WO2007144744A1

WO2007144744A1 - Upgraded pack for pharmaceutical, medicinal products or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products

Info

Publication number: WO2007144744A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/001569
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Fontana
Original assignee: Lameplast SRL
Current assignee: Lameplast SRL
Priority date: 2006-06-16
Filing date: 2007-06-12
Publication date: 2007-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-16
Also published as: ITMO20060193A1; EP2029451A1; ES2409846T3; EP2029451B1

Abstract

The upgraded pack (1) for pharmaceutical, medicinal products or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products, comprising at least one substantially flat element (2) to support prescribed indications for a pharmaceutical, medicinal product or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products, at least one first seat (3) for housing a container of said product which is defined in the substantially flat element (21), first connection means (36, 37, 38) for connecting the container (4) and the substantially flat element, at least one closing element (9) associated removable with a dispensing mouth of the product defined at one end of the container, a cap (10) associated with the end of the container and a removal element (11) for removing the closing element (9) defined inside the cap.

Description

UPGRADED PACK FOR PHARMACEUTICAL, MEDICINAL PRODUCTS OR THE LIKE, PARTICULARLY

PHYTOPHARMACOLOGICAL OR PHYTOSANITARY PRODUCTS

Technical Field The present invention refers to an upgraded pack for pharmaceutical, medicinal products or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products. Background art In the agricultural sector the use is known of phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products, meaning products used essentially to protect plants against diseases (fungicides, insecticides, limacides, repellents and the like), to regulate the physiological functions of plants (phytoregulators), to eliminate the undesired plants (weed killers), to eliminate parts of plants or to reduce or avoid their undesired growth. Such products are normally marketed in sealed packs.

Among the known packs are those comprising a product container, of the type, for example, of a bottle, of a tube or the like, which is enclosed in an outer protective wrapping, of the type, for example, of a bag, a case or the like, removable at the time of use. These packs are particularly used for containers of the single-dose type.

The known packs are, furthermore, complete with a label showing the indications prescribed for the single product as a whole: name, type, formulation and composition of the product; cultures, doses, procedures, field and period of use; toxicity and hazard symbols; phytotoxicity; deficiency or safety times; storage regulations; safety regulations; indicative risk wording; caution measures; information for the doctor in case of intoxication, irritation or poisoning, etc.

The label is normally affixed on the outer wrapping, that which, when the product is used, is removed, for taking the container out of it, and set aside, or even thrown away; this occurs, in particular in the case of single-dose containers, the small outer surface of which is not enough to contain all the prescribed indications. These known packs are not without drawbacks including the fact that they do not allow the operators charged with using the pharmaceutical, medicinal products or the like, particularly the phytopharmaceutical or phytosanitary products, to have the prescribed indications constantly at disposal for immediate reference.

The operators in fact, after examining the label on the outer wrapping, open the latter, to take the product container out of it, and place it on one side and/or throw it away, and restrict themselves to handling the container only during the product use phase. Together with the outer wrapping, consequently, the label is also set aside and/or thrown away.

Not having constantly at disposal the indications prescribed for the products used, the operators are likely to use the products in an excessive and improper way with consequent possible environmental damage and imbalance, risks for their own physical safety and that of others, such as, for example, risks of irritation, intoxication or poisoning, as well as risks of contaminating foods deriving from the wrongly treated plants.

Another drawback of the known packs, in particular those comprising single- dose containers, consists in the fact that they do not allow easy and safe handling of the containers themselves, the small dimensions of which make their squeezing for dispensing the product they contain rather difficult. To overcome such drawbacks, packs are known comprising a plate-shaped element, with a substantially rectangular and elongated shape, which has at least one support surface for the prescribed indications and a seat for housing a container.

The plate-shaped element is made of substantially rigid material, of a polymer material, card material type or the like.

The housing seat is made up of an opening on the plate-shaped element shaped to reproduce at least in part the profile of the container. The container is therefore housed inside the opening and is fastened to the plate- shaped element by means of one or more pins, defined on a pair of flaps that extend in a diametrically opposite direction from the container body, and which can be fitted with interference in corresponding holes on the plate-shaped element.

Such known packs, however, are susceptible to upgrading, particularly aimed at improving the safety conditions before and during the use of the aforementioned products.

