METHOD FOR PRODUCING MEDICAL GLASS CONTAINER
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a medical glass
container with little leaching of alkali components or the like
from the inner wall surface of the glass and a method for producing
the same.
[0002] The invention also relates to a burner suitable for
inner surface treatment of the medical glass container.
Background Art
[0003] As glass containers for use in storage of medicine and
the like, ampules or vials are known, for example. Ampules or the
like are converted from, for example, a borosilicate glass tube.
The main ingredient of glass contains alkali components. The
alkali components, such as alkali borate, are known to adhere to
the inner wall of the ampules or the like or coagulate thereon.
When such alkali components are eluted into medicine contained in
the ampules or the like in the case where the ampules or the like
are used as a storage container of medicine, i.e., for medical use,
there is a possibility that the medicine deteriorate. To solve the
problem, the inner surface of the vials is subjected to sulfa
treatment by ammonium sulfate or a silica film is covered thereon
(Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 6-76233).
[0004] A method is known in which, when a vial is hot formed
from a glass tube, by injecting pressurized air or pressurized inert
gas from an opening of the vial while hot forming the bottom of
the vial, an alkali borate component volatilized from the glass
during the hot forming of the bottom of the vial is discharged from
the inside of the vial (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 63-170233) .
[0005] It is also known that, in a process of converting a vial
from a borosilicate glass tube, a degraded portion by forming
process on the inner side of the vial is removed by a gas flame
after the bottom is formed (International Publication No. WO
2006/123621).
Summary of Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] The leaching of alkali components from ampules or the
like is suppressed by subjecting the inner surface of the ampules
or the like to sulfa treatment by ammonium sulfate or covering a
silica film thereon. However, in a process of producing the ampules
or the like, other ingredients are required and moreover production
processes increase, which causes a problem in that the cost
inevitably increases.
[0008] In contrast, the technique of injecting pressurized air
or pressurized inert gas from the opening of the vial while hot
forming the bottom of the vial also has advantages in that other
ingredients are not required and an increase in the number of
production processes is relatively small. However, there is a
possibility that, simply by removing alkali components volatilized
during hot forming, the alkali components or the like that do not
volatilize and adhere to the glass surface remain, and are eluted
into medicine after hot forming. Moreover, by the technique of
applying a flame from the outside of the bottom of the vial for
heating as described in Patent Document 2, the surface temperature
of the inner surface of the vial does not become high, resulting
in a possibility that the alkali components do not volatilize, and
remain on the inner surface.
[0009] The technique of removing the degraded portion by
forming process on the inner side of the vial with a gas flame as
disclosed in Patent Document 3 has advantages in that other
ingredients are not required and an increase in the number of
production processes is relatively small. However, in the method
including removing the degraded portion by forming process after
forming the bottom of the vial, and then forming an opening of the
vial in a process of forming the vial, existing vial production

facilities cannot be utilized, and thus another production facility
is heeded. Moreover, the degraded portion by forming process
generated when the opening is formed is not removed. Moreover,
ampules having a small capacity compared with vials have a problem
in that a gas flame goes out.
[0010] The invention has been made in view of the circumstances.
It is an object of the invention to provide a measure capable of
easily producing a medical glass container with little leaching
of alkali components or the like.
[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a
measure suitable for removing a degraded portion by forming process
of ampules having a long and narrow opening.
[0012] (1) A method for producing a medical glass container
according to the invention includes a first process of processing
a glass tube into a container shape having a bottom and an opening
to provide a glass container and a second process of emitting a
flame of a burner to the internal space of the glass container to
apply the flame to the inner surface of the glass container.
[0013] The medical glass container refers to a glass container
in which liquid medicine are stored and held and can be taken out
from the opening for use. Examples include glass containers
generally referred to as vials or ampules.
[0014] In the first process, the glass tube as a ingredient
is processed into a glass container having a container shape having
a bottom and an opening. In this processing, the glass tube is
heated to be transformed into the bottom and the opening. When the
glass tube is heated, alkali components or the like of the glass
are volatilized and remain in the internal space of the glass
container, and the alkali components or the like volatilized in
the process in which the glass container is cooled adhere to the
inner surface of the glass container. The areas where such alkali
components adhere vary depending on whether the processing is
carried out while directing the axis of the glass tube in a
horizontal direction or in a vertical direction. Even when not

