DD210006A5 - VERPACKUNGSROEHRCHEN - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging tube with a stopper made of an elastic material, in particular for a tampon for the medical diagnosis of pathological changes in humans and animals, e.g. in female cavities, preferably in the vagina. The invention has the goal to ensure a simple cost-effective production and reliable use, while their task is to provide that a simple structure is provided, which protects the tampon safely and permanently, the Impraegnieren facilitated with a Wirstoff and optimal utilization of Occupancy area in the freeze dryer secures. The packaging tube has the peculiarity that the outside diameter of the longitudinal section adjoining the opening of the packaging tube is dimensioned smaller than the outside diameter of the remaining section of the length.

Description

62,741

AP B65D / 253 858/0

16/11/83

Yerpackungsröhrchen of metal with a sealing plug made of elastic material

Field of application of the invention

The invention relates to a packaging Röhrhen of metal with a stopper made of an elastic material, in particular for a tampon for the medical diagnosis of pathological changes in humans and animals, eg. B "in female body cavities, preferably in the vagina, with a stopper and with an outside diameter which is smaller in the length adjoining the opening of the packaging tube than in the remaining length ·

Characteristic of the known technical solutions

Packing tubes made of metal old an elastic closure pot s are known. They are used to packaging very different goods. The metal gives such tubes a relatively high mechanical stability, which is why the tubes are suitable for packaging, in particular, shock and pressure sensitive articles or products, such as a pharmaceutical in tablet form.

Bs are also known tampons, the z. B. intended for S'rauenhygiene or for medical purposes. Below are special, z. 3. Tampons consisting of cotton and / or cellulose fibers, which are coated or impregnated with one or more chemical agents for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

• *

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Since these agents often, for. For example, when diagnoses have to respond to very small changes in the material, for example in a human body cavity, they are often themselves very sensitive substances. It is therefore necessary to protect these substances or the carrier materials provided therewith, for example with tampons soaked with a diagnostic agent, from the time of their manufacture until their use against harmful environmental influences such as atmospheric oxygen, atmospheric moisture and high-energy light. In this case, "high-energy light" means such light, including UV light, which is more energy-rich than Eotlicht. These requirements must therefore satisfy the packaging chosen for the tampon »

Since diagnostic and therapeutic tampons must be kept clean until they are used, ... in order not to trigger any disturbing lifting reactions, the tampons are usually inserted into tampon applicators already at or immediately after their production. These allow insertion of a tampon into a body cavity without contaminating the tampon with the fingers. "

It is therefore desirable to size packaging tubes for tampons of the stated type such that an applicator containing a tampon can be packaged therein.

Bs are certain active ingredients that are only broad. Exclusion of water, z. 3 * with a moisture content of less than 1%, stable over several months or years. Tampons containing such active ingredients must therefore be dried very well before closing the packaging tube. One possibility for this is freeze-drying. "

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To prepare for this, the tampon-containing applicator is placed in the vertically positioned packaging tube such that the insertion end of the tampon faces the opening of the packaging tube, compartment placing a drug solution on the tampon, partially closing the packaging tube with a stopper, is placed in a freeze-drying apparatus and dried with its contents.

As a holding device for a plurality of packaging tubes in the freeze-drying apparatus, an aluminum block has hitherto been used, in the surface of which holes are provided at certain intervals, into each of which a packaging tube can be placed. In this way, the vertically placed packaging tube is secured against falling over and retains this position in the freeze-drying device.

But since the. usual packaging tube over the greater part of its length have a uniform outer diameter and a protruding bead at its opening so even the handle edge of the patch plug sometimes protrudes beyond the flanged edge, previously had between the individual packaging tube in the aluminum. Unblock always a be kept a certain distance, if all tubes should be vertical. In addition, it is not possible to set the holes for the packaging tube as close together as possible in the aluminum block. The result is that the predetermined occupation area in the freeze-drying plant can not be optimally utilized with the packaging tubes. In addition, the production of said aluminum blocks is expensive and their handling cumbersome.

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16/11/83

Object of the invention

Thus, the object of the invention is to provide a packaging tube which is simple, and inexpensive to manufacture, as reliable in use.

