Applicator for an ampoule

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator for an ampoule which is an unopened ampoule prior to use and the head of which can be removed by breaking it open, said applicator comprising a base element (16) and an applicator element (14) which is detachably secured to the base element (16) and to which a dispensing head can be attached or which is integrally provided with a dispensing head. The applicator is characterised in that the base element (16) comprises an ampoule holder (28), a break-open aid (48), a first insertion opening (30), and a second insertion opening (44), the first insertion opening (30) being designed so that, when the applicator element (14) is detached, an opened ampoule (20) can be inserted in a first insertion direction (A) until it is in contact with the ampoule holder (28); and the second insertion opening (44) being designed so that an unopened ampoule can be inserted in a second insertion direction (B) until it is in contact with the break-open aid (48).

Description

[0001] Applicator for one ampoule

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to an applicator for an ampoule which is in the form of an unopened ampoule before use and whose head can be removed by breaking it open.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Ampoules are used as containers for medicines, cosmetics, and other substances. Various types and shapes of containers are referred to as ampoules. Glass is typically used as the material, which can be colorless or colored, for example, brown glass, which protects the liquid substance in the ampoule from UV radiation and extends its shelf life.

[0006] Ampoules are generally used to provide mostly liquid substances that are either to be present as a precisely defined quantity, for example as a single dose in the pharmaceutical sector and / or must be sterilely packaged in the ampoule, as is necessary for liquid vaccines, for example.

[0007] In the past, saw ampoules were often used. These were made of glass and the head of the ampoules was first sawed and then broken off to open them.

[0008] Nowadays, breakable ampoules are mainly used. These are glass ampoules that are usually cylindrical in shape and have an extended head. To open the breakable ampoules, the head of the glass ampoule is broken open. There are various different types of breakable ampoules for this purpose. The first variant consists of providing a ring-shaped predetermined breaking point around the ampoule neck between the cylindrical body of the glass ampoule and the head. A breaking ring is used for this, which can either be a fired-in enamel ring that creates tension in the glass and allows the head of the ampoule to be broken off cleanly, or the glass can be scored in the area of ​​the ampoule neck to deliberately weaken the material and thus create a predetermined breaking point.The crushable ampoules can therefore be broken open regardless of the angular direction of the force acting on the head of the ampoules, since the breaking ring is arranged circumferentially around the ampoule neck.

[0009] OPC ampoules are also frequently used. Such one-point-cut ampoules usually have a notch or incision on the neck and can only be opened in a specific direction. To mark the location of the intended breaking point on the neck, OPC ampoules are marked with a colored dot above the breaking point.

[0010] The substances contained in emetic ampoules can be used in a variety of ways. The substance in the ampoule can be dispensed via a spray pump, in the form of a roll-on bottle, or even in the form of a swab, to name a few examples.

[0011] Since the breaking of ampoules can repeatedly lead to undesirable damage to the ampoules, associated with leakage of the ampoule fluid or even injury to a user, there is a need for an ampoule applicator that is safe to use and offers a high degree of variability with regard to the type of application, as well as the type of ampoule. Description of the invention

[0012] It is the object underlying the invention to provide an ampoule applicator which is safe to use and has a high degree of variability with regard to different embossed ampoules and applications.

[0013] This object is achieved by an ampoule applicator having the feature of claim 1. Preferred embodiments follow from the remaining claims.

[0014] The applicator according to the invention for an ampoule, which is in the form of an unopened ampoule before use and whose head can be removed by breaking it open, comprises a base element and an applicator element which is detachably fastened to the base element and to which a dosing head can be attached or which is provided integrally with a dosing head. The applicator according to the invention is characterized in that the base element comprises an ampoule receptacle, a breaking aid, a first insertion opening and a second insertion opening, the first insertion opening being designed, when the applicator element is removed, to insert an opened ampoule in a first insertion direction until it comes into contact with the ampoule receptacle, and the second insertion opening being designed to insert an unopened ampoule in a second insertion direction until it comes into contact with the breaking aid.

