Air-free ophthalmic container

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ophthalmic container (1), referred to as an air-free container, which container is intended to contain a pasty or liquid product (2) and is associated with an air-free dispensing member (3) for dispensing droplets of the product. The container (1) comprises an outer vessel (10) comprising an outer side wall (101) and an outer bottom (102), the outer vessel (10) being capable of being deformed when pressure is exerted on the outer side wall (101); and a flexible and sealed inner vessel (11) which contains the product (2) to be dispensed and which is associated with the air-free dispensing member (3) for dispensing the product, the inner vessel (11) comprising an inner side wall (111) and an inner bottom (112). According to the invention, the outer bottom (102) comprises an opening (1020) having a unidirectional valve (4) contained therein.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: AIRLESS TYPE OPHTHALMIC RECIPIENT Technical field of the invention [1] The present invention relates generally to an airless ophthalmic container, intended to contain a liquid or paste product and associated with a system for collecting and distributing drops of the product. Technical background [2] An airless container (or “airless” container) is a container that contains a product that is not in contact with atmospheric air. [3] Two techniques are currently known to those skilled in the art for the production of airless containers, these techniques being based on the principle of not entering air during the release by varying the volume of the reservoir either by a mobile piston or by a flexible deformable bag. [4] In general, "airless" containers operate solely by creating a vacuum inside the container using a vacuum pump. The output of the dose drawn from the "airless" container is compensated by a change in the container's internal volume through piston movement or deformation of the bladder, facilitated by the pressure difference between the negative pressure inside the container and atmospheric pressure. [5] One known technique for manufacturing such containers involves creating "airless" containers comprising an "airless" dispensing unit, such as an "airless pump," which includes a dosing chamber and can be activated by a push button. Activating the pump by the push button forces the product from the dosing chamber to the dispensing outlet. The pump draws the product into the "airless" container by means of a vacuum created in the dispensing unit, transferring a volume of product from the container into the pump's dosing chamber when the push button is released. [6] A second known technique for manufacturing involves creating containers with a flexible, deformable pouch. This second technique is preferred when using liquids combined with low applied forces on the container. This "airless" container design prevents air from entering the reservoir during product dispensing by varying the reservoir volume using the flexible, deformable pouch. [7] These two types of "airless" containers therefore work by creating a vacuum inside the container. [8] If we wish to use an "airless" container for the distribution of drops or ophthalmic doses without a pumping system, by pressing on the "airless" container and thus creating a positive pressure inside the "airless" container, this is complicated because it is necessary to measure the pressure applied to the container for a drop-by-drop dosage, avoid air being drawn back into the container and maintain the current handling of ophthalmic containers. Description of the invention [9] To resolve this drawback, the applicant has developed an airless ophthalmic container (commonly referred to by the English term "airless") intended to contain a liquid or paste product and associated with a distribution device without air intake of drops of the product, this container comprising: an outer container including an outer side wall and an outer bottom, the outer container being capable of being deformed as a result of pressure exerted on said outer side wall, and a flexible inner container, sealed and independent of the outer container, the inner container containing the product to be distributed and being associated with the sampling and distribution system, the inner container including an inner side wall and an inner bottom.

[0010] According to the invention, the outer base of the outer container has an opening inside which is arranged a one-way valve, which includes: a flexible, elastically deformable membrane held at its center by a fixing stud, said flexible membrane comprising an upper and a lower face, a sealing seat for said one-way valve comprising a receptacle arranged in the orifice of the outer bottom of the outer container, the receptacle being directly connected to the outer bottom of the outer container by being hermetically fixed to the orifice of the outer bottom, the fixing stud being fitted into the receptacle of the one-way valve, each end of the flexible membrane terminating in a protrusion cooperating with the sealing seat of the one-way valve, so that the membrane can detach from the valve seat when the pressure exerted on the upper face of the flexible membrane is less than the pressure exerted on the lower face

[0011] The fixing lug can advantageously be made in one piece by molding with the membrane

[0012] For the purposes of this invention, a sealed container is understood to be an airtight container.

[0013] By airless distribution device, for the purposes of the present invention, we mean a system which does not include a pumping system and which is capable, on the one hand, of forming and expelling a drop of product out of the ophthalmic container as a result of pressure exerted on the side wall of the external container, tending to deform it and reduce the volume of the internal space, while avoiding air re-entry into the container.

