Tube glass for pharmaceutical container and method for producing pharmaceutical container

Abstract

To prevent a tube glass for a pharmaceutical container from breaking due to drop impact.SOLUTION: A tube glass 1 for a pharmaceutical container has: a cylindrical side-wall part 2; and a bottom part 3 for sealing one end side of the side-wall part 2. The bottom part 3 has: a grounding part 4 connected to the one end of the side-wall part 2; and a raised bottom part 5 provided inside the grounding part 4. The average thickness t1 [mm] of the side-wall part 2 and the average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding part 4 satisfy the relationship t2 / t1>1.025.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers and a method for manufacturing pharmaceutical containers.

Background Art

[0002] In the manufacturing process of pharmaceutical containers, first, a long tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers is set in a vertical posture (for example, a posture in which the tube axis direction faces the vertical direction) with respect to a manufacturing apparatus for pharmaceutical containers. Then, the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers in this vertical posture is heated with a burner and cut, or heat-processed into a predetermined shape. Thereby, a plurality of pharmaceutical containers are sequentially manufactured from a single tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the manufacturing process of pharmaceutical containers, in order to set the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers in a vertical posture with respect to the manufacturing apparatus for pharmaceutical containers, the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers in a vertical posture with the bottom facing down may be dropped onto a flat plate.

[0005] However, if the shape of the bottom of the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers is inappropriate, the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers may be damaged by a dropping impact.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to suppress breakage of the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers due to a dropping impact.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] (1) The present invention devised to solve the above problems is a tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container comprising a cylindrical side wall portion and a bottom portion that seals one end side of the side wall portion. The bottom portion includes a grounding portion connected to one end of the side wall portion and a raised bottom portion provided inside the grounding portion, and is characterized in that the average thickness t1 [mm] of the side wall portion and the average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion satisfy the relationship t2 / t1 > 1.025.

[0008] In this way, even if the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container in a vertical posture with the bottom down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress generated on the outer surface of the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container due to the dropping impact becomes small. As a result, the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container is less likely to be damaged by the dropping impact.

[0009] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, it is preferable that the average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion and the average thickness t3 [mm] at the center of the raised bottom portion satisfy the relationship -0.8 < (t2 - t3) < 0.5.

[0010] In this way, even if the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container in a vertical posture with the bottom down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress generated on the outer surface of the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container due to the dropping impact becomes small, and the dropping damage of the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container is less likely to occur.

[0011] (3) In the configuration of (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion and the average thickness t3 [mm] at the center of the raised bottom portion satisfy the relationship -0.8 < (t2 - t3) / t2 < 0.6.

[0012] In this way, even if the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container in a vertical posture with the bottom down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress generated on the outer surface of the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container due to the dropping impact becomes small, and the dropping damage of the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container is less likely to occur.

[0013] (4) In any of the configurations of (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion and the minimum thickness t3min [mm] of the raised bottom portion satisfy the relationship of 0.4 < t2 / t3min < 2.6.

[0014] In this way, even if the glass tube for pharmaceutical containers in the vertical posture with the bottom down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress generated on the outer surface of the glass tube for pharmaceutical containers due to the dropping impact is reduced. As a result, it becomes more difficult for the glass tube for pharmaceutical containers to break due to dropping.

[0015] (5) In any of the configurations of (1) to (4) above, the average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion and the radial distance ro [mm] from the grounding point of the grounding portion to the virtual extension surface of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion satisfy 0.1 ≦ (t2) 3 / (ro × (t1) 2 ) ≦ 8. It is preferable to satisfy the relationship.

[0016] In this way, while increasing the fracture strength of the glass tube for pharmaceutical containers against dropping impact, it becomes easier to form the shape of the bottom by thermal processing. Also, even if a plurality of glass tubes for pharmaceutical containers are in a bundled state, contact between the outer surfaces of the tube ends can be prevented. In other words, if the value of (t2) 3 / (ro × (t1) 2 ) becomes too large, there is a possibility that it becomes difficult to form the bottom by thermal processing, and as a result, productivity is likely to decrease. Also, the grounding portion (grounding point) is likely to be located in a direction away from the tube axis, and there is a possibility that the tube ends of the glass tubes for pharmaceutical containers come into contact with each other, so scratches are likely to occur at the tube ends. On the other hand, if the value of (t2) 3 / (ro × (t1) 2 ) becomes too small, the glass tube for pharmaceutical containers is likely to be damaged by dropping impact.

