Liquid dispenser with point-by-point opening mechanism for bottles of preservative-free type made by blowing, filling and sealing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid dispenser with a tip opening mechanism of the preservative-free type for blowing, filling and sealing bottles, having a dual functional film for controlling the air and liquid channels and a perforated silica gel seal; when the bottle is in the storage position and when the bottle is opened, constant sterilization can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of ophthalmic product dispensers, and specifically discloses a multi-dose drop dispenser with a point-by-point opening mechanism (spike system), which is suitable for preservative-free solutions in plastic bottles made by blowing, filling and sealing (blow-fill-seal). Background Art

[0002] Among the most advanced technologies, there are some related to preservative-free multi-dose droppers, such as the patent document US1116694B2 published on September 14, 2021, which is used for "Device for dispensing liquids from sterile packaging bottles". The device refers to a device for dispensing aqueous liquids through a partially hydrophilic and partially hydrophobic interfacial membrane, which is manufactured in such a way that when it works, air and liquid alternately flow into the capillary channels downstream of the membrane during each operation of dispensing a measured amount of liquid. The interfacial membrane is made of a filter material that contains bactericidal metal cations in its body; the device also includes a porous insert permeable to liquid and air, which is located upstream of the membrane along the path of the liquid. However, the background technology lacks a tip mechanism with a silicone seal that fits into the bottle mouth when pierced, keeping all ingredients sterile during the process.

[0003] In addition, regarding the hydrophilic and hydrophobic bifunctional membrane, the patent document US65748B1 entitled "Cationically modified loaded membrane" published on May 20, 2003 is well known, which discloses a modified loaded polymer membrane, which contains a hydrophobic polymer, and the hydrophobic polymer is made hydrophilic by loading modification. The charge modification is produced by contacting the membrane with at least one polymer wetting agent and at least one cationic charge modifier. However, the invention only discloses a bifunctional membrane, does not include a main body and a circular platform for fixing the membrane; it also does not disclose a tip mechanism connected to a chamber formed between the main body and the circular platform.

[0004] Furthermore, prior art dropper bottle mechanisms with point-by-point openings can lose sterility when the bottle is broken.

[0005] Furthermore, the shelf life of conventional preservative-free multi-dose bottles is limited to less than one and a half years (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not provide a longer shelf life for this type of container) because the liquid comes into contact with a range of elements that could be contaminated. Summary of the invention

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems of the prior art, the present invention relates to a liquid dispensing device, the device comprising: a bottle having a lower part, a middle part and an upper part, wherein the diameter of the middle part of the bottle is smaller than the diameter of the lower part, and the upper part of the bottle is threaded and has a perforated bottle mouth; a supporting body, wherein the supporting body comprises an inner threaded surface, an inner annular protrusion arranged above the inner threaded surface, wherein a radial extension of a silicone seal is assembled on the inner annular protrusion, and the silicone seal (which may be perforated) has a pointed cavity located inside the supporting body; the upper part of the inner part of the supporting body comprises a supporting body tip with an internal channel, and the upper part of the outer part of the supporting body has a first slotted platform for supporting a membrane (hydrophilic and hydrophobic dual-functional membrane), and an outer threaded surface is provided below the first slotted platform;

[0007] The membrane is disposed on the first slotted platform and is located below the second slotted platform, the second slotted platform having a through hole and a vertically extending protrusion;

[0008] wherein the first slotted platform and the second slotted platform increase the contact area between the fluid and the membrane;

[0009] The membrane is partially hydrophilic and partially hydrophobic;

[0010] Therein, a cap with a cap thread is adapted to be screwed into an external thread surface of the support body.

[0011] In the use position, the mouth of the bottle is in direct contact with the silicone seal and the tip of the support body is arranged inside the bottle, wherein the silicone seal is pierced.

[0012] In the storage position, the silicone seal, the membrane and the channel formed around the dual-function membrane remain sterile and the silicone seal is not pierced. Preferably, the tip of the support body is in permanent contact with the silicone seal, pressurizing it but not piercing it.

[0013] The present invention successfully integrates a group of related technical features into a single device by providing the following technical effects:

[0014] Improved durability in storage, up to 3 years compared to 1 to 1.5 years for conventional multi-dose dispensers without prior art preservatives;

[0015] The tip and silicone seal of the body preferably contain silver ions as a bactericide when in the storage position, as silver ions are sterile; the tip is never exposed to the environment, there is currently no tip rupture and opening mechanism, and there is no preservative solution;

[0016] In the storage position, the bottle mouth is in permanent contact with a soft silicone seal containing silver ions as a bactericide, which always keeps the outside of the bottle mouth sterile;

[0017] When piercing the silicone seal and the bottle mouth, the entire drop dispenser remains sterile, not allowing air to enter from anywhere; both drilling holes are performed in one operation;

