Structure for packaging a primary container for pharmaceutical use

Abstract

A structure (4) for packaging a container (8) for pharmaceutical use, comprising: a support surface (20) fitted with a plurality of seats (24, 48) for accommodating a container (8) for medical use, wherein the seats (24, 48) have main extension axes (XX) that are parallel to one another; and a structure (4) for packaging a container (8) for medical use, comprising said sheets (24, 48) delimited by side walls (32) extending from a lower end (36) to an upper end (40), said upper end (40) facing a collar (44) of the colletable container (8) for medical use, the peripheral sheet (48) being arranged externally along the peripheral edge (52) of the support surface (20) and having at least one guide or chamfer (56) at the lower end (36) which diverges as it moves from the lower end (36) to the opposite upper end (40);

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Relates to a structure for packaging a medical container.

Background Art

[0002] It is known that primary containers for pharmaceutical use, such as vials, bottles, cylindrical injection vials, and syringes, must be maintained in an isolated, controlled, clean, and sterile environment from the outside until they are used or adopted in processing steps, particularly filling and sealing.

[0003] Structures for packaging containers for pharmaceutical use are typically made of plastic materials and include a tray called a "tab" having a closed bottom that supports a support surface or matrix (referred to as a "nest") with several receiving holes in which primary containers for pharmaceutical use are vertically accommodated.

[0004] Some types of containers for pharmaceutical use, such as syringes, can be held in place by placing a peripheral color portion at the end of the receiving hole, but for containers without a protruding portion, a specific element for holding it inside the hole is required.

[0005] Then, such a properly sealed packaging structure (referred to as a tab or nest) is placed inside a container having a size and weight suitable for handling during the packaging operation and the unpacking operation.

[0006] Therefore, such a packaging structure (tabs and nests) is also repeatedly handled by robotic arms for transportation, relocation, tipping, and storage.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to create a packaging structure that is as lightweight as possible while simultaneously ensuring appropriate mechanical rigidity.

[0008] In fact, especially the support surface (nest) tends to deflect downward due to its own weight and the weight of dozens of primary containers that it must accommodate and support above all else. Such weight further increases if the primary containers are filled with medical substances. Such deflection must be limited as much as possible because the containers lose their mutual parallelism with respect to the vertical direction that is perpendicular to the support surface.

[0009] As a result, the containers are likely to collide with each other, and the operation of inserting and removing the containers from the nest, as well as the filling operation by the end user, become complicated due to the deflection.

[0010] Since the packaging structure has to be automatically moved by a mechanical arm that can interfere with some of the containers, this mechanical arm may interfere with some of the containers if the position and orientation of the containers are bad inside each sheet of the support surface, especially in the process of inserting and removing the primary containers from the nest. Therefore, this deflection must be avoided and must be controlled with high precision in any case.

[0011] Therefore, when the deflection of the nest becomes excessive, the risk of collision between the gripper and the container increases, and the possibility of automating the gripping and handling of the storage structure is limited.

[0012] Furthermore, the deformation of the nest facilitates the mutual contact between the containers that may be chipped by impact with both the projecting body and each collar part.

[0013] When an impact is applied, even a fine crack may occur, and as a result, there is a risk of the container being damaged, so the impact needs to be prevented.

[0014] Such an impact must be avoided not only for the cylindrical body of the container but also for each gripping collar part.

[0015] Clearly, the desire to reduce the weight of the nest is in contrast to the desire to reduce the rigidity of the storage structure. In fact, weight reduction is usually achieved by removing material, thinning the thickness, creating cutouts, and lightening the holes. Therefore, the mechanical rigidity of the structure is inevitably weakened, making it overly prone to deformation.

[0016] There is also a further technical problem in that the primary container has a double diameter, particularly a small portion with a large diameter and a large portion with a small diameter. What should be noted here is that the concepts of the lower and upper parts are related to the positioning of the primary container on the nest; in other words, the upper part includes a collar portion that contacts each obtained sheet on the nest; therefore, the upper part embodies the support of the primary container. The lower part with a large diameter is always a protruding part, while the upper part is gripped by an automatic gripper (or a similar automatic gripping and handling device) to extract the container from that sheet.