More specifically, the presence of toxic and potentially hazardous substances inside the containers makes necessary the introduction of solutions able to avoid, or in any case indicate the accidental opening of the packs to a user. Object of the Invention The main aim of the present invention is to provide an upgraded pack for pharmaceutical, medicinal products or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products which allows to achieve the aforementioned upgrading. Within this technical aim, another object of the present invention is to cater for the above aims with a simple structure, of relatively practical implementation, safe to use and with effective operation, as well as having a relatively low cost. The above objects are all achieved by the present upgraded pack for pharmaceutical, medicinal products or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products, comprising at least one substantially flat element to support prescribed indications for a pharmaceutical, medicinal product or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products, at least one first seat for housing a container of said product which is defined in said substantially flat element and first connection means for connecting said container and said substantially flat element, characterized in that it comprises at least one closing element associated removable with a dispensing mouth of said product defined at one end of said container, a cap associated with said end of the container and a removal element for removing said closing element defined inside said cap. Brief Description of the Drawings Further characteristics and advantages of this invention will appear even more evident from the detailed description of four preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of an upgraded pack for pharmaceutical, medicinal products or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products, illustrated indicatively by way of non limiting example, in the attached drawings wherein: the figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 3 is a section view of a detail of the first embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 4 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 6 is a section view of a detail of the second embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 7 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 8 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 9 is a section view of a detail of the third embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 10 is an exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 11 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the pack according to the invention; the figure 12 is a section view of a detail of the fourth embodiment of the pack according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With special reference to such figures, an upgraded pack for pharmaceutical, medicinal products or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products, has been globally designated by reference number 1.

The pack 1 comprises a substantially flat element made up, for example, of a panel 2 suitable for supporting all the indications prescribed for a product and in which is defined a first seat 3 for housing a container 4 of the product, first connection means being provided for connecting the container 4 and the panel

2.

The panel 2 has, for example, the shape of an elongated rectangle at one end of which is defined the first seat 3 which extends, at the opposite end, into an appendix, on one or both surfaces of which are shown the indications prescribed for the product contained in the container 4 and which also acts as a grip element for the operator.

The container 4 can be particularly of the single-dose type and have the shape of a bottle, a tube or the like.

The container 4 can comprise, for example, a body 6 which is closed at the bottom and which extends into a neck 7 at the top of which a dispensing mouth

8 of the product is defined.

With the dispensing mouth 8 is associated a removable closing element 9, and a cap 10 is fitted, at least partially, over the neck 7 and internally has a removal element 11 for removing the closing element 9.

Temporary holding means are provided for temporarily holding the cap 10, in a configuration of non-interference between the removal element 11 and the closing element 9, when the container 4 is in closed packaging configuration; in such configuration, these are suitable for preventing the cap 10 and the body 6 from involuntarily or accidentally moving any closer to one another, preserving the integrity and/or the position of the closing element 9 and the seal of the mouth 8.

In a first and in a second embodiment of the pack 1, shown in the figures 1-3 and 4-6 respectively, the closing element 9 is made up of a substantially cylindrical plug which, in closed packaging configuration, is fitted on the neck

7, and which has an appendix 12 inserted in the dispensing mouth 8 for its hermetic closing.

Fixing means are also provided for fixing the plug 9 to the neck 7 which, for example, are of the threaded type and comprise a screw 13 defined on the outer side surface of the neck 7, and a corresponding nut screw 14 defined on the inner side surface of the plug 9. The removal element 11 is made up of a containing seat for containing the plug

9 defined at the inner surface of the cap 10, coupling means being provided between the plug 9 and the seat 11.

The profile of the seat 11 substantially reproduces the profile of the plug 9. The temporary holding means comprise elastic means that prevent the cap 10 and the plug 9 from moving closer together.

With particular reference to the first embodiment, shown in the figures 1-3, the coupling means for coupling the plug 9 and the seat 11 comprise a plurality of protrusions 15, defined on the upper surface of the plug 9, suitable for coupling with corresponding slots 16, defined on the surface of the seat 11, at the ceiling of the cap 10, to prevent relative rotation between the plug 9 and the cap 10, once these are engaged one inside the other.

The elastic means comprise a pair of elastic foils 17 that protrude from the surface of the seat 11 towards the plug 9, at the ceiling of the cap 10, and which can be engaged bending inside the slots 16, on respective sloped locator surfaces.

