EP0970478B1 - Verpackung mit zentrifugenrohr - Google Patents

Verpackung mit zentrifugenrohr Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0970478B1
EP0970478B1 EP97941361A EP97941361A EP0970478B1 EP 0970478 B1 EP0970478 B1 EP 0970478B1 EP 97941361 A EP97941361 A EP 97941361A EP 97941361 A EP97941361 A EP 97941361A EP 0970478 B1 EP0970478 B1 EP 0970478B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
packaging system
container
centrifuge tube
cavity
cap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97941361A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0970478A4 (de
EP0970478A1 (de
Inventor
Joseph Sandor
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
mp Biomedicals LLC
Original Assignee
ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/822,039 external-priority patent/US5783832A/en
Application filed by ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc filed Critical ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc
Publication of EP0970478A4 publication Critical patent/EP0970478A4/de
Publication of EP0970478A1 publication Critical patent/EP0970478A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0970478B1 publication Critical patent/EP0970478B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/06—Details of, or accessories to, the containers

Definitions

  • the field of the invention is hazardous materials packaging.
  • Radioactive and other hazardous materials having medical and scientific value are often transported in small quantities by common carriers, and are often stored in offices and laboratories having little or no special storage facilities. As a result, such materials can pose significant potential threats to public health and safety. Where the hazardous materials contained in the shipping and storage containers are not completely removed, there is yet a further problem resulting from the disposal of the containers.
  • the known systems do not, however, resolve certain problems encountered in accessing materials held within. For example, where the walls of an inner container are visually impenetrable or opaque, it may be difficult to visualize any material remaining within the container. This is especially problematic for clear or translucent materials, and for materials shipped or stored quantities of only a few milliliters or less. The contained material may also adhere to the sides of the inner container, making it difficult to remove all potentially available material.
  • disposal may involve disposing of an unnecessarily large container.
  • a packaging system as claimed in one of the independent claims 1 and 10 is provided for the transportation and storage of materials, including especially radioactive and other hazardous materials.
  • the system comprises a primary container removably received within a secondary container, and the secondary container removably received within a tertiary container.
  • the primary container is adapted to be centrifuged to minimize the amount of unrecoverable material, and in especially preferred embodiments involving radioactive materials, the primary container is the only component that must be considered as radioactive waste under current federal regulations.
  • a packaging system 1 generally comprises a primary container 10, a secondary container 20 and a tertiary container 30.
  • the primary container 10 is removably received by the secondary container 20, and the secondary container 20 is removably received by the tertiary container 30.
  • the primary container 10 comprises a centrifuge tube.
  • the centrifuge tube is advantageously sized to accommodate between about 0.01 ml and about 1 ml of radioactive material. Both larger and smaller size tubes, however, are also contemplated.
  • the primary container 10 tube is a "microcentrifuge tube" which is intended to be centrifuged within a device specifically adapted to small tubes, or centrifuged within a standard laboratory centrifuge using an adaptor.
  • centrifuge tube is defined herein to mean tubes which are narrowed at the bottom end 11 in a softened conical shape. This has the dual benefit of enhancing the collection of very small amounts of material 12 during centrifuging, and also enhancing the visibility and recovery of small amounts.
  • the primary container 10 can be constructed of many different materials. Plastic is presently preferred for radiochemicals and the like which may adhere onto, or dissolve other compositions, although the primary container may comprise glass, metals or other compositions as well.
  • the walls of the primary container 10 may thus be transparent, translucent, colored, entirely opaque, or have other desirable characteristics, depending upon the material contained therein.
  • the secondary container 20 contains a channel 21 sized and dimensioned to removably receive the primary container 10.
  • the secondary container 20 is also advantageously sealable at its upper end 22, preferably with a pressure-sealed "O"- ring.
  • the upper end 22 of the secondary container 20 includes a channel 23 which cooperates to seal against receiving cap 25.
  • the cap 25 is preferably made from high density suitable plastics .
  • the "O"-ring 26 is preferably positioned between the secondary container 20 and the cap 25.
  • an inner screw cap or other type of stopper can be removably fitted to the upper end of the primary container 10 before the primary container 10 is inserted into the channel 21, and the cap 25 is pressure-sealed onto the secondary container 20.
  • a finger (not shown) to extend downwards from the cap 25 or "O"-ring 26, such that the finger is received by the open upper end of the primary container 10 when the cap 25 is screwed onto the secondary container 20, and the finger thereby acts as a stopper.
  • the secondary container is preferably constructed of an impact resistant material, which especially in the case of a packaging system used for radioactive materials, may comprise polycarbonate.
  • the secondary container may be produced according to any satisfactory production technique, and is preferably injection molded to minimize production costs.
  • one of the sides may include a convex portion 27 which acts as a magnifying lens to improve visibility of the material 12 contained within the primary container 10.
  • the secondary container 20 also has a bottom 24 which is sufficiently flat, has three or more legs, or has some other shape which assists in maintaining its stability on a work bench or table top. Additionally, the secondary container 20 may have relatively flattened sides and rounded corners to prevent rolling, and to enhance its ornamental appearance.
  • the tertiary container 30 preferably comprises a flat bottomed, rectangular or square sided base 31 which defines a cavity 32 sized and dimensioned to receive a bottom portion of the secondary container 20.
  • the tertiary container is preferably constructed of an impact resistant material such as polypropylene.
  • Inner flanges 33 secure the secondary container 20 within the tertiary container, but allow for its easy removal.
  • the squarish shape of the base 31 is intended to provide protection against the system rolling should it inadvertently be tipped over, as well as the appearance of stability.
  • the tertiary container 30 also includes a cover 35 which fits onto outer flanges 34, using a "V" seal (not shown).
  • the cover 35 may include a lip or raised portion 36 which is received by a complementary recess (not shown) in the bottom of the base 31, to enhance stackability and to thereby reduce storage space.
  • the container system 1 described herein is preferably used as follows.
  • the material 12 to be transported and/or stored is loaded into the primary container 10.
  • An "O"-ring 16 is fitted into a cap 15, and the cap 15 is screwed onto the threads 14 of the primary container 10.
  • the primary container 10 is then placed into the receiving cavity 21 of the secondary container 20, which in turn is placed into the receiving cavity 32 of the base 31 of the tertiary container 30.
  • Removal of the material 12 involves reversal of these steps.
  • the cover 35 of the tertiary container 30 is removed from the base 31, and the secondary container may or may not be removed from cavity 32, depending up the user's preference.
  • the cap 25 of the secondary container 20 can then be removed, leaving the primary container 10 either open, or still closed by an inner screw cap 15 or other stopper. If an inner screw cap 15 or other stopper is present, it too is removed. In this action, the upper portion 28 of the screw cap 25 may be inverted and used as a tool to twist off the inner screw cap 15, where present.
  • the aanount of material 12 within the primary container 10 may be visualized through the magnifying portion 27 of the secondary container 20 when the primary container 10 lies in situ within the secondary container cavity (not numbered), or it may be visualized by removing the primary container 10 from the secondary container 20, and inspecting the contents more directly.
  • the primary container 10 can be centrifuged to enhance visualization or removal of any remaining material 12.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Claims (17)

