Container connection and connection means

Abstract

The present invention provides a container connector and a connecting device. The container connector can be connected to containers with different outer diameters, can be easily connected to the container, and can stabilize the posture of the connected state. The connecting device has the container connector. The container connector (10) has: a base (20) which is formed in an L-shape; three or more engaging portions (30) which are arranged on a circle (X) set relative to the base (20); a guide portion (41) which is continuously provided with the engaging portions (30) and can guide the container (5) toward the engaging portions (30), and has an inner surface (41) formed as a curved surface or an inclined surface inclined relative to the axis (C3) of the circle (X); and a wrist portion (60) which is provided in the base (20) and can swingably support the guide portion (40) in a direction close to the axis (C3) of the circle (X) and in a direction separate from the axis (C3).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on July 30, 2018, with application number 201880050391.4. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a container connector for connecting to a container, and a connector for connecting a syringe to a container and forming a flow path between the container and the syringe. Background Technology

[0003] A connecting device is known for extracting a liquid drug from a vial or other container holding a liquid drug such as an anticancer agent into a syringe. The connecting device includes a container connector for connecting to the container and a syringe connector for connecting to the syringe. Each of the container connector and syringe connector has a flow path for the liquid drug to flow through. When the container connector and syringe connector are connected to each other, the flow paths are interconnected, thereby forming a flow path from the container to the syringe. Then, when the syringe is operated, the liquid drug in the container moves through this flow path to the syringe.

[0004] When the connector is inserted through a rubber stopper at the opening of the container, the engaging portion engages with the neck of the container, thereby connecting the connector to the container. One known engaging portion has two tabs that grip the neck of the container using protrusions formed on the inner surfaces of these tabs. This type of technology has been disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent No. 5509097. The two tabs increase their distance from each other by moving in mutually separating directions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] The container connector described above, which has an engaging portion that uses two tabs to hold the neck of the container, has the following problem. Specifically, containers such as vials typically have a curved circumferential surface at the neck. Therefore, the protrusions of the tabs abut against the neck at a single point. Because the curved circumferential surface of the neck is held in place by the two tabs, there is a problem of instability of the container relative to the container connector.

[0007] Furthermore, to allow the tabs to unfold and attach to the container, the operator needs to lift both tabs with both hands. Therefore, when connecting the container connector to the container, the operator places the container on a table or other work surface, and relative to the placed container, and considering the position of the container connector in its unfolded state, shortens the distance between the two tabs, using the two tabs to clamp the neck of the container. This results in a complex operating procedure.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a container connector that can be connected to containers with different outer diameters and can be easily connected to containers, as well as a connecting device having the container connector.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] One embodiment of the container connector of the present invention is a container connector that can be connected to a container, comprising: a base having a flow path formed thereon; an engaging portion disposed on a circle defined relative to the base; a guide portion disposed continuously with the engaging portion and having a guide surface formed as a curved surface that can guide the container toward the engaging portion and facing the axial side of the circle; and a wrist portion disposed on the base and movably supporting the guide portion in a direction approaching the axis of the circle and in a direction separating from the axis.

[0011] The effects of the invention

[0012] According to the present invention, a container connector that can be connected to containers with different outer diameters and can be easily connected to containers can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the container connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the container connector connected to the container.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a side view showing the aforementioned container connector.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the aforementioned container connector.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a bottom view showing the aforementioned container connector.

[0018] Figure 6A This is a cross-sectional view showing the main components of the aforementioned container connector.

[0019] Figure 6B This is a bottom view showing the aforementioned container connector.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the process of connecting the above-mentioned container connector to the above-mentioned container.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the process of connecting the above-mentioned container connector to the above-mentioned container.

[0022] Figure 9This is a cross-sectional view showing the process of connecting the above-mentioned container connector to the above-mentioned container.

[0023] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view showing the connection status of the above-mentioned container connectors with different containers.

[0024] Figure 11 This is a perspective view showing the connecting device including the container connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing the connection state of the aforementioned container connector and the syringe connector of the aforementioned connecting device.

[0026] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view showing the connection state of the aforementioned container connector and syringe connector.

[0027] Figure 14 This is a perspective view showing the connection state of the container connector and the syringe connector by disassembling the outer shell portion of the syringe connector.

[0028] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the above-mentioned container connector is connected to the above-mentioned container. Detailed Implementation

[0029] use Figures 1 to 10 The container connector 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention is described below. The container connector 10 is configured to be connectably connected to the container 5.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the container connector 10. Figure 1 The image below shows the state of the container connector 10 as viewed from below. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between container connector 10 and container 5. Figure 2 The image shows the state of the container connector 10 and the container 5 cut along a cross section that passes through the base 20 of the container connector 10 and is parallel to the axis C1.

[0031] Figure 3 This shows a side view of the container connector 10. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the container connector 10. Figure 4 It indicates that Figure 3 The container connector 10 shown is in its state after being rotated 90 degrees around the axis of the base 20. Figure 5 This is a bottom view showing the container connector 10. Figure 6A This is a cross-sectional view showing the main components of the container connector 10. Figures 7 to 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing the process of connecting the container connector 10 to the container 5. Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the container connector 10 connected to the other containers 5.

[0032] First, the container 5 connected to the container connector 10 will be described. For example... Figure 2 As shown, container 5 is formed as a bottomed cylindrical shape that can hold liquid, and has a neck 7 at its upper part with a cross-section smaller than the open end face.

