Device for connecting a receptacle and a container and ready-for-use set comprising same

[0002] The invention relates to a device for connecting a closed receptacle and a container. The invention also relates to a ready-for-use set comprising, inter alia, a closed receptacle and a connection device of the afore-mentioned type.

[0003] In the domain of drug-packaging, it is known to store a component of a medicinal preparation, such as for example its active ingredient, in a recipient closed by a stopper of relatively non-rigid material, for example of elastomer. A liquid may be introduced into this recipient after perforation of the stopper in order to dissolve the component contained in the recipient or place it in suspension, with a view to obtaining a medicinal preparation in liquid form ready to be administered to the patient.

[0004] Document WO-A-97110156 discloses a connection device of the afore-mentioned type which comprises a base adapted to cover the neck of the recipient and extends in a flange forming an inner bore while a plunger is adapted to slide in this bore, between a position disengaged with respect to the stopper and a transfer position in which a hollow needle borne by the plunger traverses this stopper. The displacement of the plunger from its disengaged position towards its transfer position is effected manually by an operator. During this manipulation, it happens that the operator exerts on the flange for guiding the plunger or on the latter in the course of displacement, a transverse effort which may result in a perforation of the stopper in an inclined direction with respect to a central axis of symmetry of the stopper. The functional clearance between the plunger and the inner bore of the base cannot be reduced too significantly in order to allow a better axial guiding of the plunger, as the effort resisting the displacement of the plunger would in that case be too great. The risk of an inclined or “slantwise” perforation of the stopper is therefore non-negligible, in particular when the user has to prepare a medicament urgently.

[0005] The consequence of a slantwise perforation of the stopper is that the apparent section of the orifice, created in the stopper by the passage of the hollow needle, is greater than the outer diameter of this needle, to such an extent that leakages may be produced through the stopper, around the hollow needle. In particular, when the recipient and the container with which it is associated are placed in a position of flow by gravity of the reconstituted medicament from the recipient towards the container, i.e. when the recipient is placed above the container, it is possible that the medicinal preparation flows from the recipient towards the plunger and flows over the user's hands, which may be dangerous for certain medicaments or unpleasant for less aggressive medicaments.

[0006] It is a more particular object of the invention to overcome these drawbacks by proposing an improvement in the known systems which allow their tightness to be guaranteed, including in the case of slantwise perforation of the stopper that they comprise.

[0007] The device of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a sealing lip arranged on an internal surface of the bore opposite the plunger or on a surface of the plunger, this lip being shaped to be in tight abutment against the plunger or against an internal surface of the bore, in the transfer position of the plunger.

[0008] Thanks to the invention, there is created a volume of containment around the hollow needle, between the plunger and the internal surface of the bore, this volume of containment making it possible to retain liquid possibly leaking outside the recipient through the orifice formed in the stopper by the hollow needle.

[0009] According to a first, advantageous variant embodiment of the invention, the base comprises a wall bearing against an outer part of the stopper, the lip being shaped on a face of this wall oriented towards the plunger. According to a second, advantageous variant embodiment, the lip is shaped on a front face of the plunger oriented towards the stopper. According to another advantageous variant embodiment, the lip is shaped on an inner radial surface of the flange or on an outer radial surface of the plunger.

[0010] In any case, the lip may be provided to present, in transverse section, an asymmetrical profile inducing a privileged direction of deformation. This aspect of the invention guarantees an adequate positioning of the lip when the plunger is in transfer position, this adequate positioning guaranteeing the desired seal.