  1. Verpackungssystem für ein radioaktives Material, aufweisend:
    ein Zentrifugenrohr (10)
    ein radioaktive Durchstrahlung dämpfendes Gehäuse (20), wobei das Gehäuse einen ersten Hohlraum (21) aufweist, der mindestens einen Teil des Zentrifugenrohrs (10) demontierbar aufnimmt.
  2. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 1, welches eine druckdichte Kappe (25) aufweist, die mit einem Abschnitt des Gehäuses (20) zusammenpasst und mindestens einen Teil des Zentrifugenrohres (10) innerhalb des ersten Hohlraums (21) sichert.
  3. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 1, welches eine druckdichte Kappe (25) aufweist, wobei die Kappe (25) und das Gehäuse (20) zusammenwirken, um das Zentrifugenrohr (10) innerhalb des ersten Hohlraumes (21) vollständig einzuschließen.
  4. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Gehäuse (20) eine Linse (27) aufweist, welche die Sichtbarkeit des radioaktiven Materials im Zentrifugenrohr (10) relativ zur Sichtbarkeit des radioaktiven Materials im Zentrifugenrohr (10) ohne die Linse (27) verbessert.
  5. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Linse (27) eine Vergrößerungslinse ist.
  6. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Gehäuse (20) aus Polycarbonat besteht.
  7. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Zentrifugenrohr (10) aus Kunststoff besteht.
  8. Verpackungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1-7, welches ein Gefäß (30) und eine Abdeckung (35) aufweist, welche zusammenwirken, um einen zweiten Hohlraum (32) zu bilden, der nach Größe und Abmessung zur Aufnahme des Gehäuses (20) und der Kappe (25) bemessen ist.
  9. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 8, wobei das Gefäß (30) und die Abdeckung (35) jeweils ein stoßfestes Material, vorzugsweise Polypropylen, aufweisen.
  10. Verpackungssystem zum Transportieren und Speichern eines gefährlichen Materials, aufweisend:
    einen Primärbehälter (10), der ein Zentrifugenrohr aufweist, einen Sekundärschutzbehälter (20) mit einem ersten Hohlraum (21), der mindestens einen Teil des Primärbehälters (10) demontierbar aufnimmt, eine Kappe (25), die mit einem Teil des Sekundärbehälters (20) zusammenpasst und den Primärbehälter (10) innerhalb des ersten Hohlraumes (21) sichert, und ein Gefäß (30) und eine Abdeckung (35), die zusammenwirken, um einen Sekundärhohlraum (32) zu bilden, der nach Größe und Abmessung zur Aufnahme des Sekundärbehälters (20) und der Kappe (25) bemessen ist.
  11. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Kappe (25) und der Sekundärbehälter (20) zusammenwirken, um den Primärbehälter (10) innerhalb des ersten Hohlraumes (21) vollständig einzuschließen.
  12. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 11, wobei der Sekundärbehälter (20) eine Linse (27) aufweist, welche die Sichtbarkeit des radioaktiven Materials im Primärbehälter (10) relativ zur Sichtbarkeit des radioaktiven Materials im Primärbehälter (10) ohne die Linse (27) verbessert.
  13. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Linse (27) eine Vergrößerungslinse ist.
  14. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 10, wobei der Sekundärbehälter (20) aus Polycarbonat besteht.
  15. Verpackungssystem nach Anspruch 10, wobei der Primärbehälter aus Kunststoff besteht.
  16. Verpackungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 10-15, wobei der Sekundärbehälter (20) ein radioaktive Durchstrahlung dämpfendes Material aufweist.
  17. Verpackungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 10-15, wobei das Gefäß (30) und die Abdeckung (35) jeweils ein stoßfestes Material, vorzugsweise Polypropylen, aufweisen.
EP97941361A 1996-08-30 1997-08-25 Verpackung mit zentrifugenrohr Expired - Lifetime EP0970478B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US2511996P 1996-08-30 1996-08-30
US25119P 1996-08-30
US822039 1997-03-24
US08/822,039 US5783832A (en) 1997-03-24 1997-03-24 Packaging with centrifuge tube
PCT/US1997/014921 WO1998008737A2 (en) 1996-08-30 1997-08-25 Packaging with centrifuge tube

