Abstract:
A device for connecting between a recipient and a container, including a base, mounted on the recipient and a bush forming an inner bore, and a plunger adapted to slide in this bore, between a first position disengaged with respect to the stopper of the recipient and a second, so-called transfer position, in which a hollow needle borne by the plunger traverses the stopper. The base is provided with at least one elastic catch for retaining the plunger in the transfer position, this catch projecting, from the bush, towards the interior of the bore and being adapted to cooperate with an outer radial tab of the plunger.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for connection between a closed recipient and a container, and to a ready-to-use assembly comprising, inter alia, a closed recipient and a connection device of the afore-mentioned type. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the domain of packaging medicines, it is known to store one component of a pharmaceutical preparation, such as for example its active ingredient, in a recipient closed by a relatively non-rigid material, for example made of elastomer. A liquid may be introduced info this recipient, after perforation of the stopper, in order to place the component contained in the recipient in solution or in suspension, so as to obtain a preparation, in particular a medicament or vaccine, in liquid form ready to be administered to the patients. 
     Documents WO-A-90/03536 and WO-A-97/10156 disclose connection devices, each comprising a base adapted to cover the neck of a recipient and extended by a flange or bush forming an inner bore, while a plunger is mounted to slide in this bore. The plunger is provided to be pushed towards a transfer position in which a hollow needle borne by the plunger passes through the stopper of the recipient. These known devices allow axial movements of the plunger when it has been displaced up to transfer position, which might lead to leakages and does not efficiently control the lost volume of the recipient, i.e. the quantity of liquid which cannot be drawn off therefrom. 
     Document WO-A-98/13006 discloses a device adapted, in particular, for connection between a recipient with a stopper which is adapted to be perforated and a syringe, in which teeth are distributed about the axis of the plunger and provided to be returned centrifugally or centrapetally in order to cooperate with a stop clement provided on a base. This device allows a locking of the plunger as long as the effort of displacement to which it is subjected is not too great. However, under certain conditions, the teeth might be deformed plastically, which might allow the plunger to tear in a direction of extraction. 
     It is a particular object of the present invention to overcame these drawbacks, by proposing an unproved connection device in which a particularly efficient locking of the plunger in transfer position is obtained 
     SUMMARY UP THE INVENTION 
     To that end, the invention relates to a device of the type mentioned above, in which the base is provided with at least one elastic catch for retaining the plunger in transfer position, this catch projecting from the bush towards the interior of the bore and being adapted to cooperate with an outer radial tab of the plunger. 
     Thanks to the invention, the elastic catch guarantees a efficient locking of the plunger in transfer position. Such locking is all the more efficient as a plurality of catches are advantageously provided, which may be regularly distributed about the central axis of the device. 
     According to a first advantageous aspect of the invention, the catch is provided, on an outer radial face, with a heel adapted to cooperate with a ring for locking the plunger in position of retention, this ring being adapted to slide about the bush. This ring gives the retaining catch a sufficient rigidity to efficiently resist an effort of displacement of the plunger from the transfer position. This ring is advantageously provided with an outer radial flange for locking in translation in a position of cooperation with the catch. 
     According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the device comprises means for locking in rotation the plunger and/or the locking ring. These means advantageously comprise longitudinal ribs made on the inner face and/or the outer face of the bash and adapted to cooperate with corresponding elements in relief provided on the outer radial surface of the plunger and/or on the inner radial surface of the ring. 
     According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, in disengaged position with respect to the stopper, the plunger is fast with the bush by at least one breakable tongue. In addition, the base and the plunger are advantageously formed in one piece by injection of plastics material. This facilitates positioning of the plunger with respect to the base, insofar as this positioning results directly from the method of manufacture and as it is not necessary to provide an assembly step corresponding to the insertion of the plunger in the base. Moreover, the one-piece nature of the base and plunger guarantees that the plunger dues not risk sliding in the bore, particularly under the effect of vibrations or sudden accelerations during transport of the device. In this way, the tip of a needle borne by the plunger is held for certain inside the bare, with the result that it does not risk projecting beyond the base to the point of marking or perforating a stopper when the device is positioned on the recipient. With the known devices, such a risk could not be completely eliminated, including when using beads for holding the plunger. 
     According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, a cap for protecting the bore and the plunger is provided, on an inner face, with a member for transmission of a thrust effort for the displacement of the plunger from the first position towards the second position. In this way, the protecting cap serves as member for maneuvering the plunger. 
     According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the bush comprises, near its free edge, means for blocking the container by cooperation of shapes, in particular bayonet-type locking slots adapted to cooperate with at least one tab of the container. 
     According to another advantageous aspect, the base comprises a cylindrical surface defining a skirt which extends around the neck of the recipient and bears hooking teeth, this skirt comprising at least one opening far access to the catch and/or to certain hooking teeth from the outside. These openings are particularly useful for efficiently moulding the catch or catches and the corresponding teeth. 