[0033] In this embodiment, as an example, container 5 has: a cylindrical portion 6 formed in the shape of a cylinder, a bottom 8 formed at the bottom end of the cylindrical portion 6, a cylindrical neck 7 formed at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 6 that is narrower than the cylindrical portion 6, and a cylindrical opening end 9 formed at the upper end of the neck 7 that is wider than the neck 7. The cylindrical portion 6, the neck 7, and the opening end 9 are arranged coaxially.

[0034] Next, the container connector 10 will be described. For example... Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the container connector 10 has: a base 20 having a flow path L; a plurality of swing portions 50 having a locking portion 30 that can engage with the neck 7 of the container 5 and a guide portion 40 that can guide the container 5 toward the locking portion 30, and swinging relative to the base 20; and a wrist 60 that swings the swing portions 50 at the base 20.

[0035] The base 20 may also be connected to other containers that serve as the destination for the liquid within the moving container 5. In this embodiment, the base 20 is, as an example, formed in a cylindrical shape. The flow path L is configured coaxially with the base 20.

[0036] Here, as Figure 5 As shown, a circle X is provided to illustrate the position of the engaging portion 30 of the swing portion 50. In this embodiment, as an example, the circle X is set coaxially with the base portion 20.

[0037] Preferably, there are three or more swing portions 50; in this embodiment, four are provided as an example. The engaging portion 30 of each swing portion 50 is arranged on the circumference of a circle X defined relative to the base portion 20. Furthermore, in this embodiment, two swing portions 50 are integrally formed to constitute a swing portion component 70. Before describing the swing portion component 70, the wrist portion 60 will be described first.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, in this embodiment, two wrists 60 are provided as an example. One wrist 60 supports one swinging portion 70 on the base 20, allowing its two engaging portions 30 to swing in both the direction of approach and separation from the axis C3 of the circle X set on the base 20. The other wrist 60 supports another swinging portion 70 on the base 20, allowing its two engaging portions 30 to swing in both the direction of approach and separation from the axis C3 of the circle X set on the base 20. It should be noted that the swinging mentioned here is an example of movement in the direction of approach and separation from the axis C3.

[0039] Two wrists 60 are arranged 180 degrees apart around the axis C3 of a circle X set at the base 20, and are configured to be able to swing relative to each other in the radial direction of the circle X. The two wrists 60 are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis C3 passing through the circle X and parallel to the axis C3. That is, the first virtual plane P1 is a plane passing through the axis C2 of the base 20 and parallel to the axis C2.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, one end of the wrist 60 is connected to the base 20, and the other end is connected to the swing portion 70. The wrist 60 is flexible to allow the swing portion 70, i.e., the swing portion 50, to swing relative to the base 20 with a smaller force, the wrist 60 has its mid-section located closer to the side opposite to the swing portion 70 than the end of the wrist 60 on the base 20 side.

[0041] Specifically, the wrist portion 60 is formed in the middle of the base portion 20 and has: a first portion 61 extending radially outward from the base portion 20; a second portion 62 continuous with the first portion 61 and extending further toward the opposite side of the swing portion component portion 70 than one end of the first portion 61 on the base side; a third portion 63 folded back relative to the second portion 62 and extending toward the swing portion component portion 70; and a fourth portion 64 extending from the third portion 63 toward the swing portion component portion 70.

[0042] The initial state of the wrist 60 is defined as the state in which no external force is applied relative to the wrist 60. The explanation is based on the initial state of the wrist 60 for Part 1 61 to Part 4 64.

[0043] The first part 61, as an example, is formed as a flat plate with both sides orthogonal to the axis C3 of the circle X of the base 20. The second part 62, as an example, is formed as a flat plate with both sides parallel to the axis C3 of the circle X. The two sides of the first ridge 65 between the first part 61 and the second part 62 are formed as curved surfaces.

[0044] The third portion 63 is formed, as an example, into a plane whose two sides are parallel to the two sides of the second portion 62. The two sides of the second ridge 66 between the third portion 63 and the second portion 62 are formed into curved surfaces. In this embodiment, as an example, the second ridge 66 is located further outward than the base 20 in the axial direction.

[0045] The fourth part 64 is formed as a plate, with its two sides forming planes orthogonal to the axis C3 of the circle X. The two sides of the third ridge 67 between the fourth part 64 and the third part 63 are formed as curved surfaces.

[0046] The first part 61, the second part 62, the third part 63, and the fourth part 64 have a certain thickness as an example. In addition, in this embodiment, the swinging part 70 swings mainly around the second ridge 66 as the swinging center, and the thickness of the second ridge 66 can also be thinner than the other parts.

[0047] In this embodiment, the two first portions 61 are integrally formed. The two integrally formed first portions 61 have a larger area than the cross-section of the base 20 and extend radially outward from the circumference of the base 20.

[0048] Returning to the description of the swinging part component 70. One swinging part component 70 and the other swinging part component 70 are formed symmetrically with respect to the first virtual plane P1 that passes through the axis C3 of the circle X and is parallel to the axis C3.

[0049] The two engaging portions 30 of the swing portion 70 are designated as the first engaging portion 30A and the other engaging portion 30 as the second engaging portion 30B, as explained below. Furthermore, the guide portion 40 provided in the first engaging portion 30A is designated as the first guide portion 40A, and the guide portion 40 provided in the second engaging portion 30B is designated as the second guide portion 40B, as explained below.