[0015] The applicator is therefore modular in design and comprises a base element and an applicator element that can be removably attached to the base element and is either integrally provided with a dispensing head or to which a separate dispensing head can be attached. The dispensing head can be of variable design and can be, for example, a pump head with a spray nozzle, a swab, or a dispensing head with roll-on dosing. It is possible to attach differently designed applicator elements with an integral dispensing head to a base element, and / or an applicator element attached to the base element can in turn be designed so that it can be connected to different dispensing heads.

[0016] The base element has a dual function. On the one hand, it serves as an ampoule holder for an opened ampoule. On the other hand, the base element also serves as a breaking aid for an unopened ampoule. For this purpose, the base element has a first insertion opening and a second insertion opening. The second insertion opening is designed to allow an unopened ampoule to be inserted in a second insertion direction until it comes into contact with the breaking aid and then to remove the head of the ampoule using the breaking aid. The now opened ampoule can then be inserted into the first insertion opening and inserted in a first insertion direction until it comes into contact with the ampoule holder. The first insertion opening is arranged in the base element in such a way that an opened ampoule can only be inserted in the first insertion direction until it comes into contact with the ampoule holder when the applicator element is removed.

[0017] The base element, which is separate from the applicator element, is therefore first used to conveniently and safely insert an unopened ampoule and open it using the break-open aid. The opened ampoule is then inserted into the first insertion opening until it makes contact with the ampoule receptacle. The applicator element can then be attached to the base element, and, if not integrally equipped with a dispensing head, a suitable dispensing head can finally be attached to the applicator element.

[0018] The applicator according to the patent is simple and safe to use because, when the break-open aid is used, the head can be safely removed when breaking off the ampoules. In addition, the described modular system consisting of the base element, applicator element and, if required, a separately provided dispensing head, provides a high degree of variability in terms of application. This means that ampoules of different dimensions can be used, provided the outer diameter of the ampoules is the same, so that they are held securely in the ampoule holder and centered relative to the applicator element. However, by choosing the applicator element attached to the base element, ampoules with the same outer diameter but different lengths can be used.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the applicator element has an ampoule seat against which a periphery of an opened ampoule, inserted until it comes into contact with the ampoule receptacle, rests. Because the entire periphery of the opened ampoule rests against the ampoule seat, a sealing contact is created between the opened ampoule and the applicator element, preventing any unwanted spillage or leakage of the substance contained in the ampoule.

[0020] The applicator preferably further comprises a viewing window for checking the liquid level in the ampoule, preferably in the region of the applicator element. In this way, a user can firstly verify at a glance whether there is already an ampoule in the applicator, and secondly, with suitable orientation of the ampoule with respect to a label attached to the ampoule, the liquid level in the inserted ampoule can be conveniently checked. Several viewing windows, for example two viewing windows, can also be provided.

[0021] Preferably, the break-opening aid comprises at least one region tapering in the second insertion direction, the dimensions of which are adapted to the geometry of the head of an ampoule. A region tapering in the second insertion direction provides suitable guidance when inserting an unopened ampoule into the second insertion opening, in order to bring the ampoule, inserted into the second insertion opening with the ampoule head first, into the correct position in which it can be opened with the aid of the break-opening aid.

[0022] In this case, the tapered region is preferably designed in such a way that it rests against the head of an inserted ampoule such that the inserted ampoule essentially only has freedom of movement in an axial direction opposite to the second insertion direction and a single, defined radial direction, by means of which the head of the ampoule can be removed. In other words, the tapered region encloses the head of the inserted ampoule such that the head of the ampoule is fixed in terms of position, while the cylindrical body of the ampoule can only be moved in a single, defined radial direction relative to the head of the ampoule, as a result of which the head of the ampoule can be removed from the body of the ampoule at the breaking ring serving as the predetermined breaking point.

