Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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TRANSPORTPACKAGE
The present invention relates to a transport package.
Transport of hazardous goods, in particular medical samples, is subject to
regulation. Security against leakage, in general, and in particular against
crush
induced leakage is called for. There are different levels of regulation for
different
samples. The more hazardous is the sample, the more severe is the regulation,
for
example IATA Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations 602 and 650.
A known medical sample transport package, to meet the severe regulations,
includes:
~ A closed sample-tube containing the sample;
~ An envelope of absorbent material, into which the sample-tube is placed;
~ An inner plastics material bottle, which is sealable with the sample-tube
and
envelope enclosed;
~ An outer plastic bottle of heavier construction to provide crush strength;
~ A cardboard box to receive the outer bottle for its despatch through the
mail,
which routinely includes air freighting.
Such a package is inevitably expensive.
US 5984087 (Hacikyan) describes a packaging container comprising an
envelope of water insoluble material having a lining comprising a water
soluble
material trapping an absorbent material. In the event of leakage the water
soluble
material dissolves releasing the absorbent material which can soak up leaked
liquid to
prevent its release from the envelope. Similar products are disclosed in US
4748069
and US 4853266 (both to Cullen). A drawback to the products disclosed in these
three
patents is that the water soluble material needs time to dissolve before the
water
absorbent material is released, so giving liquid time to migrate and find
escape routes.
3o A further drawback is that these packages do not provide significant
protection
against crush induced leakage.
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International Patent Application W095/16620 (Hoax AB) discloses a package
comprising a liquid impermeable layer and an absorbent layer, the absorbent
layer
possibly comprising super-absorber fibres or powder. Such a package has the
drawback that such a package does not provide significant protection against
crush
induced leakage.
One object of the invention is to provide an improved transport package
having sufficient strength against crush induced leakage.
to A further object of the invention is provide an improved transport package
providing close contact between super-absorbent material and a sample tube to
be
transported.
One of the inventors hereto (Davidson) has previously described how super-
15 absorbent materials can be used in the packaging of meat (W098/38040) and
has
realised that similar technology can be applied with advantage to the somewhat
different art of transporting medical samples.
In a first aspect, the transport package of the invention for containing goods
2o such as sample tubes and other materials presenting a leakage hazard,
comprises:
~ a rigid crush resistant tube sized to receive the goods;
~ an absorbent lining formed integrally with the crush resistant tube;
~ end caps for the crush resistant tube.
25 Preferably the crush resistant tube is of wound cardboard material, with
the
absorbent lining being a first winding onto the former for the tube. The
cardboard
windings of the crush resistant tube can be interspersed with a reinforcement
layer, in
particular of glass reinforced plastics material. Additionally or
alternatively, the
cardboard windings can be adhered together with a suitable resin material. As
a
30 further alternative, the crush resistant tube may be of plastics material,
for example
GRP, polyethylene, or epoxy impregnated glass fibre matt. Advantageously use
of a
transparent plastics material will result in a transparent tube, enabling any
leakage to
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be detected prior to opening of the tube. While the crush resistant tube will
typically
be circular in cross-section, it may be square or any other shape.
Preferably, the absorbent lining incorporates super-absorbent material,
conveniently being an air laid web on a synthetic material non-woven carrier
against
which the tube is wound, i.e. with non-woven carrier outermost. The super-
absorbent
material may be in the form of fibre or a powder. Normally the super-absorbent
material will be bulked with cellulose material.
1o When the tube is of cardboard windings, preferably a waterproof layer will
be
provided between the absorbent layer and the tube to prevent the cardboard
being
softened by leaking liquid. Advantageously this can be a winding between the
absorbent lining first winding and the cardboard winding for the tube.
15 Usually the tube will further include an outer waterproof layer. As an
alternative a further absorbent layer is wound outside the tube.
Whilst the end caps could be configured to grip the tube either on the outside
only or on the inside only, they preferably have an annular, channel-shaped
rim for
2o gripping on both the inside and the outside. Further, the end caps can
carry on their
inside a leakage indicator, for instance a moisture induced colour change ink,
the caps
being translucent. Such ink then indicates a leak by changing colour as a
result of the
moisture on the inside of the cap. Alternatively one of the end caps could be
a
permanently fitted cap, for example a metal cap machined on.
