Container and method and apparatus for producing container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container, in particular a main packaging container, for pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, dietary and / or food products, comprising an inner surface with at least one undercut section wherein at least a portion of the container has an average wall thickness of at most 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, most preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to containers for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, and to methods and apparatus for injection molding containers for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods. In particular, the present invention relates to corresponding containers for medicines and medical products, in particular primary packaging containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to tablet, eye drop and nasal spray containers, such as vials, cartridges, ampoules, bottles or syringes. Background Art

[0002] Nowadays, such containers with a range of volumetric capacities and undercut ratios (see definition below) are produced by injection blow molding, extrusion blow molding or compression blow molding. In particular, the volumetric capacity of containers produced by such a method ranges between 10 ml and 2000 ml, in particular between 20 ml and 1000 ml, more particularly between 30 ml and 500 ml, even more particularly between 40 ml and 250 ml, most particularly between 40 ml and 150 ml, for example between 40 ml and 80 ml, such as 60 ml. In particular, the undercut ratio of containers produced by such a method ranges between 1.05 and 2, in particular between 1.10 and 1.5, more particularly between 1.15 and 1.25, for example about 1.2.

[0003] An example of injection blow molding of such containers is described in EP 1896236 B1. Therein, a preform is produced by injecting material into a molding cavity, the molding cavity being formed between a preform cavity member defining the outer surface of the preform and a preform core member defining the inner surface of the preform. In a second step, the preform core member is moved together with the preform thereon into a final form cavity member defining the outer surface of the finished container, wherein hot gas is fed through the preform core to blow the preform toward the final form cavity member. In a third step, the preform core is removed from the interior of the container, and the final form cavity is opened so that the finished container can be ejected. This three step procedure allows the production of containers for pharmaceuticals and medical products within the above-mentioned volume capacity and undercut ratio ranges.

[0004] However, disadvantages of this method are long cycle times which increase costs and energy consumption, as well as inhomogeneous wall thicknesses and greater wall thicknesses (see, for example, FIGS. 8A to 8C of EP 1 896 236 B1 ), which increase costs and material consumption.

[0005] The latest methods of optimizing mold design and process control allow reducing material consumption by 25%. In addition, improving machine management allows reducing energy consumption for melting the material by 35% to 50%. Nevertheless, further reductions in energy and material consumption are needed to enhance the sustainability of such containers. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide containers for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, as well as a method and an apparatus for injection molding such containers having enhanced sustainability.

[0007] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims.

[0008] The present invention includes six independent claims, relating to six aspects of the present invention, which have in common that they relate to containers for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or food, particularly primary packaging containers, or relate to methods or equipment for injection molding such containers. Within the meaning of the present invention, medical products should preferably be understood to also include health products and diagnostic products. In addition, within the meaning of the present invention, dietary products should be understood to also include vitamins, mineral supplements and herbs, such as narcotics. The specific requirements of such containers are high purity, protection of products to be stored therein from changes, low permeability, low adhesion and flat inner surfaces. In particular, packaging products for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or food should be understood to meet the requirements of the European Union and / or the United States on the filing date of this application for such products. For example, the container within the meaning of the present invention can be a container with moisture permeability, which is defined as the requirements for the pharmaceutical use of the immediate primary packaging solid dosage formulation, particularly the requirements in US 671. The inventors have found that advantageous moisture vapor permeability can be achieved by producing the container and preferably its closure from polypropylene, in particular wherein the container comprises at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or 100% by weight of polypropylene. In particular, containers suitable for storing pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods are containers made of materials acceptable to pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods (i.e. materials that do not harm these products, in particular materials that do not harm these products because they may become dangerous when applied to humans or animals) or coated with such materials.

[0009] The purity of such containers defines particularly high requirements, which are that they must be substantially free of particles and endotoxin load. In particular, in the case of containers made of polymers, the electrostatic charge caused by the process may attract particles that contaminate the container and therefore make it unsuitable for medicines and medical products. In order to avoid or reduce particles and endotoxin load, it is known to wash the container or apply a temperature of up to 300 ° C. However, in addition to energy consumption, washing also causes water consumption, thereby causing the process to be less sustainable. Applying a temperature of up to 300 ° C and then melting polymer containers, such as polyethylene containers, and therefore recently it has only been applied to glass containers. However, glass containers have several disadvantages, such as being easy to break (therefore requiring special and expensive processing and handling devices in the entire life from container manufacturing to filling products to its transportation and use) and having high tolerances (causing high material and energy consumption). As explained, for example, in DE 10254762 A1, other methods for producing containers for medical products and medicines realize high purity requirements by producing and processing containers in a clean room of 100 levels or blowing inert gas around them during manufacturing.

[0010] Protecting the product to be stored in the container from changes, in particular from external influences and / or shocks, is important to avoid any risks when consuming the product stored in the container.

[0011] Low permeability is particularly important to avoid contamination or leakage of products stored in the container.

[0012] Low adhesion and a flat inner surface are particularly important to reduce the risk of impurities, such as particles and endotoxin load, adhering to the container and / or remaining therein even after purification.

[0013] The above requirements are particularly high for containers for pharmaceuticals and medical products and are defined, for example, in pharmaceutical books. For specific products to be stored in the container, these requirements may be particularly high. For primary packaging containers, i.e. containers in direct contact with the product, these requirements are even higher, since the primary packaging container is in direct contact with the product. The highest requirements apply in particular to primary packaging containers for pharmaceuticals or medical products.

[0014] In the meaning of the present invention, the container for medicine, medical product, cosmetic, dietary product and / or food is specifically understood to be a container that satisfies at least one, preferably multiple, most preferably all of the requirements defined above of such container. Preferably, such container is a vial, cartridge, ampoule, bottle or syringe, more preferably a vial, cartridge or ampoule. In particular, the container in the meaning of the present invention has a certain range of volume capacity and / or undercut ratio (see definition below). In particular, the volume capacity of the container produced by such a method ranges between 10 ml and 2000 ml, in particular between 20 ml and 1000 ml, more particularly between 30 ml and 500 ml, even more particularly between 40 ml and 250 ml, most particularly between 40 ml and 150 ml, for example between 40 ml and 80 ml, such as 60 ml. Within the meaning of the present invention, containers for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods often require a relatively large undercut ratio in the inner surface of the container, so that if they are produced by a two-step injection blow molding process, they cannot be ejected by deforming the container (forced ejection). Therefore, in the prior art, such containers are produced by three-step injection molding (such as injection blow molding). The range of the undercut ratio in the container according to the present invention is preferably between 1.05 and 2, more particularly between 1.10 and 1.5, most particularly between 1.15 and 1.25, for example about 1.2.

[0015] The container according to the present invention comprises an inner surface with at least one undercut section. The undercut section in the inner surface of the container is particularly understood as a section of the container that changes (particularly reduces) the cross section, wherein the solid core member (particularly the core member that cannot change its outer diameter) defining the interior cannot be removed from the interior. Preferably, the container within the meaning of the present invention extends along the longitudinal axis and includes a closed bottom at one end of the longitudinal axis and an open top at the opposite end of the longitudinal axis. The direction from the closed bottom to the open top can be referred to as the opening direction. For such containers, the undercut section can be specifically understood as a section of the inner surface that changes its cross section in the opening direction, wherein the solid core member (particularly the core member that cannot change its outer diameter) defining the interior cannot be removed in the opening direction. If the shape of the cross section changes, such as from a circle to an ellipse or a rectangle, and / or if the cross section is reduced in the opening direction, this may be the case. However, preferably, the undercut section within the meaning of the present invention is implemented as a reduction in the cross section in the opening direction. Preferably, the interior of the container is at least partially rotationally shaped in the region of the undercut section, wherein the diameter of the inner surface decreases in the direction of the opening. The reduction in diameter can be continuous, for example by means of a truncated cone shape of the undercut section that tapers in the direction of the opening, in particular a truncated cone shape of the entire inner surface, and / or by a sudden diameter step, for example by means of a body portion extending from the closed bottom towards the open top and a neck portion extending between the body portion and the open top, wherein the diameter of the neck portion is smaller than the diameter of the body portion, wherein the body portion can be connected to the neck portion by a shoulder portion having a perforated disk shape. Preferably, the interior of the container according to the invention comprises at least a cylindrical body portion extending from the closed bottom towards the open top and a cylindrical neck portion extending between the body portion and the open top, wherein the diameter of the neck portion is smaller than the diameter of the body portion, whereby an undercut section is present between the body portion and the neck portion. The undercut section can be realized, for example, by a shoulder portion having a perforated disk shape or having a truncated cone shape that tapers towards the open top. As described in detail below, the safety lock portion (preferably having a cylindrical shape at the inner surface) may be located between the body portion and the neck portion, wherein the undercut section may extend between the safety lock portion and the body portion, between the safety lock portion and the neck portion, or may be divided into two undercut sections, i.e., a lower undercut section extending between the body portion and the safety lock portion and an upper undercut section extending between the safety lock portion and the neck portion. Additionally or alternatively, the undercut section may be located between the neck portion and the mouth portion, preferably cylindrical at the inner surface and extending between the neck portion and the top of the opening, wherein the mouth portion has a smaller diameter than the neck portion.

