Unit dose flexible container

Abstract

A pliable single use liquid container and dispensing device for delivery of a precise amount of orally administered liquids across a broad range of viscosities is provide with the container being formed of generally opposed pliable sheets, a first seal joining the first and second pliable sheets and partially defining a liquid-containing chamber, a second seal joining the first and second pliable sheets and partially defining a pressure relieving chamber adjacent to the liquid-containing chamber, a boundary seal joining the first and second pliable sheets between the liquid-containing chamber and the pressure relieving chamber, a precisely measured single dose volume of fluent liquid disposed within the liquid-containing chamber, the boundary seal being lighter than the first and second seals so that upon application of pressure to the liquid in the liquid-containing chamber the fluid transfer region seal opens to permit the liquid to flow from the liquid-containing chamber into the pressure relieving chamber, a sealed outlet adapted for fluid communication with the pressure relieving chamber for flow of the liquid from the pressure relieving chamber out of the liquid container and sized based on the viscosity of the liquid and the geometry of the dispensing device, the outlet seal adapted to open upon application of fluid pressure from liquid in the pressure relieving chamber for dispensing the liquid from the liquid container and prevent spilling and splashing of the liquid prior to delivery, control the delivery rate of the liquid to the recipient, and provide tactile force flow rate information feedback to the administrator.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to liquid containers and more particularly to a pliable single use liquid container and dispensing device for delivery of an orally administered fluent liquid. Liquid containers are prevalent in numerous areas such as medicines, nutritional supplements, and confections to name a few. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] Many orally administered medicines are available in liquid or otherwise fluent or flow able formulations. For example, children's oral medicines are commonly formulated to be liquid because it is easier for children to swallow the medicine in liquid form than in a solid form, such as pills. Of course, many adult medicines are also available in liquid or fluent form. [0003] These liquid formulations are formulated to be administered with a predetermined unit dose. However, economic packaging for unit doses has been difficult to develop. Thus the liquid formulations are packaged in bulk container and options a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a flexible liquid container and dispensing device that can deliver precise amounts of liquid orally, regardless of its viscosity. The container has two layers of flexible sheets with a boundary seal in between them. The seals are designed to open when pressure is applied, allowing the liquid to flow from the container. The device also has an outlet for dispensing the liquid. The outlet is closed when not in use to prevent foreign objects from entering it. The device helps control the delivery rate of the liquid and provides feedback on the flow rate through tactile force.

Problems solved by technology

However, economic packaging for unit doses has been difficult to develop.

Dosing errors can occur when a patient measures his or her own dose or it is measured by a parent or other family member.

A patient's ability to measure an accurate dose may be compromised by symptoms of an illness or the environment.

In the case of a parent measuring a dose for a child, the parent may be distracted by the conduct of the child, who may be upset, hurting, or crying.

The administrator may be tired or the administration may be given in environmental conditions which impede accurate measuring.

Similarly, the person may use the measuring cup from a different medicine, either inadvertently or out of convenience.

Several of the devices available to deliver a dose of medicine to another person have little in the way of flow rate control.

In addition, they provide no sensory cue that the flow rate is appropriate for the receiver.

This leads to a “gushing” of medicine out of the mouths of the patient.

This can lead to inadvertent under dosing or over dosing the patient.

Some elderly people may not always remember what the proper dose is, especially if they have to keep track of the proper dose for many different medicines they are taking at the same time.

Another problem with conventional dosing methods from a bulk container is that many consumers may feel that it is not convenient to measure an accurate does and either overdose or under dose.

Some conventional dosing devices can also be unsanitary.

A thorough washing could remove this residue, but this is often inconvenient, especially if a person has just self-administered medicine to combat illness and there is no healthy person available to wash the device.

If more than one person uses the same dosing device, failure to wash the device thoroughly after each, may lead to the people spreading germs to each other.

Many supplements are formulated many times higher than the government's daily nutritional requirements because the FDA does not regulate nutritional supplements as they would a medication.

The products are inconvenient, as they require tearing in order to open them.

In addition, the torn off portion of the package becomes an environmental issue requiring the athlete to carefully store the tiny tear off pieces until completion of the event.

However, whiting requires a tearing open of the package for dispensing.

If one were to try to open the package by just squeezing the package, the pressure that would need to be generated to separate the seal would cause the liquid to gush or splatter upon separation of the seal.

Conversely if one attempts to make the seal such that a slight pressure will separate the seal then premature actuation of the seal may occur from routine handling.

Such a construction would add an unacceptable expense to many packaged products.

None of the aforementioned patents teach a method for providing an adjustable flow rate based on tactile information feedback to the administrator, across a range of fluid viscosities, in an economic package.

None of the aforementioned patents teach how to prevent inadvertent discharge of the fluid without the use of a baffle or blocking wall.

None of the aforementioned patents teach a method for preserving the cleanliness of the fluid path prior to dispensing.

None of the disclosures describe a device which can economically package a unit dose, prevent premature rupture during routine shipping and handling and provide for the accurate, controlled administration at the desired time.

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