Tapered end finish for pharmaceutical packaging to reduce glass breakage

Abstract

A glass container has a cylindrical sidewall with at least one open axial end. The cylindrical sidewall has a straight sidewall region and an end region extending in an axial direction from the at least one open axial end. The straight sidewall region has a sidewall outer radius and a sidewall radial thickness that are both constant with respect to the axial direction. The end region extends axially from the open axial end for an axial length of from about 1 to about 4 times the sidewall radial thickness. A maximum outer radius of the glass container in the end region is less than or equal to the sidewall outer radius. An absolute value of a difference between the sidewall radial thickness of the straight sidewall region and an average radial thickness of the end region is less than or equal to about 200 micrometers (µm).

Description

Attorney Docket No.:SP24-258TAPERED END FINISH FOR PHARMACEUTICAL PACKAGING TO REDUCE GLASS BREAKAGECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 700,314 filed on September 27, 2024, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present specification generally relates to glass containers, in particular, glass containers for pharmaceutical packaging.TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0003] Historically, glass has been used as the preferred material for packaging pharmaceuticals because of its hermeticity, optical clarity, and excellent chemical durability relative to other materials. Specifically, the glass used in pharmaceutical packaging must have adequate chemical durability to prevent any affect on the stability of the pharmaceutical compounds and / or formulations contained therein. Glasses having suitable chemical durability include, but are not limited to, those glass compositions within the ASTM standard 'Type IA' and 'Type IB' glass compositions, which have a proven history of chemical durability.

[0004] Glass tubing may be converted into glass articles, such as various glass containers for use in pharmaceutical applications including, without limitation, vials, straight-walled vials, syringes, ampoules, test tubes, blood collection tubes, cartridges, and other glass articles. The glass tubing may be converted, for example, in "converting machines." These converting machines typically reform long lengths of glass tube into a plurality of glass articles using steps that include flame working, rotating and stationary tool forming, thermal separation, or score and shock cutoff steps, among other steps.SUMMARY

[0005] In the case of open-ended glass containers, such as but not limited to cartridges, blood collection tubes, test tubes, straight-wall vials, or other open-ended glass containers, the glass containers have a straight cylindrical sidewall that terminates at one end in an open endAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 having generally the same nominal radius as the straight cylindrical sidewall. The open end of conventional open-ended glass containers are typically finished with an end finish (e.g., end glaze), which forms a bead around the open end of the conventional open-ended glass container. The bead of the end finish has a greater thickness compared to the thickness of the cylindrical sidewall of the conventional open-ended glass container, resulting in a greater outer diameter at the open end of the conventional open-ended glass container. This greater outer diameter of the bead at the open end can cause contact between adjacent glass containers during shipping and / or handling of the conventional open-ended glass containers, which can lead to breakage, chipping, surface damage, or other damage to the conventional open-ended glass containers.

[0006] Accordingly, a need exists for glass containers for pharmaceutical applications, where the glass containers are shaped to reduce chipping, breakage, and / or surface damage during shipping and handling of the glass containers.

[0007] According to a first aspect disclosed herein, a glass container may comprise a cylindrical sidewall having at least one open axial end, wherein: the cylindrical side wall may have a straight sidewall region and an end region extending in an axial direction from the at least one open axial end. The straight sidewall region may have a sidewall outer radius and a sidewall radial thickness that are both constant with respect to the axial direction. The end region may extend axially from the open axial end for an axial length of from about 1 to about 4 times the sidewall radial thickness. A maximum outer radius of the glass container in the end region may be less than or equal to the sidewall outer radius. An absolute value of a difference between the sidewall radial thickness of the straight sidewall region and an average radial thickness of the end region may be less than or equal to about 200 micrometers (pm).

[0008] A second aspect disclosed herein may include any the first aspect, wherein an absolute value of a difference between the sidewall outer radius of the straight side wall region and the maximum outer radius of the end region may be less than or equal to the sidewall radial thickness of the straight sidewall region.

[0009] A third aspect disclosed may include either one of the first or second aspects, wherein the axial length of the end region may be less than or equal to about 3 mm.

[0010] A fourth aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the first through third aspects, wherein the straight sidewall region may have an axial length greater than or equal to 10 times the axial length of the end region.Attorney Docket No.:SP24-258

[0011] A fifth aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the first through fourth aspects, wherein a difference between the sidewall outer radius and an outer radius of the glass container at any point in the end region may be less than or equal to 500 pm, less than or equal to 400 pm, less than or equal to 300 pm, or even less than or equal to 200 pm.

[0012] A sixth aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the first through fifth aspects, wherein an absolute value of a difference between a sidewall inner radius of the straight sidewall region and an inner radius of the glass container at any point in the end region may be less than or equal to about 100 pm, less than or equal to about 50 pm, or less than or equal to 20 pm.

[0013] A seventh aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the first through sixth aspects, wherein an outer surface of the end region may taper radially inward from a first outer radius to a second outer radius less than the first outer radius, wherein the first outer radius is equal to the sidewall outer radius.

[0014] An eighth aspect disclosed herein may include the seventh aspect, wherein an absolute value of a difference between the first outer radius and the second outer radius may be less than or equal to about 500 micrometers, such as from about 1 pm to about 500 pm, from about 1 pm to about 400 pm, from about 1 pm to about 300 pm, from about 1 pm to about 200 pm, or from about 1 pm to about 100 pm.

[0015] A ninth aspect disclosed herein may include either one of the seventh or eighth aspects, wherein at each angular position, the outer surface of the end region may form an angle with an outer surface of the straight sidewall region, wherein the angle may be greater than zero degrees and less than or equal to 30 degrees, such as from about 1 degree to about 30 degrees, or from about 1 degree to about 5 degrees.

[0016] A tenth aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the seventh through ninth aspects, wherein an inner surface of the end region may have a cylindrical shape.

[0017] An eleventh aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the seventh through tenth aspects, wherein an inner surface of the end region may taper inward from an inner surface of the straight sidewall region.

[0018] A twelfth aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the first through sixth aspects, wherein an outer surface of the end region may be offset radially inward from an outer surface of the straight sidewall region.Attorney Docket No.:SP24-258

[0019] A thirteenth aspect disclosed herein may include the twelfth aspect, wherein the outer surface in at least a portion of the end region may be cylindrical.

[0020] A fourteenth aspect disclosed herein may include either one of the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, wherein an inner surface in the at least a portion of the end region may be cylindrical.

[0021] A fifteenth aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the first through fourteenth aspects, wherein the glass container may be a cartridge, a blood collection tube, a test tube, or a straight-wall vial.

[0022] A sixteenth aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the first through fifteenth aspects, wherein an axial line is parallel to a center axis of the glass container and congruent with an outer surface of the straight sidewall region, wherein the axial line does not pass through or intersect any portion of the glass container in the end region.

[0023] A seventeenth aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the first through sixteenth aspects, comprising an axial line parallel to a center axis of the glass container and congruent with an outer surface of the straight sidewall region, wherein no part of the glass container extends radially outward beyond the axial line.