[0017] (6) In any of the configurations of (1) to (5) above, the average thickness t1 [mm] of the side wall portion, the average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion, and the radial distance ro [mm] from the grounding point of the grounding portion to the virtual extension surface of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion satisfy 0.1 ≦ (t2) 3It is preferable to satisfy the relationship of ≦ 0.8 / (t1 × ro).

[0018] By doing so, while increasing the breaking strength of the pharmaceutical container tube glass against the dropping impact, it becomes easier to form the shape of the bottom by hot working. Further, even when a plurality of pharmaceutical container tube glasses are in a bundled state, contact between the outer surfaces of the tube ends can be prevented, so that the tube ends are less likely to be damaged.

[0019] (7) In any of the configurations of (1) to (6) above, it is preferable that the outer diameter d1 [mm] of the side wall portion and the diameter d2 [mm] of the circle formed by the grounding point of the grounding portion satisfy the relationship of d2 / d1 ≦ 0.86.

[0020] By doing so, even when the pharmaceutical container tube glass in the vertical posture with the bottom down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress generated on the outer surface of the pharmaceutical container tube glass due to the dropping impact becomes small. As a result, the dropping breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass becomes less likely to occur.

[0021] (8) In any of the configurations of (1) to (7) above, the average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion, the average thickness t3 [mm] at the center of the raised bottom, and the radial distance ro [mm] from the grounding point of the grounding portion to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion are such that t2 × t3 × ro / (t1) 3 > 0.3. It is preferable to satisfy the relationship.

[0022] By doing so, even when the pharmaceutical container tube glass in the vertical posture with the bottom down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress generated on the outer surface of the pharmaceutical container tube glass due to the dropping impact becomes small. As a result, the dropping breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass becomes less likely to occur.

[0023] (9) In any of the configurations of (1) to (8) above, when the pharmaceutical container tube glass in the vertical posture with the bottom down is dropped onto a Teflon (registered trademark) plate from a height of 450 mm, it is preferable that the maximum tensile stress generated on the outer surface of the pharmaceutical container tube glass is 55 MPa or less.

[0024] By doing so, it becomes less likely for the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers to be damaged by dropping.

[0025] (10) In any of the configurations (1) to (9) above, it is preferable that the total length of the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers in the tube axis direction is 500 mm or more.

[0026] By doing so, the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers becomes a sufficiently long body. Therefore, a large number of pharmaceutical containers can be manufactured from a single tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers, and the productivity of the pharmaceutical containers is improved.

[0027] (11) In any of the configurations (1) to (10) above, both ends of the side wall portion may be sealed.

[0028] By doing so, it is possible to prevent a situation where foreign matter enters the inside of the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers.

[0029] (12) The present invention devised to solve the above problems is a method for manufacturing a pharmaceutical container, characterized by processing a tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers having any of the configurations (1) to (11) above to manufacture a pharmaceutical container.

[0030] By doing so, it is possible to suppress the breakage of the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers due to dropping, and thus the productivity of the pharmaceutical containers is improved.

Effect of the Invention

[0031] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers from being damaged by a dropping impact.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

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Figure 13

Figure 14

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

[0034] (Tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers) As shown in Fig. 1, the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers according to this embodiment includes a cylindrical side wall portion 2 and a bottom portion 3 that seals one end side of the side wall portion 2. In this embodiment, the other end side of the side wall portion 2 is open without being sealed.

[0035] The total length L1 of the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers in the tube axis direction Y is preferably 500 to 2500 mm, more preferably 800 to 2000 mm, and even more preferably 1000 to 1800 mm. The outer diameter d1 of the side wall portion 2 is preferably 4 to 60 mm, more preferably 6 to 50 mm, and even more preferably 8 to 40 mm. That is, the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers is an elongated body that is slender in the tube axis direction Y.

[0036] The bottom portion 3 includes a grounding portion 4 connected to one end of the side wall portion 2 and a raised bottom portion 5 provided inside the grounding portion 4.

[0037] The grounding portion 4 has a grounding point P that grounds on the flat plate when the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers is placed on the flat plate in a vertical posture. The grounding portion 4 corresponds to the corner portion of the bottom portion 3 and is an annular region in plan view (when viewed along the tube axis direction Y).

