DESCRIPTION

[0001]The present invention relates to a vial for fluid products, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like, provided with a protection system against accidental opening which makes it "childproof".

[0002]With particular reference to the pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic industries, the use of vials made of polymer material for packaging one or more doses of fluid, liquid or pasty products is known.

[0003]With particular reference to disposable vials, said vials comprise a containment body of a predetermined dose of product, provided with a neck at the top of which a product dispensing mouth is defined, closed by closing means which are removable by the user at the time of use. [0004]Generally, in disposable vials, the closing means is made in a single piece with the containment body during the molding operation, connected thereto by means of a predetermined breaking zone. In other words, the containment body and the closing means are made in a single monolithic piece so that the dispensing mouth of the vial is initially closed and can be opened by tearing the closing means off from the containment body. [0005]In order to allow the gripping and removal of the closing means, the latter is provided with a gripping key of various shapes, which allows it to rotate thereon with respect to the containment body so as to tear the predetermined breaking zone. [0006]However, the known vials have some drawbacks.

[0007]It should be noted that in the absence of a medical prescription, assuming certain products contained in the vials (for example medicinal or pharmaceutical products) can be dangerous and therefore the need has arisen to devise vials provided with childproof anti-tampering means. In fact, it is apparent that even a child, after a few attempts, manages to tear off the closing means by acting on the gripping key to access the contents.

[0008]Furthermore, these known types of vials do not always ensure the integrity and sterility of the product packaged therein. When traditional vials are handled or placed in cases (drawers, cabinets, cosmetic bags, etc.), it may occur indeed that the gripping key is subjected to accidental and involuntary impacts, such as to tear the predetermined breaking zone before the actual use of the fluid product.

[0009]It is the object of the present invention to provide a vial for fluid products, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like, which is childproof. [0010]It is also the object of the present invention to provide a vial which allows to overcome the drawbacks of the known vials in a simple and rational manner, being easy and effective to use and at a low cost. [0011]Such an object is achieved by a vial for fluid products provided with a protection system against accidental opening in accordance with claim 1, and by a strip of vials in accordance with claim 10. Other embodiments of the vial according to the invention are described in the subsequent claims.

[0012]The features and advantages of the vial according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]- figure 1 shows a front view of a series of vials in accordance with the present invention, in a constructional variant;

[0014]- figures 2A and 2B show an axonometric view of one of the vials in figure 1; in particular, figure 2A shows the vial closing means made in one piece with the containment body, and figure 2B shows the vial opening lever, made as a separate component from the containment body; [0015]- figures 3A and 3B show an enlargement of figures 2A and 2B, in particular the engagement zone between the vial closing means (figure 3A) and the vial opening lever (figure 3B);

[0016]- figures 4A and 4B show a sectional view of one of the vials in figure 1, in a safety configuration of the childproof lever (figure 4A) and in a lever operation configuration for opening the vial (figure 4B);

[0017]- figure 5 shows a sectional axonometric view of one of the vials in figure 1, in the lever operation configuration for opening the vial (as in figure 4B);

[0018]- figures 6A and 6B show a sectional view of a vial in accordance with the present invention in a further constructional variant, in a safety configuration of the childproof lever (figure 6A) and in a lever operation configuration for opening the vial (figure 6B);

[0019]- figure 7 shows a sectional axonometric view of the vial in figure 6B.

[0020]With reference to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 shows a vial for packaging one or more doses of fluid, liquid, or pasty products, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like.

[0021]The term "fluid products" does not mean only liquid products but also viscous products, for example in the paste and gel state, and powdered products, in particular very fine powders with great flowability.

[0022]The vial 1 is made of polymer material, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, through forming techniques such as injection molding. In a different example, the vial 1 is made using the blowing technique which allows to obtain multilayer walls made of polymer materials (such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene) and/or barrier materials (LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE, EVOH).

[0023]The vial 1 in accordance with the present invention is of the disposable type, i.e., is not reclosable.

[0024]The vial 1 comprises a containment body 10, which is internally hollow, adapted to house a predetermined dose of product.

[0025]Preferably, the containment body 10 is provided with a pair of flaps 14 adapted to facilitate the gripping of the vial 1 by a user. The flaps 14 extend, diametrically opposite to each other, from the outer lateral surface of the containment body 10.

[0026]It should be noted that the vial 1 can be produced in single units or in series to form a strip, as in figure 1. In the latter case, each flap 14 is associated, removably by means of a weakened zone 15, with a flap 14 of one or more adjacent vials, so as to form a monolithic strip, i.e., in a single piece. The weakened zones 15 are easily tearable by the user to separate one vial from the other.

[0027]The containment body 10, of substantially tubular and elongated shape, extends along a longitudinal axis X and has an end provided with a neck 11, at the top of which a product dispensing mouth 12 is defined.

