Applicator for oral administration of swallowable objects to a patient

Abstract

The present application relates to an applicator (1) for orally administering a swallowable object (2), in particular a solid dosage form, to a patient, wherein the applicator comprises: a shell (3) having a first opening (4) and a second opening (5), the first opening of the shell being configured to be coupled to a liquid reservoir, in particular a drinking container, and the second opening of the shell being configured so that the patient can drink from it, and a holder (6) arranged in the shell and configured to accommodate the swallowable object, the holder being further configured to allow the swallowable object to be transported toward the second opening of the shell when liquid flows from the first opening of the shell through the shell to the second opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to applicators and drinking devices for oral administration of swallowable objects, particularly solid dosage forms, to a patient. Background Art

[0002] In a recently developed method for diagnosing the upper gastrointestinal tract, as an alternative to using an endoscope, the patient simply has to swallow a small object designed as a disposable device that is configured to collect cells from the lining of the esophagus. The device includes a small mesh sponge with a diameter of about 30 mm, which is contained in a gelatin capsule and attached to a string or wire. The patient swallows the capsule with water, and once the device reaches the stomach, the gelatin coating dissolves. After a few minutes, the healthcare provider retrieves the expanded sponge using a string. Upon removal, the slightly rough mesh collects cells along the length of the esophagus. The collected cells can then be analyzed, for example, by using immunohistochemical staining to detect biomarkers indicative of a specific disease.

[0003] Although swallowing small objects like capsules is generally less inconvenient for the patient than using other diagnostic devices such as an endoscope, it is desirable to orally administer such objects as conveniently and reliably as possible. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an applicator and a drinking device which allow oral administration of swallowable objects to a patient in a convenient and reliable manner.

[0005] This object is achieved by an applicator and a drinking device according to the independent claims.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an applicator for orally administering a swallowable object, in particular a solid dosage form, to a patient comprises: a housing having a first opening and a second opening, the first opening of the housing being configured to be coupled to a liquid reservoir, in particular a drinking container, and the second opening of the housing being configured so that the patient can drink therefrom. The applicator further comprises a retainer arranged within the housing and configured to accommodate the swallowable object, the retainer being further configured to allow the swallowable object to be transported toward the second opening of the housing when liquid flows from the first opening of the housing through the housing to the second opening.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the invention, a drinking device comprises an applicator according to the first aspect of the invention and a container, in particular a drinking container, the container being configured to contain a liquid, wherein the applicator is particularly releasably coupled to the container such that the liquid contained in the container can enter the applicator through the first opening of the housing.

[0008] Aspects of the invention are based on a method of containing and / or storing and / or holding a swallowable object or device in a preferably sleeve-shaped or tubular housing by a holder arranged in the housing, which preferably has the shape and / or size of, for example, a capsule, a pill, a tablet or a pellet. The applicator, in particular the housing, is formed and / or dimensioned and / or configured so that it can be coupled with and / or attached to a reservoir, for example a drinking container, and allows the liquid contained in the reservoir to flow through the housing and / or the holder from a first opening of the housing towards a second opening, in particular after or while tilting the container together with the applicator attached thereto. Preferably, the second opening of the housing is dimensioned and / or shaped, for example, like a spout, a beak-shaped spout or the mouth of a feeding cup, so that the patient can conveniently drink from it. Further, the retainer is preferably configured such that when the applicator is tilted and / or liquid flows through the shell it releases the contained swallowable object and allows the swallowable object to be transported by gravity and / or by liquid flowing through the shell toward the second opening of the shell where it exits the shell together with the liquid so that it can be easily swallowed by the patient.

[0009] Preferably, the swallowable object is or comprises at least one of the following solid or semisolid dosage forms: tablets, film-coated tablets, caplets, dragees, soft gelatin capsules, hard gelatin capsules, effervescent tablets, pills, powders, granules, pellets, pastes, creams, ointments, gels.

[0010] Preferably, the swallowable object or device is a solid dosage form, such as a capsule with a string and / or line attached. Preferably, the applicator is configured to accommodate both the object and the string or line attached thereto. For example, the string or line can be at least partially coiled and arranged in and / or around the housing and / or the retainer. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the string or line can be coiled on the solid dosage form and / or arranged in a solid dosage form such as a capsule. In any of the above cases, the applicator and / or the retainer and / or the dosage form are preferably configured to release the string or line to allow the solid dosage form to follow gravity and / or the liquid to flow through the housing toward the second opening and be swallowed by the patient.