[0038] The raised bottom portion 5 is a portion that retracts upward without grounding on the flat plate when the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers is placed on the flat plate in a vertical posture. The raised bottom portion 5 is a circular region in plan view. The raised bottom portion 5 may be formed, for example, by a flat surface portion extending along the radial direction X, or may be formed by a convex curved surface with the center portion being the highest position. In this embodiment, the peripheral edge portion of the raised bottom portion 5 is connected to the grounding portion 4.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, when the average thickness of the side wall portion 2 is t1 [mm] and the average thickness of the grounding portion 4 is t2 [mm], the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers satisfies the following relationship. t2 / t1>1.025 (1)

[0040] Here, the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is the average value obtained by measuring the thickness 10 times each for the four types of side wall portions 2 included in any two cross-sections passing through the tube axis center line C of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 (the average value of a total of 40 measurement values). At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the thickness of the glass as viewed in the normal direction from each measurement point M1 on the inner surface 1a of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 (the length of the measurement line ML1 extending in the normal direction from the measurement point MP1 to the inner surface 1a and intersecting the outer surface 1b) shall be measured. Specifically, for each of the four types of side wall portions 2, the measurement point MP1 for calculating t1 is set as follows. That is, any 10 points on the inner surface of the side wall portion 2 that are more than a distance of 1 / 2 of the outer diameter d1 from the grounding point P in the tube axis direction Y are taken as the measurement points MP1. For example, on the inner surface of the side wall portion 2, a total of 10 measurement points MP1 are provided at intervals of a distance ΔY (ΔY = 0.5 mm) along the tube axis direction Y starting from a position that is d1 / 2 away from the grounding point P in the tube axis direction Y. In this example, the measurement point MP1 includes the position on the inner surface of the side wall portion 2 that is d1 / 2 away from the grounding point P in the tube axis direction Y.

[0041] The average thickness t2 of the grounding portion 4 is the average value (the average value of 40 measurement values in total) obtained by measuring the thickness 10 times each for the four types of grounding portions 4 included in two cross-sections passing through the tube axis center line C of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, which were used for measuring the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the thickness of the glass as viewed in the normal direction from each measurement point MP2 on the inner surface 1a of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 (the length of the measurement line ML2 extending in the normal direction from each measurement point MP1 to the inner surface 1a and intersecting the outer surface 1b) shall be measured. Specifically, for each of the four types of grounding portions 4, the measurement point MP2 for calculating t2 is set as follows. That is, a point Q that is separated from the tube axis center line C by a distance of 1 / 4 of the outer diameter d1 of the side wall portion 2 in the outer side in the radial direction X, a point R that is separated from the plane extending in the radial direction X passing through the grounding point P of the grounding portion 4 by a distance of 1 / 4 of the outer diameter d1 above in the tube axis direction Y, and a circle TC passing through a point S on the inner surface of the grounding portion 4 are set. At this time, when the center point of the circle TC is O, the point S is the point where the length of the line segment OS is the maximum. Then, 10 points on the inner surface of the grounding portion 4 existing within the range of 45° to the left and right of the line segment OS with the center point O as the reference are set as the measurement points MP2. For example, when setting the measurement points MP2 at regular angles (central angles) within the range of 45° to the left and right of the line segment OS with the center point O as the reference, on the inner surface of the grounding portion 4, a total of 10 measurement points MP2 are provided at every angle Δα (Δα = 10°) starting from the position 45° to the left (or 45° to the right) of the line segment OS with the center point O as the reference. In this example, the measurement points MP2 include the positions 45° to the left and right of the line segment OS on the inner surface of the grounding portion 4, but do not include the point S.

[0042] If the relationship of formula (1) is satisfied, even if the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 in the vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 due to the dropping impact becomes small. As a result, the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 is less likely to be damaged by the dropping impact.

[0043] From the perspective of suppressing the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the lower limit range of t2 / t1 is more preferably 1.05 or more, even more preferably 1.10 or more, and particularly preferably 1.12 or more. On the other hand, from the perspective of facilitating the forming of the bottom 3 by hot working, the upper limit range of t2 / t1 is preferably 1.4 or less, more preferably 1.35 or less, and even more preferably 1.30 or less.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 2, when the average thickness of the side wall portion 2 is t1 [mm] and the average thickness of the grounding portion 4 is t2 [mm], the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 preferably satisfies the following relationship. (t2 - t1) / t1 ≥ 0.04 (2)

[0045] If the relationship of formula (2) is satisfied, even when the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 in the vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 due to the dropping impact becomes small. As a result, the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 is less likely to occur.