volatilized from the glass, it is assumed that the alkali components
remain near the inner surface of the glass container.
[0015] In the second process, when the flame of the burner is
directly applied to the inner surface of the glass container, the
inner surface is heated to such an extent that most alkali components
adhering to or remaining on the inner surface of the glass container
volatilize. The volatilized alkali components are discharged to
the outside of the glass container with the heat flow by the flame.
[0016] (2) In the second process, the flame of the burner is
emitted to the internal space of the glass container to be applied
to the inner surface and, simultaneously, an air current may be
applied to the inner surface.
[0017] When the air current is applied to the inner surface
of the glass container, the volatilized alkali components are blown
away to be discharged to the outside of the glass container.
Furthermore, the inner surface of the glass container is smoothened
by the air current.
[0018] (3) In the second process, the flame and the air
current may be applied to the inner surface of the glass container
while rotating the glass container around the axis.
[0019] Thus, the flame and the air current can be uniformly
applied to the inner surface of the glass container. The inner
surface of the glass is not continuously heated partially with the
flame, and thus deformation of the glass container is prevented.
[0020] (4) In the second process, the air current to be
applied to the inner surface of the glass container may be emitted
from the burner with a fuel.
[0021] For example, the air, oxygen, etc., are mixed with a
fuel, such as a gas, to be supplied to the burner is supplied to
the burner at a given flow rate, whereby the air current is emitted
with the flame from the burner.
[0022] (5) In the second process, the air current to be
applied to the inner surface of the glass container may be emitted
around the flame formed by the burner.

[0023] For example, a double-tube burner is used and a fuel
is emitted from the inner tube thereof to form a flame. Then, the
air or the like is emitted from the gap between the outer tube and
the inner tube to form an air current. Although there is a
possibility that the flame of the burner goes out during the
insertion of the top end of the burner into the glass container
or in the glass container, the flame of the burner is prevented
from going out by supplying oxygen to the burner by the air current
and, simultaneously, by discharging a gas after burning in the glass
container to the outside.
[0024] (6) As the glass container, a glass container having
an ampule shape having a long and narrow opening.
[0025] (7) In the second process, the air current to be
applied to the inner surface of the glass container may also contain
oxygen.
[0026] For example, the opening of the ampule is long and narrow
and the ampule generally has a small capacity. Thus, the volume
of the internal space is small. Moreover, even in the case of a
vial, a vial having a narrow opening and a small capacity is assumed.
Therefore, although there is a possibility that the flame goes out
during the insertion of the top end of the burner into the ampule
or in the ampule, the flame is prevented from going out by supplying
oxygen as the air current.
[0027] (8) The invention may be construed as a medical glass
container produced by the method for producing a medical glass
container.
[0028] (9) A burner for inner surface treatment of a medical
glass container according to the invention has a nozzle having an
inner tube having a first flow path through which a fuel is
circulated and an outer tube into which the inner tube is inserted
and which has a second flow path through which a gas is circulated
between the outer tube and the inner tube.
[0029] By such a burner for inner surface treatment of a medical
glass container, the fuel emitted from the first flow path of the

