Squeeze bottle

Abstract

To provide a squeeze bottle integrally formed, having excellent operability in a drip or pour-out, and a storing liquid composition.SOLUTION: A squeeze bottle integrally comprises a storage part for storing a liquid composition, a container body including a spout connected with the storage part, and a lid joined to the storage body so as to seal an opening of the spout. The container body comprises a resin containing cyclic olefin and polyethylene.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a squeeze bottle. [Background technology]

[0002] As a container for housing an liquid medical formulation, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a plastic ampule that is integrally molded by the blow-fill-seal (BFS) method, in which molding of the container, filling with the liquid medical formulation, and sealing the container are performed in a continuous manner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2004 / 093775 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, in the case of a squeeze bottle storing a liquid composition for ophthalmic use or the like containing a drug, there is a demand for good operability, such as the ability to easily form droplets when dripping or pouring the liquid composition, to reliably drip or pour the composition onto a localized area such as the eye or a contact lens, and to stably control the amount dripped or poured.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an integrally molded squeeze bottle for containing a liquid composition, which has excellent operability when dripping or pouring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present inventors have unexpectedly found that a squeeze bottle integrally molded from a resin containing a cyclic olefin and a polyethylene has excellent operability when dripping or pouring.

[0007] The present invention is based on this finding and provides the following inventions. [1] A container body including a storage section for storing a liquid composition and a spout connected to the storage section; A squeeze bottle integrally comprising a lid joined to the container body so as to seal an opening of the spout, The container body is a squeeze bottle comprising a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes. [2] The area of ​​the opening of the spout is 0.15 to 20.0 mm 2 The squeeze bottle according to [1], [3] The squeeze bottle according to [1] or [2], wherein the compressive strength of the side surface of the container portion is 20 to 250 N / mm. [4] The squeeze bottle according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the maximum light transmittance of the container body in the visible light region of 400 to 700 nm in wavelength is 50% or more. [5] The squeeze bottle according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the container body is composed of two or more layers including an inner layer and an outer layer, and the inner layer that comes into contact with the liquid composition contains a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes. [6] The squeeze bottle according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the polyethylene is a low-density polyethylene and / or a linear low-density polyethylene. [7] The squeeze bottle according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the total content of the cyclic olefins in a resin layer containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes and in contact with the liquid composition is 50 to 99 mass% based on the total amount of the resin containing the cyclic olefins and polyethylenes. [8] The squeeze bottle according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the liquid composition is an ophthalmic composition. [9] A method for producing a squeeze bottle, comprising integrally molding a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes.

[10] A method for improving operability in dispensing a liquid composition contained in a squeeze bottle, the method comprising producing the squeeze bottle by integrally molding the squeeze bottle using a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a squeeze bottle for containing a liquid composition, which is an integrally molded squeeze bottle and has excellent operability when dripping or pouring. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a front view showing the configuration of a squeeze bottle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a left side view showing the configuration of the squeeze bottle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration in which a plurality of squeeze bottles according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected together. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a method for measuring a maximum test force. [Figure 4] (a) is a front view showing the configuration of the squeeze bottle produced in Test Example 4, (b) is a left side view showing the configuration of the squeeze bottle produced in Test Example 4, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the container part of the squeeze bottle produced in Test Example 4 (a cross section along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid composition is dropped or poured out). [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a plurality of squeeze bottles connected together, produced in Test Example 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 1(a) is a front view showing the configuration of a squeeze bottle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a left side view showing the configuration of a squeeze bottle according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the squeeze bottle 1 integrally comprises a container body 2 including a storage section 3 for storing a liquid composition and a spout 4 connected to the storage section 3, and a lid 6 joined to the container body 2 so as to seal the opening 5 of the spout 4. The squeeze bottle according to this embodiment may further integrally comprise a thin-walled portion connecting the opening 5 of the spout 4 and the lid 6. In the above configuration, the opening 5 of the spout 4 is opened by gripping the storage section 3 and the lid 6 and twisting them in opposite directions to each other.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a front view showing a structure in which a plurality of squeeze bottles according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected together. As shown in Fig. 2, it is also possible to mold two or more squeeze bottles 1 (five in Fig. 2) connected together. In this case, the side of the storage section 3 and / or the side of the lid 6 of the squeeze bottle 1 are molded in a state in which they are partially connected to the side of the storage section 3 and / or the side of the lid 6 of another adjacent squeeze bottle 1, and one squeeze bottle can be separated from the multiple connected squeeze bottles.

[0013] The squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is a dispensing container that dispenses the liquid composition contained therein. The liquid composition is dispensed to the outside of the squeeze bottle by dripping or pouring.

[0014] The container body of the squeeze bottle according to this embodiment contains a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes (also simply referred to as "cyclic olefins and polyethylenes-containing resin").

[0015] Examples of the cyclic olefins include cyclic olefin polymers (also referred to simply as "COP") and cyclic olefin copolymers (also referred to simply as "COC"). As the cyclic olefins, COC is preferable from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effects of the present invention more significantly.

[0016] The COP is not particularly limited as long as it contains a polymer obtained by copolymerizing one kind of cyclic olefin alone, a polymer obtained by copolymerizing two or more kinds of cyclic olefins, or a hydrogenated product thereof. The COP preferably contains a ring-opening polymer of a cyclic olefin or a hydrogenated product thereof. In addition, the COP preferably contains a non-crystalline polymer.

[0017] There are no particular limitations on the COC, so long as it contains a copolymer of a cyclic olefin and a non-cyclic olefin, or a hydrogenated product thereof.

[0018] Examples of the cyclic olefin include monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkanes having a vinyl group, monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkenes, and derivatives thereof. Examples of the cyclic olefin include norbornene, tetracyclododecene, and derivatives thereof. Examples of the non-cyclic olefin include α-olefins such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, and 1-hexene.

