Improved container for ampoules or syringes

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved container (1) for ampoules or syringes (50), comprising a main box (10) provided with at least one opening (11) closable by a main lid (12) and a tray (30) comprising a plurality of seats (31) configured to house the same number of ampoules or syringes (50), further comprising a secondary lid (21) which defines inside said main box (10) a secondary box (20) which in turn houses inside it said tray (30) so that, when said tray (30) is inserted into said secondary box (20), the ampoules or syringes (50) contained therein face the inner surface of said secondary lid (21), on which, at each ampoule or syringe (50) below it, there is defined a contact opening (24) closed by a removable closure portion (23), characterized in that each said closure portion (23) comprises a gripping area (25) defined by a further transversal breaking line (26) arranged transversally with respect to the width of the closure portion (23) so that the user can break said further transversal breaking line (26) by applying pressure at the surface of the gripping area (25) and more easily remove the closure portion (23) in order to access the ampoule or syringe (50) below.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved container for ampoules, syringes, or similar outer boxes containing products (e.g., but not necessarily pharmaceuticals).

[0002] Compared with known types of containers, the container according to the invention offers many advantages, and is particularly effective in holding ampoules or syringes in a more stable manner, allowing identification of individual ampoules or syringes, and preserving the product contained in the ampoules or syringes from exposure to light (which is harmful to many products). Background Technology

[0003] Containers configured to contain one or more ampoules or syringes are known on the market. These containers typically include a holding box, which is usually made of cardboard and opens like a small box, and contains a tray or box inside. The tray or box may be made of the same material as the holding box or of plastic material, and it further includes multiple seats or blister units pre-formed to contain the same number of ampoules or syringes.

[0004] WO 2014 / 006207 discloses an improved container comprising a main box and a tray with an opening, the tray including a plurality of seats for receiving a plurality of ampoules or syringes according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] However, these known types of containers have certain drawbacks.

[0006] The first drawback is the fact that, for known types of containers, when a user needs to access the ampoules or syringes, they must open the container, like a small box, to allow access to the ampoules or syringes. However, in this way, all the ampoules or syringes placed in the tray are exposed to light.

[0007] In many cases, exposure of products (such as pharmaceuticals or cosmetics) to light can damage the product itself.

[0008] The same applicant conducted some laboratory tests, particularly the photostability tests of the medicine contained in the ampoules, in accordance with CPMP / ICH / 279 / 95 guidance, which specifies exposure to light produced by fluorescent lamps emitting cool white light in accordance with ISO 10977, using fluorescent ultraviolet lamps with a spectral distribution between 320 and 400 nm and a maximum emission energy between 350 and 370 nm.

[0009] For example, for proprietary products IBSA Prolutex 25 mg (ratio 2.2) injection solutionThe tests conducted showed that, compared with the control sample defined as "dark", the titer results of the sample exposed to light showed a gradual decreasing trend.

[0010] pH tests also showed the same trend: the pH value of samples exposed to light was much lower than that of dark-colored samples and untreated products.

[0011] Based on the trends observed from progesterone titer and solution pH tests, and considering that both major pharmacopoeias (EP and USP) stipulate that progesterone should be stored in light-protected containers, the following conclusion must be drawn: the test product should be carefully stored in secondary light-protected packaging.

[0012] This obviously applies to many products, especially but not only pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.

[0013] Therefore, the field needs a type of packaging that allows products contained in ampoules or syringes to be protected from light before use.

[0014] Another known drawback of the container involves the fact that when a user touches the ampoule or syringe contained therein or opens the container, they are exposed to the risk that the ampoule or syringe may fall out of the receiving seat of the tray placed in the container.

[0015] Last but not least, a drawback of the known type of container is that it does not allow for the identification of individual ampoules or syringes from all the ampoules or syringes contained in the tray. Summary of the Invention

[0016] In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of containers that affect known types of ampoules or syringes.

[0017] More specifically, within the scope of this task, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved container for ampoules or syringes that prevents the ampoules or syringes contained therein from being exposed to light until use, thereby preventing all ampoules or syringes contained therein from being exposed to light whenever the lid of the container is opened and the ampoules or syringes are removed.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved container for ampoules or syringes that allows identification of the individual ampoules or syringes contained therein, thereby guiding the user during the action of removing a particular ampoule without exposing other ampoules to light and without the risk of other ampoules falling out of the tray and container.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved container for ampoules or syringes that allows for easier access to and removal of the ampoules or syringes contained therein without exposing the ampoules to light and without the risk of the ampoules falling out of the tray and container.