[0011] In this way, the present invention allows for convenient and reliable oral administration of swallowable objects, like solid dosage forms, to patients.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the holder comprises a holder structure, which is in particular coaxially arranged in the housing and is configured to accommodate the swallowable object. Preferably, the holder structure comprises a bottom structure arranged at a first end of the holder structure. Further, preferably, the bottom structure is configured to allow at least a portion of the liquid flowing from the first opening of the housing through the housing to the second opening to flow through the holder structure and thereby transport the swallowable object towards the second opening of the housing. By one or more of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, the swallowable object is accommodated in the applicator on the one hand, and the release and transport of the swallowable object towards the second opening of the applicator housing on the other hand is ensured in a particularly reliable and simple manner.

[0013] It is further preferred that the bottom structure comprises and / or is designed as a grid. Preferably, the grid has a grid structure that is smaller than the smallest dimension of the swallowable object, such as a diameter, so that the swallowable object cannot pass through the grid. In this way, it is ensured that the swallowable object accommodated by the holder and / or resting on the grid cannot pass through the grid and enter a reservoir, such as a drinking container, arranged at the first opening of the applicator housing, while liquid from the reservoir can pass through the grid in the opposite direction and "flushes away" the swallowable object from the grid towards the second opening of the applicator housing.

[0014] The term "grid" or "grid structure" within the meaning of the present disclosure preferably but not necessarily relates to a lattice and / or frame or structure of two or more crossed strip-like elements. In a very simple example, a grid or grid structure may be formed by only two crossed strip-like elements.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, preferably, the bottom structure includes and / or is designed as a bridge, bridge-like or strip-like support structure, which is configured to accommodate and / or support the swallowable object from below to ensure that the swallowable object respectively placed on the bridge, bridge-like or strip-like support structure cannot enter the liquid reservoir, and allow at least a portion of the liquid flowing from the first opening of the shell through the shell to the second opening to flow through the bridge, bridge-like or strip-like support structure, thereby transporting the swallowable object toward the second opening of the shell.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment, the bottom structure is mounted on and / or attached to the housing. Preferably, the bottom structure is mounted or attached to the inside of the housing near the first opening of the housing. In this way, liquid can be prevented from entering the housing and passing through the bottom structure of the retainer through the retainer and also entering the space between the inside of the retainer structure and the housing. In this way, the line attached to the swallowable object and stored in the space between the retainer structure and the housing can be kept away from contact with the liquid as long as possible, so that, for example, the line contacts the liquid only when the object and the liquid are swallowed together by the patient or not significantly earlier than when the object and the liquid are swallowed together by the patient. This has special advantages, for example, in the case of carrying medicine or any other substance intended to be released in the esophagus on the line, because preventing the liquid from contacting the line too early ensures that the medicine is not washed out from the line before reaching the esophagus.

[0017] For example, the base structure may be provided with a flange by which the base structure is mounted on the housing. Alternatively, the housing and the holder and / or the base structure may be formed as a single piece obtained by a suitable manufacturing method, such as injection molding or 3D printing.

[0018] Further preferably, the holder structure comprises a wall structure, which is particularly attached to the base structure, wherein the wall structure exhibits one or more notches, grooves and / or recesses, allowing a line or string attached to a swallowable object contained in the holder structure, in particular in the wall structure, to be guided from the inside of the holder structure or the wall structure to the outside of the wall structure and / or vice versa, i.e. from the outside of the wall structure to the inside of the wall structure, and / or to be coiled on the outside of the wall structure. Preferably, the holder structure further comprises at least one fixing element, which is particularly arranged at the outside of the wall structure and is configured to allow the line to be fixed at the holder structure. For example, the fixing element can be or include a protrusion arranged on the outside of the wall structure and formed and / or sized so that the line or string can be knotted thereon. The above embodiments, alone or in combination, allow safe accommodation of both a swallowable object, such as a dosage form, and a line or string attached by the holder.

