What Type of Vial Seal Should I Use?
We offer many types of vial seals to clients worldwide. Choosing the right type of vial seal can be challenging. To help our clients make the best decision, we have outlined the characteristics and applications of our vial seals below. We have also made a few tables with side-by-side comparisons of similar vial seals to help you differentiate and avoid commons selection mistakes.
| A). Center Tear Vial Seal | B). Complete Tear Off / Full Tear Off Vial Seal |
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| The above image shows a center tear out vial seal. As you can see in the above image, the perforated section is restricted to the center of the top of the seal. When the center is removed, the remainder of the seal remains crimped to the vial. The stopper (sold separately) is then visble and acessible for puncturing with a syringe. This type of seal is used when the vial contents are to be removed with a syringe. sizes available: 13mm, 20mm, 30mm and 32mm |
The above image with an arrow stamped at the top of the aluminum seal is a complete tear off / full tear off vial seal. The perforation in the metal begins as a circle in the center and then extends to the outer perimeter of the vial seal, then down the side. When the center of the perforation is lifted with your fingernail, the arrow indicates the direction you should pull the metal tab completely down the side of this seal to completely remove all aluminum. You can then remove the stopper (sold separately). This type of vial seal is used when you want to pour out vial contents. sizes available: 13mm, 20mm and 30mm |
| C). West Matte Flip Cap | D). West Flip Off® |
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| West matte flip cap vial seals(non-embossed / non-worded) These high quality flip cap seals with no embossed words on the plastic cap are ideal for use in the regulated industries that prohibit words or logos on vial seals (ferrules). Used on vials that are to be emptied using a syringe. Complies with USP requirements for ferrules used on parenterals (injectable medications) sizes available: 13mm and 20mm |
West Flip Off® embossed vial seals (embossed with FLIP OFF in the cap) World recognized , high quality flip cap seals with embossed cap. Used on vials that are to be emptied using a syringe. sizes available: 13mm and 20mm |
| E). West Flip Off-Tear Off® | |
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| West Flip Off-Tear Off® vial seals - NOT THE SAME as a Flip Off® seal. Flip Off-Tear Off® vial seals have an embossed plastic cap that is first removed to reveal an exposed region of stopper and a pull-tab underneath. At this point, you can either: a). use the seal as a standard flip cap seal and punture the exposed stopper with a hypodermic needle, or: b). you can pull on the pull tab to disassemble and remove the entire aluminum seal. This will allow you to completely remove the stopper underneath (sold separately) to pour out vial contents. Used primarily on vials when you want to POUR OUT vial contents. sizes available: 20mm only. |
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| F). Hole Punch Vial Seal | G). IVA Foil Seals |
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| Open hole punch vial seals have the center perforation already removed. Allows immediate access to the stopper (sold separately) by a hypodermic syringe needle. sizes available: 13mm, 20mm and 30mm |
IVA Foil Seals Intravenous Admixture Foil Seals - these laminated seals are dispensed from a sterile roll strip and are used on both IV bags and vials to provide visible evidence of a needle punctue. This helps to alert medical professionals that the seal has already been punctured, thereby reducing the chances of double dosing. sizes available: 13mm and 20mm |