[0020] This task, and these and other objectives, are achieved by an improved container for ampoules or syringes according to claim 1.

[0021] Further features of the improved container for ampoules or syringes according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Further features and advantages will become clearer from the following description of non-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the invention, in which preferred embodiments of the invention will be given below with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 An improved container, assembled and partially opened according to the present invention, is shown.

[0023] Figure 2 A perspective view of a tray contained within a container according to the invention is shown, in which, in the example shown, the container further contains a plurality of syringes; Figure 3 A plan view of the container according to the invention is shown, without an inner tray. Detailed Implementation

[0024] With particular reference to the accompanying drawings, the improved container 1 according to the invention includes a main box 10 having a generally box-shaped form and being provided with at least one opening 11, preferably a flip-top opening, which can be closed by a main cover 12, and also includes a secondary cover 21 that defines a secondary box 20 inside the main box 10 suitable for receiving a tray or box 30, advantageously including one or more seats or units 31 preformed to receive the same number of ampoules or syringes 50.

[0025] According to existing technology, the tray 30 can be made of the same material as the main box 10, or it can be made of plastic material.

[0026] Figure 3 The diagram shows a plan view of the container before it is folded to form a main box 10 with double lids, according to the present invention.

[0027] Special Reference Figure 1 The secondary box 20 defined inside the main box 10 is box-shaped and includes the secondary cover 21, which defines a closing surface that rests on the tray 30 when the tray 30 is inserted into the secondary box 20, such that when the container 1 is assembled, the ampoule or syringe 50 placed in the unit 31 of the tray 30 faces the inner surface of the secondary cover 21.

[0028] Advantageously, a break line 22 is provided on the subcap 21, positioned at the unit 31 that receives the ampoule or syringe 50 during container assembly. Each break line 22 defines a closure portion 23 of the subcap 21 having a shape substantially corresponding to the unit 31 below, so as to define a sufficiently large contact opening 24 in the subcap 21 so that once the surface of the subcap 21 is broken along the break line 22 and the closure portion 23 is removed, the user is allowed to access the ampoule or syringe 50 below to remove it.

[0029] Advantageously, both the main box 10 and the secondary box 20 are made of paper material, preferably of cardboard, and even more preferably of recycled or environmentally sustainable cardboard.

[0030] In this way, it can be achieved by folding according to Figure 3 The planar unfolded form shown is used to manufacture the container 1 according to the invention, and is advantageously made from a single material, such as the cardboard, especially recycled cardboard.

[0031] First, the planar unfolded object is folded to form a secondary box 20 closed by a secondary cover 21, and then closed with the main cover 12 superimposed on the secondary cover 21 to form a main box 10.

[0032] Preferably, the break line 22 is formed by a notch in the secondary cover 21, the notch being interrupted by a connecting element that keeps the closed portion 23 defined by the break line 22 connected to the remainder of the secondary cover 21.

[0033] Even more preferably, each of the closure portions 23 includes a gripping area 25, which is also advantageously defined by another break line 26 arranged laterally relative to the width of the closure portion 23, so that the user can break the other lateral break line 26 by applying pressure to the surface of the gripping area 25, and more easily remove the closure portion 23 to remove the ampoule or syringe 50 below.

[0034] Based on the content described so far and references Figure 1 Therefore, on the upper surface of the secondary cover 21 of the secondary box 20, the closure portion 23 is defined at each seat 31 of the ampoule or syringe 50, and the upper surface faces outward when the secondary box 20 is closed.

[0035] Because of this design, when users open the main cover 12 of the main box 10, they cannot directly access the ampoule or syringe 50 contained in the seat 31 of the box 30 within the secondary box 20, and the top of the secondary box 20 is sealed by the secondary cover 21.

[0036] In fact, when the main cover 12 is opened, the opening 11 makes the secondary cover 21, especially its upper surface, visible to the user and prevents direct contact with the ampoule or syringe 50.

[0037] In this way, it is ensured that even after the lid 12 of the main box 10 is opened, the ampoule or syringe 50 contained in the secondary box 20 will not be exposed to light.