[0019] As the COP, from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effect of the present invention more significantly, it is preferable to contain a polymer of a cyclic olefin having a norbornene skeleton or a hydrogenated product thereof. As the COC, from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effect of the present invention more significantly, it is preferable to contain a polymer obtained by copolymerizing norbornene and ethylene. Note that the polymer obtained by copolymerizing a cyclic olefin and a non-cyclic olefin may contain other monomers as a constituent component of the polymer.

[0020] The glass transition temperature of the cyclic olefins may be, for example, 60 to 200° C., 60 to 180° C., 60 to 160° C., 60 to 150° C., 60 to 140° C., 65 to 130° C., 65 to 120° C., 65 to 110° C., 65 to 100° C., or 65 to 90° C. The glass transition temperature can be measured by a method in accordance with ISO11375.

[0021] As the cyclic olefin, commercially available products can be used without any particular limitation. Examples of commercially available COPs include Zeonex (registered trademark) (manufactured by Zeon Corporation) and Zeonor (registered trademark) (manufactured by Zeon Corporation). Examples of commercially available COCs include TOPAS (registered trademark) (manufactured by Polyplastics Co., Ltd.) and Apel (registered trademark) (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.).

[0022] Examples of polyethylenes (PEs) include high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). From the viewpoint of more significantly exhibiting the effects of the present invention, the polyethylenes are preferably LDPE and LLDPE, and more preferably LLDPE.

[0023] The polyethylenes may be homopolymers or copolymers, with the comonomer being an α-olefin such as 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, or 1-decene.

[0024] The density of polyethylene is, for example, 0.900 to 0.980 kg / m 3 , 0.900~0.942kg / m 3 , 0.902~0.940kg / m 3 , 0.902~0.930kg / m 3 , 0.905~0.927kg / m 3 , or 0.908~0.920kg / m 3 may be also possible.

[0025] The polyethylene may be any commercially available polyethylene without any particular limitation. Examples of commercially available polyethylene include Novatec (registered trademark) (manufactured by Japan Polyethylene Co., Ltd.), Ultzex ​​(registered trademark) (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.), Evolue (registered trademark) (manufactured by Prime Polymer Co., Ltd.), UBE Polyethylene (registered trademark) B128H (manufactured by Ube Maruzen Polyethylene Co., Ltd.), Umerit (registered trademark) (manufactured by Prime Polymer Co., Ltd.), Petrothene (registered trademark) (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation), Nipolon (registered trademark) (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation), LUMITAC (registered trademark) (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation), Suntec (registered trademark) (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation), and Purell PE (registered trademark) (manufactured by LyondellBasell).

[0026] The cyclic olefin- and polyethylene-containing resin according to the present embodiment may contain other polymers such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate, (meth)acrylic acid-based polymer, polystyrene (PS), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyarylate. The cyclic olefin- and polyethylene-containing resin according to the present embodiment may contain additives such as stabilizers, modifiers, colorants, ultraviolet absorbers, metal oxides, oxygen absorbers, antibacterial agents, plasticizers, and glass fibers. When the container body of the squeeze bottle is composed of two or more layers including an inner layer and an outer layer, it is preferable that these additives are contained in the outer layer.

[0027] The container body of the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment may be a single-layer structure containing a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes, or may be a multi-layer structure containing a layer containing a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes. When the container body of the squeeze bottle has a multi-layer structure, that is, when it is composed of two or more layers including an inner layer and an outer layer, the layer containing a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes may be an inner layer that contacts the liquid composition, or an outer layer (or intermediate layer) that does not contact the liquid composition, but from the viewpoint of more significantly achieving the effects of the present invention, it is preferable that it is an inner layer. In addition, when the container body of the squeeze bottle has a multi-layer structure and the layer containing a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes is an inner layer that contacts the liquid composition, the type of resin forming the outer layer (or intermediate layer) is not particularly limited, but for example, one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer may be included as a constituent. From the viewpoint of more significantly exhibiting the effects of the present invention, the resin forming the outer layer (or intermediate layer) is preferably a polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, more preferably LDPE, LLDPE, or PP, and even more preferably LDPE.

[0028] When the container body of the squeeze bottle according to this embodiment has a single-layer structure containing a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes, or a multi-layer structure containing a layer containing a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes, and the layer containing the resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes is an inner layer in contact with the liquid composition, the content of cyclic olefins in the layer containing a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes that is in contact with the liquid composition (single layer, or inner layer in contact with the liquid composition) is not particularly limited and is set appropriately depending on the type of cyclic olefin, the types and contents of other blended components, etc. The content of cyclic olefins in a resin layer (single layer or inner layer in contact with the liquid composition) containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes and in contact with the liquid composition may be, from the viewpoint of more significantly exhibiting the effects of the present invention, for example, the total content of cyclic olefins based on the total amount of the cyclic olefin- and polyethylene-containing resin. The total content of cyclic olefins may be 10 to 99 mass%, 30 to 99 mass%, 50 to 99 mass%, 55 to 99 mass%, 60 to 99 mass%, 65 to 99 mass%, 70 to 99 mass%, 75 to 96 mass%, 80 to 96 mass%, 85 to 96 mass%, or 90 to 96 mass%.