[0028]The opposite end of the containment body 10 is provided with an opening adapted to introduce the product, which is closed after filling (for example by welding) to form a bottom 13. [0029]The vial 1 comprises a closing means 20 for the occlusion of the dispensing mouth 12, removably associated with the containment body 10 at the neck 11. [0030]The closing means 20 is made in a monolithic body together with the containment body 10 and, in an initial configuration, is joined thereto along a predetermined breaking line 22. In other words, the containment body 10 and the closing means 20 are made in a single monolithic piece so that the dispensing mouth 12 of the vial 1 is initially closed and can be opened by tearing off the closing means 20. The closing means 20 is detachable from the containment body 10 in an opening configuration in which on the body 10, at the predetermined breaking line 22, the dispensing mouth 12 through which the fluid product can be dispensed is formed. [0031]The closing means 20, preferably cylindrical in shape, comprises a lower portion 21 joined to the containment body 10 by the predetermined breaking line 22, and an upper portion 23 which is prismatically associable with an opening key 30 for the removal of the closing means 20 itself from the containment body 10.

[0032]The vial 1 comprises an opening key 30 which allows the gripping and rotation of the closing means 20 thereon with respect to the containment body 10, so as to tear the predetermined breaking zone 22. [0033]The opening key 30 comprises a gripping portion 31 and a portion 32 for the connection with the closing means 20.

[0034]The gripping portion 31 is substantially plate-like to facilitate the gripping and rotation thereof. [0035]The connecting portion 32, preferably cylindrical in shape, comprises an inner seat 33, also preferably cylindrical in shape, in which the closing means 20 is at least partially inserted.

[0036]In a constructional variant shown in figures 1 to 5, the tubular connecting portion 32 ends at the closing means 20, i.e., before the predetermined breaking zone 22 and the beginning of the neck 11.

[0037]In a further constructional variant shown in figures 6 to 7, the connecting portion 32 is elongated and extends beyond the closing means 20, at least to cover the predetermined breaking line 22, preferably until it at least partially covers the neck 11. Such a technical solution helps to keep the opening key 30 in place on the containment body 10 in the initial configuration (figure 6a). Furthermore, the fact that the connecting portion 32 extends at least to cover the predetermined breaking line 22, avoids involuntary and unwanted tearing of the predetermined breaking zone before the actual use of the fluid product, even in the event of accidental and involuntary impacts, thereby improving the integrity of the product.

[0038]The opening key 30 is made separately from the containment body 10, and in the initial configuration shown in figures 1 and 4a, it is already coupled to the closing means 20 by means of an axial constraint which allows the opening key 30 to rotate freely around the closing means 20 without being axially removed therefrom. [0039]As shown in the detail in figure 4a, the closing means 20 comprises an axial constraint 24, for example a radial ring protruding externally between the lower portion 21 and the upper portion 23 of the closing means 20. The opening key 30 comprises a corresponding axial constraint 35, for example a radial ring protruding inside the seat 33 of the lower portion 33. [0040]In the coupling configuration shown in figure 4b, the opening key 30 is prismatically associated with the closing means 20 to leverage thereon and tear it off from the containment body 10 and thus obtain the opening configuration of the vial 1. [0041]Therefore, the opening key 30 comprises a prismatic coupling seat 33 and the closing means 20 has an upper portion 23 shaped substantially matching the prismatic coupling seat 33.

[0042]The seat 33 of the opening key 30 is such as to rotationally constrain the closing means 20 about the axis X.

[0043]In this regard, the upper portion 23 of the closing means 20 comprises at least one pair of prismatic protrusions 41 between which a pair of recesses 42 is defined. Similarly, the seat 33 of the opening key 30 comprises at least one pair of prismatic protrusions 51 between which a pair of recesses 52 is defined.

[0044]The prismatic protrusions 41 are insertable into the corresponding recesses 52 of the opening key 30, and the prismatic protrusions 51 are insertable into the corresponding recesses 41 of the closing means 20.

[0045]The opening key 30 is slidingly movable with respect to the containment body 3 between an initial configuration, in which the prismatic portions 41, 51 are released from each other, and a coupling configuration, in which the prismatic coupling is obtained with the closing means 20.

[0046]In particular, in the initial configuration (figure 4a), the prismatic portions 41, 51 are vertically aligned with each other, abutting one above the other. In the coupling configuration (figure 4b), the prismatic portions 41, 51 are mutually intersected, in lateral abutment one against the other.

[0047]Preferably, there are four prismatic protrusions 41,51.

[0048]Preferably, the prismatic protrusions 41,51 are flared, i.e., they widen at the base so that the respective recesses 42,52 narrow at the base.

[0049]Preferably, the prismatic protrusions 41,51 are substantially triangular with the apex of the triangle facing the center.