[0014] Advantageously, the ophthalmic container according to the invention may further include a connecting ring enabling sealing and mechanical strength between the inner container and the outer container, the connecting ring extending into a neck having opening and screwing elements suitable for integrating a nozzle and a cap.

[0015] With regard to the inner container of the ophthalmic container according to the invention, advantageously, the latter can be made of a flexible material having a shore hardness between 40 shore A and 90 shore A.

[0016] As a flexible material that can be used to constitute the inner container, a material chosen from among elastomeric materials such as TPE (acronym for Thermo Plastic Elastomer), TPO (acronym for Thermo Plastic Olefin), elastomeric copolyesters, and polyamide 6 / 12 can be used.

[0017] Advantageously, the inner side wall of the inner container can have a thickness of between 0.20 mm and 0.50 mm.

[0018] According to a first embodiment of the inner container of the ophthalmic receptacle according to the present invention, comprising a connecting ring as described above, the inner side wall comprises: a rigid upper part in the form of a straight cylinder of diameter d1 and axis XX', the rigid upper part comprising a free upper peripheral end edge intended to cooperate hermetically with the neck of the receptacle, and a lower peripheral end edge of the rigid upper part constituting a rigid cord ensuring the connection with a flexible and deformable lower part, in the form of a straight cylinder of diameter d2 less than d1 and axis XX', the concentricity of said lower part being ensured by the rigid cord, extending axially from it to a chamfer constituting a connection and articulation zone between the inner side wall, and

[0019] - a rigid base with a diameter of 2 less than the diameter d2.

[0020] According to a second embodiment of the inner container of the ophthalmic receptacle according to the present invention, comprising a connecting ring as described above, the inner side wall comprises: a rigid upper part in the form of a straight cylinder of diameter d1, said rigid upper part comprising a free upper peripheral end edge intended to cooperate hermetically with said neck of the receptacle, and a lower peripheral end edge of the rigid upper part constituting a rigid cord ensuring the connection with a flexible and deformable lower part, in the form of a cylinder with axis XX' formed and provided with a plurality of cylindrical protrusions arranged in such a way as to be circumscribed by a right cylinder with axis XX' and diameter d2 equal to or less than d1.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, cylindrical protuberances are understood to mean portions of cylinders and preferably half-cylinders.

[0022] With regard to the outer container of the ophthalmic container according to the invention, the latter can advantageously be made of low-density polyethylene (usually referred to by the acronym LDPE).

[0023] Advantageously, the outer side wall of the outer container can have a thickness between 0.60 mm and 1.20 mm.

[0024] According to a first embodiment of the outer container of the ophthalmic container according to the present invention, the outer side wall may have the shape of a straight cylinder.

[0025] According to a second embodiment of the outer container of the ophthalmic container according to the present invention, the outer side wall may have a convex shape.

[0026] Brief description of the figures

[0027] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for understanding which reference should be made to the attached drawings in which: [Fig.1]: Figure 1 includes a cross-sectional view (1A) along the longitudinal axis XX' and a perspective view of an example of an ophthalmic container according to the invention; [Fig.2]: Figure 2 includes three cross-sectional views along the longitudinal axis XX' (2A, 2B and 2C) of the unidirectional valve usable in the container as shown in Figure 1, each of these views corresponding to a different embodiment of the valve; [Fig.3]: Figure 1 includes a perspective view (3A) and a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis XX' (3B) of a connecting ring adapted to allow sealing and mechanical strength between the inner container and the outer container of an ophthalmic container according to the invention, in particular of a container as shown in Figure 1; [Fig. 4]: Figure 4 includes a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis XX' (4A) and a perspective view of the inner container of an ophthalmic container according to the invention in a first embodiment; [Fig. 5]: Figure 5 includes a perspective view (5A), a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis XX' (5B), and a cross-sectional view along the transverse axis AA' (5C) of the inner container of an ophthalmic container according to the invention in a second embodiment; [Fig. 6]: Figure 6 includes a perspective view (6A) and a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis XX' (6B) and a perspective view of the outer container of an ophthalmic container according to the invention in a first embodiment; [Fig. 7]: Figure 7 includes a perspective view (7A) and a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis XX' (6B) and a perspective view of the outer container of an ophthalmic container according to the invention in a second embodiment; [Fig. 8]: Figure 8 illustrates the different stages of operation of the ophthalmic container according to the invention as shown in Figure 1, from the beginning of actuation during the mechanical compression of the outer container to deform it at the beginning of use, until the end of actuation. Detailed description of the figures

[0028] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0029] The container 1, generally designated in all the figures, is an ophthalmic container according to the invention intended to contain a liquid or pasty product 2.