[0029] When the container body of the squeeze bottle according to this embodiment has a single-layer structure containing a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes, or a multi-layer structure containing a layer containing a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes, and the layer containing the resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes is an inner layer in contact with the liquid composition, the content of polyethylenes in the resin layer containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes that is in contact with the liquid composition (single layer, or inner layer in contact with the liquid composition) is not particularly limited and is set appropriately depending on the type of polyethylenes, the types and contents of other blended components, etc. The content of polyethylenes in a resin layer (single layer, or an inner layer in contact with the liquid composition) containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes and in contact with the liquid composition may be, from the viewpoint of more significantly exhibiting the effects of the present invention, for example, the total content of polyethylenes based on the total amount of the cyclic olefins and polyethylenes-containing resin.

[0030] The content of polyethylenes in the container body of the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and is appropriately set depending on the type of polyethylenes, the types and contents of other blended components, etc. From the viewpoint of more significantly achieving the effects of the present invention, the content of polyethylenes in the container body may be, for example, the total content of polyethylenes based on the mass of the container body, 10 to 95 mass%, 30 to 95 mass%, 35 to 90 mass%, 40 to 85 mass%, 40 to 83 mass%, 40 to 80 mass%, 45 to 78 mass%, 45 to 75 mass%, 45 to 70 mass%, 50 to 65 mass%, or 50 to 60 mass%.

[0031] When the container body of the squeeze bottle according to this embodiment has a single-layer structure containing a cyclic olefin- and polyethylene-containing resin, or a multi-layer structure containing a layer containing a cyclic olefin- and polyethylene-containing resin, and the layer containing the cyclic olefin- and polyethylene-containing resin is an inner layer in contact with the liquid composition, the blending ratio of polyethylenes to cyclic olefins in the resin layer containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes that is in contact with the liquid composition (single layer, or inner layer in contact with the liquid composition) is not particularly limited, and is set appropriately depending on the types of cyclic olefins and polyethylenes, the types and contents of other blended components, etc. In a resin layer (single layer, or an inner layer in contact with the liquid composition) containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes that is in contact with the liquid composition, the blending ratio of polyethylenes to cyclic olefins, from the viewpoint of more significantly exhibiting the effects of the present invention, may be, for example, 0.01 to 9.0 parts by mass, 0.01 to 2.5 parts by mass, 0.01 to 1.0 parts by mass, 0.01 to 0.81 parts by mass, 0.02 to 0.66 parts by mass, 0.02 to 0.53 parts by mass, 0.02 to 0.42 parts by mass, 0.05 to 0.33 parts by mass, 0.05 to 0.25 parts by mass, 0.05 to 0.17 parts by mass, or 0.05 to 0.11 parts by mass, for the total content of polyethylenes per 1 part by mass of the total content of cyclic olefins.

[0032] The resin used to form the lid of the squeeze bottle of this embodiment is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of being able to integrally mold the container body and the lid by the blow-fill-seal (BFS) method, it is preferable that the resin be the same as that of the container body.

[0033] The area of ​​the opening of the spout of the squeeze bottle according to this embodiment is, for example, 0.15 to 20.0 mm from the viewpoint of more significantly exhibiting the effects of the present invention. 2 , 0.2~20.0mm 2 , 0.2~18.0mm 2 , 0.2~16.0mm 2 , 0.2~14.0mm 2 , 0.2~12.6mm 2 , 0.2~11.0mm 2 , 0.2~9.7mm 2, 0.5~8.0mm 2 , 0.79~7.1mm 2 , 0.79~6.2mm 2 , or 0.79 to 5.0 mm 2 The area of ​​the opening of the spout can be calculated by measuring the diameter of the opening or the major and minor axes of the opening using a caliper, a micrometer, a universal projector, a stereo microscope, or the like. The shape of the opening of the spout can be appropriately designed as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. From the viewpoint of more prominently achieving the effects of the present invention, a circular or elliptical shape is preferred.

[0034] From the viewpoint of more significantly exhibiting the effects of the present invention, the compressive strength of the side surface of the storage part of the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is, for example, 20 to 250 N / mm, 20 to 240 N / mm, 20 to 230 N / mm, 20 to 220 N / mm, 20 to 210 N / mm, 20 to 200 N / mm, 20 to 190 N / mm, 20 to 180 N / mm, 20 to 170 N / mm, 20 to 160N / mm, 20-150N / mm, 20-140N / mm, 20-130N / mm, 20-120N / mm, 20-110N / mm, 20-100N / mm, 20-90N / mm, 20-85N / mm, 20-80N / mm, 20-75N / mm, 20-70N / mm, 20-65N / mm, 20-60N / mm, or 20-55N / mm. Here, the "side surface of the container" includes a part that is usually held with fingers when dripping or pouring the liquid composition. In addition, when the cross section of the container of the squeeze bottle according to this embodiment (a cross section along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid composition is dripped or poured) is circular or elliptical, the "side surface of the container" means the "circumferential surface of the container".

