Tube bottle for fluid products with childproof system

Abstract

A vial (1) for fluid products, in particular for pharmaceutical products, cosmetic products, medical products, etc., comprising: a container body (10) closed by a closure device (20) removable along a predetermined breaking line (22); and an opening plug (30) slidably mounted on the closure device (20) and prismatically rotatably engaged with the closure device for removing the closure device from the container body (10). The vial is characterized in that the opening plug (30) can be prismatically engaged with the closure device (20) by inserting a prismatic protrusion (41) of the closure device (20) into a specific recess (52) of the opening plug (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vial for fluid products, in particular for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products etc., which is provided with a protection system against accidental opening, making the vial "child-proof".

[0002] With particular reference to the pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic industries, it is known to use vials made of polymeric material to package one or more doses of fluid, liquid or pasty products.

[0003] With particular reference to a disposable vial, the vial comprises a body containing a predetermined dose of product, the vial being provided with a neck at its top to define a product dispensing opening, and the vial being closed by closure means removable by the user during use. Background Art

[0004] Typically, in disposable vials, the closure device is manufactured as a single piece with the container body during the molding operation, the closure device being connected to the container body by means of a predetermined breaking zone. In other words, the container body and the closure device are manufactured as a single, integral piece, so that the dispensing opening of the vial is initially closed and can be opened by tearing the closure device off the container body.

[0005] In order to allow gripping and removal of the closure device, the closure device is provided with a gripping peg of various shapes, which allows it to be rotated on the closure device relative to the containing body in order to tear open the predetermined breaking zone.

[0006] However, the known vials have some disadvantages.

[0007] It should be noted that, in the absence of a medical prescription, it is assumed that some products contained in the vials (e.g., medicinal or pharmaceutical products) may be dangerous, and therefore there is a need to design vials provided with a childproof anti-tamper device. In fact, it is obvious that even a small child can manage to tear the closure device after a few attempts by exerting force on the gripping plug in order to access the contents.

[0008] Furthermore, these known types of vials do not always ensure the integrity and sterility of the product packaged therein. When handling or placing a conventional vial in a housing (drawer, cabinet, cosmetic bag, etc.), it is indeed possible that the gripping plug receives an accidental and unintentional impact and tears the intended breaking zone before the actual use of the fluid product. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a vial for fluid products, in particular for medical products, pharmaceutical products, cosmetic products, food products etc., which vial is childproof.

[0010] The present invention also aims to provide a vial allowing the drawbacks of known vials to be overcome in a simple and rational manner, the vial being simple and effective to use and low-cost.

[0011] This object is achieved by a tube bottle for fluid products provided with a protection system against accidental opening and a strip tube bottle according to the present application. The tube bottle comprises: a container body for fluid products and provided with a product dispensing opening; a closure device, which, in an initial configuration, is coupled to the container body along a predetermined breaking line to close the dispensing opening, and, in an open configuration obtained by tearing the predetermined breaking line, separates the closure device from the container body to open the dispensing opening; an opening plug, which, in an initial configuration, is slidably fitted to the closure device and rotationally released from the closure device; and, in an operating configuration, the opening plug rotates in a prismatic manner with the closure device. engagement to exert pressure on the closure device and to remove the closure device from the containing body to obtain the open configuration; the closure device comprises an upper portion provided with prismatic protrusions interpenetrating with recesses, and the opening plug comprises a prismatic coupling seat having a bottom provided with prismatic protrusions interpenetrating with recesses, and wherein, in the working configuration, the prismatic protrusions of the closure device are inserted into the recesses of the opening plug, and in that the prismatic protrusions are flared, i.e. they widen at the base so that the corresponding recesses narrow at the base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The characteristics and advantages of the vial according to the invention will become apparent from the following description given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] - Figure 1 Shows a front view of a series of vials according to the invention in a construction variant;

[0014] - Figures 2A and 2B show Figure 1 2A shows a tube bottle closure device made of one piece with the receiving body, and FIG. 2B shows a tube bottle opening lever made of a separate component from the receiving body;

[0015] - Figures 3A and 3B show enlarged views of Figures 2A and 2B, in particular the junction area between the vial closure device (Figure 3A) and the vial opening lever (Figure 3B);

[0016] - Figures 4A and 4B show Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of one of the vials in a child safety lever safety configuration ( FIG. 4A ) and in a lever-operated configuration for opening the vial ( FIG. 4B );

[0017] - Figure 5 Shown Figure 1 a cutaway isometric view of one of the vials in a lever-operated configuration for opening the vial ( FIG. 4B );

[0018] 6A and 6B show cross-sectional views of a vial according to another construction variant of the invention in a childproof lever safety configuration ( FIG. 6A ) and in a lever-operated configuration for opening the vial ( FIG. 6B );

[0019] - Figure 7 A cutaway isometric view of the vial in FIG6B is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] With reference to the drawings, reference numeral 1 shows a vial for packaging one or more doses of a fluid, liquid or pasty product, in particular for medical products, pharmaceutical products, cosmetic products, food products and the like.

