Title of Invention

TUBE BLANK AND METHOD OF PRODUCING GLASS RECEPTACLES FROM A TUBE BLANK

Abstract The invention relates to a tube blank (1) for producing glass receptacles (2,2'), in particular glass tube vials, glass ampules, or glass syringes, particularly those suitable for pharmaceutical applications, having a tube wall (9), comprising two end regions (3,4), a first end region (3) and a second end region (4), the first end region (3) being sealed to form a floor (6) and a ventilation hole (8) being introduceable into the tube wall (9) in the region of the first end region (3). The tube wall characterizing the second end region (4) has an opening which corresponds to the inner diameter of the tube wall (9), and in that the tube wall (9) has a run-out of > 0 and  0.8 mm at the second end region (4).
Full Text Tube blank and method of producing glass receptacles from a tube blank
The present invention relates to a tube blank for the production of glass
receptacles, in particular glass tube vials, glass ampules, and glass syringes in the
pharmaceutical field, particularly having the features of the preamble of Claim 1,
as well as a method of producing glass receptacles, particularly to be filled with
pharmaceutical products, from a tube blank.
A method of producing glass tube vials from a glass tube blank is previously
known from the publication European Patent B 111 710. In this case, the glass
tube blank is formed from a continuous glass bar. For this purpose, a tube length
is detached from the glass tube strand and softened on both ends. The softened
ends are drawn out axially until the glass tube collapses in this region and closed
tube ends are thus obtained. A point-shaped opening is applied in the direct
proximity of one of the two closed tube ends and the tube length prepared in this
way is inserted in the form of a tube blank into a manufacturing machine and
processed there into glass vials. The tube blank is inserted in the vertical direction
into the manufacturing machine in such a way that the point-shaped opening lies
on the bottom in the vertical direction. The tube wall is moderately heated on the
upper end. Above the point-shaped opening, the tube length is then cut through
thermally, a floor also temporarily forming on the remaining tube blank, which,
however, immediately splits again due to the overpressure which builds up. At this
location, the mouth of the first tube vial is formed. At a distance from this location
which corresponds to the length of the tube vial, the tube blank is then cut through
thermally again, the floor of the first tube vial and a further floor being formed
simultaneously from the remaining tube, which, however, again immediately splits
due to the internal overpressure which builds up. These method steps are
repeated on the remaining tube blank, through which individual tube vials arise,
which have cleanliness suitable for pharmaceutical applications.

The tube blanks themselves are typically produced at a different time than the
actual production of the glass receptacles. These blanks are then packaged into
tube packages according to a method such as that described, for example, in the
publication German Patent Application A-27 29 266. they, in the densest packing.
lying next to and on top of one another, being enclosed by a shroud made of
flexible material. In this doubly-protected state, they then reach the glass
receptacle producer, who uses the method already described. To completely seal
the individual tube blanks, the point-shaped opening, which functions as a
ventilation hole, is also resealed by a film. This film is constituted in such a way
that it softens upon moderate heating and then splits open under a slight pressure
or is made of a material which combusts without a residue. In this way, the
cleanliness necessary for pharmaceutical applications is ensured. However, the
manufacturing of the tube blank is distinguished by an elevated outlay in this case.
Furthermore, a part of the tube length of the tube blank is always discarded to
manufacture glass receptacles, in particular glass receptacles for pharmaceutical
applications, specifically the part having the ventilation hole and the remaining part
of the tube blank having a shorter length than the tube vial upon division into the
tube vial lengths. Furthermore, it has also been observed that, from a tube blank
of this type in accordance with the method described, a specific rate of faulty glass
receptacles may only be prevented through precise tailoring of the individual
process parameters during the glass receptacle production.
The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method of
producing glass receptacles, in particular for pharmaceutical applications, for
example in the form of glass tube vials, glass ampules, and glass syringes, which
is distinguished by high cost-effectiveness. In this case, optimum usage of the
entire length of the tube blank is particularly desired. Furthermore, the outlay for
manufacturing and control technology for the production of the glass receptacles is
to be kept as low as possible and/or is to be distinguished by a large tolerance
range.

