. The multi-part closure device 2 is to be mounted on the bottle neck 10 in a non-detachable and non-removable manner, so that no contents can escape from the medical active ingredient container 1.The contents are not shown here. Contamination of the interior of the medical drug container 1 must be avoided during transport and storage. After opening or first use of the contents of the medical drug container 1, there are often only a few hours before the contents—for example, a vaccine—become unusable.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, a multi-part closure device 2 according to the invention comprises at least one sealing plug 20 and a multi-part plug securing device 21, with which the sealing plug 20 can be fastened to a collar 101 of the bottle neck 10. Due to the design of the plug securing device 21 presented here, the multi-part closure device 2 can be pressed onto the collar 101 in the direction of a longitudinal axis L of the medicinal active ingredient container 1, and means of the plug securing device 21 engage the collar 101.

[0032] The closure device 2 is not intended for multiple use, opening and closing of the closure device 2, but remains immobile after attachment to the collar 101, sealing the interior of the medicinal active substance container 1.

[0033] A protective cover 22 is intended as an optional part of the multi-part closure device 2, which additionally provides mechanical protection.

[0034] In Figure 1, the individual components are shown in a state not yet assembled and are presented individually from bottom to top.

[0035] The bottle neck 10 of the medicinal active ingredient container 1 has a collar 101, which has a collar end bead 102, an outer collar surface 103, and an inner contact surface 104. The multi-part closure device 2 according to the invention is plugged together with the collar end bead 102, with a part of the closure device 2 engaging behind the collar end bead 102, so that the closure device 2 cannot slip relative to the collar 101 in the assembled state.

[0036] The sealing plug 20 is preferably formed from an elastomer, in particular from rubber or from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and is designed to taper downwards from the top, i.e. from the side facing away from the medical active ingredient container 1, i.e. is essentially conically shaped.

[0037] The sealing plug 20 is profiled, and at least one sealing lip 201 and one edge 202 are arranged on the outer circumferential side surface of the sealing plug 20. Thus, the sealing plug 20 can be pressed onto the bottle neck 10 in the longitudinal direction L and arranged and secured so as to partially protrude therein. To increase the tightness, three sealing lips 201 along the outer side surface of the sealing plug 20 have proven effective. In the assembled state, these lips lie along the inner contact surface 104 of the bottle neck 10. The edge 202 protrudes radially beyond the tapered part of the sealing plug 20 and remains outside the bottle neck 10 in the assembled state.

[0038] The tapered part of the sealing plug 20 is countersunk into the bottle neck 10 during assembly, with the edge 202 of the sealing plug 20 remaining outside the collar 101 and the bottle neck 10. A cage support surface 2021 is arranged along the peripheral edge 202, and therein a peripheral cage edge recess 2022 in the form of an annular groove. Preferably, the cage edge recess 2022 has a peripheral bead 2023, which is formed by an undercut in a lower section of the cage edge recess 2022 on a radially inner surface of the cage edge recess 2022.

[0039] To ensure easy access to the interior of the medicinal active ingredient container 1 during later removal of the contents of the medicinal active ingredient container 1, a central plug taper 203 is provided in the sealing plug 20, also indicated by dashed lines in Figure 1. A drawing-up and / or application needle can be easily pierced through this plug taper 203.

[0040] In addition to the sealing plug 20, which is optimized compared to the prior art, the multi-part closure device 2 has a plug securing device 21, which consists of two parts, a securing cage 210 and an outer cage shell 211.

[0041] The safety cage 210, which in the assembled state is located on the inside, closer to the longitudinal axis L, is preferably formed from a one-piece, continuous sheet metal stamping comprising a central ring 2101 and a circumferential side wall 2102 with several undercut webs 2103. The central ring 2101 leaves a central opening in the safety cage 210 open, allowing the insertion and / or application needle to be pierced through it. The size of the central opening is preferably as large as the diameter of the plug taper 203 in the sealing plug 20 or even larger.