[0021] The term "fluid product" refers not only to liquid products, but also to viscous products (such as pastes and gels) and powdery products (particularly very fine powders with good flowability).

[0022] The vial 1 is made of a polymer material (e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene) by a forming technique (such as injection molding). In a different example, the vial 1 is made using a blow molding technique that allows obtaining a multilayer wall made of a polymer material (such as polyethylene and / or polypropylene) and / or a barrier material (LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE, EVOH).

[0023] The vial 1 according to the invention is of the disposable type, ie is not reclosable.

[0024] The vial 1 comprises a containing body 10 which is hollow inside and is suitable for containing a predetermined dose of product.

[0025] Preferably, the containing body 10 is provided with a pair of fins 14 adapted to assist a user in gripping the vial 1. The fins 14 extend from an outside surface of the containing body 10 diametrically opposite each other.

[0026] It should be noted that the vials 1 can be produced in single units or in series to form strips, e.g. Figure 1 In the latter case, each flap 14 is removably associated with the flap 14 of one or more adjacent vials by means of a weakened area 15 so as to form a unitary strip (i.e. a single piece). The weakened area 15 can be easily torn by the user to separate one vial from the others.

[0027] The containing body 10 , of substantially tubular and elongated shape, extends along a longitudinal axis X and has an end provided with a neck 11 , at the top of which a product dispensing opening 12 is defined.

[0028] The other end of the containing body 10 is provided with an opening suitable for introducing the product, which opening is closed after filling (for example by welding) to form a bottom 13 .

[0029] The vial 1 comprises closure means 20 for blocking the dispensing opening 12 , which closure means are removably associated with the containing body 10 at the neck 11 .

[0030] The closure device 20 is manufactured as a unitary body with the containing body 10 and, in an initial configuration, is joined to the containing body along a predetermined breaking line 22. In other words, the containing body 10 and the closure device 20 are manufactured as a single, integral piece, so that the dispensing opening 12 of the vial 1 is initially closed and can be opened by tearing off the closure device 20. The closure device 20 can be detached from the containing body 10 in an open configuration, in which the dispensing opening 12 is formed on the body 10 at the predetermined breaking line 22, through which the fluid product can be dispensed.

[0031] The closure device 20 , preferably cylindrical in shape, comprises a lower portion 21 joined to the containing body 10 by a predetermined breaking line 22 and an upper portion 23 prismatically associated with an opening pin 30 for removing the closure device 20 itself from the containing body 10 .

[0032] The vial 1 comprises an opening plug 30 allowing it to be grasped and rotated on the closure device 20 relative to the containing body 10 in order to tear open the predetermined breaking zone 22 .

[0033] The opening bolt 30 comprises a gripping portion 31 and a portion 32 for connection to the closure device 20 .

[0034] The gripping portion 31 is substantially plate-shaped so as to facilitate gripping and rotation thereof.

[0035] The connecting portion 32 , preferably of cylindrical shape, comprises an inner seat 33 , also preferably of cylindrical shape, into which the closing device 20 is at least partially inserted.

[0036] exist Figures 1 to 5 In the construction variant shown in , the tubular connecting portion 32 ends at the closure device 20 , ie before the start of the neck 11 and the predetermined breaking zone 22 .

[0037] In Figure 6 to Figure 7In another construction variant shown in FIG, the connecting portion 32 is elongated and extends beyond the closure device 20 and covers at least the predetermined breaking line 22, preferably until it at least partially covers the neck 11. This solution helps in the initial configuration ( Figure 6a ) in place on the containment body 10. Moreover, the fact that the connecting portion 32 extends at least so as to cover the intended breaking line 22 avoids unintentional and unwanted tearing of the intended breaking zone before the fluid product is actually used, even in the event of an accidental and unintentional impact, thus improving the integrity of the product.

[0038] The opening plug 30 is made to be separated from the receiving body 10 and is Figure 1 and Figure 4a In the initial configuration shown in , the opening pin 30 is coupled to the closure device 20 by means of an axial constraint which allows the opening pin 30 to rotate freely around the closure device 20 without being axially removed from the closure device.

[0039] As in Figure 4a As shown in detail in FIG, the closing device 20 comprises an axial constraint 24, for example a radial ring protruding outwards between the lower portion 21 and the upper portion 23 of the closing device 20. The opening pin 30 comprises a corresponding axial constraint 35, for example a radial ring protruding inside the seat 33 of the lower portion 33.