[0038] Furthermore, taking into account that the cap 12 is reclosable but not usually effectively closed, the improved container 1 according to the invention is constructed in a way that prevents the ampoule or syringe 50 from accidentally falling out of the seat 31 once the cap 12 is opened.

[0039] Similarly, the presence of the secondary cover 21 attached above the seat 31 keeps the ampoule or syringe 50 stably inside the seat 31 itself, thereby restricting the movement of the ampoule or syringe 50 when the cover 12 is closed and open.

[0040] Returning to the construction of the secondary box 20, especially from Figure 2 As can be seen in the example shown, there are multiple closed portions 23 on the secondary cover 21, identified by corresponding break lines 22, which are defined by the same number of break lines 22, and each of the closed portions 23 is located at the ampoule or syringe 50 contained in the tray 30.

[0041] In fact, after opening the main box lid 12, in order to access the ampoule or syringe 50, the user must remove one of the closure portions 23 formed on the secondary lid 21 to access the individual ampoule or syringe 50 located below that closure portion 23. On the one hand, as mentioned above, whenever the lid 12 is opened to remove the ampoule or syringe 50, all the ampoules or syringes 50 contained in the tray 30 are protected from light. On the other hand, it allows identification marks 27, such as numbers, to be affixed to one or more of the closure portions 23 of the secondary lid 21. Figure 1 In the example, letters, or color codes are used to distinguish and identify a specific ampoule or syringe 50 placed below the relevant closed section 23.

[0042] Therefore, the improved container 1 for ampoules or syringes 50 according to the invention allows identification of individual ampoules or syringes 50 contained therein, enabling the user to be guided during the action of removing a particular ampoule without exposing other ampoules to light and without the risk of ampoules falling out of the tray 30 and the container itself.

[0043] This can be particularly useful when a user must remove a specific ampoule or syringe from container 1, for example, to indicate the day of the week so that the user can immediately confirm that they have used the product every day, or when they must take different medications at different times of the day by using, for example, color codes, or similar situations.

[0044] Therefore, it has been shown how the improved container 1 according to the present invention achieves the intended task and set objectives.

[0045] The container 1 according to the invention can be modified and varied, all of which fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An improved container (1) for ampoules or syringes (50), comprising a main box (10) and a tray (30) comprising a plurality of seats or units (31), the main box (10) having at least one opening (11) closable by a main cover (12), the seats or units (31) being configured to accommodate the same number of ampoules or syringes (50), and further comprising a secondary cover (21) defining a secondary box (20) inside the main box (10), the secondary box (20) further housing the tray (30) therein such that when the tray (30) is inserted into the secondary box (20), the ampoules or syringes (50) contained therein face the inner surface of the secondary cover (21), on the secondary cover (21), at each of the ampoules or syringes (50) below it, a contact opening (24) closed by a removable closure portion (23) is defined, characterized in that, Each of the closure portions (23) includes a gripping area (25) defined by a transverse break line (26) arranged laterally along the width of the closure portion (23), such that a user can break the transverse break line (26) by applying pressure to the surface of the gripping area (25) and more easily remove the closure portion (23) to access the ampoule or syringe (50) below.

2. The improved container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the enclosed portions (23) includes an identification mark (27) or color code designed to distinguish it from the other enclosed portions (23).

3. The improved container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the enclosed portions (23) includes an identification mark (27) or color code designed to distinguish it from the other enclosed portions (23).

4. The improved container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main box (10) is box-shaped, and the opening (11) that can be closed by the main cover (12) is a flip-top opening.

5. The improved container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The secondary box (20) is a box shape suitable for insertion into the main box (10).

6. The improved container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, A break line (22) defining the shape of the closed portion (23) of the contact opening (24) is provided on the secondary cover (21) at a seat or unit (31) for receiving the ampoule or syringe (50), which is contained in the tray (30), which is contained in the secondary box (20) closed above by the secondary cover (21).

7. The improved container (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The size of the contact opening (24) allows the user to access the ampoule or syringe (50) below in order to remove it once the break line (22) has been broken and the closure portion (23) defined therethereby has been removed.

8. The improved container (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The break line (22) is formed by a notch in the secondary cover (21), which is interrupted by a connecting element that holds the closure portion (23) connected to the remainder of the secondary cover (21).

9. The improved container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The secondary box (20) and the main box (10) are made of cardboard.

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