[0050] The first guide portion 40A and the second guide portion 40B are formed symmetrically with respect to a second virtual plane P2, which passes through the axis C3 of the circle X set on the base 20 and is orthogonal to the first virtual plane P1. That is, the second virtual plane P2 is a plane that passes through the axis C2 of the base 20 and is parallel to the axis C2. In other words, the swing portion 70 is formed symmetrically with respect to the second virtual plane P2. Therefore, the structure of the second guide portion 40B uses the same reference numerals as the first guide portion 40A, and the description is omitted.

[0051] The first guide portion 40A extends along the axis C3 of circle X. The inner surface (guide surface) 41 of the first guide portion 40A facing the axis C3 contacts the opening end 9 of the container 5, forming a curved surface that can guide the container 5 to the first engaging portion 30A. This curved surface is formed such that the center of the radius of curvature is located on the radially outer side of the curved surface, gradually unfolding from the upper direction in the axial direction downwards. In other words, it is configured such that the inclination angle of the tangent relative to the first virtual plane P1 decreases as it approaches the engaging portion.

[0052] use Figure 6A The inner surface 41 will be described in detail. Figure 6A This is a cross-sectional view showing the state after cutting along a plane that passes through the tangent point A of the inner surface 41 and the container 5, and is parallel to the axis C3 of the circle X set at the base 20 and the tangent line S at the tangent point A. The tangent line S at the tangent point A is... Figure 5 The middle part is represented by a dot and a line.

[0053] like Figure 6A As shown, the inner surface 41 is formed as a curved surface with the tangent S at the tangent point A contacted by the opening end 9 inclined at an angle α relative to the first virtual plane P1. The angle α is less than 90 degrees.

[0054] like Figure 6A As shown, the inner surface 41 is formed as a curved surface whose center of curvature Z is located on the opposite side of the plane P1, separated from the inner surface 41. In other words, the inner surface 41 gradually unfolds from top to bottom along the axial direction of the circle X, that is, it is formed into a shape that separates from the axis C3 as it develops from top to bottom. Furthermore, in other words, the inner surface 41 is formed as a curved surface in which the angle of inclination α of the tangent S of the inner surface 41 relative to the first virtual plane P1 decreases as the engaging portion 30 approaches from the bottom.

[0055] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, on the cross section of the first guide portion 40A that is orthogonal to the axis C3 of circle X, one end E1 of the inner surface 41 on the side of the second virtual plane P2 is located in a direction parallel to the second virtual plane P2 in a direction orthogonal to the axis C3, relative to the other end E2 of the inner surface 41 on the opposite side of the second virtual plane P2, at a position separated from the axis C3.

[0056] Furthermore, one end E1 of the inner surface 41 is formed as a straight line or a curve. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, one end E1 is formed as a straight line.

[0057] Furthermore, the inner surface 41 is formed as a curved surface with a radius of curvature that decreases from near one end E1 to the other end E2. In this embodiment, the region R1 near one end E1 of the inner surface 41 is formed as a plane. This plane is parallel to one end E1. It should be noted that the region formed as a plane is relatively small. This region is the area that the container 5 does not contact.

[0058] Therefore, in this embodiment, the area from near one end E1 of the inner surface 41 to the other end E2 is formed as a curved surface. Furthermore, within the area of ​​the inner surface 41 where the surface is curved, the radius of curvature is largest at one end E1, decreasing towards the other end E2. Moreover, the radius of curvature is smallest at the other end E2. It should be noted that when one end E1 is formed as a curve, the radius of curvature at that end E1 is largest.

[0059] Furthermore, the angle of inclination α of the tangent S at one end of the engaging portion 30 of the other end E2 of the inner surface 41 relative to the first virtual plane P1 is smaller than the angle of inclination α of the extension line of one end E1 of the inner surface 41 relative to the first virtual plane P1. Additionally, the angle of inclination α of the tangent S at the lower end of the other end E2 of the inner surface 41, opposite to the engaging portion 30, relative to the first virtual plane P1 is larger than the angle of inclination α of the extension line of one end E1 of the inner surface 41 relative to the first virtual plane P1.

[0060] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, at the upper end R2 of the inner surface 41, the angle α of the tangent S relative to the first virtual plane P1 decreases from one end E1 to the other end E2. The upper end R2 is the region near the front end face 31 of the engaging portion 30 in the inner surface 41. Furthermore, at the lower end R3 of the inner surface 41, the angle α of the tangent S relative to the first virtual plane P1 increases from one end E1 to the other end E2. The lower end R3 is the region near the lower end of the inner surface 41.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner surface 41 is configured, as an example, to guide a container 5D with an outer diameter of 32 mm (i.e., a container 5D with a diameter of 32 mm) towards the engaging portion 30. Figure 6B In the diagram, two dashed lines represent container 5C with a diameter (outer diameter of the open end 9) of 13 mm and container 5D with a diameter of 32 mm.

[0062] By pressing the container connector 10 relative to the container 5, the tangent point A between the inner surface 41 and the container 5 moves within the inner surface 41. The trajectory of the tangent point A serves as the contact line S1. The contact line S1 between the inner surface 41 and the container 5D is positioned near one end E1 within the area formed by the curved surface of the inner surface 41. The contact line S1 between the inner surface 41 and the container 5C is positioned near the other end E2. Figure 6B As shown, when viewed from below, the contact line S1 becomes a straight line parallel to the second virtual plane P2.