[0016] The aforementioned volume capacity of the container may in particular be defined by the volume defined by the inner surface of the container between the closed bottom and the open top. The aforementioned undercut ratio may be calculated by measuring the minimum diameter of the inner surface and the maximum diameter of the inner surface, the inner surface extending between the minimum diameter and the closed bottom, preferably wherein the maximum diameter divided by the minimum diameter defines the undercut ratio. In the case of an inner surface having a truncated cone shape extending continuously between the closed bottom and the open top, the undercut ratio may be calculated by dividing the diameter of the inner surface at the closed bottom by the diameter of the inner surface at the open top. In the case of a container having a cylindrical body portion, a cylindrical safety lock portion, a shoulder portion having a truncated cone shape tapering toward the open top and separated by the safety lock portion, a cylindrical neck portion and a cylindrical mouth portion, wherein the mouth portion has the minimum diameter and the body portion has the maximum diameter, the undercut ratio may be calculated by dividing the diameter of the inner surface of the body portion by the diameter of the inner surface of the mouth portion. Furthermore, in this case, the undercut ratio between the components, such as between the main body portion and the neck portion (wherein the diameter of the neck portion is smaller than that of the main body portion), can be calculated by dividing the diameter of the inner surface of the main body portion by the diameter of the inner surface of the neck portion.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, a primary packaging container for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or food is provided, comprising an inner surface with at least one undercut section, wherein at least a portion of the container has an average wall thickness of a maximum of 0.8 mm, preferably a maximum of 0.7 mm, and more preferably a maximum of 0.6 mm. Preferably, the average wall thickness of at least a portion is between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, and most preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. Additionally or alternatively, at least one portion is selected from a closed bottom, a main body extending between a closed bottom and an open top, a neck portion extending between a main body and an open top, a safety lock portion extending between a main body and a neck portion, and a shoulder portion extending between a main body and a safety lock portion. More preferably, at least two, at least three, at least four or at least five of the previously mentioned portions have the aforementioned average wall thickness, particularly preferably an average wall thickness between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. Hereinafter, some portions of the container will be described with reference to this aspect of the present invention. However, it should be clear that all parts of the container according to this aspect of the invention can be implemented as described above and below with respect to other aspects and embodiments of the invention and their embodiments, wherein the features attributed to the corresponding aspects and embodiments of the invention may or may not be implemented.

[0018] According to a first embodiment, the interior of the container extends along the longitudinal axis, in particular is at least partially formed in rotation and comprises a closed bottom at one end of the longitudinal axis and an open top at the opposite end of the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the closed bottom is circular and in particular extends orthogonally to the longitudinal axis. The open top is preferably circular, in particular a circular opening, preferably extending orthogonally to the longitudinal axis and / or parallel to the closed bottom.

[0019] According to a second embodiment, which can be combined with the first embodiment, at least one part is a closed bottom of the container, preferably the closed bottom of the first embodiment, preferably wherein the average wall thickness of the main part is at most 0.75 mm, more preferably at most 0.65 mm, most preferably at most 0.6 mm. Particularly preferably, the average wall thickness of the closed bottom is between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.35 mm and 0.7 mm, most preferably between 0.5 mm and 0.6 mm, for example 0.54 mm. The closed bottom is preferably circular, preferably with a diameter of between 20 mm and 90 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm, more preferably between 35 mm and 45 mm, even more preferably between 37.5 mm and 42.5 mm, for example 39.4 mm.

[0020] According to a third embodiment, which can be combined with the first and / or second embodiments, at least one portion is a body portion extending from the closed bottom of the container towards the open top of the container, preferably wherein the average wall thickness of the body portion is at most 0.7 mm, more preferably at most 0.6 mm, most preferably at most 0.5 mm. Particularly preferably, the average wall thickness of the body portion is between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, most preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm. Preferably, the body portion extends from the closed bottom towards the open top along 20% ​​to 90%, preferably 30% to 80%, more preferably 40% to 70%, most preferably 50% to 60% of the axial extension of the container. Preferably, the body portion comprises a cylindrical jacket extending from a circular bottom (preferably a circular bottom according to the first or second embodiment) towards the open top, in particular wherein the cylindrical jacket and the circular bottom together have the shape of a cup. The cylindrical jacket of the main body part preferably has the shape of a particularly preferred hollow cylinder having an inner diameter and an outer diameter spaced apart from each other by a particularly constant wall thickness. As described above and in detail below, the inner surface of the main body part and preferably also the outer surface preferably do not have any recesses, protrusions and / or threads. As will be described in detail below, by using a collapsible core for injection molding of the container, a thin fin is produced in the interior of the container. Therefore, within the meaning of the present invention, an inner surface described as being without any recesses, protrusions and / or threads should preferably not exclude such thin fins. Preferably, the cylindrical jacket of the main body portion has an inner diameter between 20 mm and 90 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm, more preferably between 35 mm and 45 mm, even more preferably between 37.5 mm and 42.5 mm, for example 39.4 mm and / or extends along the longitudinal axis from 10 mm to 60 mm, preferably from 15 mm to 45 mm, more preferably from 20 mm to 35 mm, most preferably from 25 mm to 30 mm, for example 27 mm. Preferably, the above average wall thickness of the main body portion is calculated as the wall thickness in the circumferential direction and along the longitudinal axis along the entire extension of the main body portion. It should be clear that when the present disclosure discloses the wall thickness of different parts of the container, the average wall thickness preferably refers to that which can be calculated as described for the main body portion.

[0021] In a fourth embodiment, preferably according to any one of the first to third embodiments, at least one portion is a neck portion extending between the main body portion and the open top of the container, wherein the interior of the neck portion is preferably cylindrical. Preferably, the average wall thickness of the neck portion is at most 0.7 mm, more preferably at most 0.6 mm, most preferably at most 0.5 mm. Particularly preferably, the average wall thickness of the neck portion is between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, most preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm. Preferably, the neck portion extends between the main body portion and the open top along 10% to 50%, preferably 15% to 40%, more preferably 20% to 35%, most preferably 25% to 30% of the axial extension of the container. Particularly preferably, the neck portion comprises a cylindrical jacket, which particularly has the shape of a particularly preferably hollow cylinder, which has an inner diameter and an outer diameter spaced from each other by a particularly constant wall thickness. As described above and in detail below, the neck portion may include threaded means on the outer surface of the cylindrical sheath, wherein the inner surface is preferably free of any recesses, protrusions and / or threads. Preferably, the cylindrical sheath of the neck portion has an inner diameter between 10 mm and 55 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 45 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm, even more preferably between 30 mm and 35 mm, for example 33 mm and / or extends along the longitudinal axis 5 mm to 35 mm, preferably 7.5 mm to 25 mm, more preferably 10 mm to 20 mm, most preferably 12.5 mm to 17.5 mm, for example 14.4 mm.

[0022] According to a fifth embodiment, the fifth embodiment can be combined with any one of the first to fourth embodiments, and the closed bottom of the container has an average wall thickness different from that of the main body portion extending from the closed bottom of the container toward the open top or the neck portion extending between the main body portion and the neck portion, in particular, wherein the average wall thickness of the bottom is higher than the average wall thickness of the main body portion and / or the neck portion, in particular, about 0.03 mm to 0.2 mm higher, more particularly about 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm higher, most particularly about 0.08 to 0.12 mm higher, for example about 0.1 mm higher.

[0023] According to a sixth embodiment, which can be combined with the first, second and / or third embodiments of this aspect, the total average wall thickness of the container is at most 0.8 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.55 mm or 0.5 mm, or between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, most preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm or between 0.4 mm and 0.55 mm.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, which may be combined with the preceding and subsequent aspects of the present invention, or vice versa, there is provided a primary packaging container for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, comprising an inner surface having at least one undercut section, wherein at least a portion of the container has a wall thickness with a standard deviation of less than 0.02 mm. Preferably, the standard deviation is less than 0.015 mm, more preferably less than 0.01 mm, even more preferably less than 0.008 mm, 0.007 mm, 0.006 mm or 0.005 mm, most preferably less than 0.0045 mm, 0.004 mm, 0.0035 mm, 0.003 mm, 0.0025 mm, 0.002 mm or 0.0015 mm, for example about 0.001 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the standard deviation is between 0.0001mm and 0.015mm, preferably between 0.0002mm and 0.01mm, more preferably between 0.0003mm and 0.05mm, most preferably between 0.0005mm and 0.002mm, for example, 0.001mm. Particularly preferably, at least a portion is selected from a closed bottom, a main body extending between a closed bottom and an open top, a neck portion extending between a main body and an open top, a safety lock portion extending between a main body and a neck portion, and a shoulder portion extending between a main body and a neck portion. More preferably, at least two, at least three, at least four or at least five of the aforementioned parts have a wall thickness with the aforementioned standard deviation, and the standard deviation is particularly preferably between 0.0005mm and 0.002mm. It should be clear that all parts of the container according to this aspect of the present invention can be realized as described above and below with respect to other aspects of the present invention and their embodiments, wherein the features attributed to the corresponding aspects of the present invention may or may not be realized.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, which can be combined with the preceding and subsequent aspects of the invention and vice versa, there is provided a primary packaging container for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, comprising an inner surface having at least one undercut section, wherein at least two, preferably at least three or four portions selected from a body portion extending between a closed bottom and an open top of the container, a neck portion extending between the body portion and the open top, a safety lock portion extending between the body portion and the neck portion, and a shoulder portion extending between the body portion and the neck portion have average wall thicknesses that differ from each other by less than 0.07 mm, preferably less than 0.06 mm, more preferably less than 0.05 mm, most preferably less than 0.04 mm, for example 0.03 mm. In particular, these average wall thicknesses differ from each other by between 0.005 mm and 0.06 mm, preferably between 0.01 mm and 0.05 mm, more preferably between 0.02 mm and 0.04 mm, most preferably between 0.035 mm and 0.045 mm. More preferably, at least two, at least three or at least four of the aforementioned parts have an average wall thickness that differs from each other by less than 0.07 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.05 mm or 0.04 mm. It should be clear that all parts of the container according to this aspect of the invention may be implemented as described above and below with respect to other aspects of the invention and their embodiments, wherein the features attributed to the corresponding aspects of the invention may or may not be implemented.

[0026] Preferably, the container according to any of the aforementioned and subsequently described aspects of the present invention is produced by a two-step injection molding method. Preferably, injection molding within the meaning of the present invention shall refer to two-step injection molding. Two-step injection molding within the meaning of the present invention particularly refers to injection molding comprising the following steps: injecting material into the molding cavity and ejecting the product produced thereby. In particular, two-step injection molding within the meaning of the present invention particularly has no blowing step between the injection and ejection steps, in particular no step of blowing material from the core member toward the cavity member. In particular, two-step injection molding within the meaning of the present invention particularly does not include injection blow molding. The two-step injection molding method preferably comprises the following steps:

[0027] a) providing a cavity member defining an outer surface of the container;

[0028] b) providing a core member defining an inner surface of the container (1) having at least one undercut section;

[0029] c) bringing the cavity member and the core member into position to form a molding cavity between the cavity member and the core member;

[0030] d) injecting material into the molding cavity to mold the container; and

[0031] e) Removing the core member (7) from the interior of the container.

