Containers and closures are important components of pharmaceutical packaging and these are classified into different types depending upon the shape.In this article we will learn all the types of container and closures & let’s start from containers.
Containers are classified into the following types
- Glass Bottles/polyethylene bottles
- Dropper bottles
- Collapsible Tubes
- Paperboard Boxes
- Glass/Plastic Jars
- Vials
- Ampules
- Polyethylene bags for IV fluids
- Aerosol Container
- Strips/Blisters
Glass Bottles/Polyethylene Bottles
The liquid preparations are usually packed in glass or polyethene bottles. Examples of liquid preparations packed in these bottles are
- Syrup
- Liquid Emulsion
- Liquid Suspension
- Solutions
Dropper Bottles
Dropper bottles may be glass or plastic bottles fitted with a dropper cap and a cap is used to close the container. Plastic bottles are commonly used which are easy to squeeze and are fitted with a dropper.
Examples of preparation packed in dropper bottles are
- Eye drops
- Ear drops and nasal drops.
Collapsible Tubes
Collapsible tubes are used for the packaging of semisolid preparations. Collapsible tubes are a good source for packaging of preparations like
- Creams
- Ointments
- Pastes
Paperboard Boxes
Paperboard boxes are used for the packaging of powders.
Glass/Plastic Jars
Wide mouth glass or plastic jars which are airtight are used for the packaging of dusting powder and insufflations.
These are applied with cotton swabs.
Glass Vials
Glass vials are used for multiple doses of sterile preparation. Glass vials are used with rubber stoppers.
Ampules
Single-dose sterile preparations are packed in glass ampules.
Polyethylene bags for IV
Large-volume parenteral products which are to be used for intravenous administration are packed in polyethylene bags.
Aerosol Container
Specially designed containers are used for the packaging of aerosol preparations and have the ability to bear the pressure.
Strips/Blisters
The tablets, lozenges, pills or capsules are packed in strips or blisters of aluminium or PVC foils.
Classification Of Closures
The closures are classified into the following types
- Once Only Closures
- Renewable Closures
Once Only Closures
As the name indicates the once-only closures are used only for a single use meaning after opening such type of closure can not be closed again.
Examples
Ampules sealing due to the infusion of glass and sealing of polyethylene bags due to the fusion of plastic are examples of once only closures.
Renewable Closures
These type of closure can be used again and again after opening and closing.The renewable closures are used for collapsible tubes, glass or plastic bottles & jars.
Renewable closures are of 2 types
- Plug Type Closure
- Cap Type Closure
Plug Type Closure
As the name indicates the plug-type closures have the shape of a plug and are used to close the neck of containers.
Cork or plastic stoppers are examples of plug-type closures.
Cap Type Closure
Commonly used caps are examples of cap-type closures. There are two types of cap-type closures
- Push Fit Caps
- Screw Cap Closures
Push Fit Caps
The push-fit cap is used for closing the neck of containers where it is placed over the container neck and it is pressed to seal the container.
Screw Cap Closures
Screw cap closures are most commonly used for pharmaceutical packaging.
For screw cap closure the containers have a neck with a screw where the cap is tightened.
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