inner tube is burned to form a flame and the air or the like is
emitted from the second flow path between the outer tube and the
inner tube to form the air current.
[0030] (10) The top end of the inner tube may be bent in the
axial direction of the inner tube.
[0031] Thus, in a state where the nozzle is inserted into an
ampule or the like having a narrow opening while the axial direction
of the ampule and the axial direction of the nozzle are in agreement
with each other or in parallel to each other, the flame formed by
the fuel emitted from the first flow path can be applied to the
inner circumferential surface of the ampule without inclining the
nozzle in the axial direction of the ampule.
Advantages of the Invention
[0032] According to the invention, when the flame of the burner
is directly applied to the inner surface of the hot-formed glass
container, the alkali components or the like adhering to or
remaining on the inner surface of the glass container are blown
away to be removed. Thus, a medical glass container with little
leaching of alkali components or the like is simply produced at
a low cost.
[0033] Moreover, when the air current is applied to the heated
inner surface, the alkali components volatilized by the flame are
positively blown away, and the inner surface of the glass container
is smoothened.
Brief Description of Drawing
[0034]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a partial cross sectional view illustrating the
structure of a point burner 30 according to a first embodiment of
the invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating the cross
sectional structure along the II-II cutting plane line in Fig. 1.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a view for describing a first process.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a view for describing the first process.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a view for describing the first process.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a view for describing the first process.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a view for describing a second process in which
the point burner 30 has been used.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a front elevation view illustrating the appearance
structure of a point burner 10 according to a second embodiment
of the invention.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a view illustrating a process in which an opening
51 of a vial 50 is formed in the first process.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a view illustrating a process in which a bottom
53 of the vial 50 is formed in the first process.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a view for describing the second process in
which the point burner 10 has been used.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0035] Hereinafter, preferable embodiments of the invention
will be described. It is a matter of course that this embodiment
is simply one embodiment of the invention, and can be modified
insofar as the gist of the invention is not altered.
[0036]
[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be
described with reference to the drawings.
[0037]
[Point burner 30]
A point burner 30 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is used in a method
for'producing a medical glass container according to the invention.
In the second process of the invention, the point burner 30 is used
for processing the inner surface of an ampule 70.
[0038] The point burner 30 is mainly separated roughly into
a burner body 31 and a nozzle 32. The burner body 31 has a first
flow path 33 through which a mixed gas is circulated and a second
flow path 34 through which oxygen is circulated. The mixed gas is

a mixture of gas and oxygen. The first flow path 33 is formed by
a first circular tube 35 serving as the main part of the burner
body 31. At the top end (nozzle 32 side) of the first circular tube
35, a second flow path 34 extending in the diameter direction is
connected to the first flow path 33 and the second flow path 34
is formed by a second circular tube 36 extending in the diameter
direction from the vicinity of the top end of the first circular
tube 35. Although not illustrated in each drawing, a tube or the
like for supplying the air is connected to the second circular tube
36.
[0039] The nozzle 32 has a double-tube structure of an inner
tube 37 and an outer tube 38. The inner tube 37 is a circular tube
whose top end has been slightly bent and whose internal space forms
a third flow path 39 extending to the first flow path 33 of the
burner body 31. When the nozzle 32 is connected to the top end of
the burner body 31, the first flow path 33 and the third flow path
39 are connected in such a manner as to circulate a mixed gas. The
third flow path 39 is not connected to the second flow path 34.
A flame 23 is formed when the mixed gas to be emitted from the second
flow path 34 burns (see Fig. 7). As illustrated in Fig. 2, a
plurality of grooves 40 extending in the axis direction are provided
side by side in the circumferential direction at given intervals
on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube 37 . The third
flow path 39 is equivalent to the first flow path in the invention
and the groove 40 is equivalent to the second flow path in the
invention.
[0040] The outer tube 38 is a circular tube in which the inner
diameter is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the
inner tube 37 and the length in the axial direction is slightly
shorter than the length in the axial direction of the inner tube
37. When the inner tube 37 is inserted into the internal space of
the outer tube 38, a double tube structure is formed in a state
where the inner surface of the outer tube 38 and the outer surface
of the inner tube 37 are close to each other. Between the outer