[0032] Preferably, these steps are performed as described in detail with respect to the following aspects of the invention, wherein step e) can be achieved with or without the aid of a collapsible core. An example of providing a container with an undercut section by a two-step injection molding process without the use of a collapsible core is, for example, the use of a sacrificial core. However, preferably, a collapsible core is used as described in detail below.

[0033] The production container by two-step injection molding can be particularly identified in the container by its low average wall thickness, low standard deviation and low difference of average wall thickness between different parts of the container. Particularly preferably, the container is produced by an apparatus (particularly as described in detail below) with a collapsible core, which is more sustainable than using a sacrificial core. The use of a collapsible core can be particularly identified in the interior of the container by thin fins protruding from the inner surface of the container toward the interior of the container. These fins are produced by the incompletely flat surface of the collapsible core in the contact area of ​​the collapsible part, and extend particularly along the longitudinal direction of the collapsible core. However, because these fins are very small, they do not lose the suitability for storing medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or food therein.

[0034] The inventors have surprisingly found that by using a two-step injection molding process, in particular as described in detail below, the average wall thickness of the container can be reduced from about 0.9 mm (produced by a known three-step injection blow molding process) to an average wall thickness of about 0.45 mm without losing its suitability for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods. In addition, the inventors have found that using a two-step injection molding process allows the standard deviation of the wall thickness within parts of the container (such as the closed bottom, the body part, the neck part, the shoulder part and the safety lock device) to be reduced from 0.02 mm (produced by a known three-step injection blow molding process) to 0.001 mm. In addition, the inventors have found that the uniformity of the wall thickness between different parts of the container (such as between the body part and the shoulder part) can also be increased, that is, the difference in the average wall thickness between different parts of the container (such as the shoulder part and the body part) can be reduced from about 0.07 mm (produced by a known three-step injection blow molding process) to about 0.03 mm. By further using a collapsible core member to define the inner surface of the container during injection, in particular as described in detail below, the container can be provided with undercut sections in the inner surface. Due to the reduction in the average wall thickness, standard deviation of the wall thickness within a portion of the container and the difference in wall thickness between different parts of the container, material consumption can be significantly reduced. Therefore, since melting the material and cooling it before ejecting the container made therefrom constitutes the main energy consumption of injection molding, a significant reduction in energy consumption is achieved, thereby improving the sustainability of the container.

[0035] Preferably, the container is designed as explained with respect to the aspects of the invention described below, in particular with regard to material selection, geometry, production method and production equipment, wherein the features attributed to the respective independent claim may or may not be realized.

[0036] The inventors have found that, in particular as described with respect to the following aspects of the invention, the use of a collapsible core to produce a container by a two-step injection molding method, instead of the known three-step injection blow molding method, enables the production of containers with a more uniform wall thickness. Due to the more uniform wall thickness, the average wall thickness of the container can be reduced without the risk of partially falling below the minimum wall thickness required for the intended purpose of the invention. Thus, the material consumption and therefore also the energy consumption for melting the material can be reduced, thereby solving the purpose of enhanced sustainability of such containers.

[0037] According to another aspect of the invention, which aspect can be combined with the preceding aspect and the features and embodiments described in conjunction therewith, and vice versa, there is provided a container, in particular a primary packaging container, for a pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, dietary and / or food product, the container being injection moulded by a method comprising the following steps:

[0038] a) providing a cavity member defining an outer surface of the container;

[0039] b) providing a core member defining an inner surface of the container having at least one undercut section;

[0040] c) bringing the cavity member and the core member into position to form a molding cavity between the cavity member and the core member;

[0041] d) injecting material into the molding cavity to mold the container; and

[0042] e) Removing the core member from the interior of the container, whereby the core member collapses to pass through the undercut area.

[0043] The core member used in this aspect of the invention and the aspects described below can be referred to as a collapsible core. By using a collapsible core, a container having an inner surface with an undercut segment can be manufactured, wherein the core member defines the interior of the molding chamber with the core surface with the undercut segment in step c), so that by injecting material in step d), the surface presenting the core member (i.e., the inner surface with the undercut segment) is formed, wherein, by collapsing the core, the core can be removed from the inner surface of the container so that the core can pass through the undercut area. The inventors have found that a two-step injection molding method can be used to produce containers for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, in particular primary packaging containers, in particular containers having a volume capacity and / or undercut ratio within the range defined above and / or meeting the above requirements of such containers. In addition, the inventors have found that, compared with a three-step injection blow molding method, by using the described two-step injection molding method with a collapsible core, the energy consumption for producing such containers can be significantly reduced, thereby improving the sustainability of the container. In addition, the inventors have found that the two-step injection molding method with a collapsible core provides a container with a wall thickness with a smaller standard deviation compared to the three-step injection blow molding method, thereby allowing the wall thickness of the container to be reduced, thereby reducing the overall material consumption, so that the sustainability of the container is further increased. In addition, by omitting the blowing step of the three-step injection blow molding method, the cycle time can be reduced. The reduction in cycle time and material consumption further reduces the energy requirements required to melt the material and keep it at a high temperature during the manufacturing process, thereby further reducing energy consumption, so that the sustainability of the container is further increased. In particular, the inventors have found that by means of the present invention, in particular, by using a two-step injection molding method with a collapsible core, material consumption can be reduced by 50% and energy consumption can be reduced by 86% compared to the three-step injection blow molding method.

[0044] In particular, the moulding cavity has the shape of the following container. As described above and below, a container within the meaning of the present invention preferably extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a closed bottom at one end of the longitudinal axis and an open top at the opposite end of the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the moulding cavity formed in step c) preferably extends along the longitudinal axis of the following container and defines the closed bottom of the following container at one end of the longitudinal axis and defines the open top of the following container at the opposite end of the longitudinal axis.

[0045] In particular, in step a), a cavity member defining an outer surface of the container is provided, wherein in step c), the cavity member defines an outer surface of the molding cavity.

[0046] Preferably, in step c), the outer surface of the moulding cavity comprises, in particular, an at least partially cylindrical outer jacket which surrounds the longitudinal axis in a circumferential direction and extends along the longitudinal axis from a closed bottom to an open top.

[0047] The outer jacket preferably comprises at least two cylindrical sections, in particular one cylindrical section forming the main body of the container behind and one cylindrical section forming the neck of the container behind, wherein at least one of these sections (preferably the section forming the neck) preferably comprises a plurality of recesses with a threaded form to provide the thread to the outside of the container. Preferably, at least two cylindrical sections have different diameters, wherein the diameter of the cylindrical section forming the main body of the container behind is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical section forming the neck of the container behind. More preferably, the outer jacket comprises at least three cylindrical sections, in particular two cylindrical sections forming the main body and the neck of the container behind and a third cylindrical section. The third cylindrical section may be a cylindrical section forming the safety lock section of the container behind, wherein the cylindrical section forming the safety lock section preferably comprises a groove with a safety lock device form for providing the safety lock device to the outside of the container and is preferably located between the cylindrical sections forming the main body and the neck of the container behind. Alternatively, the third cylindrical section may be a cylindrical section forming the mouth portion of the container at the rear, wherein the cylindrical section forming the mouth portion at the rear is preferably located between the top of the opening and the section forming the neck portion at the rear. Preferably, the at least three cylindrical sections have different diameters, wherein the cylindrical section forming the body portion at the rear has a larger diameter than the cylindrical section forming the neck portion at the rear, and preferably wherein, if the third cylindrical section is a section forming the safety lock portion at the rear, the third cylindrical section has a smaller diameter than the section forming the body portion at the rear and / or a larger diameter than the section forming the neck portion at the rear, or, if the third cylindrical section is a section forming the mouth portion at the rear, the third cylindrical section has a smaller diameter than the section forming the neck portion at the rear. Even more preferably, the outer sheath comprises at least four cylindrical segments, in particular, two cylindrical segments forming the body portion and the neck portion of the rear container and a third cylindrical segment and a fourth cylindrical segment, wherein preferably, the third cylindrical segment is the aforementioned cylindrical segment forming the safety lock portion of the rear container, and the fourth cylindrical segment is the cylindrical segment forming the mouth portion of the rear container. Preferably, the at least four cylindrical segments have different diameters, preferably, wherein the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the rear body portion is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the safety lock portion, and wherein the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the rear safety lock portion is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the rear neck portion, and wherein the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the rear neck portion is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the rear mouth portion.

[0048] In addition to the outer jacket, in step c), the outer surface of the molding cavity also includes a dish-shaped outer bottom surface defining the outer surface of the closed bottom of the subsequent container. Preferably, the cavity member includes an injection inlet for injecting material into the molding cavity. Most preferably, the injection inlet is implemented in the outer bottom surface of the outer surface of the molding cavity.

[0049] In addition to the outer jacket and the outer bottom surface, in step c), the outer surface of the molding chamber preferably further comprises, in particular, an annular outer top surface, which surrounds the open top of the following container in the circumferential direction of the longitudinal axis and connects the outer jacket of the outer surface of the molding chamber with the following inner surface of the molding chamber, in particular with the following inner jacket of the molding chamber, in particular to close the molding chamber at the open top, in particular wherein, except for the above-mentioned injection inlet, the molding chamber is covered in particular in a fluid-tight manner. In this regard, fluid-tight means in particular fluid-tight with respect to molten material, in particular molten polymer, more particularly molten polyolefin, most particularly molten polypropylene, injected with the usual injection pressures in the art for injection-molded containers, in particular with the dimensions, wall thicknesses and / or recesses defined above.

[0050] In order to bring the cavity member into position in step c) and to eject the container after step d), in particular in step e), the cavity member may be made of a plurality of parts that are movable, in particular movable relative to one another. In particular, a plurality of parts of the cavity member may be movable, in particular movable relative to one another, parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

[0051] In particular, in step b), a core member is provided, the core member defining an inner surface of the container having at least one undercut section, wherein in step c), the core member defines an inner surface of the moulding cavity.

[0052] Preferably, in step c), the inner surface of the molding cavity comprises, in particular, an at least partially cylindrical inner jacket which surrounds the longitudinal axis in the circumferential direction and extends along the longitudinal axis from the closed bottom at least to the open top. Preferably, in step c), the inner jacket extends parallel to the outer jacket, wherein the inner jacket and the outer jacket are preferably spaced apart from each other by the wall thickness of the subsequent container, in particular between 0.2 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm, most preferably 0.5 mm.

