Outer package for medical product and method for packaging medical product

Abstract

The invention relates to a foldable outer package (1) for medical products (3), comprising a base plate (6), which is divided into three segments (6a, 6b, 6c) by means of two folding fold lines (10, 11) spaced apart in parallel, a pivot plate (5), which is coupled to the base plate (6) via a pivot fold line (8) oriented perpendicular to the folding fold lines (10, 11), and side plates, the invention relates to a pivot plate (5) for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising at least one side plate (10, 11), which is likewise divided into three segments (5a, 5b, 5c) by means of a folding fold line (10, 11) extending linearly into the pivot plate (5), and which is coupled to the pivot plate via a folding fold line oriented parallel to the pivot fold line, with a window-like cut-out (14) (or through-hole) in the middle segment (5b) of the three segments (5a, 5b, 5c), the invention relates to a foldable packaging (1) for a medical product (3) and also divided into three segments (7a, 7b, 7c) by means of folding fold lines (10, 11) which extend further linearly into the side panels (7), and to a method for packaging a medical product (3) using a foldable packaging (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a foldable outer package for packaging medical products / medical products, and a method for packaging medical products using the foldable outer package. Background Art

[0002] Medical products, such as bone implants, bone plates, intramedullary devices, artificial joints, etc., are usually packaged in a controlled environment, especially in a clean room and then sterilized before being transported to a client, such as a hospital. A double sterile barrier system is usually used for this purpose. The double sterile barrier can be composed of two plastic bags (primary packaging) at this time. The medical product is introduced into a first inner plastic bag, which is evacuated and sealed. Then, still in a controlled environment, the sealed first plastic bag is placed in a second outer plastic bag, which is also evacuated and sealed. It is also possible to use more than two plastic bags or only one plastic bag as a sterile barrier. Then one or more plastic bags with the medical product are placed in an outer packaging box (secondary packaging), cardboard, etc. for shipment and transportation and then transported.

[0003] Here, the sterile barrier must remain intact to avoid contamination of the medical product. However, plastic bags are unstable in shape. However, when plastic bags are loosely arranged in a traditional (standardized) outer packaging box during transportation, damage may occur on the plastic bag due to the plastic bag and the medical product rubbing or hitting each other, which is not conducive to ensuring sterility. In particular, large and heavy medical products may damage the plastic bag when the plastic bag moves in the secondary packaging and collides with the inner wall of the secondary packaging. Therefore, additional protective components are usually provided, such as foam or other cushioning materials, which disadvantageously increase the overall cost and complexity of the outer packaging system.

[0004] To avoid damage, the plastic bag is alternatively packaged in a foldable individual package (secondary package), which is in turn arranged in an outer packaging box (tertiary packaging). For example, EP 2 739 238 B1 shows an outer packaging system for a medical device or a medical product, which has a sealed plastic bag as a sterile primary package for the medical product and a foldable secondary package, which defines an inner space for accommodating the plastic bag.

[0005] In addition, EP 3 357 444 B1 discloses a kind of outer packaging assembly that is used for medical device, and this outer packaging assembly has at least two plastic bags.Described outer packaging assembly also comprises load-bearing element, and load-bearing element is fixed in assembling configuration to prevent with respect to the inner plastic bag movement in described at least two plastic bags.Here, this fixing is carried out by the plastic bag itself folded around load-bearing element.In addition, in DE 100 14 419A1, EP 3 789 314 A1, US2010 / 0 320 112A1, DE 698 13 860T2 or DE 10 2005038 491B3, also foldable outer packaging is shown.

[0006] Yet, known outer packaging always depends on the size of medical product and can not be used flexibly in outer packaging box of different sizes in addition.From the viewpoint of sustainability or separating outer packaging material as simply as possible when removing, existing solutions are also disadvantageous because they are made up of different materials / composite (plastic / paper). Summary of the invention

[0007] The object and purpose of the present disclosure is to eliminate or at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a foldable outer packaging which allows safe transportation of sterile packaged medical products in a standardized outer packaging box (tertiary packaging) with simple removal.

[0008] With regard to an outer packaging of this type, this object and purpose are achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of claim 1 .