[0042] The undercut webs 2103 are arranged in the side wall 2102 such that they have an inclination towards the longitudinal axis L and can thus be brought into engagement with the collar 101 below the collar end bead 102 in the assembled state. In the view according to Figure 1, an inclination from bottom to top in the direction of the longitudinal axis L is clearly visible. Due to the inclination of the undercut webs 2103 or tilting in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, the undercut webs 2103 can engage behind the collar end bead 102 or the undercut below the collar end bead 102. The securing cage 210 and the sealing plug 20 are efficiently secured and fixed to the medical active ingredient container 1 in the axial direction and in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, respectively, by this mechanism.

[0043] A cage edge bead 2104 is arranged at least partially circumferentially in the side wall 2102. Here, the cage edge bead 2104 is arranged at a height such that, in the assembled state of the multi-part closure device 2, it lies between the edge 202 of the sealing plug 20 and the collar end bead 102 outside the collar 101.

[0044] Also optionally arranged at the end of the centric ring 2101 is a bent plug engagement edge 2105. Here, by folding the sheet metal of the safety cage 210, a shape is achieved such that, in the assembled state, the plug engagement edge 2105 can engage in the cage edge recess 2022 of the sealing plug 20, thereby fixing the safety cage 210 to the sealing plug 20, while the centric ring 2101 rests directly on the cage support surface 2021, as can be seen in Figure 2. Preferably, the plug engagement edge 2105 has a plurality of frame shapes arranged in the circumferential direction, which are bent by 90°, i.e. run parallel to the longitudinal axis L, so that in the assembled state the frame shapes partially encompass the undercut of the cage edge recess 2022 in order to center the sealing plug 20 relative to the safety cage 210 and thus also to the bottle neck 10.This plug engagement edge 2105 with several frame shapes arranged in the circumferential direction is shown even more clearly in Figure 6a. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the securing cage 210 is alternatively or additionally attached to the sealing plug 20 by firmly connecting the sealing plug 20 to the securing cage 210, e.g., by gluing, welding, or by means of a positive fit, such as a snap-in engagement.

[0045] An outer cage shell 211 is provided over the safety cage 210 and is mounted as part of the plug securing device 21. This cage shell 211 is also preferably made of sheet metal, although a correspondingly shaped plastic shell would also be possible. The cage shell 211 runs essentially parallel to the safety cage 210 and rests against it. The cage shell 211 is designed as an open sleeve with a central opening 2111 and an at least partially circumferential cage shell bead 2112. Once assembled along the longitudinal axis L, the cage shell 211 can no longer be easily removed from the safety cage 210. Once assembled in this way, the plug securing device 21 can be pressed over the sealing plug 20 and the collar 101.According to a further embodiment of the invention, the plug securing device 21 is first placed over the sealing plug 20 and connected thereto, wherein the assembly comprising the securing cage 210, cage sleeve 211, protective cover 22, and sealing plug 20 is then placed as a unit over the collar 101 in order to secure the plug securing device 21 to the medical active ingredient container 1. The cage sleeve 211 completely encloses the securing cage 210, while only the central surfaces at the top and bottom of the securing cage 210 and the cage sleeve 211 remain accessible in the assembled state, and a drawing-on and / or application needle can be pierced through the central opening 2111 and the central ring 2101 with the central opening. The combination of the securing cage 210 and the cage sleeve 211 enables a firmly acting closure device.The safety cage 210 and cage shell 211 can be designed such that the cage shell 211 tightly encloses the safety cage 210. This is particularly advantageous when both elements are made of metal, e.g., stamped sheet metal parts. The dimensions of the closure device are then similar to or even substantially correspond to the dimensions, particularly in width and height, of regular crimp closures, such as those found in crimped vials. In this way, the closure device is also suitable for use in conjunction with standardized transfer systems, such as draw-up or vaccination syringes, transfer devices such as transfer cannulas, or syringe adapters. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cage shell 211 is connected to the safety cage 210 by a material bond, in particular by gluing or welding. Mechanical deformation, such as crimping, can thus be dispensed with.It is of course also possible to connect the cage shell 211 to the safety cage 210 by form-fitting or frictional locking.