[0053] The inner jacket preferably comprises at least two cylindrical sections, in particular, one cylindrical section forms the main body of the container behind and one cylindrical section forms the neck of the container behind, preferably wherein at least one section does not have recesses, protrusions and / or threads, preferably both sections do not have recesses, protrusions and / or threads. Preferably, at least two cylindrical sections have different diameters, wherein the diameter of the cylindrical section forming the main body of the container behind is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical section forming the neck of the container behind. More preferably, the inner jacket comprises at least three cylindrical sections, in particular, two cylindrical sections forming the main body and the neck of the container behind and a third cylindrical section. The third cylindrical section may be a cylindrical section forming the safety lock of the container behind, preferably wherein the cylindrical section forming the safety lock has no recesses, protrusions and / or threads and / or is located between the cylindrical sections forming the main body and the neck of the container behind. Alternatively, the third cylindrical section may be a cylindrical section forming the mouth portion of the container at the rear, wherein the cylindrical section forming the mouth portion at the rear is preferably located between the top of the opening and the section forming the neck portion at the rear. Preferably, the at least three cylindrical sections have different diameters, wherein the cylindrical section forming the body portion at the rear has a larger diameter than the cylindrical section forming the neck portion at the rear, and preferably wherein, if the third cylindrical section is a section forming the safety lock portion at the rear, the third cylindrical section has a smaller diameter than the section forming the body portion at the rear and / or a larger diameter than the section forming the neck portion at the rear, or, if the third cylindrical section is a section forming the mouth portion at the rear, the third cylindrical section has a smaller diameter than the section forming the neck portion at the rear. Even more preferably, the inner sheath comprises at least four cylindrical segments, in particular two cylindrical segments forming the body portion and the neck portion of the rear container and a third cylindrical segment and a fourth cylindrical segment, wherein preferably the third cylindrical segment is the aforementioned cylindrical segment forming the safety lock portion of the rear container, and the fourth cylindrical segment is the cylindrical segment forming the mouth portion of the rear container. Preferably, the at least four cylindrical segments have different diameters, preferably wherein the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the rear body portion is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the safety lock portion, and wherein the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the rear safety lock portion is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the rear neck portion, and wherein the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the rear neck portion is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical segment forming the rear mouth portion.

[0054] In addition to the inner jacket, in step c), the inner surface of the molding cavity also includes, in particular, a dish-shaped inner bottom surface defining the inner surface of the closed bottom of the subsequent container. Preferably, in step c), the inner bottom surface extends parallel to the outer bottom surface, wherein the inner bottom surface and the outer bottom surface are preferably spaced apart from each other by the wall thickness of the subsequent container, in particular by 0.2 mm to 1.00 mm, preferably by 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm, more preferably by 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, most preferably by 0.5 mm.

[0055] In particular, in order to bring the core member into the position of step c) and after step d), in particular in step e), the container is ejected, the core member is designed as a collapsible core. The collapsible core can be designed to adopt at least two operating states, i.e., a collapsed state and an expanded state. In the collapsed state, the collapsible core particularly has a radial extension smaller than in the expanded state, in particular, such a small radial extension, in particular in step e), the collapsible core particularly passes through the undercut section in the opening direction so that it can be removed from the interior of the container, in particular, removed from the interior of the container through the open top of the container. In particular, in step c), the collapsible core is in its expanded state, wherein the collapsible core preferably has the above and below geometric shapes. In particular, in the expanded state, the collapsible core may include a central portion, a rod portion (in particular four rod portions) extending radially from the central portion, and a cylindrical segment portion (in particular four cylindrical segment portions) extending between the rod portions. The cylindrical segment portion and the rod portion preferably form the aforementioned inner sheath together. At their front faces, the center part, the rod part and the cylindrical segment part preferably form the aforementioned disc-shaped inner bottom surface. The center part can be slidably mounted relative to the rod part, wherein, by removing the center part in the opening direction in step e), the rod parts are tilted inwardly in the radial direction, thereby reducing their radial extension, in particular the part of the inner jacket formed by them, so that they can pass through the undercut section and thus be removed from the container through the open top of the container in the opening direction. The rod part can additionally be slidably mounted relative to the cylindrical segment part, wherein, by removing the rod part in the opening direction in step e), the cylindrical segment parts are tilted inwardly in the radial direction, thereby reducing their radial extension, in particular the part of the inner jacket formed by them, so that they can pass through the undercut section and thus be removed from the container through the open top of the container in the opening direction.

[0056] The position of forming the molding cavity between the cavity member and the core member of step c) can be referred to as the injection position. In order to bring the core member and the cavity member into the injection position, the core member and the cavity member can be brought into the injection position simultaneously or successively. Preferably, the cavity member and the core member are brought into the injection position successively. Even more preferably, the cavity member is brought into the injection position before the core member.

[0057] In order to bring the core member into the injection position, the core member is preferably displaced into the injection position, in particular along the longitudinal axis, more particularly in the direction opposite to the opening direction, in which the core member is in an expanded state. For this purpose, the central part of the cylindrical segment part is preferably first displaced toward the injection position, in particular tilted inwardly in the radial direction. In a second step, the rod part is preferably displaced toward the injection position, specifically tilted inwardly in the radial direction, thereby causing the cylindrical segment part to expand outwardly in the radial direction. In a third step, the central part is preferably displaced toward the injection position, thereby causing the cylindrical segment part and the rod part to expand outwardly in the radial direction, so that (in particular after the third step) the core member takes its expanded state in the injection position.

[0058] In order to bring the cavity member into the injection position, the cavity member preferably moves in a radial direction towards the longitudinal axis and / or in an axial direction towards the molding chamber behind, particularly towards the position movement of the core member in the injection position.For this purpose, the cavity member can include a cavity part movable along the longitudinal axis and / or a cavity part movable in a radial direction.Preferably provide the aforementioned outer surface segment along the movable part of the longitudinal axis, for forming the main body part of the container behind and the annular outer top surface of the closed bottom and / or the aforementioned molding chamber.Additionally or alternatively, the cavity member includes at least two parts movable in the radial direction.Two parts movable in the radial direction are particularly provided for forming the aforementioned neck portion and / or the safety lock portion of the container behind and / or the outer surface segment of the aforementioned thread and / or the safety lock device on the outer surface (particularly on the neck portion and / or the safety lock portion of the container behind).

[0059] Particularly preferably, the cavity member comprises at least one portion movable in the axial direction and at least two portions movable in the radial direction, in particular, wherein the two portions movable in the radial direction provide for forming the aforementioned outer surface segment of the neck portion and / or the safety lock portion of the container, and wherein the one portion movable in the axial direction provides for forming the aforementioned outer surface segment of the main body portion and the closed bottom of the subsequent container or the aforementioned annular outer top surface of the molding chamber. Even more preferably, the cavity member comprises at least two portions movable in the axial direction and at least two portions movable in the radial direction, in particular, wherein the two portions movable in the radial direction provide for forming the aforementioned outer surface segment of the neck portion and / or the safety lock portion of the subsequent container, and wherein the one portion movable in the axial direction provides for forming the aforementioned outer surface segment of the main body portion and the closed bottom of the subsequent container, and wherein the one portion movable in the axial direction provides for forming the aforementioned annular outer top surface of the molding chamber.

[0060] In step d), in order to inject the material into the molding cavity, the cavity member and / or the core member may include an injection inlet for injecting the material into the molding cavity. Preferably, the injection inlet is implemented in the core member, more preferably in the outer bottom surface of the outer surface of the molding cavity. In order to inject the material, an injection nozzle can be used, which can be positioned at the injection inlet. Before injection, the material can be melted, for example, by a screw extruder.

[0061] In step e), in order to remove the core member from the interior of the container, whereby the core member collapses for passing through the undercut area, the core member may be removed as described above, in particular in the opposite direction as previously described with respect to step c) for bringing the core member into the injection position. In addition to the core member, the cavity member may be removed from the container in step e), preferably as described above, in particular in the opposite direction as previously described with respect to step c) for bringing the cavity member into the injection position.

[0062] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the container of the present invention according to any of the aforementioned and hereinafter described aspects of the present invention will be described.

[0063] In a seventh embodiment, the interior of the container is at least partially rotationally shaped along the longitudinal axis and comprises a closed bottom at one end of the longitudinal axis and an open top at the opposite end of the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the closed bottom is circular and extends in particular orthogonally to the longitudinal axis. The open top is preferably circular, in particular a circular opening, which preferably extends orthogonally to the longitudinal axis and / or parallel to the closed bottom.

[0064] In an eighth embodiment, preferably according to the seventh embodiment, the undercut section is located between the minimum diameter of the interior and the maximum diameter of the interior, the maximum diameter being between the minimum diameter and the bottom. Preferably, the minimum diameter is located in a top region extending from the open top toward the bottom along 30%, more preferably 15%, even more preferably 5%, most preferably 2.5% of the axial extension of the container. Particularly preferably, the minimum diameter is located at the open top of the container and is particularly bounded by the above-mentioned and below mouth portion of the container. The maximum diameter of the interior between the minimum diameter and the closed bottom is preferably located in a bottom region extending from the closed bottom toward the open top along 70%, preferably 50%, more preferably 30%, even more preferably 20%, most preferably 10% of the axial extension of the container. Particularly preferably, the maximum diameter is located at the closed bottom of the container and is particularly bounded by the above-mentioned and below body portion of the container. Particularly, the maximum diameter is larger than the minimum diameter, preferably 2 mm to 20 mm larger, more preferably 3 mm to 15 mm larger, even more preferably 4 mm to 12 mm larger, most preferably 5 mm to 9 mm larger. In particular, the minimum diameter is between 20 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 45 mm, even more preferably between 30 mm and 35 mm, for example 32.4 mm. Additionally or alternatively, in particular, the maximum diameter is between 20 mm and 90 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm, more preferably between 35 mm and 45 mm, even more preferably between 37.5 mm and 42.5 mm, for example 39.4 mm.

[0065] In addition to the above-described undercut ratios, the following portion of this specification will describe specific sizes, undercut ratios, and diameter ratios that are beneficial for containers for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products, and / or foods.