[0009] Therefore, the outer packaging (for example made of cardboard material) comprises a base plate, a pivot plate and a side plate, wherein the base plate is divided into three sections by means of two parallel and spaced-apart folding lines, the pivot plate is coupled to the base plate via a pivot folding line oriented perpendicular to the folding line, and is also divided into three sections by means of a folding line that extends linearly into the pivot plate, and has a window-like cutout or perforation in the middle section of the three sections, and the side plate is coupled to the pivot plate via a folding line oriented parallel to the pivot folding line, and is also divided into three sections by means of a folding line that further extends linearly into the side plate.

[0010] According to the disclosure, the pivot fold line here extends over the entire length of the base plate and the pivot plate.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims and are explained below.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the hinge fold line extends over the entire length of the side panel and the pivot panel.

[0013] According to a particularly advantageous development, the base plate, in particular the middle segment of the three segments, can have a cross-sectional pattern, preferably in the form of a plurality of longitudinal sections. However, the cross-sectional pattern can also be embodied in any other manner, for example in the form of a plurality of cross sections.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the outer packaging can be made of conventional packaging materials, such as cardboard or thick paperboard.

[0015] Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a method for outer packaging of a medical product using a foldable outer packaging according to the present disclosure, the method comprising the following method steps:

[0016] - placing the medical product on the middle segment of the three segments of the base plate;

[0017] - pivoting the pivot plate along the pivot fold line until the pivot plate is placed on the base plate with the medical product passing through the window-like incision;

[0018] - turning over the side panel along the turning fold line so as to accommodate the base panel in a sandwich-like manner between the side panel and the pivoting panel, and

[0019] - Folding two outer segments of each of the three segments of the base plate, pivot plate and side plate towards the medical product along corresponding folding lines.

[0020] Preferably, the medical product can be packaged in a sterile outer packaging before being placed on the middle segment of the three segments of the base plate. Here, the medical product can be packaged in a plastic bag as a sterile outer packaging / sterile barrier / sterile barrier system / primary packaging. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to package the medical product in two or more plastic bags, for example in the form of a double barrier system.

[0021] According to an advantageous improvement, after the respective two outer segments of the three segments of the base plate, the pivot plate and the side plate are folded along the respective folding folding lines in the direction of the medical product, the outer packaging together with the medical product can be packaged in a preferably standardized outer packaging box. It is particularly advantageous here that the outer packaging box is made of the same packaging material as the foldable outer packaging, for example, cardboard or hardboard. Of course, other packaging materials are also conceivable, as long as the outer packaging and the outer packaging box are made of the same material.

[0022] In addition, it is conceivable according to the present disclosure that the window-shaped incision is adapted or adaptable (e.g., by cutting) to the size of the medical product. When the medical product, for example, has a rectangular cross section or an elliptical cross section, it is suitable that the incision is also configured as a rectangle or an ellipse.

[0023] In other words, the present disclosure relates to a blanking of an outer packaging having a base plate, a pivot plate and a side plate, the base plate, the pivot plate and the side plate being arranged side by side in this order and connected via a pivot fold line and a flip fold line, and the folding of the blanking along the pivot fold line and the flip fold line fixes the medical product placed on the base plate relative to the outer packaging. Preferably, the blanking also has a first side piece and a second side piece, the first side piece and the second side piece are connected to the pivot plate and the base plate via a first flip fold line and a second flip fold line, so that when the side piece is folded along the first flip fold line and the fourth flip fold line, a cavity is constructed between the side pieces, and the medical product protrudes into the cavity. Preferably, the pivot fold line and the flip fold line can be arranged parallel to each other here, and the first flip fold line and the second flip fold line can be arranged vertically on the pivot fold line and the flip fold line, respectively. Particularly preferably, the side piece and the base plate can fix the outer packaging position fixedly in a preferably standardized outer packaging box (third-level packaging).

