Background Art As well known, an ampule is a small, usually glass, container for a single measured amount of medicine, especially for an injection. Recently, such ampules have been widely used as small containers for a variety of liquid health foods, liquid herbal medicines, or liquid concentrated extracts of plants exhibiting a beneficial effect to the human body, other than liquid medicines for an injection, in order to allow persons to easily drink those contents.

Typically, ampules are made of glass in such a fashion that they are perfectly hermetic. By virtue of such an effect of ampules, it is possible to keep the contents of those ampules for a long period of time without any deterioration, in particular, where those ampules are stored in a refrigerator. Since such ampules have a very small size, they are very suitable as containers for containing a variety of liquid health foods, liquid herbal medicines, or liquid concentrated extracts of plants exhibiting a beneficial effect to the human body.

Furthermore, such ampules, which are made of glass, are useful in terms of the prevention of environmental pollution because they are recyclable.

Referring to Fig. 3, an example of a conventional ampule is illustrated which has a well-known structure adapted to contain a liquid medicine. As shown in Fig.

3, the ampule includes an ampule body 1 having a relatively cylindrical structure to contain a liquid material therein. Conical mouths 2 and 3 are formed at opposite ends of the ampule body 1, respectively. Each of the conical mouths 2 and 3 has a circumferential cutting line 4 at a desired portion thereof.

When a user intends to drink the content of the ampule having the above mentioned structure, he snaps one of the conical mouths 2 and 3 from the ampule body 1 along the associated cutting line 4, thereby opening the snapped conical mouth 2 or 3. Accordingly, the user can easily drink the content of the ampule.

Although such a conventional ampule has an advantage provided by its structure as mentioned above, it has a problem in that a variety of foreign matters or bacteria may be attached to the outer surfaces of the conical mouths 2 and 3 because the ampule is not packed in any separate sterilized package. Even in the case wherein the ampule is packed in a package, it is still required to sterilize the entire outer surface of the ampule after containing a desired liquid material in the ampule. Also, a sterilized package should also be used. Furthermore, the packing of the ampule using the sterilized package should be carried out in a sterilized chamber. As a result, a great increase in the manufacturing costs occurs. For this reason, this method is impractical.

Since a variety of foreign matters or bacteria may be

attached to the outer surfaces of the conical mouths 2 and 3 as mentioned above, the conventional ampule has a problem in terms of hygiene where the user directly drinks the content of the ampule through a polluted mouth 2 or 3.

In addition to such a problem, the conventional ampule also has a problem in terms of safety in that the cut portion of the conical mouth 2 or 3 is sharp due to the properties of the glass material of the conical mouth, thereby causing the user, who drinks the content of the ampule through the cut conical mouth, to be injured at the lips or the mouth.

Disclosure of the Invention Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide an ampule having an improved mouth structure capable of allowing the user to drink the content of the ampule using a straw, thereby achieving an improvement in hygiene and safety and easy of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing the above mentioned ampule.

In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides an ampule comprising: an ampule body having a cylindrical shape to contain a liquid material therein; a conical mouth formed at one end of the ampule body, the conical mouth having a transition portion formed at one end of the conical mouth connected to the ampule body, an enlarged portion extending from the transition portion toward the other end of the conical mouth, the enlarged portion having a diameter larger than that of the transition portion, and a circumferential cutting line adapted to snap the conical mouth from the ampule body.

In accordance with another aspect, the present

invention provides a method for manufacturing ampules, comprising the steps of: (A) preparing a cylindrical glass tube, and clamping a lower end of the glass tube by a rotating clamp in such a manner that the glass tube rotates together with the rotating clamp; (B) pre-heating a desired portion of the glass tube to form two conical mouths, one being a first conical mouth having a structure enabling an insertion of a straw therethrough with the other conical mouth being a second conical mouth having a well-known structure; (C) elongating the pre-heated portion of the glass tube; (D) measuring the diameter of the elongated portion of the glass tube using a sensor; (E) re-forming the elongated portion of the glass tube, based on the result of the measurement, in such a manner that the elongated portion has a diameter gradually reduced, as it extends from each end position thereof toward an intermediate position thereof, to provide a desired conical shape; (F) forming a transition portion and an enlarged portion for the first conical mouth at the elongated glass tube portion, so that the elongated glass tube portion has a part with the first conical mouth and a part with the second conical mouth; (G) cutting the elongated glass tube portion at an intermediate position thereof', thereby separating the portion of the glass tube having the second conical mouth from the remaining portion of the glass tube having the first conical mouth; (H) performing a finishing process for the first and second conical mouths using a desired thermal treatment in such a manner that the second conical mouth is hermetically sealed whereas the first conical mouth is maintained open; (I) releasing the separated glass tube portion from the clamp, thereby dropping the released glass tube portion while clamping the lower end of the remaining glass tube

portion, where the first conical mouth is formed, by the clamp; (J) repeatedly performing the steps (B) to (I), thereby forming a plurality of ampule preforms each having the first and second conical mouths at opposite ends thereof, respectively; (K) forming cutting lines on the first and second conical mouths of each of the ampule preform; and (L) injecting a liquid material into each of the ampule preforms through the first conical mouth thereof, and hermetically sealing the first conical mouth of each of the ampule preforms.