[0066] Preferably, the maximum diameter divided by the minimum diameter defines an undercut ratio of at least 1.05, preferably at least 1.10, more preferably at least 1.15, most preferably at least 1.20. If the maximum diameter is, for example, 39.4 cm and the minimum diameter is 32.4 mm, the container has an undercut ratio of 1.216.

[0067] The present invention is intended to cover, for example, containers comprising only one undercut segment, for example containers having only two cylindrical parts (such as a body part and a neck part), wherein the neck part has the smallest diameter and the body part has the largest diameter, so that the undercut ratio of the container is equal to the body / neck ratio, which is calculated by dividing the diameter of the body part by the diameter of the neck part. However, as described in relation to the following embodiments, the present invention is also intended to cover containers having more than one undercut segment. In particular in this case, the total undercut ratio of the container may be greater than the ratio of the two parts between which the undercut segment is formed.

[0068] In a ninth embodiment, preferably according to any one of the seventh to eighth embodiments, the container includes a main body portion extending from a closed bottom toward an open top and a neck portion extending between the main body portion and the open top, wherein the interiors of the main body portion and the neck portion are preferably cylindrical.

[0069] Preferably, the main body portion extends from the closed bottom towards the open top along 20% ​​to 90%, preferably 30% to 80%, more preferably 40% to 70%, most preferably 50% to 60% of the axial extension of the container. Particularly preferably, the main body portion comprises a cylindrical jacket extending from the circular bottom towards the open top, in particular wherein the cylindrical jacket and the circular bottom together have the shape of a cup. The cylindrical jacket of the main body portion preferably has the shape of a particularly preferably hollow cylinder having an inner diameter and an outer diameter spaced apart from each other by a particularly constant wall thickness. As described above and in detail below, the inner surface and preferably also the outer surface of the main body portion is preferably free of any recesses, projections and / or threads. Preferably, the cylindrical jacket of the main body part has an inner diameter between 20 mm and 90 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm, more preferably between 35 mm and 45 mm, even more preferably between 37.5 mm and 42.5 mm, for example 39.4 mm and / or extends along the longitudinal axis from 10 mm to 60 mm, preferably from 15 mm to 45 mm, more preferably from 20 mm to 35 mm, most preferably from 25 mm to 30 mm, for example 27 mm. Preferably, the circular bottom of the main body part and the cylindrical jacket have a wall thickness between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm, most preferably 0.5 mm. The circular bottom preferably has an inner diameter and / or wall thickness in the same range as the cylindrical jacket, in particular having substantially the same values. Substantially the same values ​​for diameter within the meaning of the present invention are particularly understood to cover variations of up to 5%, 3%, 2% or 1%. Essentially identical values ​​for the wall thickness within the meaning of the present invention are to be understood in particular to encompass differences of less than 0.15 mm, preferably less than 0.07 mm, more preferably less than 0.06 mm, most preferably less than 0.05 mm.

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, the neck portion extends between the body portion and the open top along 10% to 50%, preferably 15% to 40%, more preferably 20% to 35%, most preferably 25% to 30% of the axial extension of the container. Particularly preferably, the neck portion comprises a cylindrical jacket, which in particular has the shape of a particularly preferably hollow cylinder with an inner diameter and an outer diameter spaced apart from each other by a particularly constant wall thickness. As described above and in detail below, the neck portion may comprise a threaded device on the outer surface of the cylindrical jacket, wherein the inner surface is preferably free of any recesses, protrusions and / or threads. Preferably, the cylindrical sheath of the neck portion has an inner diameter between 10 mm and 55 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 45 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm, even more preferably between 30 mm and 35 mm, for example 33 mm and / or extends along the longitudinal axis from 5 mm to 35 mm, preferably from 7.5 mm to 25 mm, more preferably from 10 mm to 20 mm, most preferably from 12.5 mm to 17.5 mm, for example 14.4 mm. Preferably, the circular sheath of the neck portion has a wall thickness between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm, most preferably 0.5 mm. The cylindrical sheath of the neck portion preferably has a wall thickness in the same range as the circular bottom of the body portion and the cylindrical sheath, in particular having substantially the same value.

[0071] Preferably, the diameter of the neck portion divided by the diameter of the body portion defines a body / neck ratio of at least 1.04, preferably at least 1.09, more preferably at least 1.13, most preferably at least 1.18. For example, if the cylindrical sheath of the neck portion has an inner diameter of 33 mm and the cylindrical sheath of the body portion has an inner diameter of 39.4 mm, the body / neck ratio is 1.194.

[0072] In a tenth embodiment, preferably, according to any one of the seventh to ninth embodiments, the container further comprises a mouth portion extending between the open top and the neck portion, wherein the interior of the mouth portion is preferably cylindrical. Preferably, the mouth portion extends between the top opening and the neck portion along 0.5% to 10%, preferably 1.0% to 5%, more preferably 1.5% to 2.5%, most preferably 1.75% to 2.25% of the axial extension of the container. Particularly preferably, the mouth portion comprises a cylindrical sheath, which particularly preferably has the shape of a hollow cylinder, which has an inner diameter and an outer diameter that are spaced apart from each other by a particularly constant wall thickness. As described above and in detail below, the mouth inner surface and preferably the outer surface of the mouth portion are preferably free of any recesses, protrusions and / or threads. Preferably, the cylindrical sheath of the mouth portion has an inner diameter between 10 mm and 55 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 45 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm, even more preferably between 30 mm and 35 mm, for example 32.4 mm and / or extends along the longitudinal axis 0.2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 5 mm, more preferably 0.6 mm to 2.5 mm, most preferably 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm, for example 1 mm. Preferably, the circular sheath of the mouth portion has a wall thickness between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm, most preferably 0.5 mm. The cylindrical sheath of the mouth portion preferably has a wall thickness in the same range (in particular having substantially the same value) as the cylindrical sheath and circular bottom of the body portion and / or as the cylindrical sheath of the neck portion.

[0073] Preferably, the diameter of the body portion divided by the diameter of the mouth portion defines a body / mouth ratio of at least 1.05, preferably at least 1.10, more preferably at least 1.15, most preferably at least 1.20, and / or wherein the diameter of the neck portion divided by the diameter of the mouth portion defines a neck / mouth ratio greater than 1, preferably at least 1.01, more preferably at least 1.015. For example, if the cylindrical sheath of the mouth portion has an inner diameter of 32.4 mm and if the cylindrical sheath of the body portion has an inner diameter of 39.4 mm, the body / mouth ratio is 1.216, i.e., equal to the undercut ratio calculated exemplarily above. In particular, the undercut ratio of the container is equal to the body / mouth ratio. In addition, for example, if the cylindrical sheath of the mouth portion has an inner diameter of 32.4 mm and if the cylindrical sheath of the neck portion has an inner diameter of 33 mm, the neck / mouth ratio is 1.019.

[0074] In an eleventh embodiment, preferably, according to any one of the seventh to tenth embodiments, the container further comprises a safety lock portion extending between the neck portion and the main body portion, wherein the interior of the safety lock portion is preferably cylindrical. Preferably, the safety lock portion extends between the neck portion and the main body portion along 5% to 30%, preferably 7.5% to 25%, more preferably 10% to 20%, most preferably 12.5% ​​to 17.5% of the axial extension of the container. Particularly preferably, the safety lock portion comprises a cylindrical sheath, which particularly preferably has the shape of a hollow cylinder, which has an inner diameter and an outer diameter that are spaced apart from each other by a particularly constant wall thickness. As described above and in detail below, the inner surface of the safety lock portion is preferably free of any recesses, protrusions and / or threads, wherein its outer surface preferably comprises a safety lock device. Preferably, the cylindrical sheath of the safety lock portion has an inner diameter between 20 mm and 90 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm, more preferably between 35 mm and 45 mm, even more preferably between 37.5 mm and 42.5 mm, for example 38 mm and / or extends along the longitudinal axis from 2 mm to 30 mm, preferably from 4 mm to 20 mm, more preferably from 5 mm to 15 mm, most preferably from 6 mm to 10 mm, for example 8 mm. Preferably, the circular sheath of the safety lock portion has a wall thickness between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm, most preferably 0.5 mm. The cylindrical sheath of the safety lock portion preferably has a wall thickness in the same range (in particular having substantially the same value) as the circular bottom of the body portion, the cylindrical sheath of the neck portion and / or the cylindrical sheath of the mouth portion.

[0075] Preferably, the diameter of the safety lock portion divided by the diameter of the neck portion defines a safety lock / neck ratio greater than 1, preferably greater than 1.04, more preferably greater than 1.08, most preferably greater than 1.12, and / or wherein the diameter of the body portion divided by the diameter of the safety lock portion defines a body / safe lock ratio greater than 1, preferably at least 1.02, more preferably at least 1.03. For example, if the cylindrical sheath of the safety lock portion has an inner diameter of 38 mm and if the cylindrical sheath of the neck portion has an inner diameter of 33 mm, the safety lock / neck ratio is 1.152. Furthermore, for example, if the cylindrical sheath of the safety lock portion has an inner diameter of 38 mm and if the cylindrical sheath of the body portion has an inner diameter of 39.4 mm, the body / safe lock ratio is 1.037.

[0076] In a twelfth embodiment, preferably, according to any one of the seventh to eleventh embodiments, the container further comprises a shoulder portion extending between the neck portion and the main body portion, wherein the interior of the shoulder portion preferably has a truncated cone shape tapering toward the top. Preferably, the inner surface of the shoulder portion is free of any recesses, protrusions and / or threads, wherein the outer surface of the shoulder portion preferably comprises at least one, preferably at least two, in particular annular protrusions protruding in a radial direction beyond the outer surface of the main body portion and / or the safety lock portion.

[0077] Preferably, the shoulder portion is divided into two parts by the safety lock portion, in particular the safety lock portion according to the eleventh embodiment, in particular, wherein the lower part of the shoulder portion facing the closed bottom connects the body portion with the safety lock portion, and the upper part of the shoulder portion facing the open top connects the safety lock portion with the neck portion. In this case, the outer surface of the shoulder portion preferably comprises two of the aforementioned, in particular annular, projections, which are preferably spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, in particular spaced apart in the axial direction by the safety lock portion, and preferably provide the safety lock portion with an upper and a lower edge for guiding the safety lock means of the closure, which is intended to interact with the safety lock means of the safety lock portion.