[0063] Thus, in the container connector 10, the contact position between the container 5 and the inner surface 41 varies along the extension direction of the first virtual plane P1, depending on the diameter of the container 5. Specifically, in the case of the small-diameter container 5, the contact line S1 is located on one side end E1 along the extension direction of the first virtual plane P1. In the case of the large-diameter container 5, the contact line S1 is located near the other side end E2 along the extension direction of the first virtual plane P1.

[0064] Furthermore, by connecting the container connector 10 to the container 5, the inner surface 41 expands due to the container 5, thereby separating from the axis C3 of the circle X. Therefore, the angle α of the tangent S at the same position on the inner surface 41 relative to the first virtual plane P1 increases when the guide portion 40 is expanded due to the container 5, compared to the state when the guide portion 40 is not expanded.

[0065] However, by forming the inner surface 41 as a curved surface, the increase in the tilt angle α caused by the connection between the container connector 10 and the container 5 can be mitigated. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by forming the inner surface 41 as a curved surface with the aforementioned characteristics, the increase in the tilt angle α of the tangent S relative to the first virtual plane P1 caused by the connection between the container connector 10 and the container 5 can be further mitigated at any part of the inner surface 41. That is, the magnitude of the increase in angle α can be reduced.

[0066] That is, in order to engage the container connector 10 with the neck 7 of the container 5, when the container connector 10 is pressed toward the container 5 while the opening end 9 of the container 5 is in contact with the inner surface 41 of the first guide portion 40A, the first guide portion 40A extends in a direction separate from the axis C3 of the circle X.

[0067] By extending the first guide portion 40A in this way, the position of the tangent point A between the inner surface 41 and the container 5 changes. The inner surface 41 is formed as a curved surface such that even if the position of the tangent point A changes, the angle α will not change significantly as described above. In this embodiment, the angle α is approximately 45 degrees.

[0068] Similarly, the tangent S on the inner surface 41 of the second guide portion 40B at the point of tangency A with the container 5 has an inclination angle α relative to the axis C3 that is independent of the deformation of the posture of the second guide portion 40B and will not change significantly.

[0069] Furthermore, when the inner surface 41 of the second guide portion 40B is cut along a cross-section orthogonal to the axis C3 of circle X, it forms an approximately V-shape with the inner surface 41 of the first guide portion 40A. In other words, on the cross-section of the guide portions 40A and 40B orthogonal to the axis C3 of circle X, one end of the inner surface 41 on the side of the second virtual plane P2 is located in a direction parallel to the second virtual plane P2 in a direction orthogonal to the axis C3, relative to the other end of the inner surface 41 opposite to the second virtual plane P2, at a position separated from the axis C3.

[0070] The first engaging portion 30A is formed at the end on the side of the first portion 61 of the first guide portion 40A. For example... Figure 4 As shown, in a frontal view taken from the radially inner side of circle X, one end of the first engaging portion 30A is positioned lower than the other end on the side of the second engaging portion 30B. The front end face 31 of the first engaging portion 30A faces the axis C3 of circle X. That is, the angle between the front end face 31 of the first engaging portion 30A and the outer surface of the first engaging portion 30A is an acute angle. The front end face 31 is a plane and is formed as an inclined surface whose extended surface is inclined to the axis C3 of circle X. The extended surface being inclined to the axis C3 means that the angle formed between the extended surface and the axis C is an angle different from 90 degrees.

[0071] The second engaging portion 30B is formed symmetrically with respect to the first engaging portion 30A relative to the second virtual plane P2. Therefore, the structure of the second engaging portion 30B uses the same notation as the first engaging portion 30A, and further explanation is omitted. Figure 4 As shown, the front end face 31 of the second engaging part 30B and the front end face 31 of the first engaging part 30A form a V-shape.

[0072] Next, using Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figures 7 to 9 This illustrates an example of the action of connecting container connector 10 to container 5. Figures 7 to 9 The image shows the state where the container connector 10 and the container 5 are cut along the second virtual plane P2. That is, Figures 7 to 9 This indicates that the container connector 10 and the container 5 are cut along a cross section that passes through the axis C3 of circle X and is parallel to the axis C3.

[0073] First, such as Figure 7As shown, the operator places container 5 on the operating table 1. In this embodiment, the direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the operating table 1 is parallel to the vertical direction, i.e., the direction of gravity and its opposite direction. When container 5 is placed on the operating table 1, the axis C1 of container 5 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0074] When the operator places the container 5 on the operating table 1, with the axis C2 of the base 20 parallel to the vertical direction, the container connector 10 is moved towards the container 5 and comes into contact with the container 5 relative to the position of the container connector 10.

[0075] When the container connector 10 contacts the opening end 9 of the container 5 at an angle parallel or substantially parallel to the vertical direction along the axis C2 of the base 20, the inner surfaces 41 of the two first guide portions 40A and the inner surfaces 41 of the two second guide portions 40B contact the outer periphery of the opening end 9 of the container 5. That is, the container connector 10 contacts the container 5 at four points.

[0076] When the operator brings the inner surfaces 41 of the two first guides 40A and the inner surfaces 41 of the two second guides 40B into contact with the opening end 9 of the container 5, as... Figure 8 As shown, the container connector 10 is pressed downwards. When the container connector 10 is pressed further downwards, the two first guide portions 40A and the two second guide portions 40B are subjected to force from the tangent point A of the container 5 in a direction separate from the axis C3 of the circle X. This force is the component of the reaction force received from the open end 9 of the container 5 due to pressing the container connector 10 downwards, acting in a direction orthogonal to the axis C3 of the circle X.