Presentation of the nature of. invention

The invention is based on the object, a packaging * tube made of metal with a Yerschlußstopfen of an elastic material, in particular for a tampon for the medical diagnosis of pathological changes in humans and fours, in female body cavities, preferably in the vagina To create, which is simple in construction, the · packed therein tampons, which are preferably in an applicator, are safe, and permanently protected from air, especially from humidity, and from light, facilitates the preparation of the tampon with an active ingredient and that the working surface available for the production of the packaged tampons, in particular the covering surface in a freeze-drying device, is optimally utilized, that more packaging tubes per unit area can be dried.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the remaining length siGh extends from the bottom to about three quarters of the length of the packaging tube, the inside diameter of the length adjoining the opening is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the product to be packaged and the plug is circumferentially its end facing the packaging tube has at least one recess *

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Advantageously, a length section with a conical transition from the length dimension of larger outer diameter to the length section of smaller outer diameter is provided.

The larger outer diameter in the remaining length of the packaging tube makes it possible to juxtapose a plurality of such tubes without the use of an aluminum block without leaving an unused space between adjacent tubes. In this way the throughput of the freeze dryer etrsa can be doubled »

Furthermore, it is achieved that the Verpaokungsröhrchen touch each other over a larger length section. This results in good heat transfer between the tubes, which is important for the uniformity of the quality of the tube contents, and even temperature control is crucial for this.

Another advantage is that the reduced outer diameter (corresponding to a reduced inner diameter) of the packaging tube in the length portion adjoining the opening of the tube shortens the path of heat transfer from the tampon to the wall of the tube. The result is shorter cooling and drying times.

The reduced outer diameter also causes an inserted into the packaging tube tampon applicator z. B. consists of a Sinführhülse and a telescopically displaceable ejection sleeve therein, in the region of the opening of the packaging sleeve centered mird, d, h. a small radial clearance relative to the inner wall of the tube

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has thereby substantially increased the operational safety when an active ingredient solution is sprayed onto the insertion end of a tampon by means of an automatic device, which is arranged in the applicator in the packaging tube. _e

Characterized in that the outer diameter from the bottom to about three quarters of VerpaokungsröhrGhen is greater than at the opening, receives the Verpaokungsröhrchen a bottle-like appearance · It is particularly favorable that such packaging tubes touch over a large length section, if they close to each other * Thus, in the freeze-drying device, a good heat transfer between the packaging tubes is achieved,

Furthermore, the sealing plug of the packaging tube has at least one recess on the circumference of its end facing the packaging tube. This has the advantage that the sealing tube can be placed on the packaging tube before it is introduced into the freeze-drying device in such a way that it is sufficient at the tube opening is fixed, but at the same time also leaves a rope of the opening to the outlet of the water vapor freely. "In addition, the already placed during drying stopper subsequently allows a rapid complete closure, the hole opening. This is void to prevent water vapor from re-entering the packaging tube after drying.

In principle, a single recess on the circumference of the stopper suffices for the said pocket. However, it is for centering the stopper in the packing tube and for faster gas transfer during the process

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Drying low, if several recesses are distributed over the stopper circumference.

It is expedient for the packaging tube to have a conical transition from the larger outer diameter length section to the smaller outer diameter length section. In this design, sharp edges are avoided, which could damage the applicator by "friction.

According to a development of the packaging tube, its opening edge is flanged to the outside. This results on the one hand in a higher stability of the packaging tube in the region of its opening and on the other hand a widening of the upper tube edge, whereby a risk of injury during handling of the packaging tube is avoided. Furthermore, this achieves a better sealing of the tube closure, Ss has proven to be expedient that the outer diameter is dimensioned smaller at the beaded edge than in that longitudinal section of the packaging tube, in which the larger outer diameter is present. This allows the packaging tube to save space to the mutual contact of their walls are tightly assembled, without this hinders the bead.

According to a further embodiment, the peripheral surface of the sealing plug coming into contact with the inner surface of the packaging tube has at least one projection at a distance of approximately one quarter of its length, starting from the end facing the small tube. This facilitates the positioning of the stopper on the packaging tube before drying, the projection acts

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as an attack against the. Opening edge, when the plug is only partially pressed into the hole, so that the opening remains partially open.