tube 38 and the inner tube 37, the grooves 40 form a space extending
in the axial direction. The grooves 40 are formed across both ends
of the inner tube 37, and thus the grooves 40 serve as a flow path
communicating with both ends of the outer tube 38. When the nozzle
32 is connected to the top end of the burner body 31, the second
flow path 34 and each groove 40 are connected in such a manner as
to circulate the air. The air emitted from the grooves 40 forms
an air current 24 (see Fig. 7).
[0041] As described above, the length in the axial direction
of the outer tube 38 is shorter than the length in the axial direction
of the inner tube 37 and the inner tube 37 and the outer tube 38
are connected to each other in such a manner that each end is almost
in alignment at the top end of the burner body 31. Thus, the inner
tube 37 is partially projected from the outer tube 38 at the top
end of the nozzle 32. In a part of the projected inner tube 37,
the inner tube 37 is bent in the axial direction (longitudinal
direction as viewed in Fig. 1). The bending angle is determined
corresponding to the inner diameter R2 of an opening 71 of an ampule
70 or the inner diameter of the internal space of the ampule 70.
[0042] The nozzle 32 having the above-described double tube
structure is a straw-like long and narrow member as a whole. The
length LI (see Fig. 1) of a portion of the nozzle projecting from
the burner body 31 in the axial direction is longer than the length
L2 of the opening 71 of the ampule 70 as a processing target (see
Fig. 7). The outer diameter Rl (see Fig. 1) of the nozzle 32 is
smaller than the inner diameter R2 of the opening 71 (see Fig. 7) .
[0043]
[Ampule 70]
The ampule 70 is provided with the opening 71 and a bottom
73 by processing of a glass tube. The inner diameter of the internal
space 72 of the ampule 70 is smaller than the inner diameter R5
of a vial 50 described later (see Fig. 11) . Therefore, the ampule
70 is converted from a glass tube 65 having a diameter smaller than
that of a glass tube 60 used in forming of the vial 50. The ampule

70 is opened by breaking a small diameter portion 74 of the opening
71, and has a shape such that, in the opening 71, the top end is
longer and narrower than the small diameter portion 74. The ampule
70 is an example of the glass container in the invention.
[0044]
[Method for producing the ampule 70]
Hereinafter, a method for producing the ampule 70 will be
described. The production method is mainly separated roughly into
the following two processes:
(1) First process of processing a glass tube into the ampule
70 having the opening 71 and the bottom 73, and
(2) Second process of emitting the flame 23 of the point burner
30 to the internal space 72 of the ampule 70 to be applied to the
inner circumferential surface 75 and, simultaneously, the air
current 24 is applied to the inner circumferential surface 75.
[0045]
[First process]
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the glass tube 65 is fixed so that
the axial direction becomes a horizontal direction (longitudinal
direction in Fig. 3) , and a flame of a burner 61 is applied to given
portions to heat the glass tube 65. Then, a forming jig 66 is applied
to the heated portion to form necks 67 serving as boundaries of
the opening 71 and the bottom 73. Specifically, given portions of
the glass tube 65 are narrowed down by the forming jig 66 so that
the outer diameter of the glass tube 65 is reduced.
[0046] As illustrated in Fig. 4, flames of burners 63 are
applied to a portion that is sandwiched by a pair of the necks 67
and serves as the opening 71 in the glass tube 65 for pre-heating.
Then, as illustrated in Fig. 5(A), when the glass tube 65 is pulled
in the axial direction (longitudinal direction in Fig. 5), the
preheated portions are stretched. The stretched portion serves as
the opening 71. Subsequently, as illustrated in Fig. 5(B), the
center in the axial direction of the stretched portion is burned
off by the flame of the burner 61. Then, as illustrated in Fig.