[0046] From the perspective of suppressing the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the lower limit range of (t2 - t1) / t1 is more preferably 0.1 or more. On the other hand, from the perspective of facilitating the forming of the bottom by hot working, the upper limit range of (t2 - t1) / t1 is preferably 0.5 or less, more preferably 0.3 or less.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 2, when the average thickness of the grounding portion 4 is t2 [mm] and the average thickness at the center of the raised bottom 5 (near the tube axis center line C) is t3 [mm], the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 preferably satisfies the following relationship. 0.4 < t2 / t3 < 2.3 (3)

[0048] Here, the average thickness t3 at the center of the raised bottom 5 is the average value (the average value of a total of 20 measured values) obtained by measuring the thickness 10 times each for the centers of two types of raised bottoms 5 included in any two cross-sections passing through the tube axis center line C of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the thickness of the glass as viewed in the normal direction from each measurement point MP3 on the inner surface 1a of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 (the length of the measurement line ML3 extending in the normal direction of the inner surface 1a from each measurement point MP3 and intersecting the outer surface 1b) shall be measured. Specifically, for each of the two types of raised bottoms 5, the measurement points MP3 for calculating t3 are set as follows. That is, five measurement points MP3 are set on the inner surface of the raised bottom 5, five points to the left and right of the tube axis center line C. However, among the above 10 measurement points MP3, the distance between the leftmost measurement point and the rightmost measurement point is a distance of 1 / 4 or more of d1. Specifically, for example, on the inner surface of the center of the raised bottom 5, a total of five measurement points MP3 are set along the radial direction X to the right of the tube axis center line C, and a total of five measurement points MP3 are set along the radial direction X to the left of the tube axis center line C. In this example, the measurement points MP3 do not include the position on the tube axis center line C on the inner surface of the raised bottom 5.

[0049] If the relationship of formula (3) is satisfied, even if the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 in the vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 due to the dropping impact will be reduced. As a result, it becomes more difficult for the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 to break due to dropping.

[0050] From the viewpoint of suppressing the dropping breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the upper limit range of t2 / t3 is more preferably 2.0 or less, even more preferably 1.5 or less, and the lower limit range of t2 / t3 is preferably 0.7 or more, more preferably 0.8 or more.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, when the average thickness of the grounding portion 4 is t2 [mm] and the average thickness at the center of the raised bottom 5 (near the tube axis center line C) is t3 [mm], it is preferable that the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 satisfies the following relationship. -0.8 < t2 - t3 < 0.5 (4)

[0052] If the relationship of formula (4) is satisfied, even if the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 in the vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 due to the dropping impact becomes small. As a result, it becomes more difficult for the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 to break due to dropping.

[0053] From the viewpoint of suppressing the dropping breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the upper limit range of t2 - t3 is more preferably 0.35 mm or less, even more preferably 0.3 mm or less, particularly preferably 0.2 mm or less, and the lower limit range of t2 - t3 is preferably -0.6 mm or more, more preferably 0 mm or more, and even more preferably 0.03 mm or more.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, when the average thickness of the grounding portion 4 is t2 [mm] and the average thickness at the center of the raised bottom 5 (near the tube axis center line C) is t3 [mm], the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 preferably satisfies the following relationship. -0.8 < (t2 - t3) / t2 < 0.6 (5)

[0055] If the relationship of formula (5) is satisfied, even if the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 in the vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 due to the dropping impact becomes small. As a result, it becomes more difficult for the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 to break due to dropping.

[0056] From the viewpoint of suppressing the dropping breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the upper limit range of (t2 - t3) / t2 is more preferably 0.35 or less, even more preferably 0.3 or less, particularly preferably 0.2 or less, and the lower limit range of (t2 - t3) / t2 is preferably -0.6 or more, more preferably 0 or more, and even more preferably 0.03 or more.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 2, when the average thickness of the grounding portion 4 is t2 [mm] and the minimum thickness t3min [mm] of the raised bottom portion 5, the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 preferably satisfies the following relationship. 0.4 < t2 / t3min < 2.6 (6)

[0058] Here, the minimum thickness t3min of the raised bottom portion 5 is the value obtained by measuring the thickness of the thinnest portion among the raised bottom portions 5 included in the two cross-sections passing through the tube axis center line C of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 used for measuring the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2. At this time, it is assumed that the thickness of the glass is measured in the normal direction from a certain point on the inner surface 1a of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1. The portion of the raised bottom portion 5 that becomes the minimum thickness t3min may be formed at the center of the raised bottom portion 5, or may be formed between the center portion and the peripheral portion (the connecting portion between the raised bottom portion 5 and the grounding portion 4) of the raised bottom portion 5.