Whilst it is anticipated that the combination of the absorbent inner and outer
linings, waterproof layer and the end caps will be adequate, for transport of
certain
hazardous substances, for example veterinary samples; where additional leak
proofing
is required, an outer envelope may be provided for the tube. Preferably the
outer
3o envelope will be configured to have two pouches, one for the crush
resistant tube and
the other for accompanying documentation. In the preferred embodiment the two
pouches are formed from a single sheet of transparent plastics membrane, the
pouches
opening onto a central divide. Conveniently, a strip of adhesive is provided
along the
central divide for sealing both pouches to minimise the possibility of leakage
from the
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tube pouch to the document pouch. Furthermore the pouch is sized to receive
the tube
as a tight fit. This prevents displacement of the end caps while the tube is
in the
pouch, further minimising the possibility of leakage. Importantly the envelope
prevents the displacement of the end caps during shock, for example a crushing
force,
by providing a barrier against their movement.
Alternatively or additionally to the outer absorbent layer of the crush
resistant
tube, the membranes of the tube pouch may be lined with an absorbent web.
l0 Whilst the end caps are configured to grip the tube, to minimise the risk
of
their accidental removal, by crushing for example, according to a further
aspect of the
invention, a sheath of rubber or like material may be provided for enclosing
the tube.
The nature of the rubber, or like material, is such that if it is crushed, it
is unlikely to
be damaged, but to return to shape after crushing. In this case, if the tube
is crushed
15 such that the end caps are displaced by the expulsion of air from the tube,
the sheath
will urge the end caps to return to their normal position when the crushing
force is
removed. In addition this sheath also provides a further additional waterproof
barrier,
further minimising the risk of leakage of the sample. While a closure member
may be
provided for the sheath, this has found to be unnecessary to its action in
retaining the
20 end caps in their position. However a closure member may be provided which
will
enhance the sheath's use as a further liquid proof barrier. Alternatively the
free end of
the sheath may be tied after the tube has been placed inside the sheath.
The sheath may be provided additionally or alternatively to the envelope.
In accordance with a particular feature of the invention, the crush resistant
tube is provided in combination with tamper evident container therefor.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a
container comprising:
~ a tube forming the main body of the container, the tube being divided into
two
sections,
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~ a band around the circumference of the tube at an abutment between the two
sections of the tube, to hold them in alignment,
~ a lid for closing the tube at one end, the lid including an inner rim for
engagement within the tube, the rim having a lip for engagement between the
two
sections of the tube; and
~ a closure for the other end of the tube.
Whilst it is envisaged that the lip may be discontinuous, preferably it is
continuous.
The band may be a sleeve extending along the full length of the tube.
Preferably it is a shrink wrap plastics material sleeve. Conveniently it can
be used to
secure the closure to the other end of the tube.
is Usually the rim will be deeper than the one section of the tube closed by
the
lid for engagement into the other section of the tube.
In use the material to be transported, is placed inside the container, and the
end
lid is pushed into place. The lip on the lid engages between the two sections
of the
tube, and is difficult to remove without damaging part of the container.
The rim of the outside surface of the lid has no substantial upstand from the
one section of the tube whereby it cannot readily be gripped. Preferably it is
tapered
at its periphery shallowly to the end of the tube.
When the container reaches its destination, the intended recipient can slit
the
band at the junction between the two sections of the tube and then remove the
lid with
the one section of the tube. Any attempt to tamper with the contents of the
container
is clearly visible from the outside of the container.
Typically the tube will be of wound cardboard material. In some
embodiments the tube may be lined with absorbent material, preferably
incorporating
super-absorbent material. In this embodiment the absorbent lining may be the
first
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winding for the tube. The cardboard winding of the tube may be interspersed
with a
reinforcement layer, in particular of glass reinforced plastics material.
Additionally or
alternatively, the cardboard winding can be adhered together with a suitable
resin
material or can include a waterproof lining. As a further alternative the tube
may be
of plastics material, for example GRP, or epoxy impregnated glass fibre matt.
The closure for the distal end of the main tube will typically be a disc,
having
the same diameter as the external diameter of the tube. The closure is held in
place by
the shrink wrap sleeve. Alternatively the closure may be a permanently fitted
closure,
to for example a metal cap machined on.
Preferably an upper inner rim of the other section of the tube will be
indented
to allow ingress of the lip of the lid.
15 The container may be provided with internal dividers, which can strengthen
the tube.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the crush resistant
tube
can be configured as a container for the transport and disposal of sharps by
providing
2o an aperture in one of the end caps for insertion of the sharp.