[0077] When the first guide portion 40A and the second guide portion 40B are subjected to force in a direction separate from the axis C3 of the circle X, that is, when the two swinging portion constituent parts 70 are subjected to force, the wrist portion 60 bends. Due to the bending of the wrist portion 60, the two swinging portion constituent parts 70 swing primarily around the second ridge portion 66 of the wrist portion 60 as a center in a direction separate from the axis C3. Through this swinging motion, the two swinging portion constituent parts 70 expand, thereby changing their posture relative to the axis C3 of the circle X.

[0078] It should be noted that even if the posture of the swinging part 70 changes, the increase in the inclination angle α of the tangent S at the four tangent points A on the inner surface 41 relative to the first virtual plane P1 from the start of the operation of pressing the container connector 10 relative to the container 5 is small. Therefore, the operator can press the container connector 10 with a substantially constant force.

[0079] like Figure 9As shown, when the container connector 10 is pressed relative to the container 5 to a predetermined position, the two swing-part components 70 extend to a position where the first engaging part 30A and the second engaging part 30B contact the outer periphery of the opening end 9 of the container 5. Figure 5 In the diagram, the contact line S1 at the tangent point A is represented by a dashed line. The contact line S1 is the trajectory of the tangent point A on the inner surface 41. The contact line S1 is parallel to the second virtual plane P2.

[0080] When the container connector 10 is pressed further downward, the first engaging portion 30A and the second engaging portion 30B come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the opening end 9 of the container 5. When the container connector 10 is pressed further downward, the first engaging portion 30A and the second engaging portion 30B move downward on the outer peripheral surface of the opening end 9 of the container 5.

[0081] When the container connector 10 is pressed further downward, the two first engaging portions 30A and the two second engaging portions 30B are positioned opposite the neck 7 of the container 5. Figure 2 As shown, when the first engaging part 30A and the second engaging part 30B are opposite to the neck 7, they abut against the neck 7 by utilizing the restoring force of the wrist 60, thereby engaging with the neck 7.

[0082] At this time, the acute-angled front ends of the two first engaging portions 30A and the acute-angled front ends of the two second engaging portions 30B contact the outer peripheral surface of the neck 7. That is, through the contact of the two first engaging portions 30A and the two second engaging portions 30B with the neck 7, the container connector 10 contacts the neck 7 at four points.

[0083] Thus, because the container connector 10 expands to correspond to the outer diameter of the opening end 9 of the container 5, it engages the two first engaging portions 30A and the two second engaging portions 30B at the neck 7. Therefore, as... Figure 10 As shown, the container connector 10 can be connected even to other containers 5A with opening ends 9 having different outer diameters.

[0084] The container connector 10 configured as described above has two first guide portions 40A and two second guide portions 40B. Thus, during the process of guiding the container 5 toward the first engaging portions 30A and the second engaging portions 30B, it contacts the outer periphery of the opening end 9 of the container 5 at four points. In this way, by contacting the outer periphery of the opening end 9 of the container 5 at three or more points, the container connector 10 can stabilize its posture and guide the relative movement of the container 5 relative to the container connector 10.

[0085] Furthermore, the two first engaging portions 30A and the two second engaging portions 30B of the container connector 10 engage with the neck 7. Therefore, when the container connector 10 is connected to the container 5, that is, when the two first engaging portions 30A and the two second engaging portions 30B are engaged with the neck 7, it contacts the neck 7 at four points. Therefore, the posture of the container connector 10 in the connected state with the container 5 can be stabilized.

[0086] Furthermore, because the container connector 10 is pressed relative to the container 5 in only one direction, the container 5 is guided toward the two first engaging portions 30A and the two second engaging portions 30B. Therefore, the two first engaging portions 30A and the two second engaging portions 30B can be easily engaged in the neck 7. In addition, by forming the inner surface 41 as a curved surface, the increase in the tilt angle α caused by the development of the container connector 10 toward the container 5 can be mitigated. Therefore, the container 5 can be smoothly guided toward the engaging portions 30.

[0087] Furthermore, the inner surfaces 41 of the two first guide portions 40A and the inner surfaces 41 of the two second guide portions 40B are formed as curved surfaces with a small change in the inclination angle α of the tangent S at the tangent point A relative to the first virtual plane P1. That is, the tangent S relative to the first virtual plane P1 is formed from the start of pressing the container connector 10 onto the container 5 until the container 5 is engaged with the container connector 10. Figure 6A The surface exhibits a further reduction in the increase of the tilt angle α. Therefore, the component of the reaction force exerted on the container 5 by pressing the container connector 10 relative to the container 5, acting in the direction of expanding the two first guides 40A and the two second guides 40B, can be kept approximately constant. Therefore, the pressing force on the container connector 10 based on the operator can be kept approximately constant. Therefore, because the container connector 10 can be pressed smoothly relative to the container 5, the container connector 10 can be smoothly engaged with the container 5. Furthermore, in this embodiment, because the tilt angle of the tangents S of the inner surfaces 41 of the two first guides 40A and the inner surfaces 41 of the two second guides 40B relative to the first virtual plane P1 can be maintained at approximately 45°, the container connector 10 can be engaged with the container 5 more smoothly.

[0088] Furthermore, the wrist portion 60, having a second portion 62 and a third portion 63, extends the distance from the second ridge 66, which is the swing center that primarily swings the swing portion component 70, to the swing portion component 70. Therefore, the amount of deformation of the wrist portion 60 can be minimized, and the swing angle of the swing portion component 70 required to engage the two first engaging portions 30A and the two second engaging portions 30B with the neck 7 of the container 5 can be ensured. Moreover, because the amount of deformation of the wrist portion 60 can be minimized, the force required to press the container connector 10 can be reduced.