6, the top end of the opening 71 is cut to open and the center in
the axial direction in a non-stretched portion is burned off by
the flame of the burner 61. Thus, the ampule 70 having the opening
71 and the bottom 73 is formed. Although not illustrated in the
drawings, the bottom 73 is formed as appropriate by the application
of the jig 73.
[0047]
[Second process]
Subsequently, a second process using the point burner 30 is
carried out to the obtained ampule 70. The flow of the air current
24 is illustrated by the dashed line in Fig. 7.
[0048] As illustrated in Fig. 7, in order to remove the degraded
portion by forming process on the inner circumferential surface
75 of the ampule 70, the nozzle 32 of the point burner 30 is inserted
into the internal space 72 from the opening 71 of the ampule 70.
Specifically, the ampule 70 is fixed to a support member 21 while
the opening 71 and the bottom 73 face each other in the horizontal
direction (longitudinal direction in Fig. 7), i.e., a so-called
transverse position. The support member 21 supports the transverse
ampule 70 while defining the horizontal direction as the axial
direction. The nozzle 32 is inserted into the opening 71 that is
supported by the support member 21 to open in the horizontal
direction while defining the axial direction of the nozzle 32 as
a substantially horizontal direction.
[0049] A mixed gas emitted from the inner tube 37 of the nozzle
32 is burned to form the flame 23. The air current 24 is formed
by the air emitted from each groove 40. The air current 24 is emitted
in the substantially same direction as the flame 23 in such a manner
as to surround the flame 23. During the insertion of the nozzle
32 into the opening 71 of the ampule 70 or in the internal space
72 of the relatively narrow ampule 70, the flame 23 is prevented
from going out by supplying the air current 24 emitted from the
grooves 40 to the periphery of the flame 23.
[0050] The flame 23 emitted from the nozzle 32 hits the inner
circumferential surface 75 of the ampule 70. As described above,
the top end of the inner tube 37 constituting the nozzle 32 is
slightly bent. Thus, even when the nozzle 32 is inserted into the
opening 71 of the ampule 70 in such a manner as to extend along
the axial direction, the flame 23 is emitted in the direction
crossing the axial direction in the internal space 72 of the ampule
70. Thus, the flame 23 emitted from the nozzle 32 hits the bottom
73 and the inner circumferential surface 75 toward the corner of
the inner circumferential surface 75. The air current 24 emitted
from the nozzle 32 also hits the inner circumferential surface 75
that the flame 23 hits. The air current 24 flows to the opening
71 through the internal space 72 of the ampule 70 to flow to the
outside of the ampule 70 from the opening 71.
[0051] As described above, the ampule 70 supported by the
support member 21 is rotated while the flame 23 and the air current
24 are applied to the inner circumferential surface 75 of the ampule
70, and thus the flame 23 and the air current 24 are uniformly emitted
in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential
surface 75. The alkali components or the like adhering to or
remaining on the degraded portion by forming process are heated
and volatilized by the flame 23. By the air current 24, the
volatilized alkali components or the like are discharged from the
internal space 72 of the ampule 70 and, simultaneously, the inner
circumferential surface 75 of the heated ampule 70 is smoothened.
Thus, the leaching of the alkali components from the inner
circumferential surface 75 of the ampule 70 is suppressed.
[0052] Although not illustrated in each drawing, when the
second process is carried out in another portion of the inner
circumferential surface 75 of the ampule 70, the point burner 30
is horizontally transferred relative to the ampule 70 so that the
flame 23 and the air current 24 are applied to the inner
circumferential surface 75 as desired.
[0053]

[Working effects of this embodiment]
According to the production method described above, when the
flame 23 of the point burner 30 is directly applied to the inner
circumferential surface 75 of the ampule 70, the alkali components
or the like adhering to or remaining on the inner circumferential
surface 75 of the ampule 70 are blown away to be removed. Thus,
the ampule 70 with little leaching, such as alkali component or
the like, is simply produced at a low cost.
[0054] Moreover, when the air current 24 is applied to the
heated inner circumferential surface 75, the alkali components or
the like volatilized by the flame 23 are positively blown away and
the inner circumferential surface 75 of the ampule 70 is smoothened.
[0055] In the second process, the flame 23 and the air current
24 are applied to the inner circumferential surface 75 while the
ampule 70 is rotated around the axis, and thus the flame 23 and
the air current 24 are uniformly applied to the inner
circumferential surface 75 of the ampule 70. The inner
circumferential surface 75 of the ampule 70 is not continuously
heated partially with the flame -23, and thus deformation of the
ampule 70 is prevented in the second process.
[0056] Moreover, in the second process, when the air current
24 applied to the inner circumferential surface 75 of the ampule
70 contains oxygen, the flame 23 is prevented from going out during
the insertion of the nozzle 32 of the point burner 30 into the long
and narrow opening 71 of the ampule 70 or in the internal space
72 having a relatively small volume by supplying oxygen to the flame
23 of the point burner 30 by the air current 24 or discharging a
gas after burning in the ampule 70 to the outside.
[0057] Moreover, since the top end of inner tube 37 is bent
in the axial direction of inner tube 37, the flame 23 can be applied
to the inner circumferential surface 75 of the ampule 70 without
inclining the nozzle 32 in the axial direction of the ampule 70
in a state where the nozzle 32 is inserted into the ampule whose
opening 74 is long and narrow while the axial direction of the ampule