Brief DescriPtion of the Drawings Other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figs. 1A and 1B are perspective views respectively illustrating ampules having different structures according to embodiments of the present invention; Figs. 2A and 2B are perspective views respectively illustrating the using conditions of the ampules shown in Figs. 1A and 1B; Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional ampule; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an ampule according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the using condition of the ampule shown in Fig. 4.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to Figs. 1A, 1B, and 4, ampules according to various embodiments of the present invention are

illustrated, respectively. These ampules have a basic configuration including an ampule body 10 having a relatively cylindrical structure to contain a liquid material therein, and a conical mouth 20 formed at one end of the ampule body 10 and provided with a circumferential cutting line 21 at a desired portion thereof. Another conical mouth 30 is also formed at the other end of the ampule body 10. The conical mouth 30 has a transition portion 31 formed at one end of the conical mouth 30 connected to the ampule body 10, an enlarged portion 32 extending from the transition portion 31 toward the other end of the conical mouth 30 and having a diameter larger than that of the transition portion 31, and a circumferential cutting line 33 formed on the transition portion 31 or a portion of the conical mouth 30 disposed between the enlarged portion 32 and the other end of the conical mouth 30. The ampules shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, and 4 have different configurations associated with the conical mouth 30, respectively.

Fig. 1A illustrates an ampule according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1A, the conical mouth 30 has the above mentioned transition portion 31, enlarged portion 32, and circumferential cutting line 33. The cutting line 33 is provided for snapping the conical mouth 30 from the ampule body 10, thereby forming an opening, through which the user drinks the content of the ampule. The transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32 are provided to allow a straw S to be inserted into the interior of the ampule body 10 through the opening formed along the cutting line 33, thereby enabling the user to drink the content of the ampule using the straw S while preventing a penetration of foreign matters into the ampule body 10 during drinking, thus

providing for easy drinking.

It is effective for the transition portion 31 to have a diameter larger than, but approximate to the diameter of the straw S as much as possible, because it is possible to prevent foreign matters, such as dust in the atmosphere, from penetrating the ampule. However, where the transition portion 31 is too small to provide a gap between the inner surface of the transition portion 31 and the outer surface of the straw S, it is difficult for the user to drink the content of the ampule using the straw S. Accordingly, the transition portion 31 should have a diameter sufficient to provide a fine gap between the inner surface of the transition portion 31 and the outer surface of the straw S inserted into the ampule body 10 so that the content of the ampule can be easily discharged through the straw S.

In this case, however, it is difficult to easily insert the straw S into the ampule through the transition portion 31 because the gap defined between the transition portion 31 and straw S is very small. To this end, the enlarged portion 32, which has a larger diameter than the transition portion 31, is provided in order to obtain an easy insertion of the straw S.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the cutting line 33 may be formed at the transition portion 31 of the conical mouth 30, as shown in Fig. 1B. In this case, it is possible to more easily carry out the cutting of the conical mouth 30 along the cutting line 33, even though the effects of making an easy insertion of the straw S and preventing a penetration of foreign matters into the ampule are reduced, as compared to the case of Fig. 1A. Since the transition portion 31 has a larger thickness than the portion of the conical

mouth 30, where the cutting line 33 is formed in the case of Fig. 1A, it is possible to obtain an easy cutting of the conical mouth 30 where the cutting line 33 is formed at the transition portion 31.