[0030] Figure 1 shows an airless ophthalmic container 1, comprising: an outer container 10 including an outer side wall 101 and an outer base 102, this outer container 10 being deformable by pressure exerted on said outer side wall 101 (as illustrated in Figure 8), and a flexible, airtight inner container 11 independent of the outer container 10 having an inner side wall 111, the inner container 11 containing the product to be distributed 2 and being associated with the distribution unit without air intake 3.

[0031] Figure 1 also shows that the outer container 10 has an orifice 1020 inside which is arranged a one-way valve 4.

[0032] Figure 2 shows three cross-sectional views along the longitudinal axis XX' (2A, 2B and 2C) of this unidirectional valve 4 usable in an ophthalmic container according to the invention, each of these views corresponding to a different embodiment of the unidirectional valve 4. For all embodiments, the unidirectional valve 4 comprises: a flexible membrane 41 elastically deformable and held in its center by a fixing stud 42, this flexible membrane 41 comprising an upper face 411 and an lower face 412, the fixing stud 42 being fitted into a receptacle 45 arranged in the orifice 1020.each end of the flexible membrane 41 ending in an outgrowth 43 cooperating with the sealing seat 47 The flexible membrane 41 cooperates in a hermetic manner with the sealing seat (or valve seat) 47, so that the membrane 4 can detach from the valve seat 47 when the pressure exerted on the upper face 411 of the flexible membrane 41 is less than the pressure exerted on the lower face 412.

[0033] According to a first embodiment of the one-way valve 4 shown in Figure 2 (2A), the receptacle (or valve seat) 47 is directly connected to the wall 101 of the outer bottle 10.

[0034] According to a second embodiment of the one-way valve 4 shown in figures 2B and 2C.

[0035] The one-way valve 4 has a projection 46 (2B and 2C). This projection 46 allows the receptacle 45 to be pressed into the orifice 1020, providing a mechanical grip with the projection 46 and a seal with the cylindrical area 48 above the projection 46, which cooperates in a tight, sealing manner with the orifice 1020. Figure 3 shows a connecting ring 5 that provides the seal and mechanical connection between the inner container 11 and the outer container 10, the connecting ring 5 extending into a collar 6 having opening and screwing elements suitable for integrating a nozzle and a cap.

[0036] Figures 4 and 5 show two embodiments of an inner container of an ophthalmic container according to the invention. Advantageously, the inner side wall 111 can have a thickness of between 0.20 mm and 0.50 mm and be made of Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), or Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO), of an elastomer copolyester, or of polyamide 6 / 12, with a shore hardness of between 40 Shore A and 90 Shore A.

[0037] Even more advantageously, the exterior of the inner side wall 111 may have a metallic coating layer.

[0038] The metallic coating layer, for example, has a thickness between 30nm and 500nm. Furthermore, the metallic coating layer can be made of aluminum and / or silver and / or gold.

[0039] To create this metallic coating layer, the exterior of the inner side wall 111 is first lacquered to ensure good adhesion of the metallic coating, and then a thin layer of metal is deposited by vacuum plasma treatment. This results in the metallic coating layer as described above.

[0040] Additionally and optionally, a final lacquering step can be carried out to protect the previously applied metallic coating layer.

[0041] We take advantage of such a metallic coating layer in that it allows to strengthen the water barrier of the inner side wall 111 allowing to limit the losses of water in the inner container 11, regardless of the thickness of said inner side wall 111.

[0042] Figure 4 shows the inner container of an ophthalmic receptacle according to the invention in a first embodiment. The inner side wall 111 of the inner container 11 comprises: a rigid upper part 1110 in the form of a right cylinder of diameter d1 and axis XX', this rigid upper part 1110 comprising a free upper peripheral end edge 1111 intended to cooperate hermetically with the neck 6 of the container 1, and an end edge lower peripheral 1112 of the rigid upper part 1110 constituting a rigid cord ensuring the connection with a flexible and deformable lower part 1113, in the form of a right cylinder of diameter d2 less than d1 and of axis XX', the concentricity of said lower part 1113 being ensured by said rigid cord 1112, to extend axially from this towards a chamfer 1114 constituting a connection and articulation zone between said inner side wall 111, and a rigid bottom 1115 of diameter d2 less than diameter d2.