[0046] Additional means are provided to releasably attach the additional protective cover 22 directly to the outer cage shell 211 or the safety cage 210. These additional means are arranged either directly on the safety cage 210 or, as shown in the embodiment here, directly on the outer cage shell 211. As an additional means, a cover recess 2113 is formed on the edge of the central opening 2111 as part of the outer cage shell 211. The cover recess 2113 is inclined toward the longitudinal axis L, specifically upwards, in the direction of the protective cover 22.

[0047] The protective cover 22 is preferably designed as a plastic component, is generally rotationally symmetrical, and has a concentric region with an engagement edge 221. The engagement edge 221 extends around a region of the inner surface of the cover, the surface facing the outer cage shell 211. When the protective cover 22 is mounted on the outer cage shell 211, the cover engagement 2113 engages with the engagement edge 221, whereby the protective cover 22 is releasably held on the outer cage shell 211 and forms part of the multi-part closure device 2. The protective cover 22 can be shaped as a profile and have a central taper 222 or optional recesses 222, which lead to increased stability or are selected to save material.

[0048] The protective cover 22 is optional and not mandatory. However, to provide better protection against external influences, the protective cover 22 should be detachably connected to the outer cage shell 211 or the safety cage 210 of the plug retaining device 21, so that the protective cover 22 can be removed from the plug retaining device 21 before use.

[0049] Figure 2 shows the assembled state of the multi-part closure device 2 according to the invention shown in Figure 1. The arrow on the longitudinal axis L simultaneously indicates the direction of the plugging or pressing of the closure device 2 onto the bottle neck 10. Once assembled, undercut webs 2103 in the side wall 2102 engage behind the collar end bead 102 at several points concentrically extending around the collar 101, and the position of the sealing plug 20 on the inner contact surface 104 is secured, while the at least one sealing lip 201 forms a sealing seal. The side wall 2102 of the safety cage 210 and the outer cage shell 211 rest against the outer collar surface 103. Even when pulled in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, away from the medicinal substance container 1, the safety cage 210 and thus the sealing plug 20 remain immobile. Due to the bending orPrestressing the undercut webs 2103 in the side wall 2102 would increase the prestress even further at higher tensile forces, thus achieving a high resistance to tensile forces. The effectiveness of the plug securing device 21 is maximized, with minimal material expenditure and a low weight of the entire plug securing device 21.

[0050] Figure 3 shows the assembled state of the multi-part closure device 2 according to the invention as shown in Figure 1 without the medicinal active ingredient container 1, but with the sealing plug 20, the plug securing device 21, and the protective cover 22. The plug securing device 21 is composed of the securing cage 210 and the outer cage shell 211, which radially surrounds the securing cage 210. On the sealing plug 20, the cage edge recess 2022 is recessed radially oriented toward the longitudinal axis L of the sealing plug 20, so that the cage edge recess 2022 has a circumferential bead formed by an undercut in a lower section of the cage edge recess 2022 on a radially inner surface of the cage edge recess 2022.A ring tab 2106 and a plug engagement edge 2105 engage in this cage edge recess 2022. The plug engagement edge 2105 has several frame shapes arranged in the circumferential direction, which are bent by 90°, i.e., run parallel to the longitudinal axis L, so that in the assembled state, the frame shapes partially encompass the undercut of the cage edge recess 2022. Undercut webs 2103 are shown in the side wall 2102 of the safety cage 210, which engage behind the collar end bead of the medical drug container (not shown).