[0024] An eighteenth aspect disclosed herein may be directed to a method for forming a glass container, the method comprising forming the glass container comprising a first axial end, a second axial end, and a straight sidewall region between the first axial end and the second axial end, wherein at least the second axial end is an open axial end. The method may further include forming an end region at the second axial end of the glass container. The end region may extend axially from the second axial end for an axial length of from about 1 to about 4 times a sidewall radial thickness of the straight sidewall region. A maximum outer radius of the glass container in the end region may be less than or equal to a sidewall outer radius of the straight sidewall region. A difference between the sidewall radial thickness of the straight sidewall region and an average radial thickness of the end region may be less than or equal to about 200 micrometers (pm).

[0025] A nineteenth aspect disclosed herein may include the eighteenth aspect, wherein forming the end region at the second axial end of the glass container may comprise rotating the glass container, and while rotating the glass container, heating the second axial end of the glass container and contacting an outer surface of the glass container with at least one outer forming tool proximate the second axial end of the glass container, wherein the heating and contactingAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 the outer surface of the glass container with the at least one outer forming tool may deform heated glass at the second axial end radially inward to form the end region.

[0026] A twentieth aspect disclosed herein may include the nineteenth aspect, further comprising inserting an inner forming tool into the second axial end of the glass container and contacting the outer surface of the glass container with at least one forming tool with the inner forming tool inserted into the second axial end, wherein the inner forming tool may contact an inner surface of the glass container at the second axial end and may restrict inward deformation of the inner surface of the glass container at the second axial end during contact of the outer surface with the at least one outer forming tool.

[0027] A twenty-first aspect disclosed herein may include either one of the nineteenth or twentieth aspects, wherein the at least one outer forming tool may be configured to produce the end region in which the outer surface tapers radially inward.

[0028] A twenty-second aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the nineteenth through twenty-first aspects, wherein the at least one outer forming tool may comprise a cylindrical tool and wherein contacting the outer surface of the glass container with the at least one outer forming tool may produce the end region in which the outer surface in the end region may be offset radially inward from the outer surface in the straight sidewall region.

[0029] A twenty-third aspect disclosed herein may include any one of the eighteenth through twenty-second aspects, further comprising forming at least one feature of the glass container at a working end of a length of glass tubing and separating the glass container from the length of glass tubing, wherein the glass container may comprise the at least one feature at the first axial end, and the open axial end at the second axial end.

[0030] A twenty-fourth aspect disclosed herein may include the twenty-third aspect, wherein separating the glass container from the length of glass tubing may comprise heating an outer surface of the length of glass tubing at a position corresponding to the second end of the glass container, and thermally shocking the outer surface of the length of glass tubing at the position, wherein the thermal shocking may cause separation of the glass container from the length of glass tubing at the second axial end of the glass container.

[0031] A twenty-fifth aspect disclosed herein may include the twenty-fourth aspects, further comprising scoring the outer surface of the length glass tubing at the position prior to heating the outer surface at the position.Attorney Docket No.:SP24-258

[0032] A twenty-sixth aspect disclosed herein may include either one of the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth aspects, wherein thermally shocking the outer surface of the glass tube at the position may comprise contacting the outer surface with a cooled tool, a cooling fluid, or combination thereof at the position.

[0033] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an open-ended glass containiner, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0035] FIG. 2 schematically depicts a side cross-sectional view of an end region of the open-ended glass container of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0036] FIG. 3 schematically depicts a side cross-sectional view of a conventional open- ended glass container, according to the prior art;

[0037] FIG. 4 schematically depicts an open axial end of the conventional open-ended glass container of FIG. 3, according to the prior art;

[0038] FIG. 5 graphically depicts relative glaze thickness at the open end of the conventional open-ended container of FIG. 3, according to the prior art;

[0039] FIG. 6 graphically depicts a relative outer diameter of the glaze at the open end of the conventional open-ended container of FIG. 3, according to the prior art;

[0040] FIG. 7 schematically depicts a side cross-sectional view of portions of a plurality of the conventional open-ended glass containers of FIG. 3 arranged side-by-side and glass-to- glass, according to the prior art;Attorney Docket No.:SP24-258

[0041] FIG. 8 includes photographs of chips and breakage at open ends of the conventional glass articles of FIGS. 3 and 4, according to the prior art;

[0042] FIG. 9 schematically depicts side cross-sectional views of the open-ended glass container of FIG. 1 and the conventional open-ended glass container of FIG. 3, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0043] FIG. 10 schematically depicts a side cross-sectional view of portions of a plurality of the open-ended glass containers of FIG. 2 arranged side-by-side and glass-to-glass, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0044] FIG. 11 schematically depicts a side cross-sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of an open-ended glass container, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0045] FIG. 12 schematically depicts a side cross-sectional view of an end region of the open-ended glass container of FIG. 11, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0046] FIG. 13 schematically depicts a side cross-sectional view of a portion of still another embodiment of an open-ended glass container, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

[0047] FIG. 14 schematically depicts a side cross-sectional view of an end region of the open-ended glass container of FIG. 13, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0048] The schematic drawings of FIGS. 1-4, 7, and 9-14 are not drawn to-scale, and certain features schematically depicted in these drawings may be exaggerated with respect to dimensions and / or shape for purposes of illustration.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the glass containers disclosed herein, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a glass container 100 disclosed herein is schematically depicted. The glass container 100 may comprise a cylindrical sidewall 102 having at least one open axial end 108, wherein the cylindrical sidewall 102 has a straight sidewall region 110 and an end region 112 that extends in an axial direction (i.e., inAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 the -Z direction of the coordinate axis of FIG. 1) from the at least one open axial end 108 to the straight sidewall region 110. The glass container 100 has a length L. Referring now to FIG. 2, the straight sidewall region 110 may have a sidewall outer radius Rso and a sidewall radial thickness Ts that are both generally constant with respect to the axial direction (i.e., the + / - Z direction of the coordinate axis of FIG. 2). The end region 112 may extend axially from the open axial end 108 for an axial length of from about 1 to about 4 times the side wall radial thickness Ts. A maximum of an end region outer radius REO, which refers to the outer radius of the glass container in the end region 112, is less than or equal to the sidewall outer radius Rso. An absolute value of a difference between the sidewall radial thickness Ts of the straight sidewall region 110 and an end region radial thickness TE, which is a radial thickness in the end region 112, may be less than about 200 micrometers (pm). The glass containers 100 disclosed herein may reduce or prevent breakage, chipping, and / or surface damage during shipping and / or during the fdling process, compared to the conventional open-ended glass containers.