[0089] Furthermore, when connecting the container connector 10 to the container 5, the opening of the small-diameter container 5 can contact the guide portion 40 at one end E1 near the inner surface 41, and the opening of the large-diameter container 5 can contact the guide portion 40 at the other end E2 near the inner surface 41. That is, because the position of the guide surface 41 that contacts the container 5 can be changed according to the size of the container 5, the shape of the inner surface 41 is such that the part that contacts the small-diameter container 5 is suitable for the shape of the small-diameter container 5, and the part that contacts the large-diameter container 5 is suitable for the shape of the large-diameter container 5. Thus, even if the outer diameters of the containers 5 are different, they can be easily connected.

[0090] Next, using Figures 11 to 15 The following describes the connecting device 80 having the container connector 10A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The connecting device 80 is used when extracting medicine from a container 5B containing medicine in a vial or the like into a syringe 3, connecting the container 5B to the syringe 3, forming a liquid flow path L1 through which medicine flows between the container 5B and the syringe 3, and a gas flow path L2 connecting the inside of the container 5B to the air bag 100 described later.

[0091] It should be noted that structures having the same function as those in the first embodiment are referred to using the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted. In this embodiment, the container connector 10A and the container 5B are configured to be connectable. Furthermore, the container connector 10A and the syringe connector 85 are configured to be connectable.

[0092] Figure 11 This is a perspective view showing the connection state of container connector 10A to container 5B, and the connection state of syringe connector 85 to syringe 3. Figure 11 In the middle, the container connector 10A is separated from the syringe connector 85. Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing a state in which a syringe connector 85, on which a syringe 3 is installed, is connected to a container connector 10A that is connected to a container 5B.

[0093] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view showing the connection state between the container connector 10A and the syringe connector 85. Figure 14This is a perspective view showing the connection state between the container connector 10A and the syringe connector 85 by disassembling a portion of the outer shell 90 of the syringe connector 85. Figure 13 and Figure 14 In the figure, the portion of the container connector 10A other than the base 20A is not shown. Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the syringe connector 85 is connected to the container connector 10A. Figure 15 In the middle, the base 20A is not shown.

[0094] like Figure 15 As shown, container 5B is a small vial containing a medicinal liquid. Container 5B has: a cylindrical portion 6, a bottom 8, a neck 7, an open end 9, and a sealing element 2 that liquid-tightly seals the opening of the open end 9. The sealing element 2 is, for example, made of rubber.

[0095] like Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, the container connector 10A has: a base 20A forming a part of a liquid flow path L1 and a part of a gas flow path L2, a needle 25 provided on the base 20A, two swinging part components 70, and two wrists 60 that swinging part components 70 are swingably supported on the base 20A.

[0096] like Figure 13 As shown, the base 20A has: a base body 22 having a portion La (represented by a dashed line) of a liquid flow path L1 and a portion Lb (represented by a dashed line) of a gas flow path L2 inside; a cylindrical base cover 23 housing the base body 22 inside; and a container connector seal 24 that seals the opening of the base cover 23 in both liquid and gas tightness.

[0097] The base body 22 is cylindrical. A portion La of a liquid flow path L1 and a portion Lb of a gas flow path L2 are formed within the base body 22. A portion La opens on the upper surface of the base body 22. A portion Lb opens on the upper surface via a groove M formed on the outer periphery of the base body 22. The base cover 23 is coaxially disposed with the base body 22. A recess 23b is formed on the outer periphery of the base cover 23, engaging a claw 161 of the plug sleeve 160 described later. A gap G is provided between the front ends of the base body 22 and the base cover 23. A portion Lb communicates with the gap G via the groove M. A container connector seal 24 is disposed within this gap G. The container connector seal 24 is formed with an opening 23a relative to the base cover 23, allowing it to move within the base cover 23. When the container connector seal 24 moves, the seal of the opening 23a is released. The first part 61 of the wrist 60 is fixed at the lower end of the base 20A.

[0098] A needle portion 25 is formed at the lower end of the base body 22. A portion La and a portion Lb are formed in the needle portion 25. The needle portion 25 is configured to pierce the seal 2 and can be disposed within the container 5B when the two first engaging portions 30A and the two second engaging portions 30B are engaged with the neck 7 of the container 5B. The needle portion 25 is coaxially disposed with the base body 22. In this embodiment, the circle X is coaxially disposed with the base body 22. That is, the first virtual plane P1 and the second virtual plane P2 are planes passing through the axis of the base body 22 and the axis of the needle portion 25.

[0099] like Figures 12 to 15 As shown, the syringe connector 85 includes: a syringe mounting portion 95 for detachably mounting the syringe 3, an outer housing 90 defining the outer shell of the syringe connector 85, and an air bag 100 housed within the outer housing 90. The air bag 100 communicates with the interior of the outer housing 90.

[0100] Furthermore, the syringe connector 85 includes: a needle 110 fixed within the housing 90 and communicating with the syringe 3 via the syringe mounting portion 95; and a cylindrical head cap 120 movably housed within the housing 90, with a portion of the needle 110 housed inside. The head cap 120 is formed to be insertable into a portion of the base 20A of the container connector 10A.