In most cases, the size of the Terpackungsröhrchens is dimensioned such that the distance between the inner end face of the encryption f ^ schlüßstopfens and the bottom of the packaging tubule is slightly larger than the length of a tampon applicator is known per se, consisting of two telescopically displaceable sleeves. This allows a diagnostic tampon, including the associated applicator, to be placed in the Yerpackungsröhrchen.

According to a further expedient embodiment, a recess is provided at the bottom of the Yerpackungsröhrchens whose diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rear end of the tampon applicator to be packaged, In this way, in the Yerpackungsröhrchen the rear Snde of the applicator is centered, so that in cooperation With the smaller inner diameter of Yerpackungsröhrchens in the opening facing the longitudinal portion of the applicator in the Eöhrchen axially aligned »This increases the security that the applicator and thus the tampon therein takes the correct position for spraying the drug solution and subjected to a uniform cooling becomes.

It is advantageous if the Yerpackungsröhrchen made of metal, high thermal conductivity, z. 3. made of aluminum. In this case, a rapid heat transfer between the packaging tube is guaranteed.

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embodiment

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to Aasführungsbeispielen schematically illustrated in the drawing. In the accompanying drawing show:

Fig. 1: parts of an enlarged longitudinal section through a first embodiment of the "VerpaGkungsröhrchens;

Fig. 2: an enlargement of the detail A in Fig. 1; Fig. 3s is an enlargement of the section 3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4; an enlarged side view of a stopper for Verpaokungsröhrchen of FIG. 1;

Fig. 5ί is an enlarged view of the underside of the stopper of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6i is a longitudinal section through a packaging tube according to FIG. 1 as well as through a tampon applicator with tampon arranged therein, wherein the closure stopper is only partially attached and shown in side view;

Fig. 7i is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 6 including a fully fitted Verschlussstopfehs and with a recess in the bottom of the VerpackungsröhrchenB.

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Sin wrapper tire 1, the ζ. 3. consists of aluminum, «eist a bottom 2, a wall 3 with length sections 3aj 3fr; 3 ° so that an opening 4 with an outwardly flanged edge 5 · The, cross-section of Yerpackungsröhrchens 1 is circular cylindrical over its entire length.

In the longitudinal section 3a, the outer diameter of the packaging tube 1 is larger than in the longitudinal section 3c and on the flanged rim 5. In the longitudinal section 3b, the outside diameter of the terpacking tube 1 decreases conically upwards. Overall, this results in a bottle-like Porm the Yerpackungsröhrchens. 1

The cutout. A in 3 ig · 1 is in Pig. 2 shows enlarged and shows that the edge 5 is crimped outwardly ₉ that it is approximately circular in cross-section and the cutting edge 6 of the wall 3 abuts on the outside thereof. This eliminates the risk of injury from the cutting edge 6 »

The section B in FIG. 1 is shown enlarged in FIG. It can be seen that the bottom 2 is dimensioned thicker than the wall 3. In addition, the inner surface 2 a and the outer surface 2 b of the bottom 2 are arranged largely perpendicular to the wall 3. Only in one, the wall 3 immediately adjacent bottom portion 2 c, the inner surface 2 a increases conically against the wall 3, while the outer surface 2 b merges by rounding into the wall 3. The inner surface 2a, which runs conically in the bottom section 2c, forms with the horizontal an angle θ of 10 °.

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The length of section 3 & is z. B. 110 am, the length of the section 3b z. B, 10 mm and the length of the section 3c z »B. 26 mm. The thickness of the bottom 1 is z. B. at 0.6 to 1 am, the thickness of the wall 3 id length from section 3a 25 B. at 0.23 mm and in the length section 3c at z, B, 0.28 mm.

For the outer diameter in the length section 3a, z, B.

22 mm, for the outer diameter in the length section 3c z. B.

16 mm and for the outside through-the-rim 5 z, B.

18 mm suitable. The height of the Bördelrandes 5 z. B. 1.2 mm.