The achievement of the object according to the present invention is characterized
by the features of Claims 1 and 5. Advantageous embodiments are described in
the subclaims.
The tube blank according to the present invention for producing glass receptacles,
particularly those suitable for pharmaceutical applications, in particular glass tube
vials, glass ampules, and glass syringes, includes a tube wall having two end
regions, a first end region of the tube wall being closed to form a floor. At least
one ventilation hole is provided in the tube wall in the region of the first end region.
The hole is preferably implemented perpendicularly to the tube blank axis. The
diameter of this ventilation hole is preferably in a range from > o to open area present in a typical tube open on both sides. According to the present
invention, the other, second end region is free of a seal, i.e., it has an opening or is
completely open. To manufacture a tube blank of this type, a tube length is
detached from a continuous glass tube strand. One of the two open ends of this
tube length is softened and drawn out, using a force which acts in the axial
direction, until the tube collapses and thus a first floor, which is planar or curved
slightly inward, i.e., directed toward the inner chamber delimited by the tube wall,
is made. After sealing of the one end region, the ventilation hole is then
introduced into the tube wall in the region of this end region. It may be burned in,
for example, using a spot burner. The detachment from a continuous glass tube
strand may be distinguished by a somewhat elevated particle load in the region of
the open end. However, it has been determined that in connection with the
method according to the present invention for producing glass receptacles,
particularly glass receptacles suitable for pharmaceutical applications, this
disadvantage is compensated again by the method steps which then follow, and
glass receptacles having a very high cleanliness, which are therefore suitable for
pharmaceutical applications, may nonetheless be produced. The tube blank
according to the present invention is therefore distinguished by a lower
manufacturing technology outlay than the related art described. Furthermore, no
separate measures are necessary for the transport of the tube blank to the actual

manufacturing location for the glass receptacles, and the method of packing in
tube packages already known from the related art may be used.
There are no restrictions in regard to the implementation of the floor on the tube
blank. It may be implemented as planar or curved slightly inward. In this case, the
geometry of the floor is a function of the temperature and the strength of the force
which acts on the tube end region to be sealed.
In order to begin with the production of glass receptacles starting from the open
tube end region, the open end region advantageously has a run-out of > 0 and s 1
mm, preferably8 mm.
To manufacture the glass receptacles, particularly those suitable for use in
pharmaceutical fields, in particular in the form of glass vials, glass ampules, or
glass syringes, from a tube blank designed according to the present invention, the
tube blank is placed in a manufacturing machine and processed there into the
glass tube receptacles. According to the present invention, the tube blank is
preferably inserted vertically into the manufacturing machine in such a way that
the closed end region having the ventilation hole is located on top in the vertical
direction. The second, open end region is then located on the bottom in the
vertical direction. The manufacturing may immediately be begun on the second,
open end region, in that it is heated and the desired mouth form is shaped. At an
interval corresponding to the length of the glass receptacle, the tube blank is then
cut through thermally, starting from the shaped mouth, the floor of the glass
receptacle forming simultaneously during this process. This floor may be
implemented as planar or with a curvature directed into the inner chamber
delimited by the tube wall. The individual method steps are then continuously
repeated on the tube blank, further glass receptacles arising. Preferably, the glass
tube receptacle already manufactured is removed from the guide of the tube blank,
so that the remaining tube blank, having the now open end region, may be pushed
into the position of the glass receptacle now removed. This offers the advantage