[0035] The compressive strength of the side surface of the container can be determined, for example, using a precision universal testing machine (Autograph AGS-X, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) as follows. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a method for measuring the maximum test force when the cross section of the container (cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid composition is dropped or poured) is circular or elliptical. In Fig. 3, the dotted line drawn in the height direction of the container body on the side surface (peripheral surface) 3a of the container indicates the portion where the side surface (peripheral surface) 3a of the container and the plane 10 are in contact. 1) The opening 5 of the spout 4 is opened, and the squeeze bottle 1 containing no liquid composition is placed on a flat surface 10 (e.g., the measurement stage of a precision universal testing machine) with the opening 5 facing horizontally. 2) The measurement probe 11 is brought into contact with a portion 12 (one portion; hereinafter also referred to as the "maximum test force measurement portion") on the side surface (peripheral surface) 3a of the container, which is usually held with the fingertips to drip or pour the liquid composition, and the maximum value of the force required to press a distance (h / 2) half the distance h between the maximum test force measurement portion 12 and the plane 10 at a speed of 100 mm / min (hereinafter also referred to as the "maximum test force"). Note that the measurement probe 11 is appropriately selected so that the entire end face of the measurement probe 11 is in contact with the maximum test force measurement portion 12 on the side surface (peripheral surface) 3a of the container, and the shape of the measurement probe 11 is appropriately selected so that the entire end face of the measurement probe 11 is in contact with the maximum test force measurement portion 12 on the side surface (peripheral surface) 3a of the container, and the measurement probe 11 does not penetrate the side surface (peripheral surface) 3a of the container. The bottom surface 3b of the container is not used as the portion for measuring the maximum test force. 3) According to the following formula 1, the measured maximum test force is divided by the thickness of the maximum test force measurement portion to calculate the value (hereinafter also referred to as "maximum test force per unit thickness"). [Formula 1] Maximum test force per unit thickness (N / mm) = Maximum test force / Thickness of the part where the maximum test force was measured on the side (periphery) of the housing part 4) For five squeeze bottles 1 having the same composition and shape, the maximum test force per unit thickness at the same location is calculated, and the average value of the five obtained values ​​(hereinafter also referred to as the "average maximum test force per unit thickness") is calculated. 5) For multiple maximum test force measurement sites 12 (three or more locations) on the side (circumferential surface) 3a of the storage portion of the squeeze bottle 1, the average value of the maximum test force per unit thickness is calculated, and the smallest value among the obtained average values ​​of the maximum test forces per unit thickness of the three or more locations is defined as the "compressive strength on the side (circumferential surface) of the storage portion."

[0036] The shape of the cross section of the container of the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment (a cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid composition is dripped or poured) can be appropriately designed. From the viewpoint of more prominently exhibiting the effects of the present invention, a circular, elliptical, rectangular or polygonal shape is preferred, and an elliptical or rectangular shape is more preferred.

[0037] From the viewpoint of more significantly achieving the effects of the present invention, the amount of each drop dispensed from the spout of the squeeze bottle according to this embodiment can be designed to be 1 to 130 μL, and is preferably 1 to 99 μL, more preferably 1 to 79 μL, even more preferably 7 to 79 μL, and even more preferably 13 to 79 μL. The amount of each drop dispensed can be adjusted by setting the area of ​​the opening of the spout and the compressive strength of the peripheral surface of the container within the above-mentioned ranges, for example.

[0038] The capacity of the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately set according to the application. The squeeze bottle may be a container that contains a liquid composition for use many times (e.g., 25 times or more), a container that contains a liquid composition for use a few times (e.g., 2 times or more and less than 25 times), or a container that contains a liquid composition for use once. The squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is preferably a container that contains a liquid composition for use a few times or a single time.

[0039] When the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is a container for storing, for example, eye drops, contact lens wetting solution, eyewash, or nasal drops, the capacity may be 0.01 mL to 50 mL, 0.05 mL to 40 mL, or 0.1 mL to 25 mL. When the squeeze bottle is a container for storing, for example, eye drops, contact lens wetting solution, eyewash, nasal drops, hair growth agent, or hair growth agent, and is a container for use a small number of times (for example, 2 times or more and less than 25 times) or a single time, the capacity may be 0.01 mL to 7 mL, 0.05 mL to 6 mL, 0.1 mL to 5 mL, 0.1 mL to 4 mL, 0.1 mL to 3 mL, 0.1 mL to 2.5 mL, 0.2 mL to 2 mL, 0.2 mL to 1.5 mL, or 0.2 mL to 1 mL.

[0040] The container body of the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is preferably transparent from the viewpoint of being able to check for foreign matter, remaining amount, etc. with the naked eye. The container body of the squeeze bottle may be colorless or colored as long as it is transparent. The container body of the squeeze bottle may have a transparency that ensures internal visibility to the extent that the inside can be observed with the naked eye, and as long as the above-mentioned internal visibility is ensured in a part of the container body, the entire surface of the container body does not necessarily have to have uniform transparency. For example, the maximum value of the light transmittance (hereinafter also referred to as "maximum light transmittance") in the visible light region of wavelengths of 400 to 700 nm of the squeeze bottle may be 50% or more, 55% or more, 60% or more, 65% or more, 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, or 95% or more. The maximum light transmittance can be obtained, for example, by measuring the light transmittance at every 10 nm between wavelengths of 400 and 700 nm using a microplate reader or the like, and from each light transmittance obtained.

[0041] The thickness of the container body of the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment may be, for example, 0.01 to 2.0 mm, 0.05 to 1.8 mm, 0.08 to 1.5 mm, 0.08 to 1.2 mm, 0.08 to 1.0 mm, 0.08 to 0.8 mm, 0.1 to 0.6 mm, 0.1 to 0.5 mm, or 0.1 to 0.4 mm, from the viewpoint of more significantly achieving the effects of the present invention. When the container body of the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is composed of two or more layers, the thickness of the layer containing the cyclic olefins and polyethylenes-containing resin may be, for example, 0.01 to 1.0 mm, 0.05 to 0.8 mm, 0.08 to 0.6 mm, 0.08 to 0.5 mm, 0.08 to 0.4 mm, 0.08 to 0.3 mm, or 0.1 to 0.2 mm, from the viewpoint of more significantly achieving the effects of the present invention.

[0042] The liquid composition contained in the squeeze bottle according to this embodiment only needs to have fluidity that allows it to be filled into the storage section of the container.