[0023] The breaking aid preferably comprises a convex-shaped contact area which is provided in certain areas on the breaking aid and extends in a plane perpendicular to the second insertion direction. The convex-shaped area is preferably shaped such that it extends into a taper on the ampoule neck of a standard ampoule and rests against the ampoule neck in the area of ​​the taper. As a result, the ampoule is fixed in terms of position and can only be moved in the radial direction relative to the head of the ampoule, whereby the head of the ampoule can be removed from the body of the ampoule at the break ring on the ampoule neck which serves as a predetermined breaking point.It has been shown that by providing a convex-shaped contact area that rests against the ampoule neck after insertion of the ampoule to be broken, the head of the ampoule can be broken more cleanly at the intended breaking point and the risk of sharp glass points at the resulting opening can be reduced. For this purpose, the cross-sectional shape of the convex-shaped contact area is adapted to the geometry of the taper on the ampoule neck.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base element further comprises a groove-shaped recess in the region of the second insertion opening, the longitudinal extent of which preferably runs substantially in the second insertion direction.

[0025] The provision of a groove-shaped recess can preferably be used in OPC ampoules which, as explained above, have a predetermined breaking point in a predefined, radial position, above which a marking is applied by means of a colored dot. The groove-shaped recess can be positioned in such a way that it serves as a positioning aid. When using OPC ampoules, the colored dot must either be visible in the groove-shaped recess when inserted, or else is moved in the longitudinal direction of the groove-shaped recess during insertion of the ampoule. In both cases, after the unopened ampoule has been inserted in the second insertion direction until it comes into contact with the breaking aid, the ampoule is in the correct radial position in order to break off the head of the ampoule by applying pressure to the cylindrical body of the ampoule.This makes it even easier for the user to position OPC ampoules correctly and open them using the break-open aid.

[0026] Preferably, the base element and the applicator element are connectable to one another by means of a threaded connection, a bayonet connection, or a snap connection. These types of connection ensure that, after the applicator element has been connected to the base element, the base element and applicator element are in a precisely defined axial position relative to one another, in which an inserted ampoule can tightly rest against an ampoule seat provided in the applicator element.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the base element and the applicator element can be connected to one another by means of a snap connection, and the base element comprises two elastic locking tabs, preferably arranged diametrically opposite one another, which are integrally connected to the base element and can be snapped into correspondingly shaped and arranged snap-in openings in the applicator element. The provision of a snap connection has the advantage that the connection between the base element and the applicator element is particularly easy to establish.Unlike a threaded connection, which requires multiple turns of the applicator element relative to the base element, or a bayonet connection, which is particularly difficult to achieve for elderly people with limited motor skills, a snap-in connection can be easily established because only a unidirectional relative movement between the base element and the applicator element is required. Furthermore, an audible click can acoustically indicate to the user that the two parts are properly connected and locked together.

[0028] Short description of the characters:

[0029] Further features and advantages of the device according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows an applicator without a dosing head. Fig. 2 shows a systematic view of the base element and applicator element in a separated state.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the floor element;

[0032] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the applicator element;

[0033] Fig . 5 a view of the one shown in Fig . 1

[0034] Applicator without dosing head with ampoule inserted;

[0035] Fig. 6a and 6b a three-dimensional view of the floor element according to a further embodiment of the invention; and

[0036] Fig. 7a, 7b and 7c sectional views of a floor element with different designs of a convex contact area.

[0037] Description of preferred embodiments

[0038] Fig. 1 shows the applicator 10 for an ampoule, but without a dosing head, which can be designed in a conventional manner and can be screwed onto an applicator element 14 by means of a thread 12. The applicator element 14 is connected to a base element 16, wherein in addition to a base element thread 18 shown, for example, in Fig. 2, any other fastening variant that is easy to operate for a user can be selected between the base element 16 and the applicator element 14.

[0039] In Fig. 1, the applicator is shown standing on a flat surface. References to terms such as "top" or "bottom" in the following description therefore refer to an applicator such as that shown in Fig. 1 standing on a horizontal surface.