that the heating and shaping unit for producing the mouth does not have to be
displaced and. if the tube blank is arranged vertically, it may assume this position
solely due to gravity. An essential advantage of this achievement of the object is
that the manufacturing of the glass receptacles may begin immediately, without
discarding material of the tube blank, and, furthermore, due to the ventilation hole,
which is always present, the pressure ratios in the tube blank may be controlled
easily, so that no damage or faulty glass receptacles arise due to possible
pressure spikes in the tube blank. Furthermore, a floor may be implemented on
the remaining tube blank even as it is cut through thermally, this not being
problematic in any way, since the necessary opening and therefore also the mouth
shape may be introduced again through targeted heating of this end region. The
disadvantage of elevated particle load on the open end region which may possibly
result during the production of the tube blank may be compensated through this
method, in particular through targeted heating.
The achievement of the object according to the present invention therefore offers,
particularly in the mass production of glass receptacles, a significant economic
advantage, through the use of a tube blank having an end region closed on one
side and a ventilation hole, in relation to the known achievements of the object
having an end region closed on both sides and a ventilation hole or an end region
closed on one side without a ventilation hole. The preparation by detaching the
region having the ventilation hole may be dispensed with, furthermore, the
pressure ratios may be controlled reliably due to the ventilation hole present, so
that they do not lead to negative interference in the manufacturing of glass
receptacles.
In an especially advantageous embodiment, the heating of the second open end
region is controlled as a function of the desired mouth shape. The advantage is
that an opening having a desired diameter is achieved through the controlled
heating.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the
method is performed automatically. This offers the possibility of a high throughput,
particularly in mass production.
The achievement according to the present invention is elucidated in the following
with reference to figures. The following is illustrated in detail therein:
Figure 1 elucidates a tube blank designed according to the present invention
on the basis of a longitudinal section;
Figure 2 elucidates a schematic, greatly simplified illustration of the basic
principle of the method of producing glass receptacles, particularly
those suitable for use in the pharmaceutical field.
Figure 1 elucidates a schematic, greatly simplified illustration of a longitudinal
section through a tube blank 1 designed according to the present invention, which
is used to produce glass receptacles 2, which may be implemented, for example,
in the form of glass vials, glass ampules, or glass syringes, and which are
particularly suitable for pharmaceutical applications. Tube blank 1 is illustrated in
longitudinal section in this case. It has two end regions, a first end region 3 and a
second end region 4. First end region 3 is sealed in this case. For this purpose, a
floor 6 is provided directly on tube end 5. The floor may be implemented, as in the
case shown, as curved toward inner chamber 7 of the tube blank, which is
delimited by the wall of the floor. A planar implementation of floor 6 (not shown
here) is also conceivable. According to the present invention, tube blank 1 is also
open in a second end region 4. In addition, a ventilation hole 8 is provided, which
is introduced into wall 9 of tube blank 1 and preferably lies near floor 6. The
ventilation hole is formed perpendicularly to tube central axis RM in this case. It is
also positioned in first end region 3.

Tube blank 1 is obtained in this case from a continuous glass tube strand of finite
length. In this case, a tube element having length i, which forms tube blank 1, is
detached from the glass tube strand The tube element made in this case is
opened on both end regions. One of the two open end regions of tube length I is
then softened and drawn out by a force acting in the axial direction until the tube
element collapses in this region and a first planar or slightly inwardly curved floor 6
is formed. The second end region, which then corresponds to open end region 4
in finished tube blank 1, remains untreated. The necessary run-out on the open
end region is made possible in this case by the detachment from the glass tube
strand, which is typically performed thermally. Ventilation hole 8 is then introduced
into first end region 3. It is preferably applied using a spot burner.
To perform the method according to the present invention, tube blank 1 thus
arising is then preferably inserted into a manufacturing machine 10 in such a way
that closed end region 3 having ventilation hole 8 lies on top in the vertical
direction. The manufacturing is performed beginning from open end region 4. In
this case, tube wall 9 is moderately heated in open end region 4, for example
using a device 11, the desired mouth for glass receptacle 2 being shaped using a
device 12. Device for heating 11 and device for shaping 12 may also be combined
into one unit in this case.
At a distance a from the open tube end, in particular the mouth which has already
been introduced, tube blank 1 is then cut through thermally, a floor 15 forming on
end region 13 of tube part 14 thus arising, which then forms glass receptacle 2,
during the cutting. Glass receptacle 2 thus made is removed from manufacturing
machine 10 corresponding to the direction of the arrow and the tube blank is
guided downward and/or falls downward in the vertical direction. Second end
region 4', which results on remaining tube blank 1 after removal of glass
receptacle 2, may either be closed again due to the thermal cutting, or may be
provided with an opening. However, this does not play a role in the further
manufacturing, since this second end region 4' is again subjected to heating, also

using device 11, and the desired mouth for glass receptacle 2'. i.e., the second
glass receptacle obtained from tube blank 1, is formed using device 12 for
shaping. The pressure ratios in tube blank 1 remain controllable due to existing
ventilation hole 8. The resulting contour of glass tube vial 2' is illustrated using a
dashed line. Glass tube vial 2' is then manufactured after vial 2 is removed from
the machine or at least guided into the position illustrated in Figure 2 for glass tube
vial 2. Following the introduction of the mouth, the cutting procedure on tube blank
1 is again performed at a distance a', end region 13' of tube part 14' thus arising
being sealed by a floor 15' during the cutting process and/or subsequently thereto.
This process may now be continued until the end of tube blank 1, only the upper
part having the ventilation hole being discarded. The manufactunng, beginning at
the open end region, offers the advantage in this case that the production of glass
receptacles may be begun immediately, without planning a part to be exploited,
and the length of tube blank 1 available may be used optimally, since only the
remaining end region having the ventilation hole is discarded and therefore no
complicated calculations in regard to the size of the discard are necessary from
the beginning, as in an embodiment with an end region closed on both sides.