Referring to Fig. 4, an ampule according to another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this case, the ampule has no enlarged portion, as different from those of Figs. 1A and 1B. In place, the conical mouth 30 has a cylindrical portion extending from the transition portion 31 while having the same cross- sectional area as the transition portion 31. That is, the conical mouth 30 has a straight cylindrical shape with a constant cross-sectional area. In this case, the cutting line 33 may be formed on the cylindrical portion of the conical mouth 30. However, this structure has a difficulty in the manufacture thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, a method for manufacturing the ampules of Figs. 1A, 1B and 4 is also provided. This method includes the steps of: (A) preparing a cylindrical glass tube, and clamping the lower end of the glass tube by a rotating clamp in such a manner that the glass tube rotates together with the rotating clamp; (B) pre-heating a desired portion of the glass tube to form two conical mouths, one being a conical mouth 20 having a well-known structure with the other conical mouth being a conical mouth 30 having a structure enabling an insertion of a straw S therethrough; (C) elongating the pre-heated portion of the glass tube; (D) measuring the diameter of the elongated portion of the glass tube using a sensor; (E) re-forming the elongated portion of the glass tube, based on the result of the measurement, in such a manner that the elongated portion has a diameter gradually reduced, as it extends from each end position

thereof toward an intermediate position thereof, to provide a desired conical shape; (F) forming a transition portion 31 and an enlarged portion 32 for the conical mouth 30 at the elongated glass tube portion, so that the elongated glass tube portion has a part with the conical mouth 30 and a part with the conical mouth 20; (G) cutting the elongated glass tube portion at an intermediate position thereof, thereby separating the portion of the glass tube having the conical mouth 20 from the remaining portion of the glass tube having the conical mouth 30: (H) performing a finishing process for the conical mouths 20 and 30 using a desired thermal treatment in such a manner that the conical mouth 20 is hermetically sealed whereas the conical mouth 30 is maintained to be open; (I) releasing the separated glass tube portion from the clamp, thereby dropping the released glass tube portion while clamping the lower end of the remaining glass tube portion, where the conical mouth 30 is formed, by the clamp; (J) repeatedly performing steps (B) to (I), thereby forming a plurality of ampule preforms each having the conical mouths 20 and 30 at opposite ends thereof, respectively; (K) forming cutting lines 21 and 31 on the conical mouths 20 and 30 of each ampule preform; and (L) injecting a liquid material into each of the ampule preforms through the conical mouth 30 thereof, and hermetically sealing the conical mouth 30 of each of the ampule preforms.

This ampule manufacturing method may be carried out using a conventional apparatus which is adapted to manufacture ampules with a conventional structure as shown in Fig. 3, but provided with a means for forming the transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32 of the conical portion 30.

In order to form the transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32 of the conical portion 30 using the ampule manufacturing method of the present invention, a glass tube is first partially elongated in the same manner as that conventionally used for the formation of the conical mouths 2 and 3 of the conventional ampule shown in Fig. 3. Thereafter, parts of the elongated glass tube portion respectively corresponding to the transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32 are instantaneously heated to a high temperature so that the glass is melted at those parts. At this time, the part of the elongated glass tube portion, where the transition portion 31 is to be formed, is heated at a higher temperature than the part of the elongated glass tube portion where the enlarged portion 32 is to be formed. Also, this heat treatment should be carried out in such a manner that the part of the elongated glass tube portion disposed below the part corresponding to the enlarged portion 32 is not melted.

-The melted parts of the elongated glass tube portion are elongated by the weight of the glass tube portion disposed below the melted parts, thereby forming the transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32. Since the formation of the transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32 are instantaneously carried out, considerable care should be provided in order to allow the transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32 to have desired diameters, respectively. The times respectively taken for the formation of the transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32 utilizing the weight of the glass tube itself can be appropriately determined through repeated experiments.

Since the ampule of the present invention is made of glass, the portion of the ampule manufacturing apparatus,

which comes into contact with the glass tube, should be provided with a buffering member made of, for example, a rubber material with a high heat resistance. In all processes, the glass tube is maintained at a vertical state in the ampule manufacturing apparatus.

Glass has a high possibility of damage caused by an abrupt variation in temperature applied thereto. For this reason, it is preferred that each treatment applied to the glass tube be carried out through a plurality of successive processing steps. For instance, it is effective that the pre-heating treatment of step B is carried out through ten heating steps. It is also desirable to carry out the treatment of step G after performing three pre-processing steps for forming a cutting line.

All processes of the ampule manufacturing method according to the present invention are carried out on the clamp mounted on a rotating shaft so that the glass tube is uniformly subjected to each process throughout the entire circumferential portion thereof. For example, if the glass tube does not rotate while being heated, a considerable temperature difference then occurs between a portion of the glass tube subjected to heat and an opposite portion of the glass tube subjected to no heat, so that those glass tube portions have different shapes, respectively. Also, if the glass tube does not rotate in the case of a cutting process, then it may have a portion having no cutting line. In this case, cracks may be formed at the portion of the glass tube having no cutting line. Otherwise, the glass tube may be inaccurately cut.

As a result, products having a poor quality may be formed.