[0043] Figure 5 shows the inner container of an ophthalmic container according to the invention in a second embodiment. The inner side wall 111 of the inner container 11 comprises: a rigid upper part 1110 in the form of a straight cylinder of diameter d1, this rigid upper part 1110 comprising a free upper peripheral end edge 1111 intended to cooperate hermetically with the neck 6 of the container (1, and a lower peripheral end edge 1112 of the rigid upper part 1110 constituting a rigid cord ensuring the connection with a flexible and deformable lower part 1113, in the form of a cylinder of axis XX' formed having a plurality of cylindrical protuberances 7 (typically about 6) arranged so as to be circumscribed by a straight cylinder of axis XX' and of diameter d2 equal to or less than d1.

[0044] Figures 6 and 7 show two embodiments of an outer container for an ophthalmic container according to the invention. Advantageously, the outer side wall 101 may have a thickness between 0.6 mm and 1.2 mm, and be made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

[0045] Figure 6 shows the outer container of an ophthalmic container according to the invention in a first embodiment, in which the outer side wall 101 has the shape of a straight cylinder.

[0046] Figure 7 shows the outer container of an ophthalmic container according to the invention in a second embodiment, in which the outer side wall 101 has a convex shape.

[0047] Figure 8 illustrates the different stages of operation of the ophthalmic container according to the invention as shown in Figure 1, from the beginning of actuation during the mechanical compression of the outer container to deform it at the beginning of use, until the end of actuation.

[0048] Initial use: by firmly pressing the outside of the outer container 10 to deform it, the flexible inner container 11 is mechanically compressed by contact, allowing product 2 to be dispensed. The flow rate of product 2 is controlled by the force applied to the outer container.

[0049] During mid-use and at the end of use: there is no longer any contact between the outer container 10 and the inner container 11. When force is applied to the outer container 10, it deforms, generating air pressure in the space between the inner container 11 (or bag) and the outer container 11 (or bottle). This pressure is applied to the entire surface of the bag and compresses it. The one-way valve 4 prevents any air from escaping this space. The bag 11 is sufficiently thin and flexible to react to this air pressure and compresses the product 2 so that it exits the container through the dispensing nozzle 3.

[0050] When the force is released on the outer container (or bottle) 10, it returns to its shape thanks to an elastic memory effect of the outer bottle 10, which creates a slight depression in the space between the inner bag 11 and the outer bottle 10. The one-way valve 10 is designed to open at very low depressions, on the order of 10 mbar, which allows the depression in the space between the inner bag 11 and the outer bottle 10 to drop, and thus prevents any air from being drawn back into the bag 11.

[0051] The pressure between the inner pouch 11 and the outer bottle 10 becomes close to atmospheric pressure again and allows a new deformation of the inner pouch 11 and an exit of product 2 in the event of a new force applied on the outer bottle 10 and a new compression of the air between the inner pouch 11 and the outer bottle 10.

[0052] Pocket 11 is sufficiently flexible and thin so that it does not have a memory effect of returning to its uncompressed shape, which avoids creating a depression inside the inner pocket 11, and thus avoids any risk of air being drawn back into pocket 11. LEGEND Ophthalmic container: 1 Outer container: 10 Outer side wall: 101 Exterior background: 102 Orifice: 1020 Inner container: 11 Inner side wall: 111 Rigid upper part: 1110 Free upper peripheral end edge: 1111 Lower peripheral end edge / rigid cord: 1112 Flexible and deformable lower part: 1113 Chamfer: 1114 Rigid base: 1115 Liquid or pasty product: 2 Collection and distribution system: 3 One-way valve: 4 Flexible membrane: 41 Top face: 411 Lower face: 412 Fixing stud: 42 Flexible membrane outgrowth: 43 Valve seat receptacle: 45 Extension 46 of the one-way valve 4:46 Sealing seat or valve seat: 47 Connecting ring: 5 Col: 6 Cylindrical protuberances: 7