We Claim:
1. A tube blank (1) for producing glass receptacles (2,20, in particular glass
tube vials, glass ampules, or glass syringes, particularly those suitable for
pharmaceutical applications, having a tube wall (9), comprising two end
regions (3,4), a first end region (3) and a second end region (4), the first
end region (3) being sealed to form a floor (6) and a ventilation hole (8)
being introduceable into the tube wall (9) in the region of the first end
region (3), characterized in that the tube wall characterizing the second
end region (4) has an opening which corresponds to the inner diameter of
the tube wall (9), and in that the tube wall (9) has a run-out of > 0 and 0.8 mm at the second end region (4).
2. The tube blank (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floor (6) formed in
the first end region (3) is implemented as planar or curved toward the
inner chamber (7) delimited by the tube wall (9).
3. A method of producing glass receptacles (2,20, in particular glass vials,
glass ampules, or glass syringes, from a tube blank (1) as claimed in one
of claim 1 or 2, comprising the steps of:

(a) - inserting the tube blank (1) into the manufacturing machine (10)
in a vertical arrangement with the ventilation hole (8) on top;
(b) - heating the tube blank (1) on the second end region (4) and
shaping the mouth for the glass receptacle (2,20;
(c) - cutting through the tube blank (1) at a distance from the
resulting mouth which corresponds to the length of the glass

receptacle, the floor (15,150 of the glass receptacle (2,20 being
formed simultaneously; and repeating the method steps (a) to ( c).
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tube blank is cut through
thermally.
5. The method one of claims 3 or 4, comprising
- removing the glass receptacle (2,20 from the region of the guide axis of the
tube blank (1) in the manufacturing machine (10) after formation of the floor
(15,150; and
-guiding the tube blank (1) along the guide axis by a distance corresponding
to the length by which the glass receptacle removed.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein when the tube blank (1) is
arranged vertically in the manufacturing machine (10), the guiding
process occurs automatically through gravity.
7. The method as claimed in one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the heating of the
open end region (4) is controlled.
8. The method as claimed in one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the individual
glass receptacles (2,20 are manufactured continuously and sequentially in
time.

9. The method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the production of
the glass receptacles (2,2') is performed automatically.

The invention relates to a tube blank (1) for producing glass receptacles (2,2'), in
particular glass tube vials, glass ampules, or glass syringes, particularly those
suitable for pharmaceutical applications, having a tube wall (9), comprising two
end regions (3,4), a first end region (3) and a second end region (4), the first
end region (3) being sealed to form a floor (6) and a ventilation hole (8) being
introduceable into the tube wall (9) in the region of the first end region (3). The
tube wall characterizing the second end region (4) has an opening which
corresponds to the inner diameter of the tube wall (9), and in that the tube wall
(9) has a run-out of > 0 and  0.8 mm at the second end region (4).

Documents:

699-cal-2002-granted-abstract.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-assignment.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-claims.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-correspondence.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-description (complete).pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-drawings.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-examination report.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-form 1.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-form 13.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-form 18.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-form 2.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-form 26.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-form 3.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-form 5.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-form 6.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-pa.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-priority document.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-specification.pdf

699-cal-2002-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 228417
Indian Patent Application Number 699/CAL/2002
PG Journal Number 06/2009
Publication Date 06-Feb-2009
Grant Date 04-Feb-2009
Date of Filing 16-Dec-2002
Name of Patentee SCHOTT AG
Applicant Address HATTENBERGSTRASSE 10, 55122 MAINZ
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 RAUSCH HEINZ EIFELSTRASSE 23, 95448 BAYREUTH
2 DICK ERHARD AM TROTTACKER 23 95701 PECHBRUNN
PCT International Classification Number C03B 23/18,23/09
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 DE10224833.8-45 2002-06-05 Germany