[0040] As can also be seen in Fig. 1, the applicator has a substantially cylindrical shape. An ampoule 20 inserted into the applicator is only schematically visible in Fig. 1.

[0041] The floor element 16 can be provided with a widened base 22 at the bottom to increase stability.

[0042] Furthermore, a positioning groove 24 is provided in the base element 16, which is located in the outer wall 26 of the base element and extends vertically upwards starting at the base 22. The positioning groove 24 serves to define the correct orientation of the ampoule relative to the break-open aid in the case of OPC ampoules. The colored dot arranged above the predetermined breaking point in the case of OPC ampoules must be visible to a user in the positioning groove 24 in order to ensure that an OPC groove has been inserted in the correct orientation into the break-open aid (not visible in Fig. 1).

[0043] 2, the base element 16 and the applicator element 14 are shown separated from one another. In the separated configuration of the applicator 10 shown in Fig. 2, on the one hand an ampoule can be broken and on the other hand the opened ampoule can be inserted into an ampoule receptacle 28. For this purpose, an opened ampoule is inserted with the base side in a first insertion direction A from above into a first insertion opening 30 and inserted into the ampoule receptacle 28. The ampoule receptacle has a receptacle ring 32 whose inner diameter is matched to the outer diameter of the ampoule to be inserted, so that the ampoule sits immovably in the ampoule receptacle 28 and is centered and correctly positioned by the ampoule ring 32. The ampoule ring 32 is, as shown in the sectional view in Fig. 3 is shown, is expediently bevelled on the inside at the upper end, i.e. the end facing the first insertion opening 30.This represents an insertion aid 34 which compensates for slight deviations from the axial centering during insertion of the ampoules and guides the ampoule in the direction of a base-side receiving surface 36 of the ampoule holder 28.

[0044] The base element 16 also serves the function of safely and conveniently opening an unopened ampoule. For this purpose, an unopened ampoule is inserted head first in the second insertion direction B into the second insertion opening (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2).

[0045] The applicator element 14 is provided with a cylindrical outer wall 38 and the thread 12 for attaching a dosing head. Two viewing windows 40 are provided in the outer wall 38, with the aid of which a user can check whether an ampoule is inserted into the applicator and, if so, can check the fill level of a liquid in the ampoule. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the two viewing windows 40 can be provided on diametrically opposite sides of the outer wall 38.

[0046] In Fig . 2 an ampoule seat 42 is shown , which is shown in Fig . 4 and will be explained later .

[0047] The base element 16 is shown in Fig. 3. The base element 16, like the ampoule element 14, is preferably made of plastic using an injection molding process. On the top side there is the insertion opening 30, into which an ampoule is inserted after opening in the first insertion direction A shown in Fig. 2, until the ampoule is in contact with the base-side receiving surface 36 and is held laterally by the receiving ring 32. Fig. 3 also shows the second insertion opening 44, into which an ampoule can be inserted head first in the direction of arrow B until the ampoule is in contact with the tapered region 46 of the break-open aid 48 and can no longer be pushed in in the insertion direction B.When using OPC ampoules, a positioning groove 24 can also be provided in order to be able to correctly position the unopened ampoule to be broken open, not only in the axial direction B but also in the radial direction. As soon as the ampoule to be opened has been pushed into the break-open aid 48 in contact with the tapered area 46, the cylindrical body of the ampoule can be grasped and pulled in the direction of arrow C towards the positioning groove 24, whereupon the head of the ampoule breaks at the predetermined breaking point and the ampoule is opened.

[0048] After opening the ampoule, it can be inserted into the ampoule holder 28 as described above.

[0049] The applicator element 14 is shown in Fig. 4. The applicator element has a sealing means on the ampoule seat 42, which in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 4 is designed as a sealing bead 52. In the same way, however, other designs can also be selected, such as lip-shaped projections which have sufficient elasticity to fit around the circumference of an ampoule inserted in the applicator and seal it. In addition, a centering sleeve 50 is provided, the function of which is to align the collar section 54 provided in the region of the predetermined breaking point (see Fig. 5) of a broken ampoule when the applicator element 14 is placed on the base element 16 with the opened ampoule already inserted.