[0050] Methods for forming the glass containers 100 disclosed herein may include forming the glass container 100 comprising a first axial end, a second axial end, and a straight sidewall region between the first axial end and the second axial end, wherein at least the second axial end is an oen axial end. The methods further include forming an end region at the second axial end of the glass container. The end region 112 extends axially from the open axial end 108 for an axial length of from about 1 to about 4 times the sidewall radial thickness Ts of the straight sidewall region 110. A maximum of an end region outer radius REO, which refers to the outer radius of the glass container in the end region 112, is less than or equal to the sidewall outer radius Rso. An absolute value of a difference between the sidewall radial thickness Ts of the straight sidewall region 110 and an end region radial thickness TE, which is a radial thickness in the end region 112, may be less than about 200 pm. The methods may be performed on a converting machine for converting a plurality of glass tubes into the plurality of glass containers 100, such as through the use of flame working and contacting with forming tools to produce the end region 112 having the desired shape.

[0051] Directional terms as used herein - for example up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom - are made only with reference to the figures as drawn and the coordinate axis provided therewith and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.Attorney Docket No.:SP24-258

[0052] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order, nor that specific orientations be required with any apparatus. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps, or that any apparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation to individual components, or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or description that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, or that a specific order or orientation to components of an apparatus is not recited, it is in no way intended that an order or orientation be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps, operational flow, order of components, or orientation of components; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0053] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" component includes aspects having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0054] As used herein, the terms "open axial end" and "open end" refer to an axial end of the glass container that includes an opening to the interior of the glass container.

[0055] When used in relation to a heating station, "engagement" of a burner with a glass tube or glass container refers to placing the burner in a position in which the flame from the burner extends towards or contacts the glass tube or glass container to heat the glass tube or glass container. Conversely, when the burner is out of engagement with the glass tube or glass container, the burner is placed in a position in which the flame from the burner is directed away from the glass tube or glass container or moved far enough away from the glass tube or glass container so that the flame does not contact or directly heat the glass tube of glass container.

[0056] When used in relation to forming tools in a forming station, the term "engagement" refers to the forming tools contacting a glass tube or glass container. When a forming tool is out of engagement with the glass tube or glass container, the forming tool does not contact the glass tube or glass container.

[0057] As used herein, the term "circumference" of a glass tube refers or glass container to a collection of points of the glass tube or glass container at constant radius R from the center axis A of the glass tube at a particular Z position (i.e., position on the + / -Z coordinate axis of the figures) through 360 degrees. A circumference of the glass tube or glass container mayAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 coincide with an outer surface of the glass tube or glass container at a particular Z position or an inner surface of the glass tube at a specific Z position, for example.

[0058] As used herein, any radius is measured as the distance from the center axis A of the glass container.

[0059] As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the positioning of processing stations of the converter relative to each other. A first processing station is considered "downstream" of a second processing station if the glass tube encounters the second processing station before encountering the first processing station. Likewise, the first processing station is considered "upstream" of the second processing station if the glass tube encounters the first processing station before encountering the second processing station.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 3, a conventional open-ended glass container 10 having a straight sidewall is schematically depicted. The conventional open-ended glass container 10 in FIG. 3 is an open-ended vial that has a cylindrical sidewall 102 that is straight, in that the cylindrical sidewall 102 has generally the same nominal diameter from any features at the first end 104 to the second end 106. The conventional open-ended glass container 10 has center axis A. For the conventional open-ended glass container in FIG. 3, the first end 104 has a standard vial bottom and the second axial end has an open axial end 108, where no flange, crimp seal, neck, shoulder, or other feature is formed at the open axial end 108. Although shown as an open straight- wall vial, the conventional open-ended glass container 10 can be other types of containers, such cartridges, blood collection tubes, test tubes, straight sidewall vials, or any other form factor having a straight side wall and an open axial end with no flanges, necks, shoulders, crimp seals, or other formed feature at the open axial end.

[0061] The open axial end 108 of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 are generally finished with a cut and glaze end finish, where the cylindrical sidewall 102 is cut off- such as through a score and break method, a heat and thermally shock method, or with a laser- at the second axial end 106 and then glazed, such as by flame polishing the second axial end 106 (i.e., heating the second axial end with a flame to soften the glass). Flame polishing the second axial end 106 generally smooths over any rough edges of the glass formed by scoring and breaking or other separation method. Referring now to FIG. 4, the cut and glaze method, which includes the flame polishing, forms a bead 20 of glass around the open axial end 108 of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10. The bead 20 is the glazed portion of the glass at the open axial end 108. An outer surface of the bead 20 may protrude radially outward fromAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 the outer surface 120 of the cylindrical sidewall 102. For instance, the bead 20 may have a maximum bead outer radius RB that is greater than the sidewall outer radius Rso of the cylindrical sidewall 102, which are both measured from the center axis A of the conventional open-ended glass container 10. Additionally, the bead radial thickness TB of the bead 20 is greater than the sidewall radial thickness Ts of the cylindrical sidewall 102.

[0062] A box of conventional open-ended glass containers, which were 10 milliliter open- ended glass vials having a length of about 3.4 inches (about 86.4 mm), an inner diameter of about 0.60 inches (about 15.24 mm), an outer diameter of 0.663 inches (16.84 mm), and sidewall thickness of 0.033 inches (0.838 mm) in the straight sidewall region, were measured to determine the maximum bead outer diameter of the bead 20 at the open axial ends 108 of the conventional open-ended glass containers, and the difference between the maximum bead outer radius RB and the sidewall outer radius Rso. Referring to FIG. 5, the difference between the maximum bead outer radius RB and the sidewall outer radius Rso of the measured conventional open-ended glass containers 10 are graphically depicted. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer surface of the bead 20 (i.e., maximum bead outer radius RB) was found to protrude radially outward from the sidewall outer radius Rso by from about 0.075 mm to 0.078 mm, which is greater than about 8% of the sidewall thickness. Referring now to FIG. 6, the maximum bead outer diameter of the measured conventional open-ended glass containers 10 is graphically depicted. As shown in FIG. 6, the maximum bead outer diameter was found to be in a range of from about 16.92 mm to about 16.98 mm, which is greater than the sidewall outer diameter of about 16.84 mm for the cylindrical sidewall 102. In some instances, the bead 20 at the axial open end 108 of the conventional open-ended glass container can have a maximum bead diameter that is greater than the sidewall outer diameter by at least about 80 pm (maximum bead outer radius RB greater than the sidewall outer radius Rso of at least about 40 pm).

[0063] The greater bead outer radius RB of the bead 20 compared to the sidewall outer radius Rso creates a local point of contact between the outer surfaces of adjacent conventional open-ended glass containers 10 at the bead 20 during glass to glass packing and during filling line processing, when the conventional glass containers are arranged side-by-side and glass-to- glass. Referring now to FIG. 7, a plurality of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 are depicted side-by-side, such as in an arrangement in which the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 are packed glass-to-glass in a box for shipping or an arrangement in which the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 are side-by-side and glass-to-glass in a queueAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 on the filling line. As shown in FIG. 7, when arranged side-by-side, the conventional open- ended glass containers 10 have a point-of-contact 22 of the outer surfaces 120 at the bead 20 proximate to the axial open end 108 of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10. In particular, at the point-of-contact 22, the outer surface 120 at the bead 20 of the conventional open-ended glass container 10 contacts the outer surface 120' at the bead 20' of the adjacent conventional open-ended glass container 10'. The point-of-contact is a small point-of-contact localized at the beads 20 of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10, when arranged side-by-side and glass-to-glass.