The aperture can be in the form of two conjoined circular holes such that a
needle, while still attached to a syringe, can be inserted into a larger of
the two,
pushed into the smaller of the two and thereby disconnected from the syringe
and
25 thereafter fall into the container.
Preferably the crush resistant tube is of wound cardboard material, with the
absorbent lining being a first winding onto the former for the tube. After use
the
whole container including the sharps can be incinerated.
Used hypodermic needles will often contain a small amount of blood or drug
which has been injected into the patient, and will often have a certain amount
of blood
on the outside. Similarly used scalpels will often have a small amount of
blood or
tissue debris adhering to their surface. Advantageously the super-absorbent
material
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in the container will absorb the material, lessening any risk on
contamination. In
addition, some super-absorbent material has an anti-bacterial effect in their
absorption. This will even further lessen the risk of contamination.
Typically the ends cap will be configured such that it is difficult to remove
from the tube to prevent access to the sharps. The end cap is provided with an
annular
lip on its top surface which when closed is flush with the end of the tube.
The cap is
also provided with an annular lip on its rim for gripping to the inside of the
tube. The
absorbent material inside the tube is deformed by this lip making removal of
the cap
l0 more difficult. Furthermore, as the blood etc contamination on the sharps
is absorbed
by the absorbent material it causes swelling which also enhances the tight fit
of the
caps. Additionally or alternatively a groove can be provided in the tube into
which
the annular lip fits, again further increasing the difficulty of removal of
the cap.
To reduce the size of the container, in particular for transportation thereof,
the
tube may be conical.
To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will
now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a crush resistant tube of the
invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of an envelope of the invention;
Figure 3 is a front view of the tube of Figure 1 in the envelope of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a rubber sheath;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tube of Figure 1 in the rubber
sheath
of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container of the invention, ready for use;
Figure 7 is a cross-section of the container of Figure 6;
3o Figure 8 is a scrap view of part of the lid in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a cross-section through Figure 7 on the line I-I;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a crush resistant tube of the invention
configured as a sharps container;
Figure 11 is a side view of an alternative sharps container;
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Figure 12 is a perspective view of an end cap of the sharps container of
Figure
or Figure 11.
Referring first to Figure l, the crush resistant tube 1 there shown is of
wrapped
5 card, typically having an internal diameter of 30mm and an external diameter
of
40mm, wound on a suitable former and cut to 1 l Omm lengths. The outer card
layers
are wound over a first winding which forms an absorbent lining 2. The material
forming the wound lining 2 is formed from a web of non-woven carrier -
typically
polyethylene - having air laid onto it a mixture of cellulose, super-absorbent
fibre and
1 o a bicomponent fibre as a binder. A discussion of air laid materials can be
found at
http://www.technica.net/NT/NT2/multifunctionalfibres.htrn.
A suitable material for the absorbent lining 2 would be the type of absorbent
non-woven material disclosed in W098/38040 which comprised a web o~-
wood pulp fibre 52%
super-absorbent fibre 30%
thermoplastic bonding material 18%
air laid onto a non-woven base tissue (for example a polyethylene tissue). The
super
absorbent fibre is sold under the OASIS trade mark by Technical Absorbents
Limited
2o (http://www.technical-absorbents.co.ulcn. The thermoplastic bonding
material is a
hydrophilic bicomponent fibre comprising polyethylene coated polypropylene
sold by
Danaklon A/S of Varde in Denmark.
However, such a material has only limited absorbency and so a higher
proportion of super-absorbent fibre can be used. The absorbency and quantity
of the
lining material used to wind the tube should preferably be sufficient to
absorb the
entire contents of any liquid sample container inserted into the tube 1. A
preferred
composition comprises:-
Bi-component fibre - approximately 20%
3o Super absorbent fibre - approximately 55%
Cellulose - approximately 25%
This is laid onto the non-woven tissue (for example LicontrolTM available from
Jacob Holm industries, Soultz, France). The super-absorbent fibre serves to
absorb
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liquids. The cellulose provides water passage to prevent the super-absorbent
fibre
blocking the material as it swells on absorbing water. The bi-component fibre
bonds
the component parts together and provides strength, and the non-woven tissue
provides a support for the materials.
A typical formulation would comprise:-
Bi-component fibre - 25gsm (grams per square metre)
Super absorbent fibre - 62gsm
Cellulose - 30gsm
non-woven tissue - l7gsm.
Such super-absorbent containing air laid materials are readily obtainable from
manufacturers of air laid products, for example Dan-Webforming Research &
Development A/S.