[0024] In other words, the present disclosure also relates to a method for packaging a medical product in a preferably foldable outer packaging according to the present invention, the method having the following steps:

[0025] - placing the medical product on a substrate of an outer packaging;

[0026] - folding the outer package along the pivot fold line and the flip fold line in order to fix the medical product relative to the outer package; and

[0027] The outer packaging is folded along a first folding line and a second folding line to form a hollow chamber into which the medical product projects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present disclosure is explained in more detail below based on preferred embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings. It is shown:

[0029] Figure 1 Showing the blanking of the outer packaging according to the preferred embodiment;

[0030] Figure 2 A first step for packaging a medical product with an outer packaging according to a preferred embodiment is shown;

[0031] Figure 3 , 4 shows a second step for packaging a medical product with an outer packaging according to a preferred embodiment;

[0032] Figure 5 , 6 shows a third step for packaging a medical product with an outer packaging according to a preferred embodiment;

[0033] Figure 7A fourth step for packaging a medical product with an outer packaging according to a preferred embodiment is shown;

[0034] Figure 8 Showing steps for packaging a medical product packaged with an outer packaging according to a preferred embodiment in a tertiary packaging;

[0035] Fig. 9 Shows a medicinal product packaged in tertiary packaging;

[0036] Fig.10 , 11 Shows a medicinal product packaged in tertiary packaging;

[0037] Fig.12 The unloading of the outer packaging according to the modification of the preferred embodiment is shown;

[0038] Fig.13 shows a medical product packaged in an outer packaging according to a modification of a preferred embodiment; and

[0039] Fig.14 A medical product packaged in an outer packaging according to a preferred embodiment variant is shown in tertiary packaging.

[0040] The drawings are schematic in nature and are only useful for understanding the invention. Identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1 A foldable (secondary) outer package 1 for a medical product 3 packaged in a sterile primary package / sterile barrier 2 is shown in an unfolded state. Figure 1 The blank or folded sheet 4 of the outer packaging 1 according to a preferred embodiment is shown.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the outer packaging 1 has a pivot plate 5, a base plate 6 and a side plate 7, which are connected to each other via a pivot fold line 8 and a flip fold line 9. Here, the pivot plate 5 is connected to the base plate 6 via the pivot fold line 8 and to the side plate 7 via the flip fold line 9. Figure 1 In the top view shown in FIG. 1 , the side panels 7, the pivoting panels 5 and the base panel 6 are arranged side by side and are connected to each other via the flip folding line 9 or the pivoting folding line 8, respectively. The pivoting folding line 8 and the flip folding line 9 are arranged substantially in parallel and the blank 4 (at Figure 1 The surface of the pivot plate 5 is vertically divided into three elements, namely the side plate 7, the pivot plate 5 and the base plate 6. Figure 1 The top view shown in FIG. 8 is identical to the face of the base plate 6 , so that when the pivoting plate 5 is folded onto the base plate 6 along the pivot fold line 8 , the pivoting plate completely covers the base plate, as will be described in more detail below.

[0043] As in Figure 1 As shown in , the outer packaging 1 or the blank 4 further has a first folding folding line 10 and a second folding folding line 11. Here, the first folding folding line 10 and the second folding folding line 11 are arranged approximately perpendicular to the pivot folding line 8 and the flip folding line 9. Therefore, the blank 4 is divided into three (horizontal) segments along the pivot folding line 8 and the flip folding line 9 in its extension direction. In other words, the pivot plate 5, the base plate 6 and the side plate 7 are respectively divided into three segments arranged overlapping each other by the first folding folding line 10 and the second folding folding line 11. Therefore, the pivot plate 5 is divided into a first lower pivot plate segment 5a, a second middle pivot plate segment 5b and a third upper pivot plate segment 5c. Similarly, the base plate 6 is divided into a first lower base plate segment 6a, a second middle base plate segment 6b and a third upper base plate segment 6c by the first folding folding line 10 and the second folding folding line 11. The side panel 7 is divided into a first lower side panel segment 7 a , a second middle side panel segment 7 b and a third upper side panel segment 7 c by a first folding line 10 and a second folding line 11 .

[0044] Here, the first and third segments, namely the first pivot plate segment 5a and the third pivot plate segment 5c, the first base plate segment 6a and the third base plate segment 6c, and the first side plate segment 7a and the third side plate segment 7c, are respectively the same size or have the same outer dimensions. Figure 1 In the top view, the horizontal distance between the lower horizontal outer edge of the blank 4 and the first folding line 10 is equal to the horizontal distance between the upper horizontal outer edge of the blank 4 and the second folding line 11.