[0059] If the relationship of formula (6) is satisfied, even if the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 in the vertical posture with the bottom portion 3 facing down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 due to the dropping impact becomes small. As a result, it becomes more difficult for the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 to be damaged by dropping.

[0060] From the viewpoint of suppressing the dropping breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the upper limit range of t2 / t3min is more preferably 2.2 or less, further preferably 1.8 or less, and particularly preferably 1.5 or less. On the other hand, the lower limit range of t2 / t3min is preferably 0.6 or more, more preferably 0.8 or more, and further preferably 1.0 or more.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 2, when the average thickness of the grounding portion 4 is t2 [mm] and the radial distance from the grounding point P of the grounding portion 4 to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 2 (strictly speaking, the virtual extension surface of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 2) is ro [mm], the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 preferably satisfies the following relationship. 0.1 ≦ (t2) 3 / (ro × (t1) 2 ) ≦ 8 (7)

[0062] If the relationship of formula (7) is satisfied, even if the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 in the vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 due to the dropping impact will be reduced. As a result, it becomes less likely for the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 to break due to dropping. Also, the forming of the bottom 3 by thermal processing can be facilitated. Furthermore, even if a plurality of pharmaceutical container tube glasses 1 are in a bundled state, contact between the outer surfaces of the tube ends can be prevented, so it is less likely for the tube ends to be damaged.

[0063] (t2) 3 / (ro×(t1) 2 ) The upper limit range, when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is 0.9 mm or more, is more preferably 3 or less, even more preferably 1.03 or less, and particularly preferably 0.9 or less from the viewpoint of facilitating the forming of the bottom 3 of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 by thermal processing and preventing damage to the outer surface of the tube end even in a bundled state. (t2) 3 / (ro×(t1) 2 ) The upper limit range, when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is less than 0.9 mm, is more preferably 3 or less, even more preferably 1.0 or less, and particularly preferably 0.9 or less from the viewpoint of facilitating the forming of the bottom 3 of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 by thermal processing and preventing damage to the outer surface of the tube end even in a bundled state. On the other hand, (t2) 3 / (ro×(t1) 2 ) The lower limit range, when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is 0.9 mm or more, is more preferably 0.3 or more, even more preferably 0.65 or more, and particularly preferably 0.7 or more from the viewpoint of suppressing the dropping breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1. (t2) 3 / (ro×(t1) 2 ) The lower limit range, when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is less than 0.9 mm, is more preferably 0.2 or more, even more preferably 0.25 or more, and particularly preferably 0.3 or more from the viewpoint of suppressing the dropping breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1.

[0064] When the average thickness of the side wall portion 2 is t1 [mm], the average thickness of the grounding portion 4 is t2 [mm], and the radial distance from the grounding point P of the grounding portion 4 to the side wall portion 2 is ro [mm], the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 satisfies the following relationship. 0.1 ≦ (t2) 3 / (t1 × ro) ≦ 2.5 (8)

[0065] If the relationship of formula (8) is satisfied, even if the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 in the vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 due to the dropping impact becomes small. As a result, the dropping breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 is less likely to occur. In addition, the shape of the bottom 3 can be easily formed by thermal processing. Furthermore, even when a plurality of pharmaceutical container tube glasses are in a bundled state, contact between the outer surfaces of the tube ends can be prevented, so that damage to the tube ends is less likely to occur.

[0066] (t2) 3 The upper limit range of / (t1 × ro) is more preferably 1.0 mm or less, further preferably 0.9 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.8 mm or less from the viewpoint of facilitating the forming of the bottom 3 of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 by thermal processing and preventing damage to the outer surface of the tube end even in a bundled state when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is 0.9 mm or more. (t2) 3 The upper limit range of / (t1 × ro) is more preferably 0.9 mm or less, further preferably 0.8 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.7 mm or less from the viewpoint of facilitating the forming of the bottom 3 of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 by thermal processing and preventing damage to the outer surface of the tube end even in a bundled state when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is less than 0.9 mm. On the other hand, (t2) 3 The lower limit range of / (t1 × ro) is preferably 0.2 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and further preferably 0.7 mm or more from the viewpoint of suppressing the dropping breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is 0.9 mm or more. (t2) 3When the lower limit range of (t1 × ro) is less than 0.9 mm in the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2, from the viewpoint of suppressing the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, it is preferably 0.2 mm or more, more preferably 0.25 mm or more, and even more preferably 0.3 mm or more.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the outer diameter of the side wall portion 2 is d1 [mm] and the diameter of the circle formed by the ground contact point P of the ground contact portion 4 is d2 [mm], the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 satisfies the following relationship. d2 / d1 ≤ 0.86 (9)

[0068] If the relationship of formula (8) is satisfied, even when the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 in the vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 due to the drop impact becomes small. As a result, the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 is less likely to occur.