[0018] Since the channel for the tip of the supporting body is located in the side region, the tip can use a central piercing tip and be made of other materials such as hard plastic or stainless steel;

[0019] This partially hydrophobic, partially hydrophilic bifunctional membrane allows to direct the liquid to its return path during droplet dispensing, allowing the remaining liquid that is not discharged (returning first) to deviate from the direct axial path and towards the hydrophilic part of the membrane, so that the airflow drawn into the bottle can freely enter the hydrophobic material of the central part of the membrane;

[0020] Once the support body is crimped to the bottom of the bottle, it cannot be removed anymore and remains permanently in the use position; in addition, the silicone seal should remain sealed by pressing against the bottle mouth; at the same time, the safety ring falls off from the middle of the bottle, serving as a visual indication that the bottle is punctured and in the use position;

[0021] The channels of the first and second slotted platforms allow the return fluid to cover a larger surface of the dual-function membrane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The following drawings illustrate some ways of implementing the invention, and these drawings or their descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of protection defined by the claims in any way.

[0023] Figure 1 An interior view of the present invention is shown in a storage position;

[0024] Figure 2 An internal view of the invention is shown in the use position;

[0025] Figure 3 A view showing the various components of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 shows a view of the seal before application of ultrasonic treatment;

[0027] Figure 5 A view of the seal after application of ultrasonic treatment is shown.

[0028] List of reference numerals:

[0029] 10: bottle;

[0030] 11: lower part;

[0031] 12: middle;

[0032] 13: upper part;

[0033] 14: Bottle mouth;

[0034] 15: middle fin;

[0035] 20: Support body;

[0036] 21: internal annular sealing protrusion;

[0037] 21a: internal annular sealing protrusion before ultrasonic treatment;

[0038] 21b: internal annular sealing protrusion after ultrasonic treatment;

[0039] 22: Internal thread surface;

[0040] 23: External thread surface;

[0041] 24: supporting the tip of the main body;

[0042] 25: internal channel of the tip;

[0043] 26: first slotting platform;

[0044] 27: teeth supporting the main body;

[0045] 28: external annular sealing protrusion;

[0046] 28a: External annular sealing protrusion before ultrasonic treatment;

[0047] 28b: external annular sealing protrusion after ultrasonic treatment;

[0048] 30: Silicone seal;

[0049] 31: radial extension of the silicone seal;

[0050] 32: pointed cavity of silicone seal;

[0051] 33: Free space;

[0052] 40: membrane;

[0053] 50: second slotting platform;

[0054] 51: vertically extending protrusion of the second slotted platform;

[0055] 60: cover;

[0056] 61: Cover teeth;

[0057] 62: Cover thread;

[0058] 70: safety ring;

[0059] 71: Safety ring teeth. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the silicone seal (30) is soft (5-20 Shore A hardness).

[0061] In another preferred embodiment, the diameter of the pointed cavity (32) of the silicone seal is smaller than the tip of the support body, so that when the silicone seal is coupled and introduced, both elements are adjusted under pressure. In addition, the inner wall of the silicone seal conforms to the outer shape of the bottle mouth, so that in the use position, a pressure seal is generated between the bottle mouth and the silicone seal.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, in particular, the tip (24) of the support body forms a cylindrical portion and then forms a sharp end, wherein the side of the sharp end has a fluid transmission channel, so that the tip responsible for drilling does not lose its edge, and it is convenient for the user to drill by using less force, and even the tip can be made of a material with a lower hardness than steel, such as plastic. The fluid transmission channel located in the side area of ​​the tip is connected to the internal channel of the tip, wherein the internal channel guides the fluid to the membrane.

[0063] In the use position of the invention, the provided liquid transport channel (side channel) is arranged inside the bottle. In addition, the tip (24) of the support body can be made of plastic or stainless steel.

[0064] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the support body (20) has a safety ring (70) (annular protrusion) with teeth (71) at the bottom (the portion closest to the bottle), and the teeth (71) serve as a stopper for the rotation of the safety ring. Furthermore, the cap (60) has a cap thread (62) suitable for being screwed into the outer threaded surface (23) of the support body.

[0065] In another preferred embodiment, the bottle can be made of PET-G or similar plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.; the bottle can be made by blowing, filling and sealing (blow fill seal) technology.

[0066] In another preferred embodiment, the bonding between the first slotted platform, the dual-functional membrane and the second slotted platform is ultrasonic bonding. In addition, the silicone seal is also coupled by melting the inner annular sealing protrusion (21) with ultrasound.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the middle part (12) of the bottle comprises at least two fins (15), preferably 2 to 4 fins, wherein the fins (15) are arranged obliquely so that the supporting body is pressed into the bottle when it is introduced.

[0068] In another preferred embodiment, the second slotted platform (50) has a central hole, the walls of which are inclined, that is, the hole is in the shape of a conical trunk with a variable diameter, in order to adjust the size of the droplets as required.