[0043] The viscosity of the liquid composition contained in the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is within a medicamentously, pharmacologically (pharmaceutical) or physiologically acceptable range. The viscosity of the liquid composition may be, for example, 0.5 to 1000 mPa·s, 0.8 to 500 mPa·s, 1.0 to 250 mPa·s, 1.0 to 100 mPa·s, 1.0 to 80 mPa·s, 1.0 to 70 mPa·s, 1.0 to 60 mPa·s, 1.0 to 50 mPa·s, or 1.0 to 50 mPa·s when measured at 20°C using a rotational viscometer (RE550 type viscometer, manufactured by Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd., rotor: 1°34'×R24). It may be 1.0 to 40 mPa·s, 1.0 to 30 mPa·s, 1.0 to 25 mPa·s, 1.0 to 20 mPa·s, 1.0 to 15 mPa·s, 1.0 to 10 mPa·s, 1.0 to 8.0 mPa·s, 1.0 to 7.0 mPa·s, 1.0 to 6.0 mPa·s, 1.0 to 5.0 mPa·s, 1.0 to 4.0 mPa·s, 1.0 to 3.0 mPa·s, or 1.0 to 2.0 mPa·s.

[0044] The liquid composition contained in the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment may be an aqueous composition or an oily composition, but is preferably an aqueous composition.Specific examples of the liquid composition contained in the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment include, for example, an external liquid composition such as an ophthalmic composition, an otolaryngological composition, or a dermatological composition; an internal liquid composition, and is preferably an ophthalmic composition.

[0045] When the liquid composition contained in the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is an aqueous composition, the water content may be, from the viewpoint of more significantly exhibiting the effects of the present invention, for example, based on the total amount of the liquid composition, 15 w / v% or more and less than 100 w / v%, 20 w / v% or more and less than 100 w / v%, 25 w / v% or more and less than 99.5 w / v%, 30 w / v% or more and less than 99.5 w / v%, 40 w / v% or more and less than 99.2 w / v%, 50 w / v% or more and less than 99.2 w / v%, 60 w / v% or more and less than 99.2 w / v%, 70 w / v% or more and less than 99 w / v%, 80 w / v% or more and less than 99 w / v%, 85 w / v% or more and less than 99 w / v%, or 90 w / v% or more and less than 98.5 w / v%.

[0046] When the liquid composition contained in the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is an ophthalmic composition, the type of the squeeze bottle may be, for example, an eye drop container, an eyewash container, a contact lens wearing solution container, or a contact lens care solution container (including a contact lens cleaning solution container, a contact lens storage solution container, a contact lens disinfectant solution container, a contact lens multi-purpose solution container, etc.). The type of the squeeze bottle is preferably an eye drop container, an eyewash container, a contact lens wearing solution container, or a contact lens care solution container. In addition, the squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment is excellent in operability when discharging (dropping or pouring) the contained liquid composition, so that the liquid composition can be discharged as intended by the user. In particular, it is suitable as a discharge container for containing a liquid composition to be used in an eye area that is prone to pain or disorder due to eyelid closing reflex and dryness during use, that is, an eye drop container. It should be noted that the term "contact lenses" includes hard contact lenses and soft contact lenses (including both ionic and non-ionic, and both silicone hydrogel contact lenses and non-silicone hydrogel contact lenses).

[0047] The squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment can be manufactured, for example, by the blow-fill-seal (BFS) method described in Patent Document 1. Specifically, the squeeze bottle including the container body made of a single layer is manufactured by extrusion molding a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes, which are the materials of the squeeze bottle, to produce a parison. Next, the obtained parison is sandwiched between split molds, and air is injected into the inside or the parison is sucked from a vacuum hole installed on the mold surface to mold each part of the container body of the squeeze bottle (blow process), and the liquid composition is filled in the storage part (filling process). Next, the bottle can be manufactured by sandwiching between split molds to mold a lid and sealing the opening of the spout (sealing process). The squeeze bottle including the container body made of multiple layers can be manufactured by the same method as the manufacture of the squeeze bottle including the container body made of a single layer, except that a multilayer structure parison manufactured according to a conventional method in multilayer blow molding is used. The layer structure of the multilayer structure parison may be appropriately set according to the layer structure required for the squeeze bottle.

[0048] The squeeze bottle according to the present embodiment may also be provided as a product in which a liquid composition is contained in the squeeze bottle (eye drops, eyewash, contact lens-related products, lotions, beauty serums, hair tonics, makeup cosmetics, scalp care products, hair growth agents, hair restoration agents, beverages, etc.). EXAMPLES

[0049] The present invention will be specifically described below based on test examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0050] [Test Example 1: Compression test (1)] The squeeze bottles for each test example were made by the blow-fill-seal method, and were integrally equipped with a container body including a storage section and a spout and a lid, and were molded from a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes in the blending ratios shown in Tables 1 and 2, and filled with 5 mL of purified water. The cyclic olefin copolymer used was TOPAS8007 (manufactured by Polyplastics Co., Ltd.), and the low-density polyethylene used had a density of 0.927 kg / m 3Linear low-density polyethylene has a density of 0.920 kg / m 3 The shape of the container part of each squeeze bottle produced was 38 mm in height, 20 mm in major axis (outer diameter), 13 mm in minor axis (outer diameter), and approximately 500 μm in thickness. The lid of the squeeze bottle of each of the above test examples was gripped and twisted, the lid was separated from the container body to open the opening, and the purified water filled in the squeeze bottle was discharged from the opening to empty the storage section of the squeeze bottle. The opening was circular and had a diameter of 1.5 mm (inner diameter). The compressive strength of the side (peripheral surface) of the container of each squeeze bottle was measured using a precision universal testing machine (Autograph AGS-X, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). The squeeze bottle was placed on the measurement stage of the precision universal testing machine so that the opening 5 was facing horizontally. The entire surface of a measurement probe (cylindrical with a tip diameter of 3 mm; made of stainless steel) was contacted with the center (one location) of the container side (peripheral surface) as the maximum test force measurement site, and the maximum test force (N) was measured when the probe was pressed at a speed of 100 mm / min for a distance (6.5 mm) that was half the distance (minor axis 13 mm) between the maximum test force measurement site and the measurement stage. In addition, the thickness of the maximum test force measurement site on the side (peripheral surface) of the container was measured using a vernier caliper. The maximum test force per unit thickness was calculated according to the following formula 1. This was performed on five squeeze bottles for one test example, and the average value of the maximum test force per unit thickness was calculated. The average value of the maximum test force per unit thickness was calculated for three different maximum test force measurement sites in the storage part of the squeeze bottle, and the smallest value among the three average values ​​of the maximum test force per unit thickness was determined as the compressive strength of the side (circumferential surface) of the storage part of the test example. The compression test was carried out under conditions of room temperature of 23°C and humidity of 50%. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. [Formula 1] Maximum test force per unit thickness (N / mm) = Maximum test force / Thickness of the part where the maximum test force was measured on the side (periphery) of the housing part