[0069] From the viewpoint of suppressing the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the upper limit range of d2 / d1 is more preferably 0.85 or less, and the lower limit range of d2 / d1 is preferably 0.4 or more, and more preferably 0.5 or more.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2, when the average thickness of the ground contact portion 4 is t2 [mm], the average thickness at the center portion of the raised bottom 5 is t3 [mm], and the radial distance from the ground contact point P of the ground contact portion 4 to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 2 is ro [mm], the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 satisfies the following relationship. t2 × t3 × ro / (t1) 3 > 0.3 (10)

[0071] If the relationship of formula (10) is satisfied, even when the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 in the vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing down is dropped onto a flat plate, the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 due to the drop impact becomes small. As a result, the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 is less likely to occur.

[0072] t2 × t3 × ro / (t1) 3The lower limit range is preferably 0.8 or more, more preferably 1.5 or more, and particularly preferably 2 or more from the viewpoint of suppressing the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is 0.9 mm or more. t2 × t3 × ro / (t1) 3 The lower limit range is preferably 0.7 or more, more preferably 2 or more, and particularly preferably 3 or more from the viewpoint of suppressing the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is less than 0.9 mm. On the other hand, t2 × t3 × ro / (t1) 3 The upper limit range is preferably 5 or less, more preferably 4 or less, and further preferably 3 or less from the viewpoint of facilitating the forming by hot working when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is 0.9 mm or more. t2 × t3 × ro / (t1) 3 The upper limit range is preferably 5 or less, more preferably 4 or less, and further preferably 3.8 or less from the viewpoint of facilitating the forming by hot working when the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is less than 0.9 mm.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 2, the angle θ of the inner surface of the grounding portion 4 is preferably 50 to 90°, more preferably 55 to 80°, and further preferably 60 to 70°. If the angle θ of the inner surface of the grounding portion 4 becomes too small, it becomes difficult to form the bottom portion 3 by hot working. On the other hand, if the angle θ of the inner surface of the grounding portion 4 becomes too large, the bottom portion 3 is likely to receive an impact during dropping, so there is a possibility that it becomes difficult to suppress breakage. Here, the angle θ is the angle formed by the tangent line LQ of the inner surface of the bottom portion 3 at the point Q which is separated from the center line C of the tube axis by a distance of 1 / 4 of the outer diameter d1 of the side wall portion 2 in the outer side of the radial direction X, and the tangent line LR of the inner surface of the side wall portion 2 at the point R which is separated from the plane extending in the radial direction X passing through the grounding point P of the grounding portion 4 by a distance of 1 / 4 of d1 above the tube axis direction Y.

[0074] When the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is 0.9 mm or more, from the viewpoint of suppressing the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the average thickness t2 of the grounding portion 4 is preferably 0.6 to 1.4 mm, more preferably 0.8 to 1.3 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.9 to 1.2 mm. When the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is less than 0.9 mm, from the viewpoint of suppressing the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the average thickness t2 of the grounding portion 4 is preferably 0.3 to 1.1 mm, more preferably 0.4 to 1.0 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.50 to 0.95 mm.

[0075] When the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is 0.9 mm or more, from the viewpoint of suppressing the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the average thickness t3 at the center of the raised bottom portion 5 is preferably 0.6 to 1.4 mm, more preferably 0.8 to 1.3 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.9 to 1.2 mm. When the average thickness t1 of the side wall portion 2 is less than 0.9 mm, from the viewpoint of suppressing the drop breakage of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1, the average thickness t3 at the center of the raised bottom portion 5 is preferably 0.3 to 1.1 mm, more preferably 0.4 to 1.0 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.50 to 0.95 mm.