However, the aforementioned dimensions may be higher or lower depending on the intended use of the Yerpackungsröhrchens 1 and the nature of its material and depending on the nature and shape of the article to be packaged. become" ·

To close the opening 4 is a Yerschlußstopfen 8 made of an elastic material, for. As soft rubber provided. The Yerschlußstopfen 8 shown in Fig. 4 has a disc-like handle part 9 with an outer end face 10. The diameter of the gripping part 9 is greater than the outer diameter of the sealing part located underneath with an inner end face 12 *.

At three of the end face 12 adjacent, symmetrically distributed ümfangsabschnitten the sealing part 11, three recesses 13 are provided. From I? Ig "5" AEI ^e shows a plan view of the inner end face 12, it can be seen that the boundary surface of a ^ Eden recess is curved with respect to the axis of the I3 Yerschlußstopfens 8 * convex addition

62 741 16.11.83

By this configuration, the part of the closing plug 8 facing the packaging tube 1, which extends over half the stopper length over etra / a, is in the form of three Hip formed.

The recesses 13 extend so far to the axis of the verse hluBstopf ens 8 that the inner end face 12 substantially only. still of three narrow Ilächenabschnitten 12a; 12b; 12 c is formed, which overlap on the axis of the closure plug 8 and extend radially outwardly therefrom, wherein the longitudinal axes of two adjacent surface portions 12 a; 12b; 12c form an angle of 120 °.

At the periphery of the sealing member 11 projections 23 are provided at the level of the recesses 13, which serve against the bead 5 as stops when the stopper 8 is to be pressed only partially into the packaging tube 1.

The transition between the upper surface of the sealing member 11 and the end face 12 is tapered conical to form the palms 24 to facilitate the insertion of the stopper 8 in the packaging tube 1 su.

In the ü ¹ ig. FIGS. 6 and 7 show how a tanktop applicator 15 "in which a tampon 16 is located, in which packaging tube 1 is arranged.

The applicator 15 consists of an insertion sleeve 17 and a telescopically inserted therein ejection sleeve 18 with. something, smaller diameter. In the area where the insertion sleeve 17 and the ejection sleeve 18 overlap, both are

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Sleeves 17; 18 with a punch 19 provided. As a result, a tongue 20 is formed in the wall of the insertion sleeve 17, which protrudes into the punched-19 of the ejection sleeve 18 and thus prevents inadvertent sliding out of the ejection sleeve 18 from the insertion sleeve 17.

This lock can also be realized in other ways, for. B. by a circumferential groove on the ejection sleeve 18 and an inner bead on the Sinführhülse 17 bzm vice · Ss is then a mutual fixation of the two sleeves 17; 18 similar to a hurried connection.

The tampon 16 is arranged in the Binführhülse 17 that the insertion end 17a of the insertion sleeve 17 projects beyond the insertion end 16a of the tampon 16 and thereby forms a free seam 21 at the insertion end 17a of the insertion sleeve 17 »This free; Tree 21 serves to absorb, when applying an active substance to the insertion end 16 a of the tampon 16, the solution of active substance sprayed on there quickly, which requires a somewhat longer time in order to penetrate into the tampon 16. The tree 21 holds about 3 BiI solution.

In order to prevent that during the Yorliegens said solution in the tree 21 and later migrate a part of the solution or of the active substance in the wall of the introducer sheath 17 and thus is lost for the tampon 16 may _comprise: the inner wall of the introducer sheath 17 with a impermeable material, e.g. Example with a silicone, a wax, a plastic layer or -j foilj such as a PVDC film, or an aluminum foil j besch.ich.tet be.

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The Bückholband 22 of the tampon 16 extends through the ejection sleeve 18th

In FIG. 6, the VerschluBstopfen 8 is not shown in a longitudinal section, but in a side view _mn}, the operation of the projection to ⁰ ^ 3. When, after applying a solution of active agent to the tampon 16, it is desired to initially only partially press the stopper 8 into the opening 4 of the packaging tube 1, the projections 23 act as stops against the hemming edge 5 shown in dashed line in FIG is. In this position of the stopper 8, by means of the recesses 13, a flow channel 25 remains free to the interior of the packaging tube 1 and its external environment. This is necessary during the treatment of the packaging tube 1 together with the contents in the freezer device of the drying process, the stopper 8 can be pressed in until the stop of the gripping part 9 sn, the crimping edge 5 i &<aas packaging tube 1,

7 largely corresponds to FIG. 6. However, in FIG. 7, the stopper 8 is shown in the "closed position and in longitudinal section.