With particular reference to the second embodiment, shown in the figures 4-6, the coupling means for coupling the plug 9 and the seat 11 comprise a plurality of protrusions 19, defined on the side surface of the plug 9, close to the lower edge, and suitable for coupling with corresponding slots, defined on the side surface of the seat 11, to prevent relative rotation between the plug 9 and the seat 11, once these are engaged one inside the other.

The elastic means comprise at least one foil spring 21 that protrudes from the surface of the seat 11, at the ceiling of the cap 10, and which can be engaged on the outer surface of the plug 9, at an upper portion 22 of the plug 9 in substantially conical conformation and divergent towards the body 6. Advantageously, the coupling means can comprise a series of first ribs 23 defined longitudinally on the outer surface of the plug 9 and a series of second ribs defined on the inner surface of the cap 10. The first ribs 23 and the second ribs are suitable for being engaged the one with the other for coupling the cap

10 and the plug 9 during the rotation of the cap 10 in the direction of tightening of the container 4, and suitable for being engaged together catch fashion during the rotation of the cap 10 in the direction of opening of the container 4. In a third and a fourth embodiment of the pack 1, shown in the figures 7-9 and in the figures 10-12, the closing element 9 is composed of a membrane of the tearable type made integral with the surrounding edge of the mouth 8, while the removal element 11 is made up of a perforator that extends from the ceiling of the cap 10 inside it.

The membrane 9 can, for example, be made up of a disc of material formed integral with the body 6 during the pressing phase of the latter. Fixing means are also provided for fixing the cap 10 to the body 6 which, for example, are of the threaded type and comprise a screw 25 defined on the outer side surface of the neck 7, and a corresponding nut screw 26 defined on the inner side surface of the cap 10.

The temporary holding means, furthermore, can, for example, comprise a pair of ring-shaped stop teeth 27 defined protruding from the outer side surface of the neck 7, between which engages a corresponding ring-shaped lock tooth 28 defined protruding from the inner side surface of the cap 10, at the lower edge. Usefully, as shown in the figures 7-9, the cap 10 can be provided with an operating key defined integral with it and made up of a pair of operating flaps 29, diametrically opposite one another and defined protruding from the outer side surface of the cap 10.

The pack 1 can also comprise a tab 30 which is associated with the panel 2, substantially on the same plane as this (figures 4-6 and 10-12) The tab 30 supports the cap 10, second connection means for connecting the cap 10 and the tab 30 being provided. In the tab 30 is defined a second seat 32 for housing the cap 10.

Advantageously, the pack 1 comprises a pair of seal flaps 33 associated removable between the panel 2 and the tab 30 by placing in between binding means of the temporary and removable type. In particular, the binding means are defined by a first weakened area 34 between the seal flaps 33 and the tab 30 and by a second weakened area 35 between the seal flaps 33 and the panel 2 which allow removing, by tearing off, the tab 30 and, therefore, the cap 10 bound to it. The seal flaps 33 are arranged diametrically opposite with respect to the body 6 and substantially on the same plane as the panel 2 and the tab 30. The first seat 3 is made up of an opening, the perimeter of which substantially and at least in part reproduces the profile of the container 4, in particular of the body 6 and of the neck 7.

In the same way, the second seat 32 is made up of an opening, the perimeter of which substantially and at least in part reproduces the profile of the cap 10. At the sides of the container 4 and at top of the cap 10, corresponding coupling flaps 36 can be defined in which are defined the first connection means and the second connection means respectively and which are suitable for being superimposed on the panel 2 and on the tab 30 respectively. The first connection means and the second connection means are of the permanent type. The first connection means can comprise, for example, first pins 37 protruding from the coupling flaps 36 of the container 4 and which can be inserted with interference into corresponding first holes 38 obtained in the panel 2 alongside the first seat 3.

The second connection means comprise second pins 39 protruding from the coupling flap 36 of the cap 10 and which can be inserted with interference into corresponding second holes 40 obtained in the tab 30 at the sides of the second seat 32.

The coupling between the first pins 37 and the first holes 38 and between the second pins 39 and the second holes 40 is, usefully, conical; further fixing is also envisaged of the first pins 37 and of the second pins 39 by means of their hot riveting.