[0011] According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the flange bears, on its inner radial face, a circular ring adapted to cooperate with a corresponding shoulder of the outer radial surface of the plunger in order to lock this plunger in the transfer position. Locking of the plunger has the effect of precisely fixing the position of the plunger and consequently the crushing or deformation of the sealing lip, which ensures a tight contact between the lip and the surface with which it must cooperate. The ring may be provided to present an asymmetrical tranverse section, the face of the ring oriented towards the opening of the bore being less inclined with respect to the inner radial surface of the flange than the face of the ring oriented towards the stopper. This arrangement allows the ring not, or hardly, to hinder the movement of slide of the plunger in the direction of the stopper, from its disengaged position towards its transfer position, while it may efficiently oppose a movement of the plunger in the opposite direction. The ring is advantageously adapted to separate an annular volume defined in the bore around the front part of the plunger in transfer position, in tight manner from the ambient atmosphere. In that case, the ring performs a function of seal which is added to that of the lip mentioned hereinbefore.

[0012] The invention also relates to a ready-for-use assembly comprising a closed recipient containing a product, this recipient comprising a neck whose opening is obturated by a stopper made of relatively non-rigid material, and a connection device as described hereinabove, mounted on the recipient. Such an assembly makes it possible to conserve a component of a medicament, such as its active ingredient, sterile, and to prepare it when required by mixture with a liquid, without risk of dangerous or unpleasant leakage.

[0013] The invention will be more readily understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the following description of three embodiments of a connection device in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section, in exploded view, of a connection device according to the invention and of a recipient on which it is provided to be mounted.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 1 mounted on the recipient, the whole being in a configuration of storage.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 2 while the plunger of the device has been displaced towards a transfer position between the inner volume of the recipient and the outside.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a view on a larger scale of detail IV of FIG. 3.

[0018] FIG. 4A is a section on a larger scale of the sealing lip of the device at rest, i.e. in the position of FIG. 2.

[0019] FIG. 4B is a view on a larger scale of detail B of FIG. 4.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 for a device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, and

[0021] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 for a device in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

[0022] The device 1 according to the invention has a dual function. On the one hand, it renders tamperproof a recipient 2, for example a glass flask, containing a product (not shown) and previously closed or stoppered. On the other hand, it ensures or establishes a tight connection between the interior of the recipient 2 and the interior of another container 2′, shown in dashed and dotted lines in FIG. 3, this container being able to be a supple bag containing a liquid intended to dissolve or place in suspension the product contained in the recipient 2, for example the active ingredient of a medicament.

[0023] The recipient 2 comprises a neck 3 whose opening 3ais hermetically stopped by a stopper 4, made of a relatively non-rigid material, for example elastomer and in particular rubber. The neck 3 comprises an outer annular bead 3bserving for assembly and fixation of a base 5.

[0024] The stopper 4 comprises a cylindrical central part 4a, adapted for a supple and tight fit inside the opening 3aof the neck 3, and a flattened outer part 4bshouldered on the bead 3b.

[0025] The base 5 is made in one piece of a plastics material which is relatively hard with respect to the material constituting the stopper 4. It comprises a plurality of hooking teeth 6 provided to be disposed around the bead 3bof the neck 3, in the manner shown in FIG. 2 and in accordance with the technical teaching of WO-A-97/10156.

[0026] The base 5 comprises a wall 8 bearing on the part 4bof the stopper 4, this wall being provided with a central recess 8awhose function will be explained hereinafter. The wall 8 also bears two circular ribs 8band 8coriented towards the stopper 4 and provided to penetrate in the outer part 4bof the stopper 4, with the result that they create a tight barrier between the wall 8 and the stopper 4. The base 5 extends in a flange 9, oriented opposite the teeth 6 with respect to the wall 8 and of which the inner radial surface 9adefines a bore A of substantially circular section.

[0027] A plunger 10 is provided to slide inside the bore A in a direction defined by the axis of symmetry X-X′ of this bore, which axis is also the axis of symmetry of the base 5 around which the teeth 6 are distributed.