[0050]Preferably, the prismatic protrusions 41 of the closing means 20 are beveled and rounded in order to easily slide out of the respective recesses 52 of the opening key 30.

[0051]The prismatic portions 41 of the closing means 20 define abutment surfaces 43 arranged transversely to the axis X and against which the prismatic portions 51 of the opening key 30 rest upon the displacement thereof approaching the containment body 10. Preferably, the abutment surfaces 43 of the prismatic portions 41 have a slightly helical extension in order to easily slide out of the respective recesses 52 of the opening key 30.

[0052]Therefore, the opening key 30 has the recesses 52 at the bottom 34 of the seat 33, in which the protrusions 41 of the closing means 20 are inserted upon the displacement of the opening key 30 from the initial or rest position to the coupling or working position.

[0053]It should be noted that the bottom 34 of the seat 33 defines the end-stroke position of the opening key 30 approaching the containment body 10.

[0054]As mentioned above, the opening key 30, in the initial configuration shown in figures 1 and 4a, is already connected to the closing means 20 by an axial constraint which allows the opening key 30 to freely rotate around the closing means 20 (without prismatic coupling) but without being axially removed therefrom. [0055]Only in the coupling configuration, in which the opening key 30 is pushed towards the containment body 10, the prismatic portions 51 are able to rotate the prismatic portions 41 along with the entire closing means 20 about the axis X.

[0056]Therefore, to open each vial 1 it is necessary to push the opening key 30 downwards so as to achieve a prismatic coupling between the prismatic protrusions 41 of the closing means and the prismatic protrusions 51 of the opening key 30. The opening key 30 reaches the working position when the prismatic protrusions 41 of the closing means 20 rest against the bottom wall 34. Only at this point, the closing means 20 is rotationally integral with the opening key 30 about the axis X.

[0057]Advantageously, the particular configuration of the prismatic portions 41,51 facilitates the prismatic decoupling between the opening key 30 and the closing means 20 in the absence of a downward pressure force, making the vial 1 childproof.

[0058]It is thus necessary to maintain a downward pressure force and simultaneously rotate the opening key 30 about the longitudinal axis of the vial 1 to tear the predetermined breaking zone 22, thus obtaining the separation of the closing means 20 from the body 10, allowing the fluid product to come out. Therefore, a combined action (pushing plus rotation) is required to obtain the opening of the vial. Such a need configures the vial as having a "childproof" closure.

[0059]Advantageously, moreover, by virtue of the presence of the axial constraint (24,25) between the opening key 30 and the closing means 20, the latter remains inserted into the seat 33 even after removal from the body 10, preventing small pieces from being accidentally ingested for example by a child.

[0060]Advantageously, moreover, in the case of a strip as in figure 1, the prismatic protrusions 41,51 are oriented so as to keep the closing means 20 and the opening key 30 in the "not engaged" configuration, making it impossible to open the vial if it is not first separated from the rest of the strip.

[0061]Therefore, the present invention relates to a vial 1 for fluid products, particularly pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medical products or the like, comprising:

[0062]- a containment body 10 for a fluid product, provided with a product dispensing mouth 12;

[0063]- a closing means 20 which:

[0064]in an initial configuration, is joined to said containment body 10 along a predetermined breaking line 22 to close the dispensing mouth 12 and,

[0065]in an opening configuration, obtained by tearing said predetermined breaking line 22, is separated from said containment body 10 to open said dispensing mouth 12;

[0066]- an opening key 30 which:

[0067]in the initial configuration, is slidingly fitted on the closing means 20 and is rotationally released from said closing means 20; [0068]in a working configuration, is prismatically rotationally engaged with said closing means 20 to leverage thereon and remove it from said containment body 10 to obtain the opening configuration.

[0069]In particular, the closing means 20 comprises an upper portion 23 provided with prismatic protrusions 41 interspersed with recesses 42, and the opening key 30 comprises a prismatic coupling seat 33 with a bottom 34 provided with prismatic protrusions 51 interspersed with recesses 52, and in the working configuration the prismatic protrusions 41 of the closing means 20 are inserted into the recesses 52 of the opening key 30.

[0070]The present invention also relates to a monolithic strip of vials for fluid products, particularly pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medical products or the like, comprising a plurality of vials 1 in which each flap 14 is removably associated by means of a weakened zone 15 with a flap 14 of one or more adjacent vials. Preferably, the strip comprises five vials 1, as in figure 1.

[0071]Innovatively, a vial in accordance with the present invention has a childproof opening system.

[0072]Advantageously, a vial in accordance with the present invention allows to overcome the drawbacks of the known vials in a simple and rational manner, being easy and effective to use and at a low cost. [0073]It is apparent that those skilled in the art could make changes to the product described above, all contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.