[0064] This localized point-of-contact 22 between the conventional open-ended glass containers 10, when arranged side-by-side and glass-to-glass, can cause damage to the conventional open-ended glass containers 10. Referring now to FIG. 8, a plurality of photographs of damaged conventional open-ended glass containers 10 removed from a shipping box are provided. The conventional open-ended glass containers 10 were packed side- by-side and glass-to-glass with the open axial ends 108 facing downward in the shipping box. The conventional open-ended glass containers 10 were packed in bricks, each of which comprising 352 of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10. The shipping box filled with bricks of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 was obtained directly from a manufacturer of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10. As shown in FIG. 8, a number of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 exhibited damage, such as chips and visible cracks, at the open axial end 108, specifically at the points-of-contact between the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 at the bead 20. In addition to the visible damage, the contact between the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 at the bead 20 may also cause non-visible surface damage, such as introducing non-visible scratches or other inclusions into the outer surface of the glass, which can compromise the strength of the conventional open- ended glass containers 10.

[0065] The damage to the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 can increase waste and reduce usable inventory of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10. It should be noted that this problem exists for other products as well, such as but not limited to open-ended straight-side vials, cartridges, test tubes, blood collection tubes, and other types of straight side glass containers having an open axial end.

[0066] In some cases, the problems with the localized point-of-contact 22 between the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 have been solved by using divided packaging toAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 separate and segregate each of the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 from each other. The divided packaging keeps the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 from contacting each other, thus, preventing damage. However, this type of packaging is more expensive and results in a lower packing density (i.e ., smaller number of the conventional open- ended glass containers 10 per shipping box). Futher, even with the use of divided packaging, the conventional open-ended glass containers 10 can still experience damage during filling, such as through bead-to-bead contact when in the queue of the filling process.

[0067] Thus, there is an ongoing need for open-ended glass containers that are designed to avoid localized points of contact that lead to damage to the open-ended glass containers. The present disclosure solves these problems in the art by disclosing glass containers that are open- ended and have end regions in which the end finish is shaped so that the outer surface of the glass at the open axial end of the glass container is radially inward relative to the outer surface of the straight sidewall region. Shaping the end finish in the end region so that the outer surface in the end region is disposed radially inward relative to the outer surface of the straight sidewall region eliminates the single point-of-contact between the glass containers. Instead of point contact, the glass containers of the present disclosure contact each other along a line of contact at the straight sidewall region, which extends the majority of the length of the glass container.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 9, one embodiment of the glass containers 100 disclosed herein is shown in cross-section alongside a conventional open-ended glass container 10, previously described. As shown in FIG. 9, the conventional open-ended glass container 10 has the outer surface 120 at the bead 20 protruding radially outward relative to the outer surface 120 in the straight sidewall region, which results in the maximum bead outer radius RB being greater than the sidewall outer radius Rso. This results in the glass-to-glass point-of-contact at the beads 20 of adjacent conventional open-ended glass containers 10.

[0069] The glass containers 100 disclosed herein have the straight sidewall region 110 and the end region 112 disposed between the straight sidewall region 110 and the open axial end 108. In contrast to the conventional open-ended glass container 10, the glass containers 100 disclosed herein have the end region 112 that is shaped so that the outer surface 120 of the glass container 100 in the end region 112 is disposed radially inward relative to the outer surface 120 of the glass container 100 in the straight sidewall region 110.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 10, a plurality of the glass containers 100 according to the present disclosure are schematically depicted in a side-by-side and glass-to-glass arrangement.Attorney Docket No.:SP24-258As shown in FIG. 10, when arranged side-by-side and glass-to-glass, the glass containers 100 having the outer surface 120 in the end region 112 disposed radially inward eliminates the single point-of-contact between adjacent glass containers 100. Instead, the glass containers 100 contact each other along a line of contact 130 in the straight sidewall regions 110. Compared to a single point-of-contact, the line of contact 130 distributes any forces exerted between adjacent glass containers 100 over a larger area, which reduces localized forces and reduces the chances of chips and other breakage.

[0071] The glass containers 100 disclosed herein may reduce or prevent chipping and breakage of the glass containers 100 during shipping and during contact between the glass containers 100 during the fdling process, compared to conventional open-ended glass containers 10. The glass containers 100 may also reduce or prevent degradation in the strength of the glass containers 100 caused by surface damage to the outer surface 120 of the glass containers 100, compared to the conventional open-ended glass containers 10. The glass containers 100 may enable greater packing density of the glass containers 100 during shipping compared to the conventional open-ended glass containers 10, when packed with segregating packaging materials and when packed glass-to-glass.

[0072] Referring again to FIG. 1, the glass containers 100 disclosed herein are open-ended glass containers, such as but not limited to straight-side vials, cartridges, test tubes, blood collection tubes, and other types of straight side glass containers having an open axial end. The glass containers 100 have the cylindrical sidewall 102 extending between the first axial end 104 and the second axial end 106. The glass containers 100 have center axis A, from which all radial distances are determined. The first axial end 104 may have one or more features formed at the end of the glass container 100. These features at the first axial end 104 may include but are not limited to a bottom, shoulders, necks, flanges, or other features. For example, straightside vials, test tubes, and blood collection tubes may have a bottom formed at the first axial end 104, and cartirdges may have a shoulder, neck and flange formed at the first axial end 104. In embodiments, the first axial end 104 may be an open axial end 108. In other words, in embodiments, the first axial end 104 may not have any features other than the open axial end 108 and the end region 112.

[0073] The glass container 100 may have at least one open axial end 108, which may be disposed at the second axial end 106 or at the first axial end 104 and the second axial end 106. The open axial end 108 provides an opening to the internal volume of the glass container 100Attorney Docket No.:SP24-258 and is characterized by an inner diameter that is within about 90% of the inner diameter of the cylindrical sidewall 102 (i.e., the inner diameter of the glass tube used to make the glass containers 100), such as within about 95%, or even within about 97% of the inner diameter of the cylindrical sidewall 102. The glass containers 100 are described herein in the context of the open axial end 108 being at the second axial end 106. However, the glass containers 100 are not intended to be limited to a single open axial end 108, and the first axial end 104 could also be an open axial end 108 having the end regions 112 shaped as disclosed herein.

[0074] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cylindrical sidewall 102 of the glass container 100 has the straight sidewall region 110 and the end region 112 extending in an axial direction (i.e., in the -Z direction of the coordinate axis of FIGS. 1 and 2) from the open axial end 108. The straight sidewall region 110 has a sidewall outer radius Rso and a sidewall radial thickness Ts, both of which may be generally constant with respect to the axial direction (i.e., constant in the + / -Z direction of the coordinate axis in the figures, with minor variations within acceptable tolerances for tube outer radius and glass thickness) in the straight sidewall region 110. In other words, the straight sidewall region 110 of the glass container 100 is the region of the glass container 100 in which the sidewall outer radius Rso and the sidewall radial thickness Ts are generally constant with respect to the axial direction. The thicknesses herein (e.g., Ts, TE, TB, etc.) refer to the radial distance between the outer surface 120 and the inner surface 122 at a single point or as an average over all points around the circumference of the glass container 100 at a given axial location (i.e., specific point on the + / -Z coordinate axis of the figures).