     The invention also relates to a ready-to-use assembly comprising a closed recipient containing a product, in particular a pharmaceutical preparation, this recipient being provided with a neck whose opening is obdurated by a stopper, and a connection device as described hereinabove, mounted on the recipient. Such an assembly enables a component of a medicine or a vaccine, in particular its active ingredient, to be kept sterile and to be prepared when necessary by mixture with a liquid, while its plunger is efficiently held in position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be more readily understood in reading the following description of an embodiment of a connection device in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a ready-to-use assembly according to the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a transverse section along line II—II of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a broken section along line III—III in FIG. 2, the plane of section of FIG. 2 being indicated at II—II. 
     FIG. 4 is a section similar to FIG. 3 during a fast step of using the device, and 
     FIG. 5 is a section similar to FIG. 3 during a second step of using the device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, the device according to the invention has a dual function. On the one hand, it guarantees the tamper-proof nature of a recipient  2 , for example a glass bottle containing a product (not shown) and previously closed or stopped. This product may be a powder intended to form a drinkable vaccine, or it may be question of any other type of pharmaceutical preparation, in particular any type of medicine. On the other hand, the device  1  ensures or establishes a tight connection between the interior of the recipient  2  and the interior of another container  3 , such as a syringe containing a liquid intended to place the product contained in the recipient  2  in solution or in suspension. Instead of a syringe, the container  3  might be formed by a supple bag or another glass bottle. 
     The recipient  2  comprises a neck  4 , whose opening  4   a  is tightly obdurated by a clapper  5  made of a relatively non-rigid material, for example elastomer and, in particular, rubber. The neck  4  comprises an outer annular bead  4   b  on which is crimped a capsule b which also covers a peripheral part of the stopper  5  and which is provided with a central opening  6   a  through which it is possible to perforate the stopper  5 . The stopper  5  comprises a substantially cylindrical central part  5   a , adapted for supple and tight fit inside the opening  4   a , and a flattened outer part  5   b , shouldered by the bead  4   a , and covered by the capsule  6 . 
     The device  1  is essentially formed by two parts made by injection of plastics material, for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide or ABS (polyacrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene), namely a base element  10  intended to be mounted around elements  4  to  6 , and a cap  30 . 
     The base element  10  comprises a plurality of hooking teeth  11  provided to be arranged around the bead  4   b , as shown in FIG.  3 . These teeth are defined in the lower part of a cylindrical skirt  12  surrounding the neck  4 . The element  10  comprises a wall  13  for abutment on the upper part of the capsule  6 , this wall being provided with a central recess  13   a  bordered by a cylindrical bush  14 , concentric to the skirt  12  and extending opposite the wail  13  with respect to said skirt. 
     XX′ denotes the central axis of the device  1  which is, in particular, the axis of the skirt  12  and of the bush  14 . The bush  14  extends up to contact with the capsule  6  and defines a bore A centred on axis XX′. 
     In its part  14   a  closest to the stopper  5 , the bush  14  is equipped with two catches  15  and  15  ′projecting radially towards the interior of the bore A. Taking into account the plastic material used for moulding element  10 , these lips are supple enough to be elastically deformed, as represented by arrow F in FIG.  3 . 
     As is clearly visible in FIG. 2, the catches  15  and  15 ′ are diametrally opposite. However, other distributions, as well as a different number of retaining catches, may be envisaged. 
     Inside bore A is disposed a plunger  20  forming a hollow needle  21  adapted to perforate the stopper  5  in its central part. Plunger  20  is connected to the bush  14  by tongues  22  which are three in number and regularly distributed on the periphery of the plunger  20 . In this way, the plunger  20  is in one-piece with the base  10  until the tongues  22  are broken. 
     Plunger  20  also forms a sleeve  23  for receiving the nose  3   a  of the syringe  3 . The inner diameter of the sleeve  23  is chosen to be sufficiently small for only those syringes that may be introduced therein to correspond to a special manufacture intended for this use. 
     Plunger  20  bears two tabs  24  extending radially outwardly at the level of the transition zone  25  between the needle  21  and the sleeve  23 . 
     On its inner radial surface, the bush  14  bears three longitudinal ribs  16  which cooperate with the sides of the tabs  24  to avoid a rotation of the plunger  20  about axis XX′. 
     The cap  30  is formed by a removable part  31 , surrounding the free edge  14   b  of the bush  14 , and by a ring  32  disposed around the bush  14 , parts  31  and  32  being connected by a breakable zone  33 . 
     Near its free edge  14   b , the bush  14  is provided with an outer ring  14   c  provided to penetrate in an inner peripheral groove  32   c  of the ring  32 . These outer ring and groove make it possible to maintain the cap  30  in position with respect to the element  10  in the storage position of FIGS. 1 to  3 . The device  1  may he maintained in position on bottle  2  for several months, before use. 