[0051] [Test Example 2: Operability Evaluation (1)] In the same manner as in Test Example 1, squeeze bottles for each test example shown in Tables 1 and 2 were prepared. Four subjects grasped the lid of the squeeze bottle and twisted it to separate the lid from the container body to open the opening. The diameter of the opening was 1.5 mm (inner diameter). Next, the subjects dripped the purified water filled in the squeeze bottle onto a plane on which a 24 mm diameter circle was placed, from 10 cm above the plane, aiming at the center point of the circle. They answered a questionnaire about the operability using the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) method. The subjects attempted to drip the number of drops indicated in the questionnaire. Specifically, for three items, 1) only one drop was dripped, 2) two drops were dripped consecutively, and 3) the drops landed on the target point (the center point of the 24 mm diameter circle) at the intended timing, the subjects were asked to indicate the points on the line corresponding to each of the above items on a survey sheet with a 10 cm line drawn on it, with 10 cm representing the case where the sensation was most felt and 0 cm representing the case where the sensation was not felt at all, and the distance (cm) from the 0 cm point was measured and used as the VAS value. The intended timing means that the dripping occurs one second after the container is pressed. The average of the VAS values ​​of the four subjects was used as the VAS value of the test example. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. The greater the total VAS value for each evaluation item, the better the squeeze bottle can be evaluated as being operability.

[0052] [Table 1]

[0053] [Table 2]

[0054] It was confirmed that the squeeze bottles of Test Examples 1-2 to 1-11, which were made of a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes, all had lower compressive strength and improved operability when dripping, compared to the squeeze bottle of Test Example 1-1, which was made of a resin containing cyclic olefins but not polyethylenes. When one of the subjects (Subject A) attempted to drip only one drop in Test Example 1-1, the purified water was discharged in a line and did not form a drop (VAS value 0). When Subject A attempted to drip two drops consecutively in Test Example 1-8, the center point of the first drop overlapped with the target point, and the center point of the second drop was about 2 mm away from the target point (VAS value 9.2). When another subject (Subject B) attempted to drip only one drop in Test Example 1-1, the purified water dripped outside the target (circle with a diameter of 24 mm) (VAS value 0). When subject B attempted to drip two drops consecutively in Test Example 1-7, the center points of both drops were approximately 5 mm away from the target point (VAS value was 7.2).

[0055] The same tests as in Test Examples 1 and 2 were performed on a two-layer squeeze bottle with an inner layer (100 μm thick) made of a resin containing a 90:10 blend ratio of cyclic olefin copolymer and low-density polyethylene and an outer layer (400 μm thick) made of low-density polyethylene.The compressive strength was 100.2 N / mm, the VAS value for "only one drop was able to be dripped" was 7.8, the VAS value for "two drops were able to be dripped consecutively" was 7.6, and the VAS value for "the drop landed on the target point at the intended timing" was 7.6.

[0056] The same tests as in Test Examples 1 and 2 were conducted on a two-layer squeeze bottle with an inner layer (100 μm thick) made of a resin containing a cyclic olefin copolymer and linear low-density polyethylene in a blend ratio of 70:30 and an outer layer (400 μm thick) made of low-density polyethylene.The compressive strength was 95.4 N / mm, the VAS value for "only one drop was able to be dripped" was 8.2, the VAS value for "two drops were able to be dripped consecutively" was 7.8, and the VAS value for "the drop landed on the target point at the intended timing" was 8.0.

[0057] In addition, when the maximum light transmittance of the storage section was measured, all were 50% or more, for example, 85% in Test Example 1-3, 70% in Test Example 1-4, and 57% in Test Example 1-10. The maximum light transmittance was calculated from each light transmittance obtained by measuring the light transmittance at 10 nm intervals between wavelengths of 400 and 700 nm using a microplate reader (SH-9000, manufactured by Corona Electric Co., Ltd.).

[0058] [Test Example 3: Operability Evaluation (2)] The squeeze bottles for each test example, which have a container body including a storage section and a pouring outlet and a lid integrated together, are molded from a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes in the blending ratios shown in Tables 3 and 4, and are filled with 5 mL of purified water, and have different opening areas, were produced by the blow-fill-seal method. The cyclic olefin copolymer used was TOPAS8007 (manufactured by Polyplastics Co., Ltd.), and the low-density polyethylene used had a density of 0.927 kg / m 3 Linear low-density polyethylene has a density of 0.920 kg / m 3 The shape of the container part of each squeeze bottle produced was 38 mm in height and approximately 500 μm in thickness. The subject grasped the lid of the squeeze bottle and twisted it to separate the lid from the container to open the opening. Next, the subject dripped the purified water filled in the squeeze bottle onto a plane on which a 24 mm diameter circle was placed, from 10 cm above the plane, aiming at the center point of the circle. The subject answered a questionnaire about the operability using the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) method. The subject attempted to drip the number of drops indicated in the questionnaire. Specifically, for the three items of 1) dripping only one drop, 2) dripping two drops consecutively, and 3) dripping onto the target point (the center point of the 24 mm diameter circle) at the intended timing, the subject was asked to indicate the point on the line corresponding to each of the above items on a survey sheet with a 10 cm line drawn on it, with 10 cm representing the case where "the most sensitive" and 0 cm representing the case where "the most sensitive" was measured, and the distance (cm) from the 0 cm point was measured and used as the VAS value. The greater the total VAS value for each evaluation item, the better the operability of the squeeze bottle.The area of ​​the opening was calculated by measuring the major and minor axes using a universal projector (PROFILE PROJECTOR V-12B, Nikon Corporation).