[0051] In the bottle-side view according to Figure 4 from below of the multi-part closure device 2 shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, with protective lid 22 and sealing plug 20 extending from the paper plane along the longitudinal axis L, some preferred features are clearly visible. The sealing lips 201, which protrude radially outward from the sealing plug 20, are preferably arranged in three stepped positions, i.e., at different heights, parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The circular cage edge bead 2104 in the safety cage 210 and the cage shell bead 2112 running parallel thereto in the outer cage shell 211 are also preferred features.

[0052] A preferred embodiment of the sealing plug is shown in Figure 5. As before, the cage edge recess 2022' is recessed on the sealing plug 20' radially oriented toward the longitudinal axis L of the sealing plug 20', so that the cage edge recess 2022' has a circumferential bead formed by an undercut in a lower portion of the cage edge recess 2022' on a radially inner surface of the cage edge recess 2022'. An annular tab and a plug engagement edge of the securing cage 210 (not shown) engage in this cage edge recess 2022'.

[0053] To optimize the sealing plug 20', several plug beads 2023 are arranged along the outer surface, here four along the surface in the center of the sealing plug 20' and here a total of eight along the outer ring surface of the edge 202 of the sealing plug 20'. These plug beads 2023 ensure a spacing of the securing cage 210 from the surface of the sealing plug 20'.

[0054] Figure 6a shows a securing cage 210 according to Figures 1 to 3 without additional components of the closure device. It has several, preferably three, ring tabs 2106 and several, preferably three, plug engagement edges 2105. The ring tabs 2101 are designed to engage the radially outer sides of the cage edge recess of the sealing plug (not shown), and the plug engagement edge 2105 has several frame shapes arranged in the circumferential direction, which are bent by 90°, so that in the assembled state, the frame shapes partially encompass the undercut of the cage edge recess 21022.

[0055] To increase the stability of the safety cage 210, which is manufactured using a lightweight construction, optional means are provided. For example, the undercut webs 2103 in the side wall 2102 are provided with additional web reinforcements 2109. These are designed as thickened portions at the end of the undercut webs 2103. The side wall 2102 itself is reinforced by side wall reinforcements 2107 in the form of beads or embossed portions. Here, the beads of the side wall reinforcements 2107 run parallel to the longitudinal axis L along the side wall 2102 in the various edge segments A. The side wall reinforcements 2107 also serve to create a defined distance from the cage shell (not shown). Also along the shortened central ring 2101 of the safety cage 210, beads running radially to the longitudinal axis L can be embossed, which are designated and marked as ring reinforcement 2108.The bead or ring reinforcement 2108, like the side wall reinforcements 2107, also serves to create a defined distance to the cage shell (not shown).

[0056] To obtain the most stable safety cage 210 possible, which can be easily connected to the outer cage shell 211 and can be easily attached to a bottle neck 10 by wrapping it around the sealing plug 20, the safety cage 210 is preferably manufactured in a segmented form. This design is special and independent of the optimization of the sealing plug shape. The one-piece safety cage 210 is manufactured from a lightweight metal profile, whereby the metal profile is punched out, provided with beads, and bent accordingly.

[0057] The additional optional reinforcements of the safety cage 210 according to Figure 6a are clearly shown again in Figure 6b, with the outer cage shell 211 omitted. The operative connection between the safety cage 210 and the collar with inner collar taper on the bottle neck of the medicinal active ingredient container (not shown) is permanently established after the multi-part closure device 2 is pressed on in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

[0058] According to Figure 6a, the central ring 2101 holds several edge segments A together via several hinges B. Here, four edge segments A are selected, each of which is permanently connected to one another via a hinge B, acting as a band between the central ring 2101 and the edge segment A. Two undercut webs 2103 are molded or recessed into the edge segments A, which form parts of the side wall 2102. A part of the cage edge bead 2104 (shown in Figure 6b) runs in each edge segment A facing the central ring 2101. To bring the safety cage 210 into the assembled state, the edge segments A are bent by approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis L such that they form a side wall 2102 that is closed and circumferential around the central ring 2101, as shown in Figure 6a. The ends of the edge segments A, i.e., the connecting points C, are shaped to match one another in the circumferential direction and can interlock. This forms a stable, circumferential side wall 2102.Optionally, the edge segments A can also be welded together at their ends, the connection points C. This can be done automatically, for example, using laser welding or spot welding. Other joining methods are also possible.