[0050] The base element thread 18 shown in Fig. 2 is shown as an external thread and is screwed into the internal thread 56 in the applicator element 14. Also shown in Fig. 4 is the thread 12, which is designed according to the usual standards for the attachment of spray pumps, dropper pumps, roll-ons or similar, so that commercially available dosing elements can be attached to the applicator element 14.

[0051] For the sake of clarity, Fig. 5 shows the applicator 10 shown in Fig. 1 in the state in which an opened ampoule 20 is located in the applicator. The ampoule rests with the bottom of the cylindrical ampoule body on the base-side receiving surface 36 and is held radially by the receiving ring 32. The cylindrical section rests at the top near the collar section 54 on the sealing bead 52 of the applicator element 14. Through the viewing window 40 it is possible to check whether an ampoule 20 is inserted and what the fill level is. The other components have already been described with reference to the previous figures.

[0052] Figs. 6a and 6b and Figs. 7a to 7c show a further embodiment of the base element 16 of an applicator. The same reference numerals are used as in the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 5, and only the differences from the design according to Figs. 1 to 5 are explained.

[0053] The base element 16 shown in Figures 6a and 6b has, instead of the thread 18 shown, for example, in Figure 3, for connection to the applicator element, locking tabs 58 which are formed integrally with the outer wall 26 of the base element 16 and are provided diametrically opposite on the circumference of the base element 16 near the first insertion opening 30.

[0054] The locking tabs 58 are preferably arranged and dimensioned such that when the base element 16 is connected to the applicator element they can snap into the viewing window 40 (see e.g. Fig. 2) of an associated applicator element and in this way firmly connect the base element 16 to the applicator element both in the axial direction and in the radial direction. The connection is released by a user elastically pressing the two locking tabs 58 radially inwards and at the same time moving the base element axially downwards relative to the applicator element and releasing it from the latter. In order to make it clear to a user at which point pressure should be exerted, a marking 64 can also be provided on each locking tab 58.

[0055] Furthermore, in the embodiment according to Figs. 6a to 7c, a stabilizing rib 62 is provided, which connects the outer wall 26 to the break-open aid 48 and stabilizes the break-open aid 48. Such a rib can be provided in the same way in the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 5.

[0056] Furthermore, the breaking aid 48 is provided with a convex-shaped contact area 60 which extends radially inward and is located in the area of ​​a plane perpendicular to the second insertion direction B. The convex contact area 60 preferably extends approximately over half the inner circumference of the breaking aid 48 and the ring segment of the convex contact area 60 is centered in the area of ​​the breaking aid 48 diametrically opposite to the positioning groove 24.

[0057] A marking 66 on the outer wall 26 of the floor element 16 serves to inform a user of the breaking function and the location provided for this purpose.

[0058] Figs. 7a, 7b, and 7c show different cross-sectional geometries of the convex contact areas. The sectional planes of the base elements 16 according to Figs. 7a, 7b, and 7c extend centrally through the positioning grooves 26 (see Figs. 6a and 6b) and the longitudinal axis of the base elements.

[0059] The convex contact area 60a according to Fig . 7a has a circular segment-shaped cross-sectional shape with a substantially constant curvature.

[0060] The convex contact area 60b according to Fig . 7b has a flattened cross-sectional shape with different curvatures below and above the flattened area.

[0061] The convex contact area 60c according to Fig. 7c has a cross-sectional shape with different radii of curvature and directions of curvature.

[0062] All three convex contact areas 60a, 60b and 60c shown as examples are matched to the shape of different ampoules in terms of their cross-sectional geometry and are in particular arranged and shaped in such a way that after an ampoule has been inserted in the second insertion direction B into the second insertion opening 44, they rest against the ampoule neck and support the ampoule neck when the ampoule is pivoted (see arrow direction C in Fig. 3) and broken in the area of ​​the ampoule neck.