[0075] The straight sidewall region 110 may extend axially for a majority of the length L of the glass container, such as greater than 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%, greater than 80%, or even greater than 90% of the length L of the glass container 100. In embodiments, the straight sidewall region 110 may have an axial length that is greater than or equal to 10 times, greater than or equal to 15 times, or greater than or equal to 20 times an axial length of the end region 112. The axial length of the straight sidewall region 110 may depend on the volume and diameter of the glass container 100 and is not particularly limited to specific values. The straight sidewall region 110 extends circumferentially around the circumference of the cylindrical sidewall 102.

[0076] The straight sidewall region 110 may have a thickness suitable for the glass containers 100 to be used for pharmaceutical containers, such as thickness suitable for meetingAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 strength specifications for pharmaceutical containers. In embodiments, the straight side wall regions may have a thickness that is from about 0.2 mm to about 6 mm, such as from about 0.2 mm to about 3 mm, from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.2 mm to about 1.2 mm, from about 0.2 mm to about 1.1 mm, from 0.5 mm to 6 mm, from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.5 mm to about 1.2 mm, from about 0.5 mm to about 1.1 mm, from about 0.7 mm to about 6 mm, from about 0.7 mm to about 3 mm, from about 0.7 mm to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.7 mm to about 1.2 mm, from about 0.7 mm to about 1.1 mm, from about 0.8 mm to about 6 mm, from about 0.8 mm to about 3 mm, from about 0.8 mm to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.8 mm to about 1.2 mm, from about 0.8 mm to about 1.1 mm, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0077] Referring again to FIG. 2, the end region 112 may be disposed at the open axial end 108. The end region 112 may extend from the open axial end 108 to the straight sidewall region 110 and all the way around the circumference of the open axial end 108. Thus, the end region 112 is disposed between the straight sidewall region 110 and the open axial end 108. The end region 112 may comprise the end finish of the glass container 100 at the open axial end 108. The end region 112 may start at a point on the cylindrical sidewall 102 where the radial thickness, the outer radius, the inner radius, or any combination thereof deviates from the corresponding values of the straight sidewall region 110 by an amount greater than the normal manufacturing tolerances for the glass tube from which the glass containers 100 are made, such as a deviation in thickness, inner radius, outer radius, or combinations thereof of greater than or equal to one standard deviation from the average value.

[0078] The end region 112 may extend axially from the open axial end 108 for an axial length of greater than or equal to about 1 times the side wall radial thickness Ts, such as greater than or equal to about 2 times the sidewall radial thickness Ts, or from 1 to 4 times the sidewall radial thickness Ts. In embodiments, the axial length of the end region 112 may be less than or equal to about 6 mm, less than or equal to about 3 mm, from about 0.5 mm to about 6 mm, from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, from about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, from about 0.7 mm to about 6 mm, from about 0.7 mm to about 3 mm, from about 0.7 mm to about 2 mm, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0079] As previously discussed, the end region 112 of the cylindrical sidewall 102 has a maximum value of the end region outer radius REO that is less than or equal to the sidewall outer radius Rso. In embodiments, the end region outer radius REO is less than or equal to theAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 sidewall outer radius Rso at all points in the end region 112. In embodiments, an absolute value of a difference between the sidewall outer radius Rso of the straight sidewall region 110 and the maximum value of the end region outer radius REO of the end region 112 is less than or equal to the sidewall radial thickness Ts of the straight sidewall region 110, according to the relationship provided in Equation 1 (EQU. 1).\ (RSO- REI) \ < TSEQU. 1

[0080] In embodiments, an absolute value of the difference between the sidewall outer radius Rso and the end region outer radius REO of the glass container 100 at any point in the end region 112 is less than or equal to about 500 micrometers (pm), less than or equal to about 400 pm, less than or equal to about 300 pm, or even less than or equal to about 200 pm, or any range or subrange therebetween. In embodiments, the absolute value of the difference between the sidewall outer radius Rso and the end region outer radius REO of the glass container 100 at any point in the end region 112 may be from 0 pm (zero pm) to about 500 pm, from 0 pm to 400 pm, from 0 pm to about 300 pm, from 0 pm to about 200 pm, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0081] Referring again to FIG. 2, the end region 112 may have an end region radial thickness TE, which may be measured radially between the outer suface 120 and the inner surface 122 in the end region 112. The end region radial thickness TE may be different from the sidewall radial thickness Ts in the straight sidewall region 110. The end region radial thickness TE may vary through the end region 112. In embodimetns, an absolute value of a difference between the end region radial thickness TE at any point in the end region 112 and the sidewall radial thickness Ts of the straight sidewall region 110 (i.e., |(TE-TS)|) may be less than or equal to about 200 pm, less than or equal to about 100 pm, or less than or equal to 50 pm, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0082] In no part of the end region 112 of the glass containers 100 disclosed herein does any part of the outer surface 120 extend radially outward to a radius greater than the sidewall outer radius Rs. Referring again to FIG. 2, an axial line 140 may be drawn parallel to the center axis A of the glass container 100 and congruent with the outer surface 120 of the straight sidewall region 110. The axial line 140 does not pass through any portion of the glass container 100 in the end region 112. In embodiments, no part of the glass container 100 extends radially outward beyond the axial line 140 at any point around the circumference of the glass container 100. Referring again to FIG. 4, for comparison, in the conventional open-ended glass containerAttorney Docket No.:SP24-25810 having the end finish comprising the bead 20, the axial line 140 passes through a portion of the glass in the bead 20 at the open axial end 108 of the conventional open-ended glass container 10, which leads to the single point-of-contact 22 between the conventional open- ended glass containers 10 shown in FIG. 7.