[0028] The plunger 10 comprises a section 10asubstantially perpendicular to the axis X-X′ and a skirt 10bin the form of a cylindrical sleeve centred on axis X-X′. A hollow needle 11 borne by the section 10aof the plunger 10 is centred on axis X-X′. The skirt 10bof the plunger 10 bears a shoulder 10cwhile the flange 9 is provided with a peripheral inner projection 9bat the level of the opening of the bore A. As is more clearly visible in FIG. 2, the plunger 10 may be introduced inside the bore A, by elastic deformation of the flange 9, in a position such that the shoulder 10cis in contact with the projection 9b, the plunger 10 in that case being locked inside the bore A. In this position, the needle 11 is disengaged with respect to the stopper 4, i.e. does not perforate this stopper.

[0029] A cap 12 is provided to be disposed around the assembly formed by the base 5 and the plunger 10 and comprises a lower ring 13, adapted to lock the teeth 6 of the base 5 around the neck 3, and a breakable part 14 intended to protect the plunger 10 in the position of FIG. 2, this breakable part being connected to the ring 13 by a line of break 15.

[0030] When it is necessary to use the product contained in the recipient 2, it suffices to separate the breakable part 14 from the rest of the cap 12 in order to have access to the plunger 10 which may in that case be pushed in the direction of the recipient 2 in order to reach the transfer position shown in FIG. 3 in which the needle 11 has traversed the recess 8aof the wall 8 and perforated the stopper 4.

[0031] In order that a user can effectively displace the plunger 10 in the direction of the stopper 4, the radial clearance J between the surface 9aand the skirt 10bmust not be too small, otherwise the device would risk being blocked. It is therefore not excluded that the orifice 20, formed by the needle 11 in the stopper 4 and which is of cylindrical shape, has an axis slightly inclined with respect to axis X-X′, which has been represented, in exaggerated manner, with axis Y-Y′ in FIG. 4.

[0032] According to the invention, the face 8dof the wall 8 oriented towards the plunger 10 bears a lip 22 directed towards the front face 10dof the section 10aof the plunger 10. The lip 22 is in one piece with the wall 8, itself in one piece with the rest of the base 5 which is made of plastics material harder than the stopper 4, but presenting a suppleness allowing deformation of the lip 22.

[0033] The lip 22 is circular, i.e. extends over a circumference centred on axis X-X′, with the result that, when it is in contact with the front face 10dof the plunger 10, it closes a volume V for containment of a possible leakage of liquid through the orifice 20, this volume being represented in grey tint in FIG. 4.

[0034] At rest and as shown in FIG. 4A, the lip 22 has an asymmetrical cross section in the form of an inclined tooth. The angle of inclination α of its outer face 22awith respect to a normal N to the face 8dis greater than the angle β of its inner face 22bwith respect to a normal N′ to the face 8d. The edge 22cof the lip 22 projects inwardly with respect to the foot 22dof the inner face 22b. In this way, the direction of crushing of the lip 22 upon abutment of the front face 10dis turned towards axis X-X′ so that the tightness is effected with the outer face 22aof the lip 22 having a tangent substantially parallel to the front face 10dof the plunger 10, which guarantees an optimal seal, including when the pressure of the plunger 10 on the lip 22 is not very high.

[0035] The lip 22 exerts on the plunger 10 an effort of reaction which increases when liquid is present in the volume V, this liquid exerting a pressure on the inner face 22bof the lip 22, which pressure tends to return the lip 22 into its configuration of FIG. 4A.

[0036] A ring 24 is provided on the inner radial surface 9aof the flange 9, at such a height with respect to the wall 8 that it cooperates with the shoulder 10cof the skirt 10bto block the plunger 10 in the transfer position of FIGS. 3 and 4. The ring 24 advantageously extends over the whole circumference of the surface 9aand presents, in transverse section and as shown in FIG. 4B, a face 24adirected towards the opening of the bore A and a face 24bdirected towards the bottom of this bore, i.e. towards the stopper 4 and the wall 8. The angle of inclination δ of the surface 24awith respect to the surface 9ais of the order of 30°, while the angle of inclination γ of the surface 24bwith respect to this same surface is of the order of 60′. This asymmetrical shape of the ring 24 allows it not to oppose the movement of drive of the plunger 10 inside the bore A too strongly, as the face 24ais hardly inclined with respect to axis X-X′, while it efficiently locks the shoulder 10cthanks to the considerable inclination of its face 24b.