Alternative embodiments of the first connection means and of the second connection means cannot however be ruled out that, for example, could comprise rivets or clinches, or again sealings, obtained, for example with ultrasounds or by heat sealing, gluing or the like defined between the body 6 and the panel 2 and between the cap 10 and the tab 30 respectively.

Usefully, the panel 2, the tab 30, and/or the seal flaps 33 are made of substantially rigid material, for example of the card or of the cardboard type, or of cardboard coupled with plastic material, of polymer material (e.g., polypropylene) or the like; these are defined integral with one another in a single body, for example by scoring and cutting using hollow punches. Finally, the pack 1 comprises fastening means for fastening to a support element of the type, for example, of a loop 41 for fitting a hook. The operation of the invention is the following.

The pack 1 takes on a closed packaging configuration in which the mouth 8 is closed by the closing element 9, the cap 10 is fitted over the neck 7 up to such a height as to prevent interference between the removal element 11 and the closing element 9, while the tab 30 is bound integral to the panel 2 by interposition of the seal flaps 33.

In such configuration the pack 1 can be easily stored for example by hanging it on a support hook by means of the loop 41. With particular reference to the second embodiment of the pack 1, shown in the figures 4-6, at the time of use it is enough to simply exercise a twisting/tearing off action on the tab 30 such as to tear the first weakened area 34 and/or the second weakened area 35 to release the tab 30 from the panel 2. The cap 10 is subsequently fitted over the neck 7 exercising on this a pushing action towards the body 6; during the axial sliding exerted on the cap 10, the plug 9 fits in by interlocking into the seat 11, with insertion of the protrusions 19 inside the respective slots on the plug 9. The plug 9 is thus made integral with the cap 10.

Gripping the operating key and exerting, by means of this, a rotation on the cap 10 and, therefore also on the plug 9 which is integral with it, the plug 9 is released from the mouth 8 and remains integral with the cap 10.

With particular reference to the fourth embodiment of the pack 1, shown in the figures 10-12, following the breakage of the first weakened area 34 and/or of the second weakened area 35 by means of a twisting/tearing off action on the tab 30 and/or by removal of the seal flaps 33, a pushing action is exerted on the cap 10 towards the body 6.

During the axial sliding exerted on the cap 10, the ring-shaped lock tooth 28 exits from the track defined by the pair of ring-shaped stop teeth 27, with coupling between the screw 25 and the nut screw 26 and breakage of the membrane 9 by means of the perforator 11.

The cap 10 can then be unscrewed to free the mouth 8.

With reference to the first and the third embodiment of the pack 1, shown in the figures 1-3 and 7-9, and excluding the preliminary detachment phase of the tab

30 and of the seal flaps 33, use is similar to that described above for the second and the fourth embodiment.

It has in fact been ascertained how the described invention achieves the proposed objects, and in particular the fact is underlined that the pack described above permits upgrading the safety conditions before and during the use of the pharmaceutical, medicinal products and the like.

In fact, the need to exercise a pressure on the cap, to bring the removal element closer to the closing element, and before the rotation of the cap itself, permits considerably limiting the chance of accidental container openings. Furthermore, the presence or absence of the seal flaps, or also the integrity or the non-integrity of the first and of the second weakened areas permits an easy and immediate verification of the condition of the pack.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which falling within the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore all the details may be replaced by other elements which are technically equivalent.

In practice, the contingent shapes and dimensions may be any according to requirements without because of this moving outside the protection scope of the following claims.

Claims

1) Upgraded pack for pharmaceutical, medicinal products or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products, comprising at least one substantially flat element to support prescribed indications for a pharmaceutical, medicinal product or the like, particularly phytopharmacological or phytosanitary products, at least one first seat for housing a container of said product which is defined in said substantially flat element and first connection means for connecting said container and said substantially flat element, characterized in that it comprises at least one closing element associated removable with a dispensing mouth of said product defined at one end of said container, a cap associated with said end of the container and a removal element for removing said closing element defined inside said cap.

2) Pack according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises temporary holding means for holding said cap in a configuration of non-interference between said removal element and said closing element and suitable for preventing said cap and said container from moving any closer to one another.

3) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said closing element comprises a plug associated with said dispensing mouth, and said removal element comprises a containing seat of said plug defined by at least one portion of the inner surface of said cap, coupling means being provided between said plug and said containing seat.

4) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plug comprises at least one appendix which can be inserted inside said dispensing mouth. 5) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling means comprise a plurality of protrusions defined on at least one between the outer upper surface of said plug and said seat, at the ceiling of said cap, suitable for coupling with corresponding slots, defined on the other between the outer upper surface of said plug and said seat, said coupling means being suitable for preventing the relative rotation between said plug and said containing seat, engaged one inside the other. 6) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling means comprise a plurality of protrusions defined on at least one between the outer side surface of said plug and said seat, suitable for coupling with corresponding slots defined on the other between the outer side surface of said plug and said seat, said coupling means being suitable for preventing the relative rotation between said plug and said containing seat, engaged one inside the other.

7) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said holding means comprise elastic means that prevent the relative moving closer together between said removal element and said closing element. 8) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic means comprise at least one foil spring defined protruding from said seat and which can be engaged bending on said plug.

9) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said foil spring is defined at the ceiling of said cap and which can be engaged bending inside a corresponding slot defined on the upper surface of said plug.

10) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said foil spring is defined at the ceiling of said cap and can be engaged bending on the outer surface of said plug, at an upper portion of said plug with a substantially conical conformation. 11) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling means comprise at least one first rib defined longitudinally on the outer surface of said plug and at least a second rib defined longitudinally on the inner surface of said cap, said first and second rib being suitable for engaging the one with the other for coupling said cap and said plug during the rotation of said cap in a direction of tightening, and suitable for engaging together catch fashion during the rotation of said cap in an opening direction.

12) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said closing element is composed of a membrane, tearable and made integral with the surrounding edge of said dispensing mouth, and said removal element is made up of a perforator that extends from the ceiling of said cap inside it.

13) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said holding means comprise at least one stop tooth defined protruding from the outer side surface of said container suitable for engaging with at least one ring- shaped lock tooth defined protruding from the inner side surface of said cap. 14) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first connection means are of the permanent type. 15) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container is of the single-dose type.

16) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one tab which is associated with said substantially flat element with temporary and removable binding means and supports said cap, second connection means for connecting said cap and said tab being provided.

17) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second connection means are of the permanent type.

18) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tab and said substantially flat element are substantially on the same plane. 19) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tab comprises a second housing seat of said cap.

20) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of seal flaps placed removable in between said substantially flat element and said tab. 21) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said temporary and removable binding means are defined by a first weakened area between said seal flaps and said tab and by a second weakened area between said seal flaps and said substantially flat element.

22) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said seal flaps are in a diametrically opposite direction from said container.

23) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said seal flaps are defined substantially on the same plane with at least one between said tab and said substantially flat element.

24) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said substantially flat element comprises a panel having at least one surface suitable for supporting said indications.

25) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said substantially flat element has substantially the shape of an elongated rectangle at one end of which is defined said first seat which extends, at the opposite end, into an appendix suitable for supporting said indications.

26) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first seat comprises an opening, the perimeter of which substantially and at least in part reproduces the profile of said container.

27) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second seat comprises an opening, the perimeter of which substantially and at least in part reproduces the profile of said cap. 28) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one between said substantially flat element, said tab and said seal flaps is made of substantially rigid material, of the card, cardboard, cardboard coupled with plastic material, polymer material type or the like.

29) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first connection means comprise at least one first pin defined in said container or in said substantially flat element and which can be inserted with interference into a corresponding first hole defined in said substantially flat element or in said container respectively.

30) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second connection means comprise at least a second pin defined in said cap or in said tab and which can be inserted with interference into a corresponding second hole defined hi said tab or in said cap respectively.

31) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container comprises at least one first coupling flap in which are defined said first connection means and which is suitable for being superimposed on said substantially flat element.

32) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cap comprises at least a second coupling flap in which are defined said second connection means and which is suitable for being superimposed on said tab.

33) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one between said first connection means and said second connection means comprise rivets, clinches, ultrasound sealing, heat sealing or gluing defined between said container and said substantially flat element and between said cap and said tab respectively.

34) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container comprises a containing body which is closed at the bottom and which extends into a neck at the top of which said dispensing mouth is defined.

35) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said substantially flat element comprises fastening means for fastening to a support element. 36) Pack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fastening means comprise a loop.