[0101] Additionally, the syringe connector 85 includes: a needle seal 130 housed within the housing 90, which is formed to selectively seal the lower opening of the head cap 120; a needle seal holder 140 housed within the housing 90, which holds the needle seal 130; and a force-applying member 150 that applies force to the needle seal 130 against the head cap 120.

[0102] The needle seal holder 140 is cylindrical. A needle seal 130 is fixed to the lower end of the needle seal holder 140. The force-applying component 150 is, for example, a coil spring. The force-applying component 150 is fixed to the upper end of the needle seal holder 140 and the outer casing 90. The force-applying component 150 applies upward force to the needle seal holder 140, thereby sealing the lower opening of the head cap 120 with the needle seal 130.

[0103] Additionally, the syringe connector 85 has a stopper 160, which is configured to selectively fix the head cap 120 to the outer casing 90, and to selectively fix the head cap 120 and the base 20A of the container connector 10A.

[0104] The plug sleeve 160 is cylindrical, with a head cover 120 disposed on its inner side. The plug sleeve 160 is fixed to the head cover 120. The plug sleeve 160 has a first claw body 161 and a second claw body 162.

[0105] The first claw 161 is formed by engaging with the recess 23b of the base cover 23. The second claw 162 is configured to engage with, for example, a protrusion formed on the inner surface of the outer shell 90 when the head cover 120 is located at the lower end of its range of movement within the outer shell 90, thereby restricting the movement of the head cover 120. The first claw 161 and the second claw 162 are arranged circumferentially on the plug sleeve 160 and can tilt inward in the radial direction of the plug sleeve 160.

[0106] With the base 20A of the container connector 10A inserted into the head cover 120 and pushed upwards into the outer shell 90, as described above, the connecting device 80... Figure 14 As shown, the plug sleeve 160 is fixed to the base 20A by engaging the claw body 161 with the recess 23b of the base cover body 23.

[0107] Thus, the container connector 10A is secured to the outer casing 90 by the plug sleeve 160. The plug sleeve 160 and the base 20A of the container connector 10A are secured by lowering the container connector 10A downwards. Specifically, when the container connector 10A is lowered, the protrusion formed on the inner surface of the outer casing 90 presses against the first claw body 161, thereby causing the first claw body 161 to rotate in the direction from the recess 23b.

[0108] like Figure 13 As shown, with the base 20A of the container connector 10A fixed to the head cap 120 via the plug sleeve 160 and the container connector 10A pushed upward into the outer shell 90, the needle 110 is airtightly sealed by the needle seal 130 and the container connector seal 24, which airtightly seals a portion La of the liquid flow path L1 and a portion Lb of the gas flow path L2 of the base 20A of the container connector 10A. Therefore, the container 5B is connected to the syringe 3 via the needle 110, thus forming a liquid flow path L1 that connects the container 5B and the syringe 3.

[0109] With the base 20A of the container connector 10A fixed to the head cover 120 and the container connector 10A pushed upwards into the outer shell 90, the seal of the opening 23a of the base 20A is released by the downward movement of the sealing member 24 of the container connector 20A, and the seal of the opening of the head cover 120 is released by the downward movement of the needle seal 130. Thus, the gas flow path Lb, the groove M, the gap G within the base 20A, and the interior of the outer shell 90 are connected. Therefore, a gas flow path L2, allowing gas to flow, is formed between the container 5B and the air bag 100.

[0110] With the head cover 120 positioned at the lower end of its range of motion within the outer casing 90, the opening at the lower end of the head cover 120 is sealed by the needle seal 130. Furthermore, the opening at the lower end of the needle 110 is sealed by being housed within the needle seal 130. Additionally, the head cover 120 is secured to the outer casing 90 by the second claw 162 of the plug sleeve engaging with a protrusion within the outer casing 90. When the container connector 10A is inserted into the head cover 120, the outer peripheral surface of the base cover 23 causes the second claw 162 to rotate radially outward, thereby rotating the second claw 162 axially inward. This rotation of the second claw 162 releases the engagement between the second claw 162 and the protrusion on the inner surface of the outer casing 90. Therefore, when the container connector 10A is inserted into the head cover 120, the head cover 120 can be pushed upward into the outer casing 90.

[0111] In this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. It should be noted that the syringe connector 85 is not limited to the structure of the second embodiment. In short, the syringe connector 85 only needs to be configured to be connectable to the base 20A of the container connector 10A. Examples of other structures for the syringe connector 85 include, for example, a hole shape that allows the base 20A of the container connector 10A to be fitted. Furthermore, a fixing mechanism such as a claw body that fixes the container connector 10A fitted to the base 20A may also be included.

[0112] It should be noted that in the first and second embodiments, the swing portion component 70, which integrally forms two swing portions 50, is supported on the base 20 by a wrist 60. However, it is not limited to integrally forming two swing portions 50. In other examples, the swing portion component 70 may also be separated into two swing portions 50. In this case, one wrist 60 is separated into two, each connected to a swing portion 50. That is, the container connector 10 may also have a structure in which the swing portion component 70 and the wrist 60 are cut along the second virtual plane P2.

[0113] Furthermore, the inner surface 41 of the first guide portion 40A and the inner surface 41 of the second guide portion 40B are formed as curved surfaces. However, the inner surface 41 is not limited to a curved surface. In other examples, the inner surface 41 may also be formed as an inclined surface having multiple planar portions, capable of guiding the containers 5, 5A, and 5B toward the first engaging portion 30A and the second engaging portion 30B.