[0076] When the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 having the above configuration is dropped onto a flat plate from a height of 450 mm in a vertical posture with the bottom portion 3 facing downwards, it is preferable that the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b is 55 MPa or less. The maximum tensile stress Tmax is a value obtained by simulation. In the simulation, the length L1 of the pharmaceutical container tube glass 1 is 1500 mm, and the flat plate onto which it is dropped is a Teflon (registered trademark) plate. The simulation can be carried out, for example, by time history response analysis using the finite element method. When using commercially available general-purpose FEM software, for example, Abaqus manufactured by Dassault Systèmes, ANSYS Mechanical manufactured by Ansys, Marc manufactured by MSC, etc. can be used.

[0077] The maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface 1b of the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers due to the drop impact is more preferably 50 MPa or less, even more preferably 45 MPa or less, and particularly preferably 43 MPa or less.

[0078] (Method for manufacturing tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers) The method for manufacturing the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers having the above configuration includes a preparation step of preparing a long original tubular glass formed by the Danner method or the like, a sealing step of heating and sealing one end opening of the original tubular glass with a burner, and a hot working step of hot working the sealed portion into a shape corresponding to the bottom 3 of the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers. In the hot working step, the sealed portion of the original tubular glass may be heated with a burner with the sealed one end opening facing upward. By doing so, the central portion of the softened sealed portion is bent downward by gravity, and the bottom 3 having the grounding portion 4 and the raised bottom 5 is formed. Alternatively, a bottom 3 having the grounding portion 4 and the raised bottom 5 may be formed by applying pressure with a pressing member from the outside of the tube toward the inside of the tube to the sealed one end opening during or immediately after heating with the burner.

[0079] The heating time by the burner in the hot working step is preferably 1 to 60 seconds, and more preferably 3 to 45 seconds.

[0080] (Method for manufacturing pharmaceutical containers) In the method for manufacturing a pharmaceutical container according to the present embodiment, the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers having the above configuration is processed to manufacture a pharmaceutical container. Here, examples of the pharmaceutical container include an ampoule, a syringe, a vial, and the like.

[0081] Specifically, the method for manufacturing a pharmaceutical container includes a preparation step of setting the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers in a vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing downward, a cutting step of heating a part of the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers in the vertical posture with a burner and cutting it to a predetermined length to obtain a container intermediate, and a hot working step of heating the end of the container intermediate with a burner and forming it into a predetermined shape to obtain a pharmaceutical container. In this way, a plurality of pharmaceutical containers are sequentially manufactured from a single tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 6, in the preparation step, the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers in a vertical posture with the bottom 3 facing down may be set at a predetermined position by dropping it onto the flat plate 6. Even in this case, since the shape of the bottom 3 of the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers is regulated as described above, it is less likely to be damaged even when a dropping impact is applied due to the collision with the flat plate 6. Therefore, the productivity of pharmaceutical containers can be improved. In the first cutting step, since the bottom 3 of the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers is removed, the bottom 3 of the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers is not left in the manufactured pharmaceutical containers.

[0083] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the case where one end side of the side wall portion 2 of the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers is sealed by the bottom 3 and the other end of the side wall portion 2 is open without being sealed has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Both ends of the side wall portion 2 of the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers may be sealed respectively. In this way, before manufacturing a pharmaceutical container using the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers, it is possible to prevent a situation where foreign matter enters the inside of the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers. Therefore, a pharmaceutical container with high cleanliness can be manufactured. When sealing both ends of the side wall portion 2 of the tubular glass 1 for pharmaceutical containers, a bottom 3 having the above-described shape may be formed at each of both ends of the side wall portion 2, or a bottom 3 having the above-described shape may be formed only at one end of the side wall portion 2.

Example

[0085] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a glass article according to the present invention will be described based on examples. Note that the following examples are merely illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to the following examples at all.

[0086] As Examples 1 to 4, tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 was produced, and as Comparative Examples 1 to 4, tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 was produced. The tubular glass for pharmaceuticals shown in Examples 1 to 4 was produced by extending and adjusting the heating time by the burner in the range of 1.1 times or more and 2 times or less compared to the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers of Comparative Examples 1 to 4. Shape data was measured for each of these tubular glasses for pharmaceutical containers. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0087]

Table 1

[0088] In Table 1, t1 is the average thickness of the side wall portion, t2 is the average thickness of the grounding portion, t3 is the average thickness at the center of the raised bottom portion, t3min is the minimum thickness of the raised bottom portion, ro is the radial distance from the grounding point of the grounding portion to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion, d1 is the outer diameter of the side wall portion, d2 is the diameter of the circle formed by the grounding point of the grounding portion, θ is the angle of the inner surface of the grounding portion, and Tmax is the maximum tensile stress (simulation) generated on the outer surface of the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers due to a drop impact, respectively.