[0078] In the thirteenth embodiment, preferably, according to any one of the seventh to twelfth embodiments, at least one undercut segment is implemented as a portion between the neck portion and the mouth portion according to the tenth embodiment and / or as a shoulder portion according to the twelfth embodiment, preferably, wherein the container comprises at least two undercut segments, and the at least two undercut segments are preferably implemented as a portion between the neck portion and the mouth portion and at least a portion of the shoulder portion or as an upper portion and a lower portion of the shoulder portion, more preferably, wherein the container comprises at least three undercut segments, and the at least three undercut segments are implemented as a portion between the neck portion and the mouth portion, an upper portion of the shoulder portion, and a lower portion of the shoulder portion.

[0079] Preferably, the container is designed so that its cross section decreases towards the top of the opening. Particularly preferably, the container comprises at least two parts (preferably a body part and a neck part) having a constant, particularly circular cross section along the longitudinal axis, and the container comprises at least one section (preferably a shoulder part) having a cross section that tapers towards the top of the opening, particularly having a truncated cone shape. More preferably, the container comprises at least three parts (preferably a body part, a neck part and a part selected from a mouth part and a safety lock part) having a constant, particularly circular cross section along the longitudinal axis, and the container comprises at least two parts (preferably an upper part and a lower part of the shoulder part, or at least a part of the shoulder part and a part between the mouth part and the neck part) having a cross section that tapers towards the top of the opening, particularly having a truncated cone shape. Most preferably, the container comprises at least four parts (preferably a body part, a neck part, a mouth part and a safety lock part), at least four parts having a constant, in particular circular, cross-section along the longitudinal axis, and the container comprises at least three parts (preferably an upper part and a lower part of the shoulder part and a part between the mouth part and the neck part), at least three parts having a cross-section that tapers toward the open top, in particular having a truncated conical shape.

[0080] In the fourteenth embodiment, preferably, according to any one of the seventh to thirteenth embodiments, the wall thickness of the main body portion and the wall thickness of the neck portion and / or the shoulder portion deviate by less than 0.07 mm, preferably less than 0.06 mm, more preferably less than 0.5 mm, most preferably less than 0.4 mm.

[0081] In a fifteenth embodiment, preferably according to any one of the seventh to fourteenth embodiments, except for the diameter step and / or truncated portion that reduces the diameter of the interior toward the opening, preferably according to the first to thirteenth embodiments, the interior of the container has no recesses, protrusions and / or threads, in particular no protrusions. Therefore, the inner surface of the container is achieved to be relatively flat, thereby reducing the risk of particles and endotoxins adhering to the inner surface, thereby enhancing the applicability of the container for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods.

[0082] In a sixteenth embodiment, preferably according to any one of the seventh to fifteenth embodiments, the outside of the container includes a threaded device (in particular, on the outside of the neck portion, in particular according to the ninth embodiment) and / or a safety lock device (in particular, in particular on the outside of the safety lock portion according to the eleventh embodiment), the threaded device being used to thread a closure, and the safety lock device being used to prevent children from removing the closure from the container.

[0083] In the seventeenth embodiment, preferably, according to any one of the seventh to sixteenth embodiments, in particular according to any one of the third to fourteenth embodiments and / or except for the area with threaded devices and / or safety lock devices according to the sixteenth embodiment, the wall thickness of the container is between 0.2 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm, most preferably 0.5 mm.

[0084] In the eighteenth embodiment, preferably, according to any one of the seventh embodiment to the seventeenth embodiment, the container comprises a polymer, preferably a polyolefin, more preferably a polyolefin selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, cycloolefin polymers and / or cycloolefin copolymers. The inventors have found that using a polymer instead of glass for the container can reduce the energy consumption of its production, for example, wherein the polymer can be melted with less energy, and wherein the glass container has a larger tolerance, so a higher wall thickness is required, which increases energy and material consumption. In addition, glass containers are more susceptible to breakage, so during the entire life span from the manufacture of the container to its transportation, to filling, to use by customers, complex processing equipment is required. The problem of breakage can be partially solved by hardening the container, but this is accompanied by increased energy consumption. Therefore, by using a polymer instead of glass, material and energy consumption can be reduced, resulting in improved sustainability. It has been found that polyolefins, more particularly polypropylene, polyethylene, cycloolefin polymers and / or cycloolefin copolymers are particularly suitable for the intended use of containers, particularly for the intended use of containers for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or food.

[0085] In the nineteenth embodiment, preferably, according to the eighteenth embodiment, the polymer is polypropylene. The inventors have found that the use of polypropylene is particularly advantageous for the production of containers for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods. In particular, the inventors have found that polypropylene is harder, more rigid, harder, more heat-resistant and most chemicals used for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, and has a lower density compared to polyethylene. In addition, the inventors have found that polyethylene is disadvantageous compared to polypropylene because polyethylene becomes more brittle faster when subjected to sunlight, is less able to be marked by adhesives, attracts more charges, and softens at 80°C, while polypropylene softens at 100°C. In particular, in view of the above-listed advantages of polypropylene, the inventors have found that using polypropylene instead of polyethylene allows containers for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods to be manufactured purely from polypropylene, thereby allowing these containers to be manufactured with less energy consumption and therefore more sustainably. In addition, since only one material is used, it is easier to recycle the container, making it more sustainable again.

[0086] In a twentieth embodiment, preferably, according to the eighteenth embodiment or the nineteenth embodiment, the container consists of a polymer. In other words, according to this embodiment, the container is made of 100% polymer, preferably polyolefin, more preferably a polymer selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, cycloolefin polymers and / or cycloolefin copolymers, most preferably polypropylene. Therefore, as described above, the sustainability of the container in terms of manufacturing and recycling can be increased.

[0087] In addition, the present invention relates to a packaging product for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, in particular a primary packaging product, comprising a container, in particular a container according to any one of the aforementioned and subsequently described aspects and / or embodiments thereof, and a closure for sealing the container after being filled with the product to be stored. Preferably, the container and the closure are made of the same material, wherein the material is preferably a polymer, more preferably a polyolefin, even more preferably a polymer selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, cycloolefin polymers and / or cycloolefin copolymers, most preferably polypropylene. Particularly preferably, the closure is a screw or snap cap. Particularly preferably, the closure (in particular the cap) provides a desiccant function, in particular a desiccant means. Preferably, the packaging product has no handle. In particular, the packaging product can be a prefillable or prefilled packaging product, in particular a primary packaging product.

[0088] According to another aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspect and the features and embodiments described in conjunction therewith, and vice versa, there is provided a method for injection molding of containers (particularly primary packaging containers) for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0089] a) providing a cavity member defining an outer surface of the container;

[0090] b) providing a core member defining an inner surface of the container having at least one undercut section;

[0091] c) bringing the cavity member and the core member into position to form a molding cavity between the cavity member and the core member;

[0092] d) injecting material into the molding cavity to mold the container; and

[0093] e) removing the core member from the interior of the container by collapsing the core member to allow the core member to pass through the undercut section.

[0094] The method may be performed as previously described with respect to the container of the invention, in particular at least one, two, three, four or five of steps a) to e). In particular, the container may be realized such that it may be produced by the method of the invention.

[0095] According to another aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the previous aspect and the features and embodiments described in conjunction therewith, and vice versa, there is provided an apparatus for injection molding containers (in particular primary packaging containers) for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, wherein the apparatus comprises:

[0096] a) a cavity member defining an outer surface of the container;

[0097] b) a core member defining an inner surface of the container having at least one undercut section;

[0098] c) means for bringing the cavity member and the core member into position to form a moulding cavity therebetween; and

[0099] d) an injection member for injecting a material into the molding cavity to mold the container;

[0100] Therein, the mechanism is adapted to remove the core member from the interior of the container by collapsing the core member to allow the core member to pass through the undercut section.

[0101] The device can be implemented as it can perform the method, in particular at least one, two, three, four or five of steps a) to e), as previously described about container and / or method of the present invention. In particular, the container can be implemented as it can be produced by the device of the present invention. In particular, the mechanism can be implemented as it can operate (in particular move) the aforementioned parts, such as in particular the cavity member, core member, injection part etc. as described above.

[0102] Preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0103] Further characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached exemplary drawings, in which:

[0104] Figure 1 is a side view of a container of the present invention having an inner surface with at least one undercut section;

[0105] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the container along cutting line AA is shown;

[0106] Figure 3 For injection molding Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of a container of the device shown in an injection position;

[0107] Figure 4schematically shows a part of a process for injection moulding a container of the invention by bringing a core member into an injection position in step c), injecting material in step d) and removing the core member from the container in step e);

[0108] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A detailed cross-sectional view of a core member in an injection position;

[0109] Figure 6 for Figure 3 a detailed cross-sectional view of the core member of FIG. 1 in step e) being collapsed for passing through the beginning of the undercut section; and

[0110] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 The core member of FIG. 1 is collapsed in step e) for a detailed cross-sectional view through the middle of the undercut section.

[0111] Reference numerals:

[0112] 1 container; 3 device; 5 cavity member; 7 core member; 9 inner surface; 11 outer surface; 13, 15, 17 undercut section; 19 closed bottom; 21 open top; 23 body part; 25 neck part; 27 bottom; 37 mouth part; 29, 33, 39, 43 sheath; 41 safety lock part; 45 safety lock device; 47 lower part; 49 upper part; 51, 53 annular protrusion; 55 molded chamber; 57 top cavity part; 59 bottom cavity part; 61, 63 intermediate cavity part; 65 center part; 67 rod part; 69 cylindrical section part; 71, 73 groove; 75, 77 tongue; L longitudinal axis; R radial direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0113] In the following description of exemplary embodiments, a container is denoted by reference 1, an apparatus for injection moulding a container by reference 3, a cavity member by reference 5 and a core member by reference 7. Identical or similar features are denoted by identical or similar reference numerals.

[0114] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A primary packaging container 1 for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods is shown. The container 1 comprises an inner surface 9 and an outer surface 11. The inner surface 9 comprises three undercut sections 13, 15, 17.