In addition, the packaging tube 1 according to FIG. 7 has a depression 26 in the bottom 2, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the rear end 18a of the ejection sleeve 18 located therein. In this way 7), the tampon applicator 15 at its rear end in FIG Verpaokungsröhrchen 1 centered and so on the one hand against radial slipping protected at this end sovjie the other hand axially aligned to a hypodermic needle, not shown.

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tet, by means of a drug solution is sprayed onto the tampon 16.

When using the packaging tube 1 z. For example, proceed as follows:

In the upright packaging tube 1 of the tampon 16 containing applicator 15 is inserted so that the insertion end of the tampon 16 of the opening 4 of the packaging tube 1 faces. With an automatic filling device can be injected into the free tree 21 by means of an injection needle about 2 ml of a drug solution. Subsequently, the stopper 8 is partially pressed into the opening 4 of the packaging tube 1, as shown in Fig. 6. A plurality of packaging tubes 1 prepared in this way, which are placed close to each other under mutual contact, are introduced into a freeze-drying device. The mutual contact of the packaging tubes 1 ensures rapid cooling of the tubes 1 and their contents. Due to the applied vacuum, the solvent evaporates, z. As water, the drug solution from the tampon 16 and passes through the recesses 13 in the plug 8 from the packaging tube 1. After completion of the drying process, the plugs 8 are each pressed until the sealing closure to the packaging tube 1.

Overall, the packaging tube 1 facilitates the application of an active ingredient to the tampon 16, makes drying the Höhrcheninhalts cheaper and ensures by excluding moisture, air and LiGht a long shelf life of the packaged tampon 16 until the time of its use for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes »

Claims (6)

- 15 - 62 741 16.11,83 invention claim 1 * Packing tubes of metal with a sealing plug made of an elastic material, in particular for a tampon for the medical diagnosis of pathological changes in humans and animals, eg. In female body cavities, preferably in the vagina, with a stopper and an outside diameter dimensioned smaller in the longitudinal section adjoining the opening of the packaging tube than in the remaining longitudinal section, characterized in that the remaining longitudinal section (3b; extends from the bottom (2) to over about three quarters of the length of the packaging tube (1), the inner diameter of the adjoining the opening (4-) length portion (3c) is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the product to be packaged (16) and the closure stopper (8) has at least one recess (13) on the circumference of its end facing the packaging tube (1), 2 «: packaging tube according to item 1, characterized in that a length section (3b) with a conical transition from the longitudinal section (3a) of larger outer diameter to the longitudinal section (3c) of smaller outer diameter is provided, 3, packaging tube according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that its opening edge (5) is crimped outwards « 4, packaging tube according to point 3, characterized in that the AußenendurGhmesser on the beaded rim (5) is dimensioned smaller than in the longitudinal section (3a) larger Außenendurca- - 16 - 62 741 16/11/83 diameter. 5. Packaging tube according to one of the items 1 to 4, characterized in that the surface of the stopper (8) coming into contact with the inner surface of the tube (1) is at a distance of one quarter of its length from that of the stopper Packing tube (1) facing the end, at least one projection (23) has on. Packaging tube according to one of the items 1 to 5 », characterized in that the distance between the inner end face (12) of the stopper (8) and the bottom (2) of the packing tube (1) is dimensioned slightly larger than the length of one known, from z-ssei telescopically movable sleeves (17; 18) existing tampon applicator (15). 7. Packaging tube according to item 6, characterized in that a centering device for the goods to be packaged (15) at the bottom (2) of the Verpackungsröhrehens (1) is provided ,: 8. Packaging tube according to item 7 _5, characterized in that the bottom (2) has a recess (26) whose diameter is dimensioned somewhat larger than the outside diameter of the rear end (18a) of the tampon applicator (15) to be packaged. 9. Packing tube according to one of the preceding points 1 to 8, characterized in that it consists of metal of high thermal conductivity, For this 3 pages drawings