[0083] Referring now to FIGS. 11, in embodiments, the end finish in the end region 112 of the glass containers 100 disclosed herein may be pushed inward so that the outer surface 120 in the end region 112 tapers radially inward from the straight sidewall region 110 to the open axial end 108. The end region 112 may be pushed radially inward through heating alone or through heating and then contacting the outer surface 120 in the end region 112 with an outer forming tool (e.g., forming wheel). In embodiments, the outer surface 120 in the end region 112 may taper radially inward from a first outer radius Ri to a second outer radius Rz, which is less than the first outer radius Ri, wherein the first outer radius Ri is equal to the sidewall outer radius Rso. An absolute value of the difference between the first outer radius Ri and the second outer radius R2 (i.e ., (R1-R2)) may be less than or equal to about 500 pm, such as less than or equal to about 400 pm, less than or equal to about 300 pm, less than or equal to about 200 pm, less than or equal to about 100 pm, or even less than or equal to about 50 pm, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0084] Referring now to FIG. 12, in embodiments, the end region 112 may be tapered radially inward from the straight sidewall region 110 so that the outer surface 120 of the end region 112 forms an angle a with the outer surface 120 in the straight sidewall region 110. The angle a may be defined by the axial line 140 and the line 142. As previously discussed, the axial line 140 is a line that is parallel to the center axis A of the glass container 100 and congruent with the outer surface 120 in the straight sidewall region 110. The line 142 is a line that is congruent with a portion of the outer surface 120 in the end region 112 and also intersects the axial line 140 and the center axis A of the glass container 100. In embodiments, the angle a may be greater than zero degrees and less than or equal to about 30 degrees, such as from about 1 degree to about 30 degrees, from greater than 0 degrees to about 10 degrees, from greater than 0 degrees to about 5 degrees, from about 1 degrees to about 10 degrees, from about 1 degree to about 5 degrees, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0085] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, in embodiments, the end region 112 may be offset radially inward relative to the straight sidewall region 110. In the offset embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the end region 112 may have a more defined geometry, which mayAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 allow for greater control over the end region inner radius REI and end region outer radius REO. The offset geometry of the end region 112 may be formed by heating, contacting the inner surface 122 of the end region with an inner forming tool (e.g., a mandrel or pin tool inserted into the open axial end 108), and simultaneously contacting the outer surface 120 of the end region 112 with one or more outer forming tools (e.g., forming wheels).

[0086] Referring to FIG. 13, the outer surface 120 of the end region 112 may be offset radially inward from the outer surface 120 in the straight sidewall region 110. The outer surface 120 may transition from the sidewall outer radius Rso in the straight sidewall region 110 to the end region outer radius REO in the offset portion of the end region 112. Referring to FIG. 14, the end region 112 may include a transition region 114 in which the outer radius of the outer surface 120 transitions from the sidewall outer radius Rso in the straight sidewall region 110 to the end region outer radius REO. In embodiments, an offset portion 116 of the end region 112 may be disposed between the transition region 114 and the open axial end 108. In the offset portion 116 of the end region 112, the outer surface 120 may be cylindrical having an end region outer radius REO less than the sidewall outer radius Rso.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the axial line 140 (as previously defined) and an offset outer axial line 150 may be parallel and separated by a gap Go. The offset outer axial line 150 is a line that is parallel with the center axis A of the glass container 100, is congruent with the outer surface 120 in the offset portion 116 of the end region 112, and intersects a radial line that also intersects the center axis A and the axial line 140. The gap Go between the axial line 140 and the offset outer axial line 150 may be greater than zero and less than or equal to about 500 pm, such as greater than zero and less than or equal to about 400 pm, greater than zero and less than or equal to about 300 pm, greater than zero and less than or equal to about 200 pm, greater than zero and less than or equal to about 100 pm, greater than zero and less than or equal to about 50 pm, from about 1 pm to about 500 pm, from about 1 pm to about 400 pm, from about 1 pm to about 300 pm, from about 1 pm to about 200 pm, from about 1 pm to about 200 pm, or from about 1 pm to about 50 pm, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0088] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner surface 122 of the glass container 100 may be constrained by the ability to insert a stopper and / or a plunger (not shown) into the open axial end 108 of the glass container 100 while still being able to maintain a seal between the inner surface 122 and the stopper / plunger. Therefore, the end region 112 of the glass container 100 is shaped in a manner such that the glass container 100 maintains the ability to receive aAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 stopper and / or plunger into the open axial end 108. The end region 112 may be shaped so that an end region inner radius REI is large enough for the open axial end 108 of the glass container 100 to receive a stopper and / or plunger without compromising the integrity of the seal between the stopper and / or plunger and the inner surface 122 of the glass container 100. An absolute value of a difference between the sidewall inner radius Rsi of the straight side wall region 110 and an end region inner radius REI of the glass container 100 at any point in the end region 112 is less than or equal to about 100 pm, such as less than or equal to about about 50 pm, from 0 (zero) pm to 100 pm, or even from 0 pm to about 50 pm, or any range or subrange therebetween. In embodiments, the end region inner radius REI may be less than or equal to the sidewall inner radius Rsi.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 2, in embodiments, the inner surface 122 in the end region 112 may have a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape of the inner surface 122 in the end region 112 may be formed by inserting an inner forming tool into the open axial end 108 of the glass container 100 (e.g., a mandrel, pin tool, or other type of inner forming tool inserted into the open axial end 108) while simultaneiously heating and contacting the outer surface 120 of the end region 112 with one or more outer forming tools (e.g., forming wheels). The inner surface 122 of the end region 112 may have a cylindrical shape having an end region inner radius REI less than or equal to the sidewall inner radius Rsi.

[0090] Referring now to FIG. 11, in embodiments, the inner surface 122 in the end region 112 may taper radially inward from the inner surface 122 in the straight sidewall region 110 to the open axial end 108. In embodiments, the end region inner radius REI of the inner surface 122 in the end region 112 may start at a maximum value equal to the sidewall inner radius Rsi and may decrease with decreasing distance to the open axial end 108 of the glass container 100. Referring now to FIG. 12, in embodiments, the end region 112 may be tapered radially inward from the straight sidewall region 110 so that the inner surface 122 of the end region 112 forms an angle 0 with the inner surface 120 in the straight sidewall region 110. The angle 0 may be defined as the acute angle formed by an inner axial line 144 and a line 146. The inner axial line 144 is a line that is parallel to the center axis A of the glass container 100 and congruent with the inner surface 122 in the straight sidewall region 110. The line 146 is a line that is congruent with a portion of the inner surface 122 in the end region 112 and also intersects the inner axial line 144 and the center axis A of the glass container 100. In embodiments, the angle 0 may be greater than zero degrees and less than or equal to about 30 degrees, such as from about 1 degree to about 30 degrees, from greater than 0 degrees to about 10 degrees, from greater thanAttorney Docket No.:SP24-2580 degrees to about 5 degrees, from about 1 degrees to about 10 degrees, from about 1 degree to about 5 degrees, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0091] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the inner surface 122 of the end region 112 may also be offset radially inward from the inner surface 122 in the straight sidewall region 110. The inner surface 122 may transition from the sidewall inner radius Rsi in the straight sidewall region 110 to the end region inner radius REI in the offset portion of the end region 112. Referring again to FIG. 14, in the transition region 114, the inner radius of the inner surface 122 may transition from the sidewall inner radius Rsi in the straight sidewall region 110 to the end region inner radius REL In embodiments, in the offset portion 116 of the end region 112, the inner surface 122 may be cylindrical and may have an end region inner radius REI less than or equal to the side wall inner radius Rsi.