[0037] The function of locking of the ring 24 makes it possible to guarantee that an adequate pressure is exerted by the plunger 10 on the lip 22 in order to obtain a satisfactory seal.

[0038] As the ring 24 extends over the whole periphery of the surface 9a, it also contributes to the seal of the whole of the device 1 insofar as liquid, which might reach to outside the volume V due to a leakage at the level of lip 22, would remain contained in the volume V′ defined between the front face 10dand the wall 8 outside the lip 22 and by the annular clearance J between the skirt 10band the surface 9a, at the level of the front of the plunger 10. The ring 24 therefore has a dual function of locking and of sealing.

[0039] In the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, elements similar to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 bear identical references increased by 50. The device of this embodiment differs from the preceding one essentially in that the sealing lip 72 is borne by the front face 60dof the plunger 60 and provided to come into contact with the upper face 58dof the partition 58 of the base 55. The lip 72 therefore makes it possible to define a volume V for containment of a possible leakage of liquid. A ring 74 is also provided on the inner radial surface 59aof the flange 59 for locking the plunger 60 in position with respect to the base 55 and in order to constitute a second sealing barrier for a second closed volume V′. The plunger 60 bears a shoulder 60cadapted to cooperate with the ring 74. The front face 60dof the plunger 60 bears a groove 76 inside which is immobilized the lip 72 which may be made of a material distinct from that of the plunger 72 and, in particular, of a more supple material allowing an increased deformation during abutment of the plunger 60 against the wall 58, in order to improve seal.

[0040] The lip 72 is immobilized in the groove 76 by any appropriate means and, in particular, by cooperation of shapes and/or adhesion.

[0041] In the third embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, elements similar to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 bear identical references increased by 100. A sealing lip 122 is provided on the inner radial surface 109aof the flange 109 opposite the outer radial surface 110eof the skirt 110bof the plunger 110 to define a volume of containment V. As before, a ring 124 is provided on the surface 109afor immobilizing a shoulder 110cof the plunger 110 with respect to the base 105 in the transfer position. It also performs the role of sealing barrier for a second closed volume V′.

[0042] According to a variant of the invention (not shown) and taking a mirror solution with respect to that of the embodiment of FIG. 6, the sealing lip might be borne by the outer surface 110eof the skirt 110. Similarly, the skirts 22 and 122 might be constituted by elements added on the base, in accordance with a technique similar to that evoked with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 5. Of course, the lip borne by the plunger in the embodiment of FIG. 5 might also be in one piece with this plunger.

[0043] It will be noted that the lips 72 and 122 have an asymmetrical profile, like lip 22, which gives them a privileged direction of deformation.

[0044] It is possible to provide for the ring 24, 74 or 124 to be formed by discrete, i.e. non-contiguous angular sectors, in which case it efficiently performs its function of locking but does not participate in the seal of the volume V′.

[0045] Whatever the embodiment considered, the immobilization of the plunger 10, 60 or 110 thanks to ring 24, 74 or 124 guarantees a constant positioning of the needle 11 or equivalent, with respect to the recipient 2, with the result that the lost volume of the recipient 2, i.e. the quantity of product contained in the recipient which cannot be recovered due to the distance between the end of the needle 11 and the neck of the recipient, is constant from one device to another. The quantity of product introduced in the recipient 2 or equivalent before its obturation by the corresponding stopper can therefore be determined with precision, taking into account this constant lost volume.

[0046] It will be noted that the invention is applicable independently of the mode of fixing the base 5 on the recipient 2 and, generally, that it may be used in any connection device comprising a plunger, mobile inside a bore of a base mounted on a recipient.