Now, the manufacture of the ampule according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

First, a cylindrical glass tube is prepared which may typically have a diameter of 15.65 + 0.13 mm and a thickness of 0.53 + 0.02 mm. The glass tube is then clamped at the lower end thereof by the clamp mounted to the rotating shaft which has a through hole for allowing an ampule formed to drop therethrough. The rotating shaft is configured to revolve around a desired center. The glass tube is also supported by a support plate above the clamp. The support plate has a hole to fit the glass tube therein and rotates at the same speed as the rotating shaft.

The rotating shaft then passes through pre-heating burners, respectively adapted to carry out ten successive heating steps of a pre-heating process for forming conical mouths 20 and 30, as it revolves. By this pre-heating process, the glass tube is pre-heated at a portion thereof disposed between the lower end thereof and a portion supported by the support plate. The pre-heating temperature in each pre-heating step is maintained in a range of 1,000 to 1,200"C. Where the pre-heating temperature is less than 1,000"C, it is difficult to easily form the conical mouths 20 and 30. On the other hand, where the pre-heating temperature is more than 1,200"C, the diameters of the conical mouths 20 and 30 are too small to obtain a desired ampule structure.

After the completion of the pre-heating process, the rotating shaft, to which the lower end of the glass tube is clamped, is lowered to a desired length, thereby elongating the portion of the glass tube preheated by the pre-heating process. The diameter of the elongated glass tube portion is then measured using a sensor. Where it is determined that the elongated glass tube portion has a diameter larger than a desired diameter, the elongated

glass tube portion is heated again and re-formed to have a desired diameter.

Subsequently, parts of the elongated glass tube portion respectively corresponding to the transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32 are instantaneously heated to a high temperature so that the glass is melted at those parts. At this time, the part of the elongated glass tube portion, where the transition portion 31 is to be formed, is heated at a higher temperature than the part of the elongated glass tube portion where the enlarged portion 32 is to be formed. Also, this heat treatment should be carried out in such a manner that the part of the elongated glass tube portion disposed below the part corresponding to the enlarged portion 32 is not melted.

The melted parts of the elongated glass tube portion are then elongated by the weight of the glass tube portion disposed below the melted parts, thereby forming the transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32.

Accordingly, the elongated glass tube portion has a part with the conical mouth 20 and a part with the conical mouth 30. Preferably, the heating temperature ranges from 1,000"C to 2,000°C in association with the formation of the transition portion 31 and enlarged portion 32.

Thereafter, a cutting process is carried out to cut the elongated glass tube portion at an intermediate position thereof. The cutting process is achieved by carrying out three successive steps for forming a cutting line and then cutting the elongated glass tube portion along the cutting line. By this cutting process, the portion of the glass tube having the conical mouth 20 is separated from the remaining portion of the glass tube having the conical mouth 30. Here, the conical mouth 20 has a well-known structure whereas the conical mouth 30 has a structure

enabling an insertion of a straw S therethrough in accordance with the present invention. A finishing process for the conical mouths 20 and 30 is then carried out using a desired thermal treatment in such a manner that the conical mouth 20 is hermetically sealed whereas the conical mouth 30 is maintained open. It is effective that the thermal treatment is carried out at a temperature of 500 to 800"C. Where the thermal treatment temperature is less than 500"C, it is difficult to achieve a desired finished structure. On the other hand, where the thermal treatment temperature is more than 800"C, an over-melting occurs which results in a deformation in the ampule structure.

Subsequently, the separated glass tube portion is released from the clamp, thereby allowing it to drop while clamping the lower end of the remaining glass tube portion, where the conical mouth 30 is formed, by the clamp. The above mentioned processing steps from the pre- heating step are repeated, thereby forming a plurality of ampule preforms each having the conical mouths 20 and 30 at opposite ends thereof, respectively. Cutting lines 21 and 31 are then formed on the conical mouths 20 and 30 of each of the ampule preform. After the formation of the cutting lines 21 and 31, a liquid material is injected into each of the ampule preforms through the conical mouth 30 thereof. Finally, the conical mouth 30 of each of the ampule preforms is hermetically sealed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conical mouth 20 of the ampule, which has a well-known simple conical structure, may have the same structure as the conical mouth 30 enabling an insertion of a straw S therethrough.

Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides an ampule having a conical mouth with a transition portion and an enlarged portion, thereby be-ing capable of allowing an insertion of a straw therein.

Accordingly, the user can drink the content of the ampule using a straw. Therefore, an improvement in hygiene and safety and easy of use can be achieved. The present invention also provides a method for efficiently manufacturing ampules having the above mentioned structure.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.