[0019] As already mentioned above, the string or line may not necessarily be wound around the holder or holder structure. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the string or line may be wound around the swallowable object, such as a solid dosage form like a capsule and / or arranged within the swallowable object.

[0020] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the applicator further includes and / or comprises a swallowable object, particularly a solid dosage form, held by the holder. Alternatively or additionally, the applicator further comprises at least one cap, which is configured to seal a first opening of the housing and / or a second opening of the housing, wherein the at least one cap is releasably attached to the first opening and / or the second opening of the housing. Before administering the swallowable object contained in the applicator to the patient, at least one cap is separated from one or more openings of the housing. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the applicator is advantageously also used as a primary packaging for the swallowable objects contained therein, particularly solid dosage forms. For hygienic purposes, the applicator can preferably be packaged in an additional outer packaging or secondary packaging, such as a plastic bag or box, which can be labeled, for example, with a brand name and / or information about the contained object and / or instructions for using the applicator.

[0021] It is further preferred that the container has an opening and that the applicator is in particular releasably and / or detachably attached to the opening of the container. For example, the container may be a conventional drinking container, like a drinking glass or cup, to which the applicator is attached. Alternatively, the container may be a drinking container with a screw cap provided with a nozzle or spout, to which the applicator is preferably releasably and / or detachably attached.

[0022] As already described above, the swallowable object may preferably be a disposable device configured to collect cells from the lining of the esophagus and comprising a small mesh sponge contained in a gelatin capsule and attached to a string.

[0023] Basically, local treatment in the upper gastrointestinal tract is difficult to achieve due to the short esophageal transit time from the mouth to the stomach (less than two seconds). In view of these limitations, it is particularly preferred that the swallowable object comprises a solid dosage form, such as a capsule, pill, tablet or pellet, attached to a wire or string configured for local treatment of the esophagus. For example, the wire or string may contain a drug or any other substance. By swallowing the solid dosage form, the wire or string carrying the drug, preferably attached thereto, is guided through the esophagus and can stay in the esophagus for a desired period of time, for example to ensure that the drug is released by the wire or string and delivered to the esophagus.

[0024] Preferably, the term "thread" within the meaning of the present disclosure does not have to be a thread in the narrow sense, but may also be or include a film, also referred to as a "flake", "strip", "edible film" or "oral film", which is preferably a thin, flexible and rapidly disintegrating drug carrier, which comes into contact with saliva, dissolves and releases the active ingredient to act locally and / or also systemically (after absorption). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Further advantages, features and examples of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the following drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 A cross section of an example of an applicator is shown in elevation;

[0027] Figure 2 A cross-section of an example of an applicator is shown in perspective view;

[0028] Figure 3 An example of an applicator is shown in perspective view;

[0029] Figures 4a) to e) show exemplary steps for using an applicator;

[0030] Figures 5a) to d) show exemplary steps for assembling an applicator;

[0031] Figure 6a ) to c) show examples of holders in various perspective views;

[0032] Figure 7 Another example of an applicator is shown in perspective view;

[0033] Figure 8 Another example of an applicator is shown in perspective view;

[0034] Fig. 9 Another example of an applicator is shown in perspective view;

[0035] Fig.10a ) and b) show another example of an applicator in front view and perspective view, respectively; and

[0036] Fig. 11 a) and b) show another example of an applicator in front view and in perspective view, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 A cross section of an example of an applicator 1 is shown in front view. The applicator 1 comprises a housing 3 which exhibits a preferably sleeve-like and / or rotationally symmetrical shape and has a first opening 4 and a second opening 5. Preferably, in the region of its first opening 4 and / or in the region close to its first opening 4, the housing 3 is formed and / or configured such that it can be coupled and / or attached, preferably fluid-tightly, to an upper end and / or an opening 23 of a reservoir, in particular a drinking container such as a drinking bottle.

[0038] The applicator 1 further comprises a holder 6 which is arranged in the housing 3 and is shaped and / or configured to accommodate and / or hold and / or retain the swallowable object 2. Preferably, the swallowable object 2 has the size and shape of a solid dosage form such as a capsule. In the present example, the swallowable object 2 is supported from below and laterally by a bottom structure 9 and a wall structure 10 of the holder 6, respectively. In addition, in the given example, a removable cap 8 is attached to the second opening 5 of the housing 3 to seal the second opening 5.