70 and the axial direction of the nozzle 21 are in parallel to each
other.
[0058] In this embodiment, the second flow path in the
invention is constituted by the grooves 40. However, the shape of
the' second flow path in the invention is not limited to the groove
40. For example, the second flow path may be constituted by the
gap between the inner tube 37 and the outer tube 38 throughout the
circumference of the inner tube 37.
[0059] In this embodiment, the top end of the inner tube 37
is projected from the outer tube 38. However, the outer tube 38
may be provided in such a manner as to cover the top end of the
inner tube 37 and the top end of the inner tube 37 may be bent with
the outer tube 38 in the axial direction.
[0060] In this embodiment, in the first process, the glass tube
65 is processed so that the opening 71 and the bottom 73 are formed
while defining the axial direction of the glass tube 65 as the
horizontal direction, thereby producing the ampule 70 (a so-called
horizontal automatic-forming machine) . However, the glass tube 65
may be processed so that the opening 71 and the bottom 73 are formed
while defining the axial direction of the glass tube 65 as the
vertical direction (a so-called vertical automatic-forming
machine).
[0061]
[Second embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the invention will be
described. In the second embodiment, the vial 50 is used as the
glass container in the invention in place of the ampule 70 described
above. Moreover, a point burner 10 suitable for a second process
to the vial 50 is used in place of the point burner 30 described
above.
[0062]
[Point burner 10]
The point burner 10 illustrated in Fig. 8 is used in the method
for producing a medical glass container according to the invention.

The point burner 10 is used for processing the inner surface of
the vial 50 in the second process of the invention.
[0063] The point burner 10 is mainly separated roughly into
a burner body 11 and a nozzle 12. The burner body 11 has a tubular
shape having a fourth flow path 13 through which a mixed gas is
circulated. The mixed gas is a mixture of gas and oxygen. The mixed
gas generated by a known technique is circulated at a given flow
rate to the fourth flow path 13 of the burner body 11.
[0064] The nozzle 12 is provided at the top end of the burner
body 11. The nozzle 12 is roughly separated into a nozzle portion
14 and a connecting portion 15. The connecting portion 15 is a
conical-shaped member having a female screw disposed on the inner
surface. Although not illustrated in Fig. 8 in detail, the female
screw disposed on the connecting portion 15 is screwed into a male
screw disposed at the top end of the burner body 11, so that the
nozzle 12 is connected to the top end of the burner body 11. Thus,
the nozzle 12 is exchangeably attached to the burner body 11.
[0065] The nozzle portion 14 is disposed at the top of the
connecting portion 15. The nozzle portion 14 has a straw-like long
and narrow member and is disposed extending in the axial direction
of the burner body 11 from the top of the connecting portion 15.
The nozzle portion 14 is made of ceramic. The outer diameter R3
and the length L3 in the axial direction of the nozzle portion 14
are determined considering the inner diameter R4 of an opening 51
of the vial 50 as a processing target, the depth L4 of the vial
50, or the like. The outer diameter R3 of the nozzle portion 14
is determined so that the top end thereof can be inserted into at
least an internal space 52 from the opening 51 of the vial 50.
Specifically, the outer diameter R3 of the nozzle portion 14 is
enough smaller than the inner diameter R4 of the opening 51. The
length L3 in the axial direction of the nozzle portion 14 is
determined so that a flame 20 emitted from the top end of the nozzle
portion 14 can reach near a bottom 53 of the vial 50. Specifically,
the length L3 of the nozzle portion 14 is longer than the depth
L4 of the vial 50.
[0066] A fifth flow path 16 as the internal space of the nozzle
portion 14 is connected to the fourth flow path 13 of the burner
body 11 through the internal space of the connecting portion 15.
Thus, the mixed gas to be circulated to the fourth flow path 13
at a given flow rate is emitted from the top end of the nozzle portion
14 through the fifth flow path 16. The mixed gas burns to form the
flame 20. Moreover, an air current 22 is formed by the mixed gas
emitted from the top end of the nozzle portion 14.
[0067]
[Vial 50]
The vial 50 is provided with the opening 51 and the bottom
53 by processing of a glass tube 60. The inner diameter R5 of the
internal space 52 of the vial 50 is longer than the inner diameter
R4 of the opening 51. More specifically, the vial 50 is a so-called
narrow-mouthed glass container. The vial 50 is an example of the
glass container in the invention.
[0068]
[Method for producing the vial 50]
Hereinafter, a method for producing the vial 50 will be
described. The production method is mainly separated roughly into
the following two processes:
(1) First process of processing a glass tube 60 into the vial
50 having the opening 51 and the bottom 53, and
(2) Second process of emitting the flame 20 of the point burner
10 to the internal space 52 of the vial 50 to be applied to the
inner circumferential surface 54 and, simultaneously, the air
current 22 is applied to the inner circumferential surface 54.
[0069]
[First process]
As illustrated in Fig. 9(A), the glass tube 65 is fixed so
that the axial direction becomes a horizontal direction
(longitudinal direction in Fig. 9) , and a flame of a burner 61 is