[0092] Referring again to FIGS. 13 and 14, the inner axial line 144 (as previously defined) and an offset inner axial line 152 may be parallel and separated by a gap Gi. The offset inner axial line 152 is a line that is parallel with the center axis A of the glass container 100, is congruent with the inner surface 122 in the offset portion 116 of the end region 112, and intersects a radial line that intersects the center axis A and the inner axial line 144. The gap Gi between the inner axial line 144 and the offset inner axial line 152 may be from 0 (zero) pm to about 100 pm, such as from 0 pm to about 80 pm, from 0 pm to about 50 pm, from 0 pm to about 40 pm, from 0 pm to about 30 pm, from 0 pm to about 20 pm, from 0 pm to about 10 pm, from about 1 pm to about 100 pm, from about 1 pm to about 80 pm, from about 1 pm to about 50 pm, from about 1 pm to about 40 pm, from about 1 pm to about 30 pm, or from about 1 pm to about 20 pm, or even from about 1 pm to about 10 pm, or any range or subrange therebetween.

[0093] As previously discussed, the glass containers 100 of the present disclosure may be made by methods that include heating the end region 112 of the glass container 100 at the open axial end 108 or heating the end region 112 and then contacting at least the outer surface 120 in the end region 112 with one or more forming tools, such as at least one outer forming tool. The heating or heating and contacting with the forming tools may cause soften the glass at the end region 112 of the glass container 100 and deform the softened glass radially inward so that the outer surface 120 of the glass container 100 in the end region 112 is disposed radially inward relative to the outer surface 120 in the straight sidewall region 110. The methods may also include inserting an inner forming tool into the open axial end 108 of the glass containerAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258100 while simultaneously heating and contacting the outer surface 120 in the end region 112 with the outer forming tool(s).

[0094] In embodiments, the methods for forming the glass containers 100 disclosed herein may include forming the glass container 100 comprising an open end at the second axial end 106 and the straight sidewall region 110 between the first axial end 104 and the second axial end 106. The methods may further comprise forming the end region 112 at the second axial end 106. As previously discussed, the end region 112 extends axially from the second axial end 106 for an axial length of from about 1 to about 4 times the sidewall radial thickness Ts of the straight sidewall region 110. The maximum value of the end region outer radius REO of the glass container 100 in the end region 112 is less than or equal to the sidewall outer radius Rso of the straight sidewall region 110. The difference between the sidewall radial thickness Ts of the straight sidewall region 110 and an average radial thickness of the end region 110 (i.e., the average of the end region thickness TE) may be less than or equal to about 200 micrometers. In embodiments, the end region 112 may be formed at both the first axial end 104 and the second axial end 106.

[0095] In embodiments, forming the end region 112 of the glass container 100 may include heating the second axial end 106 of the glass container 100, such as by exposing the second axial end 106 to a burner or other heating device. In embodiments, the burner or other heating device may be positioned so that heating the second axial end 106 with the burner may be sufficient to deform the glass at the second axial end 106 in a direction radially inward to form the end region 112 with the outer surface 120 disposed radially inward of the outer surface 120 in the straight side wall region 110.

[0096] In embodiments, forming the end region 112 at the second axial end 106 of the glass container 100 may include rotating the glass container 100 and, while rotating the glass container 100, heating the second axial end 106 of the glass container 100 and contacting the outer surface 120 of the glass container 100 with at least one outer forming tool proximate the second axial end 106 of the glass container 100. The heating and contacting the outer surface 120 of the glass container 100 with the at least one outer forming tool deforms heated glass at the second axial end 106 radially inward to form the end region 112. The methods may further include inserting an inner forming tool into the second axial end 106 of the glass container 100 and contacting the outer surface 120 of the glass container 100 at the second axial end 106 with at least one outer forming tool while the inner forming tool is inserted into the second axialAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 end, wherein the inner forming tool contacts the inner surface 122 of the glass container 100 at the second axial end 106 and restricts inward deformation of the inner surface 122 of the glass container 100 at the second axial end 106 during contact of the outer surface 120 with the at least one outer forming tool. The use of the inner forming tool may shape the inner surface 122 to have a cylindrical shape, or any other desired shape, in the end region 112.

[0097] In embodiments, outer forming tool(s) may be configured to produce an end region 112 in which the outer surface 120 tapers radially inward. In embodiments, the outer forming tools(s) may have an angled contact surface, such as a conical contact surface. In embodiments, the outer forming tool(s) may be cylindrical tool(s) and wherein contacting the outer surface 120 of the glass container 100 with the at least one outer forming tool produces the end region 112 in which the outer surface 120 in the end region 112 is offset radially inward from the outer surface 120 of the straight sidewall region 110.

[0098] In embodiments, the methods disclosed herein may further include forming at least one feature of the glass container 100 at a working end of a length of glass tube and separating the glass container 100 from the length of the glass tube, wherein the glass container 100 comprises the at least one feature at the first axial end 104, and the open axial end 108 at the second axial end 106. Forming the end region 112 of the glass container 100 at the first axial end 104, the second axial end 106, or both may be performed before or after separating the glass container 100 from the length of the glass tube. In embodiments, separating the glass container 100 from the length of the glass tube may comprise heating an outer surface of the glass tube at a position corresponding to the second axial end 106 of the glass container 100, and thermally shocking the outer surface of the glass tube at the position, wherein the thermal shocking causes separation of the glass container 100 from the length of the glass tube at the second axial end 106 of the glass container 100.

[0099] In embodiments, separating the glass container 100 from the length of the glass tube may further include scoring the outer surface of the glass tube at the position corresponding to the second axial end 106 of the glass container 100, wherein the scoring may be performed prior to heating the outer surface of the glass tube at the position and then shocking. In embodiments, thermally shocking the outer surface of the glass tube at the position corresponding to the second axial end 106 of the glass container 100 may include contacting the outer surface with a cooled tool, a cooling fluid, or combination thereof at the position. Other methods of thermally shocking the glass tube at the position to separate the glassAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 container 100 from the length of glass tubing are contemplated. Separation by heating followed by thermal shocking or by scoring, heating and then thermal shocking may produce the open axial end 108 at the second axial end 106 of the glass container 100. Other separation methods may be used to separate the glass container 100 from the length of glass tubing to produce an open axial end 108 of the glass container 100 at the first axial end 104, the second axial end 106, or both.

[0100] The glass containers 100 may be made using a converting machine configured to produce a plurality of the glass containers 100 from a length of glass tube. The converting machines generally have a plurality of processing stations, such as heating stations, forming stations, separating stations, measuring stations, cooling stations, and / or other types of processing stations, which are arranged in series to progressively form and separate the glass containers 110 from the length of glass tube. The converting machines typically reform long lengths of glass tubing into the plurality of glass containers 100 using steps that include, but are not limited to, heating, tool forming (rotating or stationary tools), separation (e.g., score and shock cut-off steps, thermal separation, laser separation, and the like), piercing, cooling, measuring, or other processing steps. Thus, the glass containers 100 produced through a converting process conducted on a converting machine are subjected to a series of heating elements and forming tools to shape the glass tube to specific shapes and dimensions and separate a formed glass article from the working end of the glass tube. Any of the method steps in the methods disclosed herein may be conducted using one or a plurality of the processing stations of a converting machine, such as but not limited to one or more heating stations, one or more forming stations, separating stations, or combinations thereof.