[0040] exist Figure 4b In the coupled configuration shown in , the opening pin 30 is associated prismatically with the closure device 20 in order to exert a lever action on the closure device and tear it off from the containing body 10 and thereby obtain an open configuration of the vial 1 .

[0041] Thus, the opening pin 30 comprises a prismatic coupling seat 33 and the closure device 20 has an upper portion 23 shaped to substantially match the prismatic coupling seat 33 .

[0042] The seat 33 of the opening bolt 30 thus constrains the closure device 20 in rotation about the axis X.

[0043] In this regard, the upper portion 23 of the closure device 20 comprises at least one pair of prismatic projections 41 defining between them a pair of recesses 42. Similarly, the seat 33 of the opening bolt 30 comprises at least one pair of prismatic projections 51 defining between them a pair of recesses 52.

[0044] The prismatic projection 41 can be inserted into a corresponding recess 52 of the opening bolt 30 , and the prismatic projection 51 can be inserted into a corresponding recess 42 of the closure device 20 .

[0045] The opening bolt 30 is slidingly movable relative to the containing body 3 between an initial configuration, in which the prismatic portions 41 , 51 are released from one another, and a coupled configuration, in which a prismatic coupling is obtained with the closure device 20 .

[0046] Specifically, in the initial configuration ( Figure 4a ), the prismatic portions 41, 51 are vertically aligned with each other so as to abut one above the other. Figure 4b ), the prismatic portions 41, 51 intersect with each other to be laterally adjacent to each other.

[0047] Preferably, there are four prismatic projections 41 , 51 .

[0048] Preferably, the prismatic projections 41 , 51 are flared, ie they widen at the base, such that the corresponding recesses 42 , 52 narrow at the base.

[0049] Preferably, the prismatic protrusions 41 , 51 are generally triangular, with the apex of the triangle facing towards the center.

[0050] Preferably, the prismatic projection 41 of the closure device 20 is beveled and rounded in order to easily slide out of the corresponding recess 52 of the opening bolt 30 .

[0051] The prismatic portion 41 of the closure device 20 defines an abutment surface 43 arranged transversely to the axis X and against which the prismatic portion 51 of the opening bolt 30 abuts when it is displaced closer to the containing body 10. Preferably, the abutment surface 43 of the prismatic portion 41 has a slightly helical extension in order to easily slide out of the corresponding recess 52 of the opening bolt 30.

[0052] Therefore, the opening bolt 30 has a recess 52 at the bottom 34 of the seat 33 , into which the projection 41 of the closure device 20 is inserted when the opening bolt 30 is displaced from the initial or rest position to the coupled or operating position.

[0053] It should be noted that the bottom 34 of the seat 33 defines the end-of-travel position of the opening bolt 30 close to the containing body 10 .

[0054] As mentioned above, in Figure 1 and Figure 4a In the initial configuration shown in , the opening pin 30 is connected to the closing device 20 by an axial constraint which allows the opening pin 30 to rotate freely around the closing device 20 (without a prismatic coupling) without being axially removed from the closing device.

[0055] The prismatic portion 51 enables the prismatic portion 41 , together with the entire closure device 20 , to rotate about the axis X only in the coupled configuration in which the opening bolt 30 is pushed towards the containing body 10 .

[0056] Therefore, in order to open each vial 1, it is necessary to push the opening plug 30 downwards in order to achieve a prismatic connection between the prismatic projection 41 of the closure device and the prismatic projection 51 of the opening plug 30. The opening plug 30 reaches the working position when the prismatic projection 41 of the closure device 20 comes into contact with the bottom wall 34. Only at this moment do the closure device 20 and the opening plug 30 rotate integrally about the axis X.

[0057] Advantageously, the particular configuration of the prismatic portions 41 , 51 facilitates opening of the prismatic disconnect coupling between the plug 30 and the closure 20 in the absence of downward pressure, rendering the vial 1 childproof.

[0058] Therefore, it is necessary to maintain downward pressure while simultaneously rotating the opening plug 30 about the longitudinal axis of the vial 1 to tear the predetermined breaking zone 22, thereby separating the closure device 20 from the body 10 and allowing the fluid product to escape. Therefore, a combined action (push plus rotation) is required to open the vial. This requirement makes the vial configured with a "child-resistant" closure.

[0059] Furthermore, advantageously, thanks to the presence of axial constraints ( 24 , 25 ) between the opening pin 30 and the closing device 20 , the closing device remains inserted in the seat 33 even after removal from the body 10 , thereby preventing small pieces from being accidentally ingested, for example by a child.