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0970478A4 EP0970478A4 (de) 2000-01-12
EP0970478A1 EP0970478A1 (de) 2000-01-12
EP0970478B1 true EP0970478B1 (de) 2002-04-24

Family

ID=26699318

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97941361A Expired - Lifetime EP0970478B1 (de) 1996-08-30 1997-08-25 Verpackung mit zentrifugenrohr

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0970478B1 (de)
AU (1) AU4328597A (de)
DE (1) DE69712229T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2173482T3 (de)
WO (1) WO1998008737A2 (de)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4126223A (en) * 1974-09-11 1978-11-21 Griffin Richard J Barrier device, packaging and method
GB1533272A (en) * 1976-02-13 1978-11-22 Radiochemical Centre Ltd Centrifuge tube
DE3620737C1 (de) 1986-06-20 1987-10-01 Wiederaufarbeitung Von Kernbre Doppelbehaeltersystem zum Transport und zur Lagerung von radioaktiven Stoffen
US4736850A (en) * 1986-10-17 1988-04-12 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Endothelial cell harvesting kit
US5042679A (en) 1989-12-21 1991-08-27 Rso, Inc. Container for storage of radioactive materials

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1998008737A2 (en) 1998-03-05
EP0970478A4 (de) 2000-01-12
HK1023214A1 (en) 2000-09-01
AU4328597A (en) 1998-03-19
DE69712229T2 (de) 2003-02-06
ES2173482T3 (es) 2002-10-16
DE69712229D1 (de) 2002-05-29
EP0970478A1 (de) 2000-01-12

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