[0059] In the assembled state according to Figure 6a, the safety cage 210 can function as part of the plug safety device 21 in an operative connection with the outer cage shell 211, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0060] Figure 7a shows an alternative securing cage 210 to that shown in Figure 6a, which has a plurality of ring lugs 2101', each with a plug engagement edge 2105'. Four such ring lugs 2101' are shown here as examples, the plug engagement edge 2105 of which can engage in cage edge recesses 2022, 2022' on the sealing plug 20. Optional means are also provided to increase the stability of the securing cage 210, which is manufactured using a lightweight construction. For example, the undercut webs 2103 in the side wall 2102 are provided with additional web reinforcements 2109. These are designed as thickened portions at the end of the undercut webs 2103. The side wall 2102 itself is reinforced by side wall reinforcements 2107 in the form of beads or embossed portions. Here, the beads of the side wall reinforcements 2107 run parallel to the longitudinal axis L along the side wall 2102 in the various edge segments A.The sidewall reinforcements 2107 also serve to create a defined spacing from the cage shell (not shown), i.e., the safety cage 210 and the cage shell 211 are kept at a distance from each other, at least in some areas. This means that several air gaps are formed between the safety cage 210 and the cage shell 211. This results in improved sterilization, e.g., by ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization processes, in the assembled state.

[0061] Also along the shortened centric ring 2101 of the safety cage

[0062] 210 may be embossed with beads extending radially to the longitudinal axis L, which are designated and marked as ring reinforcement 2108. The bead or ring reinforcement 2108, like the sidewall reinforcements 2017, also serves to create a defined spacing.

[0063] The additional optional reinforcements of the safety cage 210 are clearly shown again in Figure 7b, where the outer cage shell

[0064] 211 was omitted. The operative connection between the safety cage 210 and the collar 101 with inner collar taper on the bottle neck 10 is permanently established after the multi-part closure device is pressed on in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

[0065] Figure 8 shows an alternative safety cage 210 according to the invention in a simplified design. According to this embodiment of the safety cage 210, the central ring 2101, just as in the other embodiments, holds several edge segments A together via several hinges B. Here, four edge segments A are selected, each of which is permanently connected to one another via two hinges B, acting as a band between the central ring 2101 and the edge segment A. Two undercut webs 2103 are molded or recessed into the edge segments A, which form parts of the side wall 2102. A portion of the cage edge bead 2104 runs in each edge segment A facing the central ring 2101. After the metal profile has been punched out, the remaining components must be cut and bent accordingly. As an option, the plug engagement edge 2105" which runs centrally around the central ring 2101 and faces the longitudinal axis L is marked here.This optimizes the attachment between the safety cage 210 and the sealing plug 20. Additionally, precautions in the protective cover 22 may be advantageous, allowing the integrity of the multi-part closure device 2 to be checked. For this purpose, the protective cover 22 is preferably designed in several parts, more preferably in two parts, as illustrated in Figures 9a and 9b. In addition to the layer of the protective cover 22, in which recesses 222 are provided, an additional transparent / translucent window layer 223 with at least one window elevation 224 is provided. Here, three recesses 222 and one transparent / translucent window layer 223 with three window elevations 224 were chosen. The window layer 223 should be designed to be transparent / translucent in such a way that the window elevations 224 allow a view up to the sealing plug 20 or up to the upper edge of the safety cage 210 and the outer cage shell 211.This allows for assessing whether the respective multi-part closure device 2 has already been opened or whether one of the components has been destroyed or tampered with. The protective cover 22 with the protective cover layer and the transparent / translucent window layer 223 is preferably manufactured using an injection molding process. Transparent / translucent refers to a window layer 223 that transmits at least 50% of the incident light, so that conclusions can be drawn regarding the integrity.