[0017] Since the lower part has the largest diameter, a step or undercut portion is created in the lifting operation of the primary container from each sheet in the transition from a small diameter to a large diameter regarding the extraction or lifting operation of the container from the lower part to the upper part of the container.

[0018] When the lifting of the container is not completely perpendicular to the nest support surface (i.e., the ground), such an undercut portion tends to easily adhere to the lower part of the container housing. On the one hand, it blocks the automation of container extraction (or at least partial lifting), and on the other hand, it causes collisions between adjacent containers that may result in damage / chipping. Therefore, such adhesion must be absolutely avoided.

[0019] [Presentation of the Invention] Therefore, it is required to solve the drawbacks and limitations described above with reference to the prior art.

[0020] Accordingly, it is required to provide a structure for packaging a container for pharmaceutical use that is lightweight and resistant, while being able to accurately grip and handle the structure itself in a quick and automated manner without risking adhesion and / or accidental contact between the gripping device and the container or between adjacent containers resulting from misalignment in the vertical direction.

[0021] Such a need is met by the structure for packaging a container for pharmaceutical use according to claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments provided by way of non-limiting examples:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a top view of a structure for packaging a container for pharmaceutical use according to the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a side view of the structure including the structure of FIG. 1; Upper ;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIGS. 4 to 7 are perspective projection views showing enlarged details from various angles of the structure including the structure of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a storage structure of the present invention having a container housed in a peripheral sheet;

[0028] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 9;

[0029] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a storage structure of the present invention having a container housed in an inner sheet;

[0030] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of FIG. 10;

[0031] FIG. 12 is a perspective projection view of a tray (tab) / storage structure (nested) assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 13 is a perspective projection view of a storage structure according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Hereinafter, elements or parts common to the described embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0034] [Detailed Description of the Invention] Referring to the above-described drawings, reference numeral 4 indicates an overall view of the structure of a packaging container 8 for pharmaceutical use.

[0035] For the purposes of the protection scope of the present invention, it is worth noting that regardless of the specific type of pharmaceutical-use container, it means containers of various types, sizes and / or materials such as syringes, vials, cylindrical injection vials, bottles, etc. or auto-injectors with or without cartridges.

[0036] In particular, as will be shown in more detail below, the present invention is advantageously applicable when using a container 8 having a double diameter, i.e., a first part or upper portion 10 having a first diameter D1 and a second part or lower portion 12 having a second diameter D2, preferably larger than the diameter D1.

[0037] The structure 4 includes a tray 16 that houses and supports a support surface 20 provided with a plurality of sheets 24 for housing the container 8 for pharmaceutical use.

[0038] Furthermore, the tray 16 has a bottom 28, which is preferably closed.

[0039] The sheets 24 have a main extension axis X-X that is parallel to each other.

[0040] Typically, the sheets 24 have a cylindrical shape with respect to the main extension axis X-X that is parallel to each other. Such a main extension axis is preferably perpendicular to the support surface 20.

[0041] The sheet 24 is delimited by a side wall 32 extending from a lower end 36 to an upper end 40, where said upper end 40 faces a collar or neck 44 of the container 8 for pharmaceutical use and is configured to abut and support against the collar portion.

[0042] The side walls 32 of the sheets 24, 48 have a cylindrical circular cross-section with respect to a cross-section perpendicular to the main extension axis X-X.

[0043] Furthermore, the side walls 32 of the sheets 24, 48 adjacent to each other are in contact with each other, thus defining a plurality of through holes 50.

[0044] According to one embodiment, on the side of the upper surfaces 49 of the sheets 24, 48, it is intended to face the collar portion 44 of the container 8 for pharmaceutical use, abut against the collar portion and support it, and is enlarged for each of the sheets 24, 48, and there are raised peripheral edges 53 of each of the sheets 24, 48 adapted to at least partially delimit and surround an annular pocket intended to face the collar portion 44 and receive it in abutment.