[0101] Further discussion of the operation of a converting machine to make a plurality of glass containers from lengths of glass tubing can be found in U.S. Patent No. 10,773,989, granted September 15, 2020, and entitled "Systems and Methods for Measuring the Temperature of Glass During Tube Conversion," the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. Discussion of operation of converting machines can also be found in U.S. Patent No. 10,968, 133, entitled "Methods for minimizing SHR in glass articles by producing a gas flow during pharmaceutical part converting," granted April 6, 2021; U.S. Patent No. 12,006,244, entitled "Methods to Control Thermal Variation During Tube Consumption in Glass Tube Converting," issued on June 11, 2024; and U.S. Patent No. 12,060,295, entitled "Converter Systems and Methods for Controlling Operation of Glass Tube ConvertingAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258Processes", issued on August 13, 2024, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0102] Examples of converters 100 for converting lengths of glass tubing into the glass containers 100 disclosed herein can include but are not limited to the the Zeta 103 Cartridge Forming Machine manufactured by Euromatic S.R.L., which is a converter for converting glass tube into glass cartridges, converting machines manufactured by AMBEG Dr. J. Dichter GmbH, or any other commercially-available converting machine having a plurality of processing stations for converting lengths of glass tubing into a plurality of the glass containers 100.

[0103] While various embodiments of the glass containers 100 and methods of making the glass containers 100 have been described herein, it should be understood that it is contemplated that each of these embodiments and techniques may be used separately or in conjunction with one or more embodiments and techniques.

[0104] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein provided such modification and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

Attorney Docket No.:SP24-258What is claimed is:Claims1. A glass container comprising a cylindrical sidewall having at least one open axial end, wherein: the cylindrical sidewall has a straight sidewall region and an end region extending in an axial direction from the at least one open axial end; the straight sidewall region has a sidewall outer radius and a sidewall radial thickness that are both constant with respect to the axial direction; the end region extends axially from the open axial end for an axial length of from about 1 to about 4 times the sidewall radial thickness; a maximum outer radius of the glass container in the end region is less than or equal to the sidewall outer radius; and an absolute value of a difference between the sidewall radial thickness of the straight sidewall region and an average radial thickness of the end region is less than or equal to about 200 micrometers (pm).

2. The glass container of claim 1, wherein an absolute value of a difference between the sidewall outer radius of the straight sidewall region and the maximum outer radius of the end region is less than or equal to the sidewall radial thickness of the straight sidewall region.

3. The glass container of claim 1 , wherein the axial length of the end region is less than or equal to about 3 mm.

4. The glass container of claim 1, wherein the straight sidewall region has an axial length greater than or equal to 10 times the axial length of the end region.

5. The glass container of claim 1, wherein a difference between the sidewall outer radius and an outer radius of the glass container at any point in the end region is less than or equal to 500 pm.Attorney Docket No.:SP24-2586. The glass container of claim 1, wherein an absolute value of a difference between a sidewall inner radius of the straight sidewall region and an inner radius of the glass container at any point in the end region is less than or equal to about 100 pm.

7. The glass container of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the end region tapers radially inward from a first outer radius to a second outer radius less than the first outer radius, wherein the first outer radius is equal to the sidewall outer radius.

8. The glass container of claim 7, wherein an absolute value of a difference between the first outer radius and the second outer radius is less than or equal to about 500 micrometers.

9. The glass container of claim 7, wherein at each angular position, the outer surface of the end region forms an angle with an outer surface of the straight side wall region, wherein the angle is greater than zero degrees and less than or equal to 30 degrees.

10. The glass container of claim 7, wherein an inner surface of the end region has a cylindrical shape.

11. The glass container of claim 7, wherein an inner surface of the end region tapers inward from an inner surface of the straight sidewall region.

12. The glass container of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the end region is offset radially inward from an outer surface of the straight sidewall region.

13. The glass container of claim 12, wherein the outer surface in at least a portion of the end region is cylindrical.

14. The glass container of claim 13, wherein an inner surface in the at least a portion of the end region is cylindrical.

15. The glass container of claim 1, wherein the glass container is a cartridge, a blood collection tube, a test tube, or a straight-wall vial.Attorney Docket No.:SP24-25816. The glass container of claim 1, wherein an axial line is parallel to a center axis of the glass container and congruent with an outer surface of the straight sidewall region, wherein the axial line does not pass through or intersect any portion of the glass container in the end region.

17. The glass container of claim 1, comprising an axial line parallel to a center axis of the glass container and congruent with an outer surface of the straight sidewall region, wherein no part of the glass container extends radially outward beyond the axial line.

18. A method for forming a glass container, the method comprising: forming the glass container comprising a first axial end, a second axial end, and a straight sidewall region between the first axial end and the second axial end, wherein at least the second axial end is an open axial end; and forming an end region at the second axial end of the glass container, wherein: the end region extends axially from the second axial end for an axial length of from about 1 to about 4 times a sidewall radial thickness of the straight sidewall region; a maximum outer radius of the glass container in the end region is less than or equal to a sidewall outer radius of the straight sidewall region; and a difference between the sidewall radial thickness of the straight sidewall region and an average radial thickness of the end region is less than or equal to about 200 micrometers (pm).

19. The method of claim 18, wherein forming the end region at the second axial end of the glass container comprises rotating the glass container, and while rotating the glass container, heating the second axial end of the glass container and contacting an outer surface of the glass container with at least one outer forming tool proximate the second axial end of the glass container, wherein the heating and contacting the outer surface of the glass container with the at least one outer forming tool deforms heated glass at the second axial end radially inward to form the end region.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising inserting an inner forming tool into the second axial end of the glass container and contacting the outer surface of the glass container with at least one forming tool with the inner forming tool inserted into the second axial end, wherein the inner forming tool contacts an inner surface of the glass container at the secondAttorney Docket No.:SP24-258 axial end and restricts inward deformation of the inner surface of the glass container at the second axial end during contact of the outer surface with the at least one outer forming tool.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one outer forming tool is configured to produce the end region in which the outer surface tapers radially inward.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one outer forming tool comprises a cylindrical tool and wherein contacting the outer surface of the glass container with the at least one outer forming tool produces the end region in which the outer surface in the end region is offset radially inward from the outer surface in the straight sidewall region.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising: forming at least one feature of the glass container at a working end of a length of glass tubing; and separating the glass container from the length of glass tubing, wherein the glass container comprises the at least one feature at the first axial end, and the open axial end at the second axial end.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein separating the glass container from the length of glass tubing comprises heating an outer surface of the length of glass tubing at a position corresponding to the second end of the glass container, and thermally shocking the outer surface of the length of glass tubing at the position, wherein the thermal shocking causes separation of the glass container from the length of glass tubing at the second axial end of the glass container.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising scoring the outer surface of the length glass tubing at the position prior to heating the outer surface at the position.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein thermally shocking the outer surface of the glass tube at the position comprises contacting the outer surface with a cooled tool, a cooling fluid, or combination thereof at the position.

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