[0089] From the results in Table 1, it can also be confirmed that in the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers according to Examples 1 to 4, t2 / t1 exceeds 1.025, and the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface of the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers during a drop impact is as small as 50 MPa or less. On the other hand, in the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers according to Comparative Examples 1 to 4, it can be confirmed that t2 / t1 is 1.025 or less, and the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated on the outer surface of the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers during a drop impact is greater than 50 MPa. Therefore, also from the simulation results, it is expected that drop breakage is likely to occur in the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers according to Comparative Examples 1 to 4, but drop breakage is less likely to occur in the tubular glass for pharmaceutical containers according to Examples 1 to 4.

[0090] Therefore, the pharmaceutical container tube glass according to Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 was actually subjected to a drop test to evaluate the number of broken pieces. In the drop test, the pharmaceutical container tube glass in a vertical posture with the bottom down was dropped onto a Teflon (registered trademark) plate from a height of 450 mm within a guide cylinder that guides the outer surface of the side wall portion of the pharmaceutical container tube glass. This drop test was performed 20 times (20 pieces each) for each of the pharmaceutical container tube glasses according to Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0091]

Table 2

[0092] As shown in Table 2, even in the actually performed drop test, breakage occurred in the pharmaceutical container tube glass according to Comparative Examples 1 to 4, but good results were obtained in that no breakage occurred in the pharmaceutical container tube glass according to Examples 1 to 4. Therefore, even in the actual drop test, results similar to the simulation results of the maximum tensile stress Tmax generated by the drop impact could be obtained.

Explanation of Signs

[0093] 1 Pharmaceutical container tube glass 2 Side wall portion 3 Bottom 4 Grounding portion 5 Raised bottom P Grounding point C Tube axis center line X Diameter direction Y Tube axis direction t1 Average thickness of the side wall portion t2 Average thickness of the grounding portion t3 Average thickness at the center of the raised bottom θ Angle of the inner surface of the grounding portion

Claims

1. A tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container, comprising a cylindrical side wall portion and a bottom portion that seals one end side of the side wall portion, wherein the bottom portion includes a grounding portion connected to the one end portion of the side wall portion and a raised bottom portion provided inside the grounding portion, wherein an average thickness t1 [mm] of the side wall portion and an average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion satisfy t2 / t1 > 1.025 A tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container, characterized by satisfying the above relationship.

2. The tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1, wherein an average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion and an average thickness t3 [mm] at the center of the raised bottom portion satisfy -0.8 < (t2 - t3) < 0.5

3. The tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion and an average thickness t3 [mm] at the center of the raised bottom portion satisfy -0.8 < (t2 - t3) / t2 < 0.6

4. The tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion and a minimum thickness t3min [mm] of the raised bottom portion satisfy 0.4 < t2 / t3min < 2.6

5. The tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion and a radial distance ro [mm] from the grounding point of the grounding portion to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion satisfy

6. The tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an average thickness t1 [mm] of the side wall portion, an average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion, and a radial distance ro [mm] from the grounding point of the grounding portion to the virtual extension surface of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion satisfy

7. 0.1 ≤ (t2) ３ / (ro × (t1) ２ ) ≤ 8 The tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an outer diameter d1 [mm] of the side wall portion and a diameter d2 [mm] of the circle formed by the grounding point of the grounding portion satisfy d2 / d1 ≤ 0.86

8. 0.1 ≤ (t2) ３ / (t1 × ro) ≤ 0.8 The tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an average thickness t2 [mm] of the grounding portion, an average thickness t3 [mm] at the center of the raised bottom portion, and a radial distance ro [mm] from the grounding point of the grounding portion to the virtual extension surface of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion satisfy

9. The tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container in a vertical posture with the bottom down is dropped onto a Teflon plate from a height of 450 mm, the maximum tensile stress generated on the outer surface of the tubular glass for a pharmaceutical container is 55 MPa or less. ​ ​ ​ ​ t2 × t3 × ro / (t1) ３ > 0.3 ​ ​ ​

10. The tube glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the total length in the tube axis direction is 500 mm or more.

11. The tube glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein both ends of the side wall portion are sealed.

12. A method for manufacturing a pharmaceutical container, comprising processing the tube glass for a pharmaceutical container according to claim 1 or 2 to manufacture a pharmaceutical container.

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