     On its inner face  31   a , part  31  is equipped with an extension  34  whose shape is adapted to be able to engage partially in the sleeve  23 . In cross-section, this extension is in the form of a cross, as it is formed by two substantially orthogonal ribs  34   a  and  34   b  intersecting at the level of axis XX′. In the position of FIG. 3, the positioning of extension  34 , and in particular its depth of penetration in sleeve  23 , is determined by the cooperation of the ring  14   c  and the groove  32   c.    
     When it is necessary to mix the contents of syringe  23  and of recipient  2 , an effort, represented by arrow E in FIG. 3, is exerted on part  31  of the cap  30 , which has the effect of bearing the shoulders  34   c  of the ribs  34   a  and  34   b  against the free edge of the sleeve  23 , while driving groove  32   c  with respect to ring  14   c . Ring  32  then moves along the bush  14  in the direction of wall  13 . The effort transmitted by the extension  34  to the sleeve  23  has the effect of cutting the tongues  22  and of pushing the plunger  20  towards the central opening  6   a  of the capsule  6 , with the result that the sharp tip  21   a  of the needle  21  penetrates in the bottle  2  through the stopper  5 . Effort E is maintained until the ring  32  is received in an annular space  17  defined between the upper part of the skirt  12  and the lower part  14   a  of the bush  14 . Such displacement of the ring  32  corresponds to a displacement of the plunger  20  such that the transition zone  25  between the needle  21  and the sleeve  23  is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the upper surface of the capsule  6 . 
     Such displacement of the plunger  20  has the effect of engaging the tabs  24  and  24 ′ respectively to the rear of the catches  15  and  15 ′, these catches being driven radially, outwardly of the bush  14 , by tabs  24  and  24 ′ during the movement of advance of the plunger  20 . This is possible, as the front face  15   a  of the catch  15  visible in FIGS. 3 to  5  is inclined with respect to axis XX′. In that case, one is in the position of FIG. 4 where the ring  32  exerts on a heel  15   b , located on a rear or outer radial surface  15   c  of the catch  15 , a centripetal effort which maintains the catch  15  in an efficient locking position of the tab  24 . Catch  15 ′ which is identical, functions in the same way. 
     In order to guarantee a constant positioning of the ring  32  inside the volume  17 , this ring is provided with an outer flange  32   d  adapted to engage beneath an upper re-entrant edge  12   a  of the skirt  12  provided on an angular sector at the level of catch  15 . A similar re-entrant edge  12 ′ a  is provided at the level of catch  15 ′. 
     In this way, the ring  32  is firmly maintained in a position such that it prevents an elastic deformation of the catch  15  which might allow a movement of the tabs  24  in a direction moving away with respect to the stopper  5 . Functioning is similar at the level of catch  15 ′. 
     At the level of its part  14   a , the bush  14  is provided with outer ribs  14   e  provided to engage in corresponding notches  32   e  made on the inner radial surface of the ring  32 . 1   n  this way, in the position of FIG. 4, the ring  32  is immobilized in rotation about axis XX′. It is then possible to exert on part  31  of the cap  30  a couple  3 , allowing the breakable part  33  to be broken so as to withdraw this part  31 , while the ring  32  remains in position of locking of the catches  15  and  15 ′. 
     The nose  3   a  of the syringe  3  is then introduced in the sleeve  23 , as shown in FIG. 5, using one or more tabs  3   b  provided at the level of a base bush  3   c  of the syringe  3  in order each to penetrate in a bayonet-type locking slot  14   f  provided near the free edge  14   h  of the bush  14 . This particular construction allows an efficient locking of the syringe  3  with respect to the device  1  during the operations of transit of the liquid front the syringe towards the bottle and of recovery of the preparation in the syringe. 
     The bush  12  is provided at the level of catch  15 , with an opening  18  which allows a mobile slide to form the rear part of the catch  15  and the re-entrant edge  12   a  of the skirt  12  during moulding. The; teeth  11  may be obtained during moulding of the element  10  by slides penetrating to the bottom of the skirt  12  through the openings  13   b  provided in the wall  13 . Taking into account the geometry and location of the catch  15 , this is not possible for the teeth  11  located in the same angular sector as the catch  15  and  15 ′. An opening l 9  is provided in the skirt  12 , below the opening  18 , to allow the passage of a mobile slide for forming the corresponding tooth  11  during moulding of the device  1 . Corresponding openings are, of course provided in the angular sector corresponding to catch  15 ′. 
     The particular structure of the catch  15  and  15 ′ and their cooperation with the ring  32  guarantee an efficient locking of the plunger  20  in the transfer position of FIGS. 4 and 5. It will be readily understood that the number and distribution of the catches  15 ,  15 ′ or equivalent depend on a choice of design within the scope of the person skilled in the art, as a function of the desired force of locking and of the rigidity of the materials used. 
     The invention presents the particular advantage; that it is adaptable to bottles packaged conventionally with a stopper and a crimped capsule  6 , which allows it to be used after packaging of part of the medicines on a conventional chain. 
     The invention is applicable independently of the mode of fixing the base element  10  on the recipient  2  and, in general, it can be used in any connection device comprising a plunger mobile inside-a bore of a base mounted on a recipient.