applied to one end thereof to pre-heat the glass tube 60. Then,
the opening 51 is formed by applying a forming jig 66 to one end
of the pre-heated portion as illustrated in Fig. 9(B).
Specifically, the one end of the glass tube 60 is narrowed down
so that the outer diameter of the glass tube 60 is reduced by the
forming jig 66.
[0070] As illustrated in Fig. 10 (A) , the glass tube 60 is moved
in the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction in Fig. 10)
relative to the burner 61, so that the flame of the burner 61 is
applied to the glass tube 60. The one end of the glass tube 60 on
which the opening 51 has been formed is burned off by the flame
of the burner 61 and, simultaneously, the bottom 53 is formed at
the burned-off portion. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 10(B), one
vial 50 having the opening 51 and the bottom 53 is formed. In the
first process, the glass tube 60 may be fixed so that that axial
direction becomes a vertical direction, and the opening 51 and the
bottom 53 may be formed at the lower end thereof.
[0071]
[Second process]
Subsequently, the second process using the point burner 10
is carried out to the obtained vial 50. In Fig. 11, the flow of
the air current 22 is indicated by the dashed line.
[0072] As illustrated in Fig. 11, when a degraded portion by
forming process is present on the inner surface near the bottom
53 of the vial 50, the top end of the nozzle portion 14 of the point
burner 10 is inserted into the internal space 52 from the opening
51 of the vial 50. Then, the position of the point burner 10 is
fixed relative to the vial 50 so that the flame 20 emitted from
the top end of the nozzle portion 14 hits the degraded portion by
forming process near the bottom 53 . The point burner 10 is removable
relative to the vial 50.
[0073] Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 11, the vial 50
is fixed to the support member 21 while the opening 51 and the bottom
53 face each other in the horizontal direction (longitudinal