An outer waterproof layer 3 is provided. An inner waterproof layer 7 is also
provided between the absorbent lining 2 and the crush resistant tube.
Polyethylene
end caps 4 are provided. For security in their fitting, they are provided with
both
inner and outer rims 5,6 for engaging inside and outside the tube 1, the
engagement
being enhanced in the event of leakage by swelling of the absorbent. Usually,
the end
caps will be of translucent material, particularly where they are treated
inside with
colour change ink to indicate leakage. Suitable water sensitive inks are
available from
For.Tex srl, Fino Mornasco, Italy. The crush resistant tube is sized to
receive a
sample-tube.
Turning to Figure 2, an envelope 11 is shown ready to receive the closed tube.
This has two adjacent pouches 12,13. The envelope is formed from a single
rectangular sheet of plastics material 14. The two short ends 15, 16 of the
plastics
sheet are folded to the middle and the upper and lower edges 17, 18 thereof
are sealed,
providing an envelope with a central divide 19 and two adjacent pouches 12,
13.
Referring now to Figure 3, the tube 1 thereshown is fitted with end caps 4 and
sealed into its pouch 12 in the envelope 11. The pouch 12 is sized to receive
the tube
1 as a tight fit. This prevents the end caps 4 from being removed while the
tube is in
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the pouch 12, further reducing the possibility of leakage. An adhesive strip
20 is
provided along the central divide 19 behind a release paper for sealing the
open edges
of the pouches 15, 16. The second pouch 13 is used for carrying supporting
documentation 21.
5
In use, the sample tube is contained inside the crush resistant tube 1. Should
the contents of the sample tube leak, as a result of poor sealing of it,
leaking liquid
will be absorbed by the inner lining. Any liquid leaking past the end caps 4
will be
trapped in the envelope 11. Thus there is little likelihood of the liquid
escaping.
Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, for further security, for example for use
with potentially seriously hazardous samples, a sheath 40 of rubber, or like
material,
is provided. The sheath 40 is provided as a tube 41, of smaller diameter than
the tube
51, closed at one end 42, and with a rolled lip 43 at the distal end. Being of
rubber or
like material the sheath is stretchable for introduction of the tube 51
therein, and thus
grips tightly to the tube 51. The sheath is also longer than the tube 51 such
that a
section of sheath 44 remains unfilled by the tube 1. This remains in its
unstretched
state, and a small section of the sheath 45, is stretched across the over the
end cap 56
of the tube. This unfilled section of sheath 44 as shown is left open, but may
be closed
2o with a closure member, or may be knotted. In use, if the tube is crushed to
such an
extent that the end caps 54, 56 are displaced from the ends of the tube due to
the
expulsion of air from the tube, the sheath will stretch but will remain in
contact with
both the end caps and the tube. After the initial force and displacement of
air, the
sheath will urge the end caps 54, 56 back to their previous position. The end
caps 54,
56 are made from translucent plastics material and are provided with a disc 57
of an
indicator material such that if leakage occurs within the tube, the indicator
changes
colour. The tube is lined on the inside and outside with absorbent material
58, 59 to
minimise the risk to handlers if leakage does occur in the tube. In addition;
the sheath
40, being made of rubber of like material, which is waterproof, is an
additional barrier
3o to minimise the risk of leakage, particularly if the unfilled section 44 is
closed or
knotted. In use the tube 51, in its sheath 40 may be placed into an envelope
11 for
additional protection and storage with accompanying documentation.
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Referring to Figures 6, 7 and 8, the container 60 thereshown is a tamper-
evident container in particular for use as a tertiary container in the
transportation of
hazardous materials, although it is also suitable for transportation of many
goods. It is
particularly suitable for the transportation of samples packed in the crush
resistant
tubes of the first aspect of the invention, further contained in envelopes 11
and/or
rubber sheathes 40.
The body of the container 60 comprises a wrapped card-board tube 62. The
tube is divided into two sections; a main section 64, and a closure section
66. The
l0 two sections, 64, 66 are held in alignment by a shrink wrap plastics
material sleeve
68. The distal end 70 of the main section of the tube 74, is closed by a disc
of
corrugated plastics material board, such as sold under the CORREX trade mark.
The
disc 70 has the same diameter as the external diameter of the tube 62 and is
also held
in alignment by the shrink wrap sleeve 68.