[0045] As in Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, the blank 4 of the outer packaging 1 is divided into nine segments 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c by folding lines 8, 9, 10, 11. Here, the pivot folding line 8 is arranged between the segments 5a, 5b, 5c of the pivot plate 5 and the segments 6a, 6b, 6c of the base plate 6. The flip folding line 9 is constructed between the segments 5a, 5b, 5c of the pivot plate 5 and the segments 7a, 7b, 7c of the side plate 7. The first flip folding line 10 is constructed between the segments 5a, 6a, 7a of the first side panel 12 and the segments 5b, 6b, 7b, and the second flip folding line 11 is arranged between the segments 5b, 6b, 7b and the segments 5c, 6c, 7c of the second side panel 13.

[0046] As in Figure 1As shown in the figure, a cutout 14 is configured in the pivot plate 5, in particular in the second middle pivot plate segment 5b. In a preferred embodiment, the cutout 14 is formed in the form of a rectangular through hole. Here, the shape and size of the cutout 14 are adapted to the medical product 3 to be packaged with the outer packaging 1 as described in more detail below. Therefore, the cutout 14 can also be formed, for example, into a circular or oval shape or into any polygonal form.

[0047] To package the medical product 3 with the outer packaging 1, firstly Figure 2 In the first step shown in FIG. 1 , the sterile-packed medical product 3 in the primary packaging 2 is placed on the substrate 6, in particular on the second intermediate substrate segment 6b. Figure 2 As shown in FIG, if the medical product 3 is arranged on the second substrate segment 6b in the primary package 2, the primary package 2 can protrude beyond the second substrate segment 6b. In other words, the substrate 6 serves as a receptacle for the medical product 3 packaged in the primary package 2.

[0048] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the second step shown in FIG. 1 , the pivot plate 5 together with the side plate 7 is folded along the pivot fold line 8 toward the base plate 6 so that the pivot plate 5 substantially covers the base plate 6. The medical product 3 in the primary package 2 protrudes through the cutout 14 of the pivot plate 5. This means that the cutout 14 surrounds / encloses the medical product 3 in the folded state in order to fix the medical product relative to the outer package 1.

[0049] Later in Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the third step shown in FIG, the side panel 7 is folded or folded inwardly toward the lower side of the base plate 6 along the overturn folding line 9, so as to thereby hold the pivot plate 5 on the base plate 6. In other words, the side panel 7 is folded along the overturn folding line 9 to hold the base plate 6 in a sandwich-like manner between the side panel and the pivot plate 5.

[0050] exist Figure 7 In the fourth step shown in FIG. 1 , the side panels 12 and 13, that is to say the overlapping sections 5a, 6a, 7a and the overlapping sections 5b, 6b, 7b, are folded upward in the direction of the medical product 3 protruding through the incision 14. If the medical product 3 packaged in the outer packaging 1 is now placed in a preferably standardized outer packaging box (tertiary packaging) 15, for example for transportation or shipment, the side panels 12, 13 are folded outward again due to the inherent elasticity of the outer packaging material and collide with the inner surface of the outer packaging box 15. That is to say, as in Fig. 9As shown in the figure, the outer packaging 1 according to the preferred embodiment is in a folded state with the lower side of the base plate 6, that is, the side facing away from the medical product 3, against the first inner surface of the outer packaging box 15. Here, the edges of the side panels 12, 13 of the outer packaging are located on the second inner surface of the outer packaging box 15 opposite to the first inner surface, so that the outer packaging 1 is held in the outer packaging box 15. In other words, the outer packaging 1 is unfolded in the outer packaging box 15.

[0051] As in Fig. 9 As shown in the figure, the side panels 12, 13 form a hollow space between them, into which the medical product 3 can extend. That is, the medical product 3 is fixed in the outer packaging box 15 by the outer packaging 1 without being attached to one of the inner surfaces of the outer packaging box 15 or contacting the outer packaging box 15. Damage to the primary packaging 2 and the associated impairment of the sterility of the medical product 3 can therefore be prevented.

[0052] As in Fig.10 , 11 As shown in the figure, the outer packaging 1 can also be used for medical products 3 of different sizes. When large medical products 3 are packaged in the outer packaging 1 or outer packaging box 15, the side panels 12, 13 are more vertical than smaller medical products 3 and therefore form larger spaces between these side panels.