[0059] [Table 3]

[0060] [Table 4]

[0061] [Test Example 4: Compression test (2)] The container body, including the storage section and the spout, and the lid are integrally formed, and the container is made of a cyclic olefin copolymer (TOPAS8007 (manufactured by Polyplastics Co., Ltd.)) and linear low-density polyethylene (density 0.920 kg / m 3 The inner layer is a resin containing low-density polyethylene (density 0.927 kg / m 3A two-layer squeeze bottle 1 for each test example, filled with 0.5 mL of a liquid composition (purified water) and having an outer layer of 100% polyester (polyethylene glycol) was produced by the blow-fill-seal method (FIG. 4). Five squeeze bottles were produced in a linked state (FIG. 5), and one squeeze bottle was cut from the linked squeeze bottles and used. 4(a) is a front view showing the configuration of the squeeze bottle produced in Test Example 4, and FIG. 4(b) is a left side view showing the configuration of the squeeze bottle produced in Test Example 4. As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and (b), squeeze bottle 1 is integrally provided with container body 2 including storage section 3 and spout 4 connected to storage section 3, and lid 6 joined to container body 2 so as to seal opening 5 of spout 4. Note that the squeeze bottle according to this embodiment may be provided with gripping section 13 at the bottom of storage section 3, as in the squeeze bottle produced in Test Example 4. Fig. 4(c) is a schematic diagram showing a cross section (cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid composition is dripped or poured) of the storage section of the squeeze bottle produced in Test Example 4. As shown in Fig. 4(c), the storage section 3 has a two-layer structure consisting of an outer layer 14 and an inner layer 15 in contact with the liquid composition (purified water) 16, and the liquid composition (purified water) 16 is filled inside. The shape of the container of each squeeze bottle produced was 12 mm in height, 9.5 mm in major axis (inner diameter), 8 mm in minor axis (inner diameter), 0.1 mm in inner layer thickness, and 0.3 mm in outer layer thickness. The cross section of the container of each squeeze bottle produced (cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid composition was dripped or poured) was elliptical. The opening of each squeeze bottle produced was circular, with a diameter of 1.5 mm (inner diameter). Next, the compressive strength of the side (circumferential surface) of the container of each squeeze bottle was calculated in the same manner as in Test Example 1, except that half the distance between the maximum test force measurement site and the measurement stage (inner diameter of minor axis: 8 mm, thickness of inner layer: 0.1 mm, thickness of outer layer: 0.3 mm) was 4.4 mm. The results are shown in Table 5.

[0062] [Test Example 5: Operability Evaluation (3)] In the same manner as in Test Example 4, two-layer squeeze bottles for each test example shown in Table 5 were prepared. Five adult male subjects grasped and twisted the lid of the squeeze bottle, separating the lid from the container body to open the opening. Next, the subjects dispensed the purified water from the squeeze bottle onto a plane on which a 24 mm diameter circle was placed, from 10 cm above the circle, aiming at the center of the circle. They answered a questionnaire about the ease of use using the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) method. The subjects attempted to dispense the number of drops indicated in the questionnaire. Specifically, for the three items of 1) being able to drip only one drop onto the target area (the center point of a circle with a diameter of 24 mm), 2) being able to drip two consecutive drops onto the target area (the center point of a circle with a diameter of 24 mm), and 3) being able to land the drops on the target point (the center point of a circle with a diameter of 24 mm) at the intended timing, the subjects were asked to indicate the point on the line corresponding to each of the above items on a survey sheet with a 10 cm line drawn on it, with 10 cm representing "when most sensitive" and 0 cm representing "when not sensitive at all," and the distance (cm) from the 0 cm point was measured and used as the VAS value. More specifically, in the evaluation of 1), the distance was set to 10 cm when it was felt that the center of the 24 mm diameter circle and the center of the dropped liquid overlapped the most, and 0 cm when it was not possible to drop onto the 24 mm diameter circle or only one drop was not dropped (for example, not discharged in a drop shape). In the evaluation of 2), the distance was set to 10 cm when it was felt that the center of the 24 mm diameter circle and the center of the dropped liquid overlapped the most, and 0 cm when it was not possible to drop onto the 24 mm diameter circle or two drops were not dropped consecutively. The average of the VAS values ​​of the five subjects was taken as the VAS value of the test example. The results are shown in Table 5. The greater the total VAS value for each evaluation item, the more excellent the operability of the squeeze bottle is.

[0063] [Table 5]

[0064] It was confirmed that the squeeze bottles of Test Examples 1-13 and 1-14, in which the inner layer was made of a resin containing a cyclic olefin copolymer and linear low-density polyethylene, both had lower compressive strength and improved operability, compared to the squeeze bottle of Test Example 1-12, in which the inner layer was made of a resin containing a cyclic olefin copolymer but not linear low-density polyethylene.