Claims

DEMANDS 1. An ophthalmic container (1), said to be airless, intended to contain a liquid or paste-like product (2) and associated with a non-air-rebound dispensing device (3) for drops of said product, said container (1) comprising: an outer container (10) including an outer side wall (101) and an outer base (102), said outer container (10) being capable of being deformed as a result of pressure exerted on said outer side wall (101), and an inner container (11) flexible, leak-proof and independent of said outer container (10) and including an inner side wall (111), said inner container (11) containing the product to be dispensed (2) and being associated with said non-air-rebound dispensing device (3),said ophthalmic container (1) being characterized in that said outer base (102) of said outer container (10) has an orifice (1020) inside which is arranged a one-way valve (4) comprising: a flexible membrane (41) elastically deformable and held at its center by a retaining stud (42), said flexible membrane (41) comprising an upper face (411) and a lower face (412), a sealing seat (47) of said one-way valve (4) comprising a receptacle (45) arranged in said orifice (1020) of the outer base (102) of said outer container (10), said receptacle (451) being directly connected to said outer base (102) of the outer container (10) by being hermetically sealed onto said orifice (1020) of the outer base (102), said retaining stud (42) being fitted into said receptacle (45) of said valve unidirectional (4),each end of said flexible membrane (41) terminating in a protrusion (43) cooperating with said sealing seat (47) of said one-way valve (4), so that said membrane (4) can detach from said sealing seat (47) when the pressure exerted on the upper face (411) of the flexible membrane (41) is less than the pressure exerted on the lower face (412).

2. Ophthalmic container (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting ring (5) enabling sealing and mechanical strength between said inner container (11) and said outer container (10), said connecting ring (5) extending into a neck (6) having opening and screwing elements suitable for integrating a nozzle and a cap.

3. Ophthalmic container (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said inner container (11) is made of a flexible material having a shore hardness between 40 shore A and 90 shore A.

4. Ophthalmic container (1) according to claim 3, wherein the flexible material of said inner container (11) is selected from ThermoPlastic Elastomer (TPE), ThermoPlastic Olefin (TPO), elastomeric copolyesters, and polyamide 6 / 12.

5. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said inner side wall (111) has a thickness between 0.20 mm and 0.50 mm.

6. Ophthalmic container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, according to which said outer container (10) is made of low-density polyethylene.

7. Ophthalmic container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, according to which the outer side wall (101) has a thickness between 0.6 mm and 1.2 mm.

8. Ophthalmic container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in combination with claim 2, wherein the inner side wall (111) of said inner container (11) comprises: a rigid upper part (1110) in the form of a right cylinder of diameter d1 and axis (XX'), said rigid upper part (1110) comprising a free upper peripheral end edge (1111) intended to cooperate with in a sealed manner with said neck (6) of the container (1), and a lower peripheral end edge (1112) of said rigid upper part (1110) constituting a rigid cord ensuring the connection with a flexible and deformable lower part (1113), in the form of a right cylinder of diameter d2 less than d1 and of axis (XX'), the concentricity of said lower part (1113) being ensured by said rigid cord (1112), to extend axially from it to a chamfer (1114) constituting a connection and articulation zone between said inner side wall (111), and - a rigid bottom (1115) of diameter d2 less than diameter d2.

9. Ophthalmic container (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7 in combination with claim 2, wherein the inner side wall (111) of said inner container (11) comprises: a rigid upper part (1110) in the form of a straight cylinder of diameter d1, said rigid upper part (1110) comprising a free upper peripheral end edge (1111) intended to cooperate hermetically with said neck (6) of the container (1), and a lower peripheral end edge (1112) of said rigid upper part (1110) constituting a rigid cord ensuring the connection with a flexible and deformable lower part (1113) in the form of a cylinder of axis (XX') formed having a plurality of cylindrical protrusions (7) arranged so as to be circumscribed by a straight cylinder of axis (XX') and of diameter d2 equal to or less than d1.

10. Ophthalmic container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the outer side wall (101) of said outer container (11) has the shape of a straight cylinder.

11. Ophthalmic container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the outer side wall (101) of said outer container (11) has a domed shape.

12. Ophthalmic container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the outside of the inner side wall (111) of the inner container (11) comprises a metallic coating layer.

13. Ophthalmic container (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the metallic coating layer has a thickness between 30nm and 500nm.

14. Ophthalmic container (1) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the metallic coating layer is made of aluminium and / or silver and / or gold.

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