[0069] In another preferred embodiment, the liquid dispensing device is sterilized by gamma radiation or ethylene oxide.

[0070] exist Figure 1 , the invention is shown in a storage position; in this position, the tip (24) of the support body is substantially close to or in contact with the silicone seal (30), with a free space (33) between the silicone seal and the upper interior of the support body.

[0071] like Figure 2 As shown, when the support body (20) is screwed onto the upper part (13) of the bottle, the support body (20) descends and pierces the silicone seal (30), so that the silicone seal (30) can move and be accommodated by the free space (33) under pressure and adjusted on the bottle mouth (14).

[0072] Figure 3 Portions of the present invention are shown, wherein a silicone seal (30) is located inside a support body (20), and the silicone seal is dome-shaped with a radial extension at its bottom; when placed inside the support body, the radial extension acts as a stopper, wherein when the silicone seal (30) is engaged on the support body, a free space (33) is maintained and sterilized between the upper and inner walls of the support body and the silicone seal (30), i.e., the upper part of the silicone seal is initially not in contact with the upper wall of the support body, but only with the tip of the support body. In the storage position, the tip (24) of the support body is located on the pointed cavity (32) of the silicone seal. Figure 3 In the figure, it is also possible to see a safety ring (70) connected to the bottle cap by ultrasound, which is suitable for being assembled on the fin (15) of the bottle, so that when the bottle is first pierced by rotation of the components, the safety ring (70) will fall off the bottle cap, indicating that the bottle is in the use position and no longer in the storage position. The safety ring (70) includes a counter-pressure tooth (71), wherein when in contact with the fin (15) of the bottle, the counter-pressure tooth (71) stops the rotation of the safety ring, thereby facilitating the falling off of the safety ring.

[0073] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the figure, the ultrasonic element connection process of the present invention can be observed, wherein the outer annular sealing protrusion (28) is initially in the shape of an annular point, i.e., in the cross section of the ring, in the shape of a triangle, as shown in FIG. Figure 4As shown. The inner annular sealing protrusion (21) is initially in the shape of an annular groove, i.e., protrudes annularly into the support body; both protrusions are made of the same plastic material as the support body. By applying ultrasound to these protrusions, these protrusions melt and can be combined with other elements; the inner annular sealing protrusion allows the silicone seal (30) to be fixed to the support body, wherein part of the molten material remains on the radial extension (31) of the silicone seal; on the other hand, the outer annular sealing protrusion (28) allows the second slotted platform (50) to be fixed to the first slotted platform (26) of the support body.

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing device, characterized in that include: A bottle (10) having a lower portion (11), a middle portion (12) and an upper portion (13), wherein the upper portion (13) of the bottle is threaded and has a perforable mouth (14); A support body (20), wherein the support body comprises: An internal threaded surface (22) and an internal annular sealing protrusion (21) disposed above the internal threaded surface (22), wherein a radial extension (31) of a silicone seal (30) is mounted on the internal annular sealing protrusion (21), the silicone seal (30) having a pointed cavity (32) located inside the support body, the upper portion of the interior of the support body comprising a tip (24) of the support body, the tip having an internal channel (25), and the upper portion of the exterior of the support body having a first slotted platform (26) for supporting a membrane (40); An external threaded surface (23), the external threaded surface (23) being arranged below the first slotted platform (26); The membrane (40) is arranged on the first slotted platform (26) and is located below the second slotted platform (50), wherein the second slotted platform (50) has a through hole and an extended protrusion (51); wherein, when the silicone seal (30) is connected to the support body, a free space (33) is maintained between the upper wall and the inner wall of the support body and the silicone seal (30); wherein the first slotted platform (26) and the second slotted platform (50) increase the contact area between the fluid and the membrane (40); wherein the membrane (40) is partially hydrophilic and partially hydrophobic; A cap (60) with a cap thread (62) is adapted to be screwed into the outer threaded surface (23) of the support body.

2. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The lower portion of the cover (60) has cover teeth (61) which contact with teeth of the support body (27) provided on the outer and lower annular protrusions of the support body.

3. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The middle part (12) of the bottle comprises at least two fins (15), wherein the fins (15) have an inclination such that the supporting body is pressed into the bottle when the supporting body is introduced.

4. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The pointed cavity (32) of the silicone seal has a smaller diameter than the tip (24) of the support body, so that when the silicone seal (30) is coupled and introduced, both elements are adjusted under pressure.

5. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The tip (24) of the support body forms a cylindrical portion and then a sharp end, wherein the side of the sharp end has a fluid transmission channel connected to the internal channel of the tip, so that arranging the fluid transmission channel at the side helps to avoid edges in the drill hole.

6. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The tip (24) of the support body is made of plastic or stainless steel.

7. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The silicone seal (30) is soft.

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