[0039] Figure 2 A cross section of an example of an applicator 1 is shown in perspective view. Figure 1 As in the example given in , the second opening 5 of the housing 3 is sealed with a cap 8. However, instead of being attached to a drinking container, the first opening 4 is also sealed with a cap 7 which is detachably attached thereto. Preferably, the bottom structure 9 of the holder 6 is liquid permeable and may, for example, be configured as a grid or any other liquid permeable structure.

[0040] Preferably, the housing 3 and / or the holder 6 has a sleeve-like or tubular basic shape and / or the housing 3 and / or the holder 6 is rotationally symmetrical. Preferably, the holder 6 is coaxially arranged in the housing 3, i.e. the rotational symmetry axes of the holder 6 and the housing 3 coincide.

[0041] Figure 3 An example of an applicator 1 is shown in perspective view, wherein the housing 3 is sealed by both a bottom cap 7 and a top cap 8 .

[0042] from Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen in the example of , the applicator 1 can advantageously be used as a primary packaging for a swallowable object 2 contained therein, in particular a solid dosage form. For hygienic purposes, the applicator 1 can preferably be packaged into an additional outer packaging or secondary packaging, such as a plastic bag or box (not shown).

[0043] Before administering the swallowable object 2 contained in the applicator 1 to a patient, the caps 7, 8 are detached from the openings 4, 5 and the housing 3 is attached to the opening 23 of the reservoir. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0044] 4 a ) to e ) show exemplary steps of using the applicator 1 in cross-sectional representation.

[0045] In a first step shown in FIG. 4 a, an applicator 1 containing a swallowable object 2 and sealed with caps 7, 8 and a drinking container 20 are provided. In the present example, the drinking container 20 filled with a liquid 25, such as water, comprises a cup 21 having a threaded coupling 22 at its top opening. A screw cap 24 having an opening 23 is screwed onto the threaded coupling 22. The opening 23 of the screw cap 24 is preferably configured, in particular shaped and / or sized, such that a person can drink from it. Preferably, the drinking container 20 comprising the cup 21 and the screw cap 24 having an opening 23 is a drinking container commonly used in the health care field, like a hospital or a medical practice.

[0046] In the second and third steps, the bottom cap 7 at the first opening 4 of the housing 3 of the applicator 1 is removed (FIG. 4b), and the applicator 1 is attached to the opening 23 of the screw cap 24 (FIG. 4c). In the fourth step (FIG. 4d), the top cap 8 at the second opening 5 of the housing 3 of the applicator 1 is removed.

[0047] In a fifth step ( FIG. 4 e ), the drinking container 20 together with the applicator 1 attached thereto is tilted to allow the liquid to flow out of the cup 21 through the first opening 4 of the housing 3 (indicated by the dashed arrow) and subsequently, at least partially through the holder 6 containing the swallowable object 2. Due to the liquid flowing through the holder 6 and / or gravity, the swallowable object 2 is transported towards the second opening 5 of the housing 6, where it is “flushed away” by the liquid flowing out of the second opening 5 and can be drunk and swallowed by the patient through the second opening 5.

[0048] Figures 5a) to d) show exemplary steps for assembling the applicator 1 in cross-sectional views.

[0049] In a first step ( FIG. 5 a ), a holder 6 is provided. In a second step ( FIG. 5 b ), a swallowable object 2 is inserted and / or placed in the holder 6 such that the swallowable object 2 is preferably supported by a bottom structure 9 of the holder 6 and / or preferably abuts a wall structure 10 of the holder 6. Preferably, the swallowable object 2 is a dosage form, such as a capsule, a pill or a tablet, to which a thread or string (not shown) is attached with a first end of the thread or string.

[0050] Preferably, the wire is inserted into the holder 6 and / or laid on or along the holder 6 before the object 2 is inserted into the holder 6. For example, the wire can be passed through and laid around the holder 6 in an "8" shape by repeating the following sequence: i) wrapping the wire around a first half of the wall structure 10, ii) guiding the wire through the interior of the holder 6 via two opposing notches 12 provided in the wall structure 10, iii) wrapping the wire around a second half of the wall structure 10, and iv) guiding the wire through the interior of the holder 6 via the two opposing notches 12.