[0066] The advantage of all the multi-part closure devices 2 presented here is that several unsealed medicinal active ingredient containers 1 with matching multi-part closure devices 2 can be transported unfilled and unsealed to an active ingredient filling plant, filled there, and easily sealed there as well. This can be done without special tools at the filling site by the vaccine or active ingredient filler themselves.

[0067] For this purpose, as shown in Figure 10, a transport container 3, which can also be referred to as a delivery cassette 3, comprising a transport container trough 33 in which a first storage pallet 31 with multi-part closure devices 2 and a second storage pallet 32 ​​with medicinal active ingredient container 1, closed with a box lid 30 and / or a protective film 30, is delivered. The medicinal active ingredient containers 1 are unlocked, ie the openings of the medicinal active ingredient containers 1 at the bottle neck 10 are free.

[0068] The second storage pallet 32 ​​with empty medicinal active ingredient container Item 1 lies in the transport container tray on the first storage pallet with the multi-part closure devices 32.

[0069] A possible filling process for the medical active ingredient containers 1 is as follows. First, the transport container 3 or the transport container tray 33 is delivered to a filling plant for medical active ingredients and made available there. There, the box lid 30 and / or the protective film 30 is removed. Subsequently, the second storage pallet 32 ​​with the medical active ingredient containers 1 is removed from the transport container tray 33 and placed in the filling station, where the filling of the open medical active ingredient containers 1, located locally in the second storage pallet 32, takes place.

[0070] As soon as all medical active ingredient containers 1 of the second storage pallet 32 ​​are filled, the complete first storage pallet 31, which is also taken from the transport container tray 33, is placed on the bottle necks of the filled medical active ingredient containers 1 and by pressing the first storage pallet 31 towards the transport container tray bottom, each medical active ingredient container 1 is tightly closed with an associated closure device 31. When pressing the first storage pallet 31 towards the transport container tray bottom, or towards the bottom of the medical active ingredient container 1, the multi-part

[0071] Closure devices 2 with their sealing plugs 20 and plug retainer 21 are pressed onto the openings of the bottle necks 10. The undercut webs 2103 in the side wall 2102 of the retaining cage 210 engage behind the collar end bead 102 and secure against unwanted opening of the medicinal active ingredient containers 1. To ensure simple and quick closing, the arrangement of the closure devices 2 in the first storage pallet 31 is coordinated with the arrangement of the active ingredient containers in the second storage pallet 32, i.e., by placing and pressing the first storage pallet 31 onto the second storage pallet 32, the multi-part closure devices 2 snap into place on the bottle necks 10 of corresponding medicinal active ingredient containers 1 and close the respective medicinal active ingredient container 1. This enables simple and quick closing of the medicinal active ingredient containers 1.

[0072] After filling and closing the medical active ingredient containers 1, the second storage pallet 32 ​​with the filled and closed medical active ingredient containers 1 can be positioned again in the transport container tray 33 and the transport container 3 can be closed with the box lid 30 and / or a protective film 30.

[0073] Known plastics, particularly thermoplastics, can be used as the material for the box lid 30, the storage pallets 31, 32, and the transport container tray 33. A nonwoven fabric made of high-density polyethylene, for example, has proven suitable as the material for the protective film 30.

[0074] By delivering the transport container 3 with the unsealed medicinal active ingredient container item 1, with the first storage pallet 31 and the second storage pallet 32 ​​having coordinated positions of the closure devices 2 and the medicinal active ingredient container item, filling and closing can be simplified and greatly accelerated. This filling and closing process does not need to be performed by a specialist company. Since several components are delivered in one package, here the transport container 3, for filling, a large amount of waste and large transport volumes can be avoided. List of reference symbols