[0065] [Test Example 6: Operability Evaluation (4)] In the same manner as in Test Example 4, two-layer squeeze bottles having different opening areas as shown in Tables 6 and 7 were prepared. Next, in the same manner as in Test Example 5, the area of ​​the opening and the VAS values ​​of each test example were calculated for the following three items: 1) only one drop was dropped on the target site (the center point of the circle with a diameter of 24 mm), 2) two drops were dropped consecutively on the target site (the center point of the circle with a diameter of 24 mm), and 3) the drops landed on the target site (the center point of the circle with a diameter of 24 mm) at the intended timing. The results are shown in Tables 6 and 7.

[0066] [Table 6]

[0067] [Table 7]

[0068] [Test Example 7: Operability Evaluation (5)] In the same manner as in Test Example 4, two-layer squeeze bottles of each Test Example shown in Table 8 were prepared. The shape of the storage part of each squeeze bottle prepared was 12 mm in height, 9.5 mm in major axis (inner diameter), 8 mm in minor axis (inner diameter), 0.1 mm in thickness of the inner layer, and 0.3 mm in thickness of the outer layer for Test Examples 3-1 to 3-3, and 12 mm in height, 9.5 mm in major axis (inner diameter), 8 mm in minor axis (inner diameter), 0.2 mm in thickness of the inner layer, and 0.2 mm in thickness of the outer layer for Test Examples 3-4 and 3-5. In addition, the cross section of the storage part of each squeeze bottle prepared (cross section along the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid composition is dripped or poured) was elliptical. Furthermore, the opening of each squeeze bottle prepared was circular, and its diameter was 1.5 mm (inner diameter). Five subjects answered a questionnaire using the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) method regarding 1) the ease of opening the opening when grasping and twisting the lid of the squeeze bottle to separate the lid from the container, and 2) the smoothness of the opening when touched with a finger after opening. Specifically, for the above two items 1) and 2), subjects were asked to indicate points on a line corresponding to each of the above items on a survey sheet with a 10 cm line drawn on it, with 10 cm representing "when most felt" and 0 cm representing "when not felt at all," and the distance (cm) from the 0 cm point was measured and used as the VAS value. The average of the VAS values ​​of the five subjects was used as the VAS value of the test example. The results are shown in Table 8. The greater the total VAS value for each evaluation item, the more excellent the operability of the squeeze bottle can be evaluated.

[0069] [Table 8]

[0070] It was confirmed that the squeeze bottles of Test Examples 3-2 to 3 to 5, in which the resin containing the cyclic olefin copolymer and the linear low-density polyethylene was used as the inner layer, all had improved operability compared to the squeeze bottle of Test Example 3-1, in which the resin containing the cyclic olefin copolymer but not the linear low-density polyethylene was used as the inner layer. One of the subjects (Subject C) felt almost no resistance when separating the lid and the container of the squeeze bottle of Test Example 3-3 (VAS value 9.5). When Subject C stroked the opening of the squeeze bottle of Test Example 3-2 with his finger, he felt almost no unevenness (VAS value 9.0). When Subject C stroked the opening of the squeeze bottle of Test Example 3-1 with his finger, he felt unevenness and visually observed the unevenness (VAS value 7.0).

[0071] In addition, when the maximum light transmittance of the storage section was measured, all were 50% or more, for example, 82% in Test Example 3-2, 88% in Test Example 3-3, 78% in Test Example 3-4, and 80% in Test Example 3-5. The maximum light transmittance was calculated from each light transmittance obtained by measuring the light transmittance at 10 nm intervals between wavelengths of 400 and 700 nm using a microplate reader (SH-9000, manufactured by Corona Electric Co., Ltd.).

[0072] [Test Example 8: Operability Evaluation (6)] The two-layer squeeze bottles of each test example shown in Table 8 were prepared in the same manner as in Test Example 4. Five adult male subjects gripped and twisted the lid of each squeeze bottle of the test example, separated the lid from the container body to open the opening, and then discharged the purified water filled in the squeeze bottle from the opening to empty the storage section of the squeeze bottle. Next, each subject gripped two parts of the storage section in the cross-sectional minor axis direction, the center of the right side (right peripheral surface) and the center of the left side (left peripheral surface), with two fingertips, pressed from the two parts toward the center of the container until the distance between the two parts became 4 mm, and released the two fingers from the storage section one second after the pressing was completed. Using the time when the fingers were released as a reference, visual observation was performed to measure 1) the time when the part of the storage section that had been dented by the pressing began to return to its original shape, and 2) the time until it completely returned to its original shape. Each subject performed the test on three squeeze bottles, and the average of the measured times 1) and 2) was calculated. Scores were assigned according to the evaluation criteria in Table 9, and the sum of the scores for 1) and 2) was calculated. The results of the five subjects were averaged to determine the elasticity of the squeeze bottle. The results are shown in Table 10. Note that the higher the score, the better the elasticity, and the easier it is for the user to control the operation of repeatedly dispensing the liquid composition, and the squeeze bottle can be evaluated as having excellent operability.

[0073] [Table 9]

[0074] [Table 10] [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1...squeeze bottle, 2...container body, 3...container section, 3a...side surface (circumferential surface) of container section, 3b...bottom surface of container section, 4...pouring outlet, 5...opening, 6...lid, 10...flat surface on which the container body of the squeeze bottle is placed when measuring maximum test force, 11...measurement probe, 12...maximum test force measurement site, 13...gripping section, 14...inner layer, 15...outer layer, 16...liquid composition (purified water).

Claims

[Claim 1] a container body including a storage section for storing a liquid composition and a spout connected to the storage section; A squeeze bottle integrally comprising a lid joined to the container body so as to seal an opening of the spout, The container body is a squeeze bottle comprising a resin containing cyclic olefins and polyethylenes.

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