[0051] Preferably, the second end of the line or string, which is not attached to the object 2, can be fixed to a fixing element 11 arranged at the outside of the wall structure 10. Alternatively or additionally, the fixing element 11 or any other similarly acting element for fixing the line can be arranged at another position at the holder 6 and / or the housing 3, for example, at the bottom structure 9 and / or at the inside of the wall structure 10.

[0052] In a third step (see the arrow in FIG. 5 b ), the holder 6 is pushed into the housing 3 together with the object 2 accommodated therein. Preferably, a flange 13 and an oblique protrusion 14 are provided at the bottom area of ​​the holder 6. Further preferably, a circumferential rib 15 adapted between the flange 13 and the protrusion 14 is provided near the first opening 4 of the housing 3. Preferably, when the holder 6 is inserted into the housing 3 from below, the oblique protrusion 14 can pass through the rib 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow and act as a barb in the opposite direction, so that the holder 6 is fixed to the inner wall of the housing 6 by the shape fit of the rib 15 between the flange 13 and the protrusion 14. This is Figure 5c In the description.

[0053] In the fourth and fifth steps (see Figure 5d ), the upper cap 8 and the lower cap 7 are attached to the housing 3 to seal the second opening 5 and the first opening 4 of the housing 3, respectively.

[0054] Figure 6a ) to c) show various perspective views of an example of a holder 6, wherein Figure 6a A cross section is shown of the holder 6. Basically, with regard to the base structure 9, the wall structure 10, the fixing element 11, the recess 12, the flange 13 and the projection 14, the above statements apply correspondingly.

[0055] from Figure 6b and 6c As can be seen in the figure, in the example of the invention, two recesses 12 are provided on opposite sides of the wall structure 12. Generally, less than or more than two recesses 12 may be provided, for example four recesses 12 distributed in 90° steps around the wall structure.

[0056] As from Figure 6a and 6c It is obvious that the bottom structure 9 of the holder 6 has a cross-shaped structure, which effectively prevents the object 2 contained in the holder 6 from passing through the bottom structure 9 and entering the reservoir. Generally, on the one hand, any other type of mesh that is permeable to liquid and, on the other hand, prevents the contained object 2 from passing through the bottom structure 9 towards the reservoir. Preferably, the bottom structure 9 has an orifice that is smaller than the cross-section of the object 2 contained in the holder 6, in particular the dosage form.

[0057] In the following, further examples of the applicator 1 are described with reference to the accompanying drawings which only show specific aspects of the applicator 1, while for simplicity, further details are omitted. However, it should be understood that the details (not shown) of the following examples may be designed at least in part to be similar to the examples of the applicator 1 discussed above.

[0058] Figure 7 Another example of an applicator is shown in a perspective view.The housing 3 has a substantially tubular or sleeve-like basic shape and is slid onto the flange structure 13 of the holder 6 to engage with the holder 6 frictionally and / or by a form fit.

[0059] As in the example given above, two recesses 12 are provided in the circumferential wall structure 10 of the holder 6. In the inventive example, the recesses 12 extend from the upper end of the wall structure 10 to the lower end of the wall structure 10, where a flange structure 13 is provided.

[0060] Furthermore, in the example of the invention, the swallowable object 2 contained in the holder 6 is supported and / or laid on a web, path or bridge 16 formed by a plurality of portions of a wire 17, which is attached to the swallowable object 2 and has been repeatedly guided through the interior of the holder 3 and around the exterior of the holder 6 via the recess 12. In the example of the invention, as shown, the wire is laid in a shape similar to an "8". In this regard, the above description with reference to FIG. 5 b applies accordingly.

[0061] Further preferably, one end of the wire 17 is attached to the object 2 and the other end of the wire 17 is attached to the applicator 1, preferably by clamping the end of the wire 17 between the flange structure 13 of the shell 3 and the holder 6 when the shell 3 slides onto the flange structure 13 of the holder 6.

[0062] Figure 8 Another example of an applicator 1 is shown in perspective view. Figure 7 The above description given applies accordingly. Figure 7 Different from the given instance in Figure 7 The middle notch 12 has a substantially constant width, however, the width of the notch 12 in the example of the invention increases towards the upper end of the holder 6. Preferably, the notch 12 has a trapezoidal shape. In this way, the wire 17 can be unwound from the holder 6 in a particularly reliable manner.