[0114] Each of the aforementioned planar portions has an extended surface inclined relative to the first virtual plane P1. Furthermore, the angle of inclination varies depending on the planar portion. Moreover, the closer a planar portion is to the engaging portion 30, the smaller the angle of inclination of its extended surface relative to the first virtual plane P1. That is, multiple planar portions can be used to approximate the curved inner surface 41 described in the first and second embodiments. In other words, the inner surface 41, formed with the aforementioned inclined surfaces having multiple angles, is configured such that the angle of inclination relative to the axis decreases as it approaches the engaging portion.

[0115] Additionally, containers 5, 5A, and 5B have a neck 7, and the first engaging portion 30A and the second engaging portion 30B engage with the neck 7. However, if the container does not have a neck 7, but is formed of a relatively soft material such as resin, the first engaging portion 30A and the second engaging portion 30B can be engaged in the container by being embedded in the outer periphery of the container.

[0116] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the inner surface 41 of the guide portions 40A and 40B is formed as a curved surface with the tangent inclined relative to the first virtual plane P1. In other examples, the inner surface 41 may also be formed as a curved surface with the tangent S passing through the axis C3 of the base 20. Alternatively, the inner surface 41 may be formed as a curved surface with the tangent passing through the axis C3 within the range of the container 5, which is assumed to have a high frequency of use.

[0117] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the inner surface 41 of the guide portion 40 is formed into a three-dimensional shape, with one end E1 of the guide surface 41 shaped to guide a small-diameter container 5, and the other end E2 shaped to guide a large-diameter container 5. In this way, the guide position changes depending on the diameter of the container 5, and the portion in contact with the container 5 is formed into a curved surface with a curvature suitable for that container 5, allowing for smooth guidance to the engaging portion 30.

[0118] Furthermore, the inner surface 41 is formed, but not limited to, a curved surface throughout its entire range to accommodate containers 5 of different diameters. In other examples, the inner surface 41 may, for instance, have a portion on one end E1 formed to accommodate a curved surface suitable for a container 5 with a small diameter, and a portion on the other end E2 formed to accommodate a curved surface suitable for a container 5 with a large diameter, with the portion between the aforementioned curved surfaces formed as a plane. That is, the inner surface 41 may also be formed to smoothly guide both containers 5 with small and large diameters.

[0119] It should be noted that, as described in the first and second embodiments, by forming the entire area of ​​the inner surface 41 as a curved surface, it is possible to prevent the shoulder of the container 5, whose outer diameter is larger than that of the opening end 9, from contacting the inner surface 41.

[0120] It should be noted that the first virtual plane P1 and the second virtual plane P2 are planes passing through the axis of the base 20 in the first embodiment, and planes passing through the axis of the base body 22 and the axis of the needle 25 in the second embodiment. That is, in the first and second embodiments, circle X is a circle centered on the axis of the base 20, 20A. However, circle X is not limited to a circle passing through the axis of the base. For example, if the base has a complex shape and the axis is not a straight line, the center of any cross-section of the base 20 (a cross-section orthogonal to the axis) can be set as the center of the circle. Setting the position of the center of circle X allows the container 5 to be smoothly guided to the engaging part 30. As described in the first and second embodiments, when the base is cylindrical or has a cylindrical appearance, it is preferable to set its axis as the center of circle X.

[0121] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. During implementation, various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the embodiments can be appropriately combined to achieve combined effects. Moreover, the above embodiments include various inventions, which can be proposed by selecting combinations from a plurality of disclosed main structural components. For example, even if the problem can be solved by deleting several main structural components from all the main structural components shown in the embodiments, and the structure with the main structural components removed can be proposed as an invention if the desired effect is obtained.

Claims

1. A container connector for connecting to a container, characterized in that, have: The base has flow paths. The engaging part is configured on a virtual circle set relative to the base, the axis of which is a straight line perpendicular to the plane of the virtual circle and passing through the center of the circle; A guide portion, which is continuous with the engaging portion, has a guide surface formed to guide the container toward the engaging portion. The guide surface faces the axial side of the virtual circle. The angle of inclination of the tangent of the guide surface relative to the first virtual plane decreases as it approaches the engaging portion from the end of the guide surface on the side opposite to the engaging portion on the axis. A wrist portion, disposed at the base, movably supports the guide portion in directions approaching and separating from the axis of the virtual circle. The wrist has: A first extension extends from the base toward the side opposite to the guide portion along the axis of the virtual circle; The second extension is continuous with the first extension via a ridge with two curved surfaces, bends relative to the first extension, and extends toward the guide portion. The wrists are provided in a pair symmetrically with respect to a first virtual plane passing through and parallel to the axis. The guide portion extends from the engaging portion along the axis of the virtual circle. The guide portion and the engaging portion are connected to one of the wrist portions, and a pair are provided symmetrically with respect to a second virtual plane that passes through the axis and is orthogonal to the first virtual plane.

2. The container connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the guide surface is formed into a straight line. The angle of inclination of the tangent at the engagement end of the other side of the guide surface relative to the first virtual plane is smaller than the angle of inclination of the extension line of the one side end of the guide surface relative to the first virtual plane. The angle of inclination of the tangent at the other end of the guide surface, opposite to the engaging portion, relative to the first virtual plane is greater than the angle of inclination of the extension line of the one end of the guide surface relative to the first virtual plane.

3. A connecting device, characterized in that, have: The container connector as described in claim 1 or 2; A syringe connector is detachably formed at the base of the container connector and has a syringe connector flow path that communicates with the flow path of the base when the syringe is mounted on the base.

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