[0045] Advantageously, the peripheral sheet 48 disposed externally along the peripheral edge end 52 of the support surface 20 has at least one guide or chamfer 56 that branches away from the lower end 36 at the lower end 36, opposite to the upper end 40.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the side wall 32 of the peripheral sheet 48 has a stepped portion 60 that connects to the support surface 20 and creates a spacer between the support surface 20 and the upper end 40 of the side wall itself; preferably, the guide or chamfer 56 is disposed on the stepped portion 60.

[0047] The spacer has a further function of stiffening the structure 4 so that the structure 4 does not deflect under its own weight and the weight of the container 8 accommodated in each of the sheets 24.

[0048] The guide or chamfer portion 56 is at least partially counter-shaped with respect to the side wall from which it protrudes so as to symmetrically orient the container towards the center of the corresponding peripheral sheet 48 both during the insertion process and during the extraction process.

[0049] The guide or chamfer portion 56 can have various geometries or shapes.

[0050] According to a possible embodiment, the chamfer portion 56 is preferably made by a continuous shelf protruding from the side wall 32 with respect to each corresponding step portion 60.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, the chamfer portion 56 is made by a plurality of fins 64 that are separated from or spaced apart from each other.

[0052] Preferably, the fins 64 are arranged in the radial R-R direction with respect to the corresponding peripheral sheet 48.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the side walls 32 of adjacent peripheral sheets 48 are at least partially engaged with each other; thereby further improving the structural rigidity of the storage structure 4. For example, such engagement and / or connection may be realized by brackets or connecting rods 68.

[0054] According to a possible embodiment, the guide or chamfer portion 56 has a truncated conical cross-section with respect to a cross-section perpendicular to the support surface 12.

[0055] For example, the truncated conical cross-section has a taper angle of 30 to 60° in a direction perpendicular to the support surface 12.

[0056] The taper angle can be 40 to 50°, preferably 45°.

[0057] According to a possible embodiment, the guide or chamfer portion 56 has a parabolic arc cross-section with respect to a cross-section perpendicular to the support surface 12.

[0058] On the other hand, the side walls 32 of the sheets 24, 48 have a taper that converges from the lower end 36 towards the upper end 40.

[0059] Preferably, the taper is greater than or equal to the taper of the guide or chamfer portion 56.

[0060] In this way, the best guidance of the container 8 for pharmaceutical use is achieved during the entire process of extraction from the peripheral sheet 48.

[0061] According to a possible embodiment, the guide or chamfer portion 56 is aligned with the through-hole of the corresponding peripheral sheet 48 at the upper end 40 in a vertical direction perpendicular to the support surface 20 and parallel to the main extension axis X-X.

[0062] As can be understood from the above description, the present invention can overcome the drawbacks presented in the prior art.

[0063] First, due to the presence of the peripheral chamfer portion, there is no risk of sticking during the movement / lifting of the primary container; in fact, the chamfer portion ensures the exact passage of the undercut with a "slide" of the undercut on the lower wall of the nest.

[0064] This state is shown in FIGS. 8 - 11, where the chamfer portion does not have each portion passing from the large-diameter bottom to the small-diameter top, and it shows how the containers that are stuck or sticking at the lower part of the peripheral sheet are easily aligned during the process of lifting the container itself.

[0065] Furthermore, this chamfer portion ensures a given perpendicularity of the container with respect to the nest; the risk of accidental contact between adjacent primary containers is avoided.

[0066] Furthermore, the structure has sufficient mechanical rigidity and / or geometric shape to ensure a reduced elastic deformation of the structure under its own weight and the weight of the supported container (especially with reference to the latter being filled).

[0067] In this way, even under conditions where maximum loads are applied to the structure and its container, such as a container filled with pharmaceuticals, it is always ensured that the containers are accurately aligned within their respective sheets.

[0068] Furthermore, since the colored part is included in a pocket or sheet whose range is defined by the raised peripheral part, the risk of contact between the colored parts of adjacent containers is prevented.

[0069] Thus, in the form of, for example, pins or protrusions, the raised peripheral part prevents any kind of contact between the colored parts of adjacent containers.