[0115] The container 1 is rotationally formed along a longitudinal axis L and comprises a closed bottom 19 at one end of the longitudinal axis L and an open top 21 at the opposite end of the longitudinal axis L.

[0116] The container 1 comprises a cylindrical body portion 23 extending from a closed bottom 19 toward an open top 21. The body portion 23 comprises a disc-shaped bottom 27 and a jacket 29 having a hollow cylindrical shape. The inner and outer surfaces of the jacket 29 of the body portion 23 are flat, i.e., without recesses, protrusions and / or threads. The inner and outer surfaces of the bottom 27 of the body portion 23 (except for the curved portion 31 caused by the injection nozzle at its center) are also flat, i.e., without recesses, protrusions and / or threads. The inner diameter of the jacket 29 of the body portion 23 is 39.39 mm. With the aid of a small tapered portion, the inner diameter of the bottom 27 of the body portion 23 is slightly smaller, i.e., 38.8 mm. The interior of the body portion 23 extends 27 mm along the longitudinal axis L. The wall thickness of the body portion 23 is constantly 0.5 mm.

[0117] The container 1 also includes a cylindrical neck portion 25 extending between the body portion 23 and the open top 21. The neck portion 25 includes a sheath 33 having a hollow cylindrical shape. The inner surface of the sheath 33 of the neck portion 25 is flat, i.e., without recesses, protrusions and / or threads. The outer surface of the sheath 33 of the neck portion 25 includes a threaded device 35 for a closure. The inner diameter of the sheath 33 of the neck portion 25 is 33 mm. The interior of the neck portion 25 extends 14.36 mm along the longitudinal axis L. The wall thickness of the neck portion 25 (except the threaded device) is constantly 0.5 mm.

[0118] The container 1 further comprises a cylindrical mouth portion 37 extending between the open top 21 and the neck portion 25. The mouth portion 37 comprises a sheath 39 having a hollow cylindrical shape. The inner and outer surfaces of the sheath 39 of the mouth portion 37 are flat, i.e., without recesses, protrusions and / or threads. The inner diameter of the sheath 39 of the mouth portion 37 is 32.4 mm. The interior of the mouth portion 37 extends 1 mm along the longitudinal axis L. The wall thickness of the mouth portion 37 is constantly 0.5 mm.

[0119] The container 1 also includes a cylindrical safety lock portion 41 extending between the neck portion 25 and the body portion 23. The safety lock portion 41 includes a sheath 43 having a hollow cylindrical shape. The inner surface of the sheath 43 of the safety lock portion 41 is flat, that is, there is no recess, protrusion and / or thread. The outer surface of the sheath 33 of the safety lock portion 41 includes a safety lock device 45 for a closure. The inner diameter of the sheath 43 of the safety lock portion 41 is 38mm. The interior of the safety lock device 41 extends 14.36mm along the longitudinal axis L. The wall thickness of the neck portion 25 (except the safety lock device 45) is constantly 0.5mm.

[0120] The container 1 further comprises a lower portion 47 of the shoulder portion extending between the safety lock device 41 and the body portion 23 and an upper portion 49 of the shoulder portion extending between the safety lock device 41 and the neck portion 25. The inner surface of the lower portion 47 of the shoulder portion and the inner surface of the upper portion 49 have a truncated cone shape that tapers toward the open top 21. Thus, the lower portion 47 of the shoulder portion implements the undercut section 17, while the upper portion 49 of the shoulder portion implements the undercut section 15. The outer surface of the lower portion 47 of the shoulder portion and the outer surface of the upper portion 49 of the shoulder portion respectively comprise an annular protrusion 51 and an annular protrusion 53 that protrude beyond the outer surface of the body portion 23 and the outer surface of the safety lock portion 41 in the radial direction R. The annular protrusions 51, 53 provide the safety lock portion 41 with an upper edge and a lower edge for guiding the safety lock device of the closure intended to interact with the safety lock device 45 of the safety lock portion 41.

[0121] The container 1 further comprises a portion 55 between the mouth portion 37 and the neck portion 25 , which portion 55 has a frustoconical shape tapering towards the open top 21 , thereby realizing the undercut section 13 .

[0122] The inner diameter of the body portion 23 (i.e., 39.38 mm) divided by the inner diameter of the mouth portion 37 (i.e., 32.4 mm) defines a total undercut ratio of the container 1 of 1.215. The inner diameter of the body portion 23 (i.e., 39.38 mm) divided by the inner diameter of the safety lock portion 41 (i.e., 38 mm) defines a body / safety lock ratio of 1.036. The inner diameter of the safety lock device 41 (i.e., 38 mm) divided by the inner diameter of the neck portion 25 (i.e., 33 mm) defines a safety lock / neck ratio of 1.152. The inner diameter of the neck portion 25 (i.e., 33 mm) divided by the inner diameter of the mouth portion 37 (i.e., 32.4 mm) defines a neck / mouth ratio of 1.019.

[0123] Figure 3 For injection molding Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the apparatus 3 of the container 1 is shown. The apparatus 3 is shown in a position in which the moulding cavity 55 is formed between the cavity member 5 and the core member 7. This position may also be referred to as the injection position.

[0124] exist Figure 3In the device 3, according to step a) of the method of the present invention, a cavity member 5 defining the outer surface of the container 1 is provided. In this case, the cavity member 5 includes a top cavity portion 57, a bottom cavity portion 59, and two middle cavity portions 61, 63. The top cavity portion provides the annular outer top surface of the aforementioned molding cavity 55. The bottom cavity portion 59 provides the aforementioned outer surface segment for forming the main body portion 23 of the subsequent container 1. The two middle cavity portions 61, 63 provide outer surface segments for forming the outer surface segments of the aforementioned safety lock portion 41, the neck portion 25, and the mouth portion 37. The top cavity portion 57 and the bottom cavity portion 59 can be moved along the longitudinal axis L, and the middle cavity portions 61, 63 can be moved in the radial direction R.

[0125] Furthermore, according to step b) of the method of the invention, a core member 7 defining the inner surface 9 of the container 1 is provided, the core member 7 having at least one undercut section 13, 15, 17, i.e. three undercut sections 13, 15, 17 ( Figure 3 ). Figures 4 to 7 The structure of the core member 7 and how it can be brought into the injection position in step c) are described in more detail.

[0126] To bring the cavity member 5 into the injection position in step c), the top cavity portion 57 is moved along the longitudinal axis L towards the open top 21 of the following container 1, the bottom cavity portion 59 is moved along the longitudinal axis L towards the closed bottom 19 of the following container 1, wherein the middle cavity portions 61, 63 are moved in the radial direction R towards the longitudinal axis L of the following container 1. Preferably, the cavity member 5 is brought into the injection position before the core member 7.

[0127] Figure 4 Illustrations A to G showing different positions of the core member 7 between step c) and step d) of the method of the present invention and the container 1 of the present invention manufactured thereby in illustration G. In illustrations A to G, except for a portion of the top cavity portion 57 of the cavity member 5, the cavity member 5 gradually fades out to better show the core member 7. However, in illustrations A, B, F, the inner and outer surfaces of the mold cavity 55 are represented by partially fading out in the container 1 behind, and the mold cavity 55 is referred to by the reference numeral 55 to clearly illustrate that it only illustrates the mold cavity 55 in the injection position. In illustration G, the container 1 manufactured after the material is injected into the mold cavity 55 is illustrated, and the container 1 is represented by the reference numeral 1.

[0128] As about Figures 5 to 7 Described in more detail, the core member 7 comprises a central portion 65 , four rod portions 67 and four cylindrical segment portions 69 .

[0129] As mentioned above, the core member 7 is preferably brought into the injection position after the cavity member 5 . Figure 4 2 shows the different positions adopted by the central part 65, the four rod parts 67 and the four cylindrical segment parts 69 when the core member 7 is brought into the injection position in step c) (if the cavity member 5 is already in the injection position). Illustration A shows the beginning of the insertion of the core member 7, wherein the four cylindrical segment parts 69 (only two can be seen due to the cross-sectional view) are inserted through the open top 21 while being tilted inwards in the radial direction to be able to pass through the open top 21. Illustrations B and C show that the four cylindrical segment parts 69 are in their final position along the longitudinal axis L, but are still tilted inwards, i.e., in a collapsed state. Illustration D shows the position of the core member 7, wherein the four rod parts 67 are inserted into their final position along the longitudinal axis L through the open top 21, wherein the rod parts 67 push the cylindrical segment parts 69 outwards in the radial direction T so that they are partially unfolded. Illustration E shows the position of the core member 7 according to step c), wherein the central part 65 is inserted into its final position along the longitudinal axis L through the open top 21, wherein the central part pushes the rod parts 67 outwards in the radial direction R into their final radial positions in the radial direction R, thereby also pushing the cylindrical segment parts 69 outwards in the radial direction R into their final radial positions in the radial direction R, so that the core member 7 is in its fully expanded state, wherein the cavity member 5 and the core member 7 form a molding cavity 55 between them. Illustration F schematically represents step d), i.e. injecting material into the molding cavity 55 for molding the container 1, and shows a cross-sectional view of the core member 7, in particular the two rod parts 67 and the central part 65. Illustration G schematically represents step e), i.e. removing the core member 7 from the interior of the container 1 by collapsing the core member 7 to allow the core member 7 to pass through the undercut sections 13, 15, 17, which step is Figures 5 to 7 Illustration H shows the injection moulded container 1 after the cavity member 5 has been removed from the moulding position and after the container 1 has been ejected from the apparatus 3 (eg by a handling robot which grips the container before the last part of the cavity member 5 is removed).

[0130] Figures 5 to 7 Detailed cross-sectional views of the core member 7 are shown in different positions, namely in the injection position ( Figure 5 ), at the beginning of collapsing it for passing through the undercut section in step e), and at the middle of collapsing it for passing through the undercut section in step e). Figure 5 and Figure 6 In order to better show the core member 7, the bottom cavity portion 59 of the cavity member 5 is faded out. Figure 7In FIG. 5 , the bottom cavity portion 59 and the intermediate cavity portions 61 and 63 are faded out to better illustrate the core member 7 .