[0075] 1 medicinal substance container / vial

[0076] 10 Bottleneck

[0077] 101 Collar with inner collar taper

[0078] 102 Collar end bead

[0079] 103 outer collar surface

[0080] 104 inner contact surface

[0081] 2 Multi-part locking device

[0082] 20 sealing plugs (rubber, elastomer, TPE, self-closing)

[0083] 201 sealing lips

[0084] 202 Rand

[0085] 2021 cage support surface

[0086] 2022 Cage edge recess (concentrically circumferential)

[0087] 2022' cage edge recess (radially aligned to the longitudinal axis L)

[0088] 2023 Plug bead

[0089] 203 Plug taper

[0090] 21 Plug safety device

[0091] 210 safety cage

[0092] 2101 centric ring (with centric opening) (one)

[0093] 2101' Ring tab with plug engagement edge 2105 ' (several)

[0094] 2102 side wall

[0095] 2103 Undercut bars in side wall

[0096] 2104 cage edge bead

[0097] 2105 Plug engagement edge (with several frame shapes arranged in the circumferential direction)

[0098] 2105 ' Plug engagement edge (end of ring segment)

[0099] 2105" plug engagement edge (end of the centric ring circumferentially)

[0100] 2106 Ring tabs

[0101] 2107 Sidewall reinforcement

[0102] 2108 Ring reinforcement

[0103] 2109 web reinforcement

[0104] A marginal segment

[0105] B Hinge

[0106] C Connection points

[0107] 211 outer cage shell (preferably metal, surrounding sheet metal)

[0108] 2111 centric opening

[0109] 2112 Cage shell bead (circumferential engagement edge, analogous to 2104)

[0110] 2113 Lid access (circumferential around 2111)

[0111] 22 protective covers (removable, plastic, profiled)

[0112] 221 engagement edge (protruding diagonally upwards, can be connected to the lid engagement)

[0113] 222 centric taper / optional recesses 223 transparent / translucent window position

[0114] 224 window elevations in 223

[0115] 3 transport containers / delivery cassettes

[0116] 30 box lids / protective film

[0117] 31 first storage pallet for locking devices (arranged with majority aligned)

[0118] 32 second storage pallet for medical drug containers 1 (with multiple aligned, unsealed medical drug containers 1)

[0119] 33 Transport container tray

Claims

Patent claims 1. Multi-part closure device (2) for coupling to a medical active ingredient container (1) with a suitable collar (101) connected to a bottle neck (10) of the active ingredient container (1), wherein the multi-part closure device (2) comprises a sealing plug (20), a plug securing device (21) and preferably a protective lid (22), wherein the sealing plug (20) can be fixed to the active ingredient container (1) by means of the plug securing device (21) in a manner sealing an opening in the bottle neck (10) of the active ingredient container (1) and allowing an airtight removal of liquid active ingredient, characterized in that the plug securing device (21) comprises a securing cage (210) with a central ring (2101), a central opening and a side wall (2102), wherein the securing cage (210) has a plurality of undercut webs formed along the side wall (2102). (2103) which are adapted toto engage on the collar (101) of the bottle neck (10), wherein the undercut webs (2103) are bent in a tilted manner in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the stopper securing device (21); and the stopper securing device (21) has an outer cage shell (211) which surrounds the securing cage (210) and is offset radially outwards, said shell having a central opening (2111); wherein the cage shell (211) is made of metal or plastic and / or wherein the cage shell (211) is connected to the securing cage (210) by a material connection, in particular by gluing or welding, by form fit or by friction fit. 2 Multi-part closure device (2) according to claim 1, wherein on the central ring (2101) or on a plurality of ring tabs (2101') arranged on the central ring (2101), on the side of the central ring (2101) facing the longitudinal axis (L) for the central opening oriented plug engagement edges (2105) are formed, which can be operatively connected to a circumferential cage edge recess (2022, 2022') on the sealing plug (20), so that the safety cage (210) is additionally secured against radial movements.

3. Multi-part closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cage edge bead (2104) is introduced into the side wall (2102) of the securing cage (210) so as to encircle the side wall (2102).