[0070] The parallelism between the containers with respect to the vertical direction is ensured not only by the high structural rigidity of the storage structure, but also by the fact that the colored part is in contact with a flat end having a circular crown shape, and the end is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0071] Furthermore, the presence of the raised peripheral part ensures an accurate radial distance between the containers, and thus it is possible to insert the gripper of the manipulator without impacting the gap between adjacent containers. Such an accurate radial distance also helps to further avoid the risk of accidental collisions between adjacent containers.

[0072] To meet occasional specific needs, those skilled in the art can make several changes and modifications to the above-described structure, but all of these are included within the scope of the present invention defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A structure (4) for packaging a container (8) for pharmaceutical use, comprising a support surface (20) having a plurality of sheets (24, 48) for accommodating the container (8) for pharmaceutical use, said sheets (24, 48) having a main extension axis (X-X) parallel to each other, said sheets (24, 48) being delimited by side walls (32) extending from a lower end (36) to an upper end (40), where said upper end (40) faces and is configured to abut and support a collar portion (44) of an assemblable container (8) for pharmaceutical use, said sheet (24) being arranged on the upper end (40) side such that the lower end (36) of the sheet (24) is spaced from the support surface (20), The peripheral sheet (48) is arranged outside along the peripheral edge end (52) of the support surface (20) and has at least one guide or chamfer (56) that branches away from the lower end (36) towards the opposite upper end (40) at the lower end (36), The side wall (32) of said peripheral sheet (48) has a stepped portion (60) connecting to said support surface (20) so as to create a spacer between said support surface (20) and the upper end (40), and said guide or chamfer (56) is arranged at said stepped portion (60), A structure (4), wherein said guide or chamfer (56) is made by a plurality of fins (64) arranged apart or spaced from each other.

2. The structure (4) for packaging a container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide or chamfer (56) is made by a continuous shelf protruding from the side wall (32).

3. The structure (4) for packaging a container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said guide or chamfer (56) is made by a continuous shelf protruding from each corresponding stepped portion (60).

4. The structure (4) for packaging a container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said guide or chamfer (56) is at least partially counter-shaped with respect to the side wall (32) from which the guide or chamfer (56) protrudes so as to symmetrically direct the container (8) for pharmaceutical use towards the center of the corresponding peripheral sheet (48). **Claim 5** The structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fins (64) are arranged in the radial direction (R) with respect to the corresponding peripheral sheet (48). **Claim 6** The structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the side walls (32) of adjacent peripheral sheets (48) are at least partially meshed or connected. **Claim 7** The structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the guide or chamfer (56) has a truncated conical cross-section with respect to a cross-section perpendicular to the support surface (20). **Claim 8** The structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to claim 7, characterized in that the truncated conical cross-section has a taper angle of 30° to 60° with respect to the direction perpendicular to the support surface. **Claim 9** The structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to claim 8, characterized in that the taper angle is 40° to 50°. **Claim 10** The structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the guide or chamfer (56) has a parabolic arc cross-section with respect to a cross-section perpendicular to the support surface (20). **Claim 11** The structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the side walls (32) of the sheets (24, 48) have a taper that converges from the lower end (36) to the upper end (40). **Claim 12** The structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to claim 11, characterized in that the taper is greater than or equal to the taper of the guide or chamfer (56). **Claim 13** On the side of the upper surface (49) of the sheet (24, 48), facing the color portion (44) of the container (8) for pharmaceutical use, intended to abut and support against the color portion, enlarged for each sheet (24, 48), facing the color portion (44), and adapted to at least partially define and surround an annular pocket intended to abut and support against the color portion, there is a raised peripheral edge portion (53) of each sheet (24, 48), characterized in that it is a structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The side wall (32) of the sheet (24, 48) is cylindrical with a circular cross-section with respect to a cross-section perpendicular to the main extension axis (X-X), characterized in that it is a structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The side walls (32) of adjacent sheets (24, 48) are in contact with each other and are characterized by a plurality of through holes (50), and it is a structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The guide or chamfer portion (56) is aligned with the through hole of the corresponding peripheral sheet (48) at the upper end (40) with respect to the vertical direction perpendicular to the support surface (20), characterized in that it is a structure (4) for packaging the container (8) for pharmaceutical use according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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