The shrink wrap sleeve 68 is sized such that there is substantial coverage of
the closure disc at the distal end 70 of the main section of the tube 64. This
prevents
unnoticed tampering of this portion of the container. At the top of the tube
the shrink
wrap sleeve 68 covers at least a portion of the thickness of the tube but does
not
extend further. This is to allow fitting of a lid 72.
A lid 72 is provided to close the container 60 for transportation. The lid is
provided with a flange or inner rim 74 for contact with internal walls of the
tube 62.
The inner rim is of a size to extend over the closure section 66 and into the
main
section 64 of the tube. The inner rim 74 is further provided with a lip 76
distanced
from the top 78 of the lid such that when the lid top 78 is flush with the
distal end 80
of the closure section 66 of the tube, the lip extends into the space between
the closure
section 66 of the tube and the main section 64. The internal rim 82 of the
main
section 64 of the tube 62 is shaped to allow access to the lip 76 of the lid
72.
The lip 76 is shaped to allow ease of fitting into the rim, but to impede
removal thereof. Further smaller lips 86 are provided on the upper 87 and
lower
section 88 of the lid 72. These help the lid 72 to grip the upper section 66
and main
section 64 of the tube 62.
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To prevent removal of the lid 72, the top of the lid 78 is tapered at its edge
to
the end of the tube 80. This provides no substantial upstand from the tube for
gripping of the lid 72.
Once the lid 72 has been placed onto the tube 62, it is difficult for the lid
72 to
be removed without damage to at least the lid 72, or the tube 62, the closure
70 or the
shrink wrap sleeve 68. Thus any tampering with the container 60 will be
clearly
visible to the recipient. On arrival at its destination, a recipient can open
the container
by cutting along the line between the main section 64 and closure section 66
of the
tube 62. For ease of use this will typically be marked on the sleeve 68. After
the
container has been opened the closure section 66 of the tube 62 remains
attached to
the lid 72. However the lid 72 can still be closed due to the lower section of
the lid 88
extending into the main section 64 of the tube 62 and griping by the lips 86.
However
this is not a very secure closure of the lid, but is satisfactory for when not
being
transported. After use the container can be safely incinerated.
Referring to Figure 9 this container is particularly suitable for the
transport of
hazardous materials, and as a tertiary container in the transport thereof. To
provide
2o additional crush resistance when used for this purpose, the sample will
typically be
placed in its sample tube, in a secondary container 92, preferably the crush
resistant
tube 1 of the first aspect of the invention. The crush resistant tube 92 can
then be
placed in the container 60. To comply with IATA standard 602 the container
should
include a further element of crush resistance in the form of a CORREX TM
support.
This can be either a divider 94, if the container is used to transport more
than one
sample, or in the form of a square tube if transporting a single sample. With
these
dividers the container complies with IATA standard 602.
Turning now to Figure 10, the crush resistant tube of the present invention
can
be configured as a container for the transport and disposal of sharps 100. The
crush
resistant tube 100 thereshown is of wrapped card. It is wound around an
absorbent
lining 102 of non-woven carrier - typically polyethylene - having air laid
onto it a
mixture of cellulose, super-absorbent fibre and a bi-component fibre as a
binder. The
wrapped card provides a strong receptacle which will not be pierced by the
sharps and
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is strong enough to resist crushing forces which would also allow the sharps
to pierce
the side of a container. The absorbent material will absorb any liquid
material
adhering to the sharps, thus reducing any possibility of leakage from the
container.
Furthermore, the super-absorbent material has a bactericidal effect, thus
reducing the
risk of contamination further.
Referring to Figure 11, the tube may be configured as a cone to minimise
transportation space.
Figure 12 shows an end cap, having an aperture 106 for the insertion of
sharps.
The aperture is shaped such that the needle can be introduced into the
aperture while
still attached to the syringe. The needle is held while the syringe is
removed, the
needle then falling into the container.
The cap 104 has a flange 108 which extends into the container. The flange
108 is provided with a lip 110 for engaging in the wall of the container. The
absorbent material is pliable and forms an indentation for the lip 110, which
then
makes the removal of the cap more difficult. In addition a groove 112 may be
provided in the wall 114 of the tube into which the lip engages.
After use the whole container and the sharps contained therein can be safely
transported to an incinerator for destruction.
The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above
described embodiment. For instance the end caps may be formed with an inner
rim
only or an outer rim only. The invention can also be used to transport goods
other
than medical samples, for example wine bottles or other bottled liquids such
as
cosmetics and beauty products.
