Ampoule

Ampoule

Ampoule is a small sealed glass vessel designed to preserve and protect its contents from contamination and environmental factors, representing a significant innovation in both medical and design fields. This hermetically sealed container, typically crafted from glass through a precise heating and forming process, features a narrow neck that can be easily broken to access its contents, embodying a perfect union of functional design and material science. The design evolution of ampoules traces back to the late 19th century, when the need for sterile storage solutions became paramount in medical practice, though their application has since expanded to encompass various industries including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and luxury perfumery. The manufacturing process involves specialized glassblowing techniques where borosilicate or soda-lime glass is heated, shaped, filled with the intended contents, and then sealed using high-temperature flame sealing methods. From a design perspective, ampoules exemplify minimalist industrial design principles, where form strictly follows function, while also incorporating crucial safety features such as score lines or breaking points that enable controlled access to contents. Contemporary ampoule design has evolved to include innovations in materials, such as amber-colored glass for light-sensitive substances, and various capacity options ranging from 1ml to 50ml, demonstrating adaptability to diverse application requirements. The significance of ampoule design has been recognized in various design competitions, including the A' Design Award, where innovations in pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging regularly showcase advancements in this field, particularly focusing on sustainability and user experience improvements.

Glass container, Sterile packaging, Pharmaceutical design, Industrial packaging

— Lucas Reed

CITATION : "Lucas Reed. 'Ampoule.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=474300 (Accessed on May 22, 2025)"