4. Multi-part closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the undercut webs (2103) in the side wall (2102) are provided with web reinforcements (2109).

5. Multi-part closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the side wall (2102) a plurality of side edge reinforcements (2107) in the form of beads or embossments are arranged oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis (L).

6. Multi-part locking device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety cage (211) is made in one piece and / or from metal, in particular from a stamped metal profile, or from plastic.

7. Multi-part closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety cage (210) has a plurality of edge segments (A) fastened to the central ring (2101) via hinges (B), wherein the edge segments (A) form the side wall (2102) of the safety cage (210), on which the plurality of undercut webs (2103) are formed, wherein the safety cage (210) is preferably made in one piece and preferably from a stamped metal profile.

8. Multi-part closure device (2) according to claim 7, wherein the edge segments (A) have connecting points at their ends in the circumferential direction (C) which are designed to engage with one another in the connection points (C) of the respectively adjacently arranged edge segments (A); or wherein adjacent edge segments (A) are designed to be welded to one another at their connection points (C). Multi-part closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing plug (20) is attached to the closure device (2), preferably to the securing cage (210), by a material connection, in particular by gluing or welding, by form-fitting or by frictional connection; and / or wherein the sealing plug (20) is detachably attached to the closure device (2). Multi-part closure device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the outer cage shell (211) has a circumferentially formed cage shell bead (2112) which, in the assembled state, runs at least approximately parallel to the cage edge bead (2104) and is offset perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L).Multi-part closure device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a circumferential cover grip (2113) is formed along the central opening (2111) of the outer cage shell (211), to which grip an engagement edge (221) arranged on the protective cover (22) can be fastened. Multi-part closure device (2) according to one of claims 11 to 11, wherein a plurality of side edge reinforcements (2107) in the form of beads or embossments are arranged in the side wall (2102) oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the side edge reinforcements are designed such that the safety cage (210) and the outer cage shell (211) are kept at a distance from one another, at least in some regions.

13. Multi-part closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of radially outwardly facing sealing lips (201) are arranged along the outer surface of the sealing plug (20) made of an elastomer, in particular rubber, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), in particular three sealing lips (201) are arranged as material projecting in the direction of an inner contact surface (104) of the collar (101); wherein a central plug taper (203) is preferably recessed in the center of the sealing plug (20).

14. Multi-part closure device (2) according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of plug beads (2023) are formed along a cage support surface (2021) on the edge (202) of the sealing plug (20) and / or along the outer surface of the edge (202) in the center of the sealing plug (20).

15. Multi-part closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the multi-part closure device (2) has a protective cover (22) which is manufactured in two pieces and has recesses (222) into which window elevations (224) of a transparent / translucent window layer (223) protrude at least partially.

16. Medical active ingredient container (1) with a multi-part closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the medical active ingredient container (1) has a bottle neck (10), with an inner contact surface (104) matched to the sealing plug (20) with at least one sealing lip (201) of the sealing plug (20), with a collar (101) and a collar end bead (102) for the non-detachable fastening of the multi-part closure device (2) to the collar (101); wherein preferably the collar (101) has an outer collar surface (103) with a circumferential bead which is suitable for engaging with the undercut webs (2103).

17. Use of a multi-part closure device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 15 as a closure of a medical Active ingredient container (1) for preventing contamination of the interior of the medical active ingredient container 1, which allows the removal of active ingredient or vaccine from the interior by means of a draw-on or vaccination syringe, transfer devices such as transfer cannulas, or syringe adapters, wherein the multi-part closure device (2) can be pressed onto a collar (101) having a collar end bead (102) in connection with a bottle neck (10) of the active ingredient container (1) by pressing in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the medical active ingredient container (1) and is then held non-releasably by the sealing plug (20) on the inner contact surface (104), wherein the plurality of undercut webs (2103) formed along the side wall (2102) of the securing cage (210) engage on the collar (101) of the bottle neck (10).