[0060] Furthermore, advantageously, Figure 1 In the case of a strip of vials, the prismatic projections 41 , 51 are oriented to hold the closure device 20 and the opening plug 30 in an “unengaged” configuration, making it impossible to open the vial without separating it from the rest of the strip.

[0061] The present invention thus relates to a vial 1 for a fluid product, in particular a pharmaceutical product, a cosmetic product, a medical product, etc., comprising:

[0062] - a housing body 10 for the fluid product and provided with a product dispensing opening 12;

[0063] - a closure device 20 which:

[0064] In the initial configuration, it is joined to the housing body 10 along the predetermined breaking line 22 to close the dispensing opening 12, and

[0065] In the open configuration, which is obtained by tearing the predetermined breaking line 22 , the closure device is separated from the containing body 10 to open the dispensing opening 12 ;

[0066] Open the plug 30, which:

[0067] In the initial configuration, it is slidingly fitted on the closure device 20 and rotationally released from the closure device 20;

[0068] In the working configuration, it engages in prismatic rotation with the closing means 20 in order to exert a lever action on the closing means and to remove the closing means from the containing body 10 to obtain the open configuration.

[0069] In particular, the closing device 20 includes an upper portion 23 provided with a prismatic protrusion 41 interpenetrating with a recess 42, and the opening bolt 30 includes a prismatic coupling seat 33 having a bottom 34 provided with a prismatic protrusion 51 interpenetrating with a recess 52, and in the working configuration, the prismatic protrusion 41 of the closing device 20 is inserted into the recess 52 of the opening bolt 30.

[0070] The present invention also relates to a strip of vials for fluid products, in particular pharmaceutical products, cosmetic products, medical products, etc., comprising a plurality of vials 1, wherein each tab 14 is removably associated with the tab 14 of one or more adjacent vials via a weakened area 15. Preferably, the strip comprises five vials 1, such as Figure 1 .

[0071] Inventively, the vial according to the invention has a child-resistant opening system.

[0072] Advantageously, the vial according to the invention allows the drawbacks of known vials to be overcome in a simple and rational manner, the vial being simple and effective to use and low-cost.

[0073] It is obvious that a person skilled in the art will be able to make modifications to the product described above, all of which are included within the scope of protection defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A vial (1) for a fluid product, comprising: - a housing body (10) for the fluid product and provided with a product dispensing opening (12); - a closure device (20), said closure device: In an initial configuration, it is coupled to the containing body (10) along a predetermined breaking line (22) to close the dispensing opening (12), and In the open configuration obtained by tearing the predetermined breaking line (22), the closure device is separated from the containing body (10) to open the dispensing opening (12); - an opening plug (30), said opening plug: In an initial configuration, the opening bolt is slidingly fitted onto the closure device (20) and rotationally released from the closure device (20); In the working configuration, the opening pin is prismatically engaged in rotation with the closure device (20) to exert pressure on the closure device and remove the closure device from the containing body (10) to obtain the open configuration; Characterized in that the closure device (20) comprises an upper part (23) provided with a prismatic projection (41) interpenetrating with a recess (42), and the opening bolt (30) comprises a prismatic coupling seat (33) having a bottom (34), the bottom being provided with a prismatic projection (51) interpenetrating with a recess (52), and wherein, in the working configuration, the prismatic projection (41) of the closure device (20) is inserted into the recess (52) of the opening bolt (30), And in that the prismatic projections (41, 51) are flared, ie they widen at the base, so that the corresponding recesses (42, 52) narrow at the base.

2. The vial (1) according to claim 1, wherein: There are four prismatic protrusions (41, 51).

3. The vial (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The prismatic protrusions (41, 51) are generally triangular, with the apex of the triangle facing the center.

4. The vial (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The prismatic projection (41) of the closure device (20) is beveled and rounded.

5. The vial (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The prismatic portion (41) of the closure device (20) defines a transverse abutment surface (43) having a generally helical extension.

6. The vial (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The opening bolt (30) comprises a gripping portion (31), a connecting portion (32) extending below the gripping portion, the closure device (20) being inserted into the connecting portion, and wherein the connecting portion (32) extends at least to cover the predetermined breaking line (22).

7. The vial (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In the initial configuration, the opening pin (30) is axially constrained to the closure device (20) by means of at least one axial constraint (24, 35).

8. The vial (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vial is provided with a pair of fins (14) protruding from the outer side surface of the containing body (10).

9. A strip of tube bottles for fluid products, comprising a plurality of tube bottles (1) according to claim 8, wherein: Each tab (14) is removably associated with the tab (14) of an adjacent vial or vials by means of a weakened area (15).

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