Closure system for a vial, vial, method of closing and filling a vial and stand for a vial
Inventors
Thilly, Jacques • Vandecasserie, Christian
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7946437-B2
Publication Date
2011-05-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A closure system for a pharmaceutical vial, comprising an elastomer closure part, a clamp part which holds the closure part in engagement with the mouth of the vial, and a cover part which engages with the clamp part. The interior of the closure part is profiled to minimize retention of residual liquid therein.
Core Innovation
The disclosure concerns a closure system for a vial having an upwardly-facing mouth opening bounded by a rim. An elastomer closure part shaped to sealingly engage with the mouth opening has a lower surface facing the interior of the vial and an opposite upper surface facing away from the vial, and is capable of being punctured by a needle. A clamp part engages with the vial and bears upon the upper surface of the closure part to hold the closure part in a closing relationship with the mouth opening.
The clamp part has an aperture therein through which a region of the upper surface of the closure part is exposed when the clamp part is engaged with the vial. A cover part is engageable with the clamp part to cover the said region of the closure part, with the cover part at least partly closing the aperture. The cover part comprises an upper wall having a segment linked to the remainder of the cover part by a frangible link, where the link is severable to allow the segment to be sufficiently detached to thereby allow access to the region of the closure exposed through the aperture.
The cover part further comprises a peripheral skirt wall and the skirt wall has a snap-fit engagement part adjacent its lower extremity to engage with the clamp part. In addition, the elastomer plug part is described with an interior-facing surface enclosing an angle greater than 90° to reduce trapped residual liquid by capillary action, and the closure geometry is described as upwardly convex above the flange part. A ring-shaped stand is also disclosed for automated handling/filling that supports vial stability and maintains the closure upstream in laminar sterile airflow.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides four independent claim sets: closure system for a vial, a method of closing a vial, a method of filling a vial, and a pharmaceutical vial retained in a ring stand. Across these independent claims, the coverage centers on a puncturable elastomer closure part, a clamp part with an aperture exposing a region of the closure, and a cover part with a frangible link and snap-fit engagement to the clamp. The independent claim set also includes geometric and retention-related features for the plug/flange and stand.
Vial closure system with puncturable elastomer, aperture clamp, and frangible cover segment
An elastomer closure part sealingly engaging an upwardly-facing vial mouth opening and puncturable by a needle; a clamp part bearing on the closure part and having an aperture exposing a region of the upper surface of the closure part; a cover part engageable with the clamp to at least partly close the aperture, with the cover comprising an upper wall segment linked by a frangible link so the segment can detach to allow access to the exposed region.
Vial closure with upwardly facing mouth and snap-fit clamp bearing on needle-puncturable elastomer plus snap-fit cover
An elastomer closure part shaped to sealingly engage the upwardly-facing mouth opening and puncturable by a needle; a clamp part engaged by resilient snap-fit over a rim or flange so it bears upon the upper surface of the closure part; a cover part with an upper wall and peripheral skirt wall engageable by snap-fit with the clamp to cover the closure part.
Vial filling with exposed closure region and residual puncture hole sealing before covering
A method of filling a pharmaceutical vial by providing an assembly including a needle-puncturable elastomer closure held by a clamp having an aperture exposing a region of the closure upper surface; inserting a filling needle through the exposed region and injecting a liquid medicament into the vial; withdrawing the needle to leave a residual puncture hole; and engaging a cover part with the clamp to cover the said region by snap-fit.
Vial retained in a ring stand with outer perimeter extending to clamp extent
A pharmaceutical vial retained in a ring stand comprising a ring-shaped body with an inner perimeter adapted to engage with the base of the vial and an outer perimeter extending radially beyond the outer diameter of the vial body, with the outer perimeter extending to substantially the same radial distance as the radially outermost extent of the clamp part when engaged with the vial.
Across the independent claims provided, the patent coverage consistently features a needle-puncturable elastomer closure sealingly engaging an upwardly-facing vial mouth, a clamp that bears on the closure and includes an aperture exposing a region for needle access, and a cover that at least partly closes the aperture and enables access through a frangible-link detachment segment while having snap-fit engagement to the clamp. Additional independent coverage introduces a method of closing, a method of filling, and a ring-stand retention arrangement defined by stand outer perimeter dimensions relative to the clamp.
Stated Advantages
Allows access to a region of the closure exposed through the aperture by detaching a segment of the cover part linked by a frangible link.
Forms an enclosure around the closure region when the sealing ridge on a detachable cover segment engages the closure part to follow a closed perimeter.
Reduces trapped residual liquid by capillary action using an interior-facing surface enclosing an angle greater than 90°.
Supports vial stability and maintains the closure upstream in laminar sterile airflow.
Documented Applications
Closure of an upwardly-facing pharmaceutical vial mouth opening using a puncturable elastomer closure and a clamp and cover arrangement.
Filling a pharmaceutical vial with a liquid medicament using a filling needle inserted through an exposed region of a needle-puncturable elastomer closure held by a clamp, followed by withdrawal leaving a residual puncture hole and covering with a snap-fit cover part.
Automated handling/filling of pharmaceutical vials using a ring-shaped stand that supports vial stability and maintains the closure upstream in laminar sterile airflow.
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