[0063] The applicator according to the invention can be used for ampoules of different lengths but with the same diameter thanks to the dual function of the base element with the integrated break-open aid and the ampoule holder, together with an associated applicator element. Furthermore, different dosing heads can be screwed onto the applicator element depending on requirements and application. The applicator according to the invention is thus versatile and, in addition, reliable to use because the ampoules are broken open in a precisely defined manner, thereby reducing the risk of the ampoule being destroyed when attempting to open it or of part of the contents being spilled due to improper opening.

[0064] Reference character list

[0065] 10 Applicator

[0066] 12 threads

[0067] 14 Applicator element

[0068] 16 floor element

[0069] 18 floor element threads

[0070] 20 ampoules

[0071] 22 bases

[0072] 24 Positioning groove

[0073] 26 Exterior wall

[0074] 28 Ampoule intake

[0075] 30 first insertion opening

[0076] 32 mounting ring

[0077] 34 Insertion aid

[0078] 36 Floor-side mounting surface

[0079] 38 exterior wall

[0080] 40 viewing windows

[0081] 42 Ampoule seat

[0082] 44 second insertion opening

[0083] 46 tapered area

[0084] 48 Break-up aid

[0085] 50 centering sleeve

[0086] 52 sealing bead

[0087] 54 collar section

[0088] 56 internal thread

[0089] 58 Arre tier lasche

[0090] 60, 60a, 60b, 60c convex contact area

[0091] 62 Stabilizing rib

[0092] 64 Marking

[0093] 66 Marking

Claims

Claims: Applicator for an ampoule, which is in its unopened state before use and whose head can be removed by breaking it open, comprising: a base element (16); and an applicator element (14) detachably attached to the base element (16), to which a dosing head can be attached or which is integrally provided with a dosing head; characterized in that the base element (16) comprises an ampoule receptacle (28); a breaking aid (48); a first insertion opening (30); and a second insertion opening (44); wherein the first insertion opening (30) is designed to allow an opened ampoule (20) to be inserted in a first insertion direction (A) until it comes into contact with the ampoule receptacle (28) when the applicator element (14) has been removed; and the second insertion opening (44) is designed to allow an unopened ampoule to be inserted in a second insertion direction (B) until it comes into contact with the opening aid (48).Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the applicator element (14) has an ampoule seat (42, 52) on which a circumference of an open ampoule inserted into contact with the ampoule receptacle (28) is attached. (20) is located. Applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising at least one viewing window (40) for checking the fill level of liquid in the ampoule (20), preferably in the area of ​​the applicator element (14). Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening aid (48) comprises at least one region (46) tapering in the second insertion direction, the dimensions of which are adapted to the geometry of the head of an ampoule. Applicator according to claim 4, characterized in that the tapered region is designed such that it rests against the head of an inserted ampoule in such a way that the inserted ampoule essentially only has freedom of movement in an axial direction opposite to the second insertion direction (B) and in a single defined radial direction by means of which the head of the ampoule can be removed. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the opening aid (48) comprises a convexly shaped contact area (60; 60a, 60b, 60c) which is provided in certain areas of the opening aid (48) and extends in a plane perpendicular to the second insertion direction (B).Applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (16) further comprises a groove-shaped recess (24) in the region of the second insertion opening (44), the longitudinal extent of which preferably runs substantially in the second insertion direction (B). Applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (16) and the applicator element (14) can be connected to one another by means of a threaded connection (18, 56), bayonet connection or snap connection. Applicator according to claim 8, characterized in that the base element (16) and the applicator element (14) can be connected to each other by means of a snap connection, and the base element (16) has two, preferably diametrically arranged, elastic locking tabs (58) which are integrally connected to the base element (16) and can be snapped into correspondingly shaped and arranged snap openings in the applicator element (14).

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