[0053] exist Figure 12 to Figure 14 An outer packaging 1 according to a modification of a preferred embodiment is drawn in the figure. Here, the base plate 6, in particular the second middle base plate segment 6b, has a cross-sectional pattern 16. According to a modification of the preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional pattern 16 is implemented in the base plate 6 in the form of a plurality of individual (arranged in a row) longitudinal sections. When the outer packaging 1 is folded and inserted into the outer packaging box 15 according to a modification of the preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional pattern 16 is responsible for additional cushioning between the outer packaging box 15 and the medical product 3. In addition, the base plate 6, in particular the middle base plate segment 6b thereof, acquires a higher flexibility compared to an uncut plate due to the longitudinal sections (longitudinal seams) arranged therein, so that the base plate can be closely adapted to the outer shape of the product placed thereon (see in particular Fig.13 ).

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the outer packaging 1 is made of conventional outer packaging materials, such as thick paperboard or cardboard. Since the outer packaging box 15 is also made of conventional outer packaging materials, it is no longer necessary to separate the outer packaging components during disposal. Of course, other materials may also be used for the outer packaging 1 and the outer packaging box 15 as long as the same material is used for the outer packaging components.

[0055] Reference numerals list

[0056] 1. Outer Packaging

[0057] 2 Primary packaging

[0058] 3 Medical products

[0059] 4 Cutting

[0060] 5 Pivot Plate

[0061] 5a First pivot plate segment

[0062] 5b Second pivot plate segment

[0063] 5c Third pivot plate segment

[0064] 6 substrate

[0065] 6a First substrate segment

[0066] 6b Second base plate segment

[0067] 6c The third base plate segment

[0068] 7 Side panels

[0069] 7a First side plate segment

[0070] 7b Second side plate segment

[0071] 7c Third side plate segment

[0072] 8 Pivot fold lines

[0073] 9 Flip fold line

[0074] 10 First fold line

[0075] 11 Second fold line

[0076] 12 First side piece

[0077] 13 Second side piece

[0078] 14 Incision

[0079] 15 Outer packaging box

[0080] 16 Cross-sectional patterns.

Claims

1. A foldable outer package (1) for a medical product (3), comprising: a base plate (6) which is divided into three sections (6a, 6b, 6c) by means of two parallel, spaced-apart folding lines (10, 11), - a pivot plate (5), said pivot plate - coupled to the base plate (6) via a pivot fold line (8) oriented perpendicularly to the hinge fold lines (10, 11), - likewise divided into three segments (5a, 5b, 5c) by means of folding lines (10, 11) extending linearly into the pivot plate (5), - a window-like cutout (14) (or perforation) in the middle segment (5b) of the three segments (5a, 5b, 5c), and - side panels (7), said side panels - coupled to the pivot plate (5) via a turnover fold line (9) oriented parallel to the pivot fold line (8), and - a division into three segments (7a, 7b, 7c) also by means of folding lines (10, 11) which are extended linearly further into the side panel (7), It is characterized in that The pivot fold line (8) extends over the entire length of the base plate (6) and the pivot plate (5).

2. The outer packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rollover fold line (9) extends over the entire length of the side panel (7) and the pivot panel (5).

3. The outer packaging (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The base plate (6), in particular the middle segment (6b) of the three segments (6a, 6b, 6c), has a cross-sectional pattern (16) preferably in the form of a plurality of longitudinal sections.

4. A method for outer packaging of a medical product (3) using a foldable outer packaging (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the following method steps: - placing the medical product (3) on the middle section (6b) of the three sections (6a, 6b, 6c) of the base plate (6); - pivoting the pivot plate (5) along the pivot fold line (8) until the pivot plate (5) is placed on the base plate (6) with the medical product (3) passing through the window-like incision (14); - turning over the side panel (7) along the turning fold line (9) so as to accommodate the base panel (6) in a sandwich-like manner between the side panel (7) and the pivoting panel (5), and - Folding two outer segments (5a, 5c, 6a, 6c, 7a, 7c) of each of the three segments of the base plate (6), pivot plate (5) and side plate (7) along corresponding folding lines (10, 11) towards the medical product (3).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The medical product (3) is packaged in a sterile outer packaging (1) before being placed on the middle segment (6b) of the three segments (6a, 6b, 6c) of the base plate (6).

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: After two outer segments (5a, 5c, 6a, 6c, 7a, 7c) of the three segments of the base plate (6), pivot plate (5) and side plate (7) are folded toward the medical product (3) along corresponding folding lines (10, 11), the outer packaging (1) including the medical product (3) is packaged in a preferably standardized outer packaging box (15).

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