direction in Fig. 11), i.e., a so-called transverse position. The
support member 21 supports the transverse vial 50 while defining
the horizontal direction as the axial direction. The nozzle
portion 14 of the point burner 10 is inserted into the opening 51
that is supported by the support member 21 and opens in the
horizontal direction from the lower portion of the vial 50. The
axis of the nozzle portion 14 extends upwardly relative to the inner
circumferential surface 54 near the bottom 53 of the vial 50. More
specifically, the flame 20 emitted from the nozzle portion 14 hits
the upper portion of the inner circumferential surface 54 near the
bottom 53 of the vial 50.
[0074] The air current 22 is emitted from the nozzle portion
14 with the flame 20. The air current 22 hits the upper portion
of the inner circumferential surface 54 near the bottom 53 of the
vial 50, flows through the internal space 52 to the opening 51,
and then flows to the outside of the vial 50 from the opening 51.
[0075] As described above, the vial 50 supported by the support
member 21 is rotated while the flame 20 and the air current 20 are
applied to the inner circumferential surface 75 of the vial 50.
Thus, the flame 20 and the air current 22 are uniformly emitted
to the inner circumferential surface 54 near the bottom 52. The
alkali components or the like adhering to or remaining on the
degraded portion by forming process were heated and volatilized
by the flame 20. By the air current 22, the volatilized alkali
components or the like are discharged from the internal space 52
of the vial 50 and, simultaneously, the inner circumferential
surface 54 of the heated vial 50 is smoothened. Thus, the leaching
of the alkali components from the inner circumferential surface
54 of the vial 50 is suppressed.
[0076] When the second process is carried out in another
portion of the inner circumferential surface 54 of the vial 50,
the angle of the nozzle portion 14 of the point burner 10 to be
inserted into the opening 51 from the lower portion of the vial
50 is changed.

[0077]
[Working effects of this embodiment]
The same working effects as those of the first embodiment are
demonstrated also by the production method described above, and
the vial 50 with little leaching, such as alkali components or the
like, is simply produced at a low cost.
[0078] In this embodiment, in the first process, the glass tube
60 is processed while defining the axial direction of the glass
tube 60 as the horizontal direction to form the opening 51 and the
bottom 53, thereby producing the vial 50 (a so-called horizontal
automatic-forming machine). However, the glass tube 60 may be
processed while defining the axial direction of the glass tube 60
as the vertical direction to form the opening 51 and the bottom
53 (a so-called vertical automatic-forming machine).
CLAIMS
1. a method for producing a medical glass container, comprising:
a first process of processing a glass tube into a container
shape having a bottom and an opening to provide a glass container;
and
a second process of emitting a flame of a burner to an internal
space of the glass container to apply the flame to an inner surface
of the glass container.
2. The method for producing a medical glass container according
to claim 1, wherein, in the second process, the flame of the burner
is emitted to the internal space of the glass container to be applied
to the inner surface and, simultaneously, an air current is applied
to the inner surface.
3. The method for producing a medical glass container according
to claim 2, wherein, in the second process, the flame and the air
current are applied to the inner surface of the glass container
while rotating the glass container around the axis.
4. The method for producing a medical glass container according
to claim 2 or 3, wherein, in the second process, the air current
to be applied to the inner surface of the glass container is emitted
from the burner with a fuel.
5. The method for producing a medical glass container according
to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, in the second process, the
air current to be applied to the inner surface of the glass container
is emitted around the flame formed by the burner.
6. The method for producing a medical glass container according
to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, the glass container has an
ampule shape having a long and narrow opening.
7. The method for producing a medical glass container according
to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein, in the second process, the
air current to be applied to the inner surface of the glass container
contains oxygen.
8. A medical glass container, which is produced by the method for
producing a medical glass container according to any one of claims
1 to 7.
9. A burner for inner surface treatment of a medical glass
container, comprising a nozzle having an inner tube having a first
flow path through which a fuel is circulated and an outer tube into
which the inner tube is inserted and which has a second flow path
through which a gas is circulated between the outer tube and the
inner tube.
10. The burner for inner surface treatment of a medical glass
container according to claim 9, wherein the top end of the inner
tube is bent in the axial direction of the inner tube.

To provide a measure capable of simply producing a medical
glass container with little leaching of alkali components or the
like.
A first process of processing a glass tube 65 into a container
shape having a bottom 7 3 and an opening 71 to provide an ampule
70 and a second process of emitting a flame 23 of a point burner
30 to an internal space 72 of the ampule 70 to apply the flame 23
to an inner circumferential surface 75 are included. Thus, alkali
components or the like adhering to or remaining on the inner
circumferential surface 75 of the ampule 70 are blown away to be
removed. Thus, the ampule 70 with little leaching of alkali
component or the like is simply produced at a low cost.