[0131] like Figure 5 As shown, in the injection position, the central portion 65 forms a portion of the closed bottom of the inner surface of the molding cavity 55. The central portion 65 has a frustoconical shape that tapers toward the closed bottom of the molding cavity 55.

[0132] Four rod portions 67 protrude radially from the central portion 65 and taper toward the open top of the molding cavity 55 together with the cross-sectional profile of the molding cavity 55 (i.e., the inner surface of the container 1 behind). The rod portions 67 and the central portion 65 can move relative to each other along the longitudinal axis L. For this purpose, a longitudinal guide is provided between the central portion 65 and the rod portions 67. The linear guidance is achieved by a tongue and groove guide. For this purpose, two of the rod portions 67 include a groove 71, and the central portion 65 includes two tongues 75 that engage with the two grooves 71. In addition, the central portion includes two grooves 73, and two of the rod portions 67 include tongues 77 that engage with the two grooves 73 of the central portion 65.

[0133] Four cylindrical segments 69 protrude between the rod portions 67 in the circumferential direction and taper toward the open top of the molding cavity 55 together with the cross-sectional profile of the molding cavity 55 (i.e., the inner surface of the container 1 behind). The cylindrical segment portions 69 and the rod portions 67 are movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis L. For this purpose, longitudinal guides are provided between the rod portions 67 and the cylindrical segment portions 69. The linear guide is implemented such that each cylindrical segment portion 69 is delimited in the circumferential direction by two rod portions 67 serving as shoulders for guiding the cylindrical segment portions 69 therebetween.

[0134] By comparison Figure 5 and Figure 6 It can be seen that removing the core member 7 from the container 1 in step e) may include removing the central portion 65 in the opening direction through the open top 21 of the container 1 in a first sub-step, which allows the rod portions 67 to tilt inwardly in the radial direction R, i.e., collapse, thereby reducing their external extension, which allows the rod portions 67 to pass through the undercut sections 13, 15, 17.

[0135] By comparison Figure 6 and Figure 7 It can be seen that removing the core member 7 from the container 1 in step e) may include removing the rod portion 67 in the opening direction through the open top 21 of the container 1 in a second sub-step, which allows the cylindrical segment portion 69 to tilt inwardly in the radial direction R, that is, collapse, thereby reducing their external extension, which allows the cylindrical segment portion 69 to pass through the undercut segments 13, 15, 17.

[0136] In a third sub-step (not shown), the cylindrical segment portion 69 may be removed through the open top 21 of the container 1 in the opening direction to complete the removal of the core member 7 from the container in step e).

[0137] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the drawings and the claims may be essential for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments both individually and in any combination.

Claims

1. A container (1), in particular a primary packaging container, for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, the container (1) comprising an inner surface having at least one undercut section (13, 15, 17), wherein: At least a portion of the container has an average wall thickness of maximum 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, most preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.

2. A container (1), in particular a primary packaging container, for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, in particular according to claim 1, wherein the container (1) comprises an inner surface having at least one undercut section (13, 15, 17), wherein: At least a portion of the container has a wall thickness with a standard deviation of less than 0.02 mm, preferably less than 0.015 mm, more preferably less than 0.01 mm, even more preferably less than 0.005 mm, most preferably less than 0.0025 mm, for example about 0.001 mm.

3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The at least one portion is selected from a closed bottom, a main body portion extending between the closed bottom and the open top, a neck portion extending between the main body portion and the open top, a safety lock portion extending between the main body portion and the neck portion, or a shoulder portion extending between the main body portion and the neck portion.

4. A container (1), in particular a primary packaging container, for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, in particular according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an inner surface having at least one undercut section (13, 15, 17), wherein: At least two, preferably at least three or four of the main body portion extending between the closed bottom and the open top of the container, the neck portion extending between the main body portion and the open top, the safety lock portion extending between the main body portion and the neck portion, and the shoulder portion extending between the main body portion and the neck portion have an average wall thickness that differs from each other by less than 0.07 mm, preferably less than 0.06 mm, more preferably less than 0.05 mm, most preferably less than 0.04 mm, for example 0.03 mm.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The container is produced by a two-step injection molding process, which preferably comprises the following steps: a) providing a cavity member (5) defining an outer surface (11) of the container (1); b) providing a core member (7) defining an inner surface of said container (1) having at least one undercut section (13, 15, 17); c) bringing the cavity member (5) and the core member (7) into a position forming a moulding cavity (55) between the cavity member (5) and the core member; d) injecting material into the molding cavity (55) to mold the container (1); and e) Removing the core member (7) from the interior of the container (1).

6. A container (1), in particular a primary packaging container, for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, in particular according to any one of the preceding claims, said container (1) being injection moulded by a method comprising the following steps: a) providing a cavity member (5) defining an outer surface (11) of the container (1); b) providing a core member (7) defining an inner surface of said container (1) having at least one undercut section (13, 15, 17); c) bringing the cavity member (5) and the core member (7) into a position forming a moulding cavity (55) between the cavity member (5) and the core member; d) injecting material into the molding cavity (55) to mold the container (1); and e) removing the core member (7) from the interior of the container (1) by collapsing the core member to pass through the undercut area.

7. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The interior of the container (1) is at least partially rotationally formed along a longitudinal axis, and the container (1) comprises a closed bottom (19) at one end of the longitudinal axis and an open top (21) at the opposite end of the longitudinal axis, preferably wherein the undercut section (13, 15, 17) is located between a minimum diameter of the interior and a maximum diameter of the interior, the maximum diameter being located between the minimum diameter and the bottom, preferably wherein the maximum diameter divided by the minimum diameter defines an undercut ratio of at least 1.05, preferably at least 1.10, more preferably at least 1.15, most preferably at least 1.

20.

8. The container (1) according to claim 7, comprising a body portion (23) and a neck portion (25), wherein the body portion (23) extends from the closed bottom (19) toward the open top (21), and the neck portion (25) extends between the body portion and the open top (21), wherein: The interior of the body portion (23) and the neck portion (25) are preferably cylindrical, preferably wherein: The diameter of the neck portion (25) divided by the diameter of the main body portion (23) defines a main body / neck ratio of at least 1.04, preferably at least 1.09, more preferably at least 1.13, and most preferably at least 1.18, preferably, the container (1) further comprises a mouth portion (37) extending between the open top (21) and the neck portion (25), wherein the interior of the mouth portion (37) is preferably cylindrical, preferably wherein the diameter of the main body portion (23) divided by the diameter of the mouth portion (37) defines a main body / mouth ratio of at least 1.05, preferably at least 1.10, more preferably at least 1.15, and most preferably at least 1.20, and / or wherein the diameter of the neck portion (25) divided by the diameter of the mouth portion (37) defines a neck / mouth ratio greater than 1, preferably at least 1.01, more preferably at least 1.

015.

9. The container (1) according to claim 8, further comprising a safety lock portion (41) extending between the neck portion (25) and the body portion (23), wherein: The interior of the safety lock portion (41) is preferably cylindrical, preferably wherein the diameter of the safety lock portion (41) divided by the diameter of the neck portion (25) defines a safety lock / neck ratio greater than 1, preferably greater than 1.04, more preferably greater than 1.08, most preferably greater than 1.12, and / or wherein the diameter of the main body portion divided by the diameter of the safety lock portion (41) defines a main body / safety lock ratio greater than 1, preferably at least 1.02, more preferably at least 1.

03.

10. The container (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, further comprising a shoulder portion extending between the neck portion (25) and the body portion (23), wherein: The interior of the shoulder portion preferably has a truncated conical shape tapering toward the opening top, preferably, wherein the shoulder portion is divided into two parts by the safety lock portion according to claim 9, in particular wherein the lower portion of the shoulder portion facing the closed bottom (19) connects the main body portion (23) with the safety lock portion (41), and the upper portion (49) of the shoulder portion facing the opening top (21) connects the safety lock portion with the neck portion.

11. The container (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The at least one undercut section is realized by the portion between the shoulder portion and the mouth portion (37) according to claim 8 and / or by the shoulder portion according to claim 10, preferably, wherein the container (1) comprises at least two undercut sections, and the at least two undercut sections are preferably realized by the portion between the neck portion (25) and the mouth portion (37) and at least a portion of the shoulder portion or the upper and lower portions of the shoulder portion, more preferably, wherein the container (1) comprises at least three undercut sections, and the at least three undercut sections are realized by the portion between the neck portion (25) and the mouth portion (37), the upper portion (49) of the shoulder portion and the lower portion of the shoulder portion.

12. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The outside of the container (1) includes a threaded device for a threaded closure and / or a safety lock device for preventing children from removing the closure from the container (1), the threaded device being particularly located on the outside of the neck portion (25) according to claim 7, and the safety lock device being particularly located on the outside of the safety lock portion (41) according to claim 9.

13. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The container (1) comprises a polymer, preferably a polyolefin, more preferably a polyolefin selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, cyclic olefin polymers and / or cyclic olefin copolymers, most preferably polypropylene, wherein the container preferably comprises said polymer.

14. A method for injection molding a container (1), in particular a primary packaging container, for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, preferably according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a cavity member (5) defining an outer surface (11) of the container (1); b) providing a core member (7) defining an inner surface of said container (1) having at least one undercut section (13, 15, 17); c) bringing the cavity member (5) and the core member (7) into a position forming a moulding cavity (55) between the cavity member (5) and the core member (7); d) injecting material into the molding cavity (55) to mold the container (1); and e) removing the core member (7) from the interior of the container (1) by collapsing the core member to allow the core member (7) to pass through the undercut sections (13, 15, 17).

15. An apparatus (3) for injection molding a container (1), in particular a primary packaging container (1), for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, dietary products and / or foods, preferably according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, wherein: The device (3) comprises: a) a cavity member (5), the cavity member (5) defining an outer surface (11) of the container (1); b) a core member (7) defining an inner surface of the container (1) having at least one undercut section (13, 15, 17); c) means for bringing the cavity member (5) and the core member (7) into a position forming a moulding cavity (55) between the cavity member (5) and the core member (7); and d) an injection member for injecting material into the molding cavity (55) to mold the container (1); Wherein, the mechanism is adapted to remove the core member (7) from the interior of the container (1) by collapsing the core member (7) to allow the core member (7) to pass through the undercut sections (13, 15, 17).

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