[0063] Fig. 9 Another example of an applicator 1 is shown in perspective view. Figure 8 The above description given applies accordingly. Figure 8Unlike the example given in , the height of the wall structure 10 of the holder 6 is reduced. Preferably, the height of the wall structure 10 corresponds to about 30% to 80%, preferably 50% to 60% of the height of the housing 3. In this way, the unwinding of the wire 17 from the holder 6 is further facilitated.

[0064] Fig.10a ) and b) show another example of an applicator in front view and perspective view, respectively. Fig. 9 The above description given applies accordingly. Fig. 9 Unlike the example given in , the height of the step 18 adjoining the flange 13 has been increased to ensure an even more stable fixation of the housing 3 and the holder 6 .

[0065] Figures 11a) and b) show another example of an applicator in front view and perspective view. Basically, the above description given with reference to Figure 10 applies accordingly. Unlike the example given in Figure 10, the wall structure 10 exhibits a substantially conical basic shape with a total of four recesses 12, allowing a particularly reliable unwinding of the wire (not shown) from the holder 6.

Claims

1. An applicator (1) for orally administering a swallowable object (2) to a patient, the applicator (1) comprising: a housing (3) having a first opening (4) and a second opening (5), the first opening (4) of the housing (3) being configured to be coupled to a container (20) and the second opening (5) of the housing (3) being configured to enable the patient to drink therefrom, and a holder (6) arranged in the housing (3) and configured to receive the swallowable object (2), the holder (6) being further configured to allow the swallowable object (2) to be transported towards the second opening (5) of the housing (3) when liquid (25) flows from the first opening (4) of the housing (3) through the housing (3) to the second opening (5), The holder (6) comprises a holder structure, which is arranged in the housing (3) and is configured to accommodate a swallowable object (2). The holder structure comprises a bottom structure (9) which is arranged at a first end of the holder structure close to a first opening (4) of the housing (3), The bottom structure (9) has one or more openings, the openings being designed to be smaller than the cross-section of the swallowable object (2), and The holder structure comprises a wall structure (10) attached to a base structure (9), the wall structure (10) exhibiting one or more notches, grooves and / or recesses (12) allowing a thread or string (17) attached to the swallowable object (2) contained in the wall structure (10) to be guided from inside the wall structure (10) to the outside of the wall structure (10) or vice versa and / or to be coiled on the outside of the wall structure (10).

2. Applicator (1) according to claim 1, the holder structure being coaxially arranged within the housing (3).

3. The applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom structure (9) is configured to allow at least a portion of the liquid (25) flowing from the first opening (4) of the shell (3) through the shell (3) to the second opening (5) to flow through the retainer structure and thereby transport the swallowable object (2) toward the second opening (5) of the shell (3).

4. Applicator (1) according to claim 3, the bottom structure (9) comprising a grid and / or a bridge-like or strip-like support structure.

5. Applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the base structure (9) being mounted on the housing (3) and / or attached to the housing (3).

6. Applicator (1) according to claim 1, the holder structure further comprising at least one fixing element (11) configured to fix the wire (17) at the holder structure.

7. The applicator (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a swallowable object (2) received by the holder (6).

8. The applicator (1) according to claim 7, wherein the swallowable object (2) is in the form of a solid dosage form.

9. The applicator (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cap (7, 8), the at least one cap being configured to seal the first opening (4) of the shell (3) and / or the second opening (5) of the shell (3), wherein the at least one cap (7, 8) is releasably attached to the first opening (4) and / or the second opening (5) of the shell (3).

10. A drinking device comprising an applicator (1) according to any preceding claim and a container (20), the container being configured to contain a liquid (25), the applicator (1) being coupled to the container (20) such that the liquid (25) contained in the container (20) can enter the applicator (1) through the first opening (4) of the housing (3).

11. Drinking device according to claim 10, the applicator (1) being releasably coupled to the container (20).

12. Drinking device according to claim 10, the container (20) having an opening (23) and the applicator (1) being attached to the opening (23) of the container (20).

13. Drinking device according to claim 12, the applicator (1) being releasably attachable to the opening (23) of the container (20).

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