Liquid dispenser with a tip opening mechanism of the type without preservatives for blow-fill-seal containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid dispenser with a tip opening mechanism of the type without preservatives for blow-fill-seal containers that comprises a dual function membrane to control the passage of air and liquid and a pierceable silicone seal that ensures sterility at all times when in the storage position and when opening the container.

Description

[0001] Liquid dispenser with tip-opening mechanism, preservative-free type for blow-fill-seal bottles

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention falls within the technical field of ophthalmic product dispensers. Specifically, it discloses a multi-dose drop dispenser device with a spike opening mechanism (spike system), suitable for preservative-free solutions for plastic bottles made by blow-fill-seal.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] There are some technologies in the state of the art related to preservative-free multi-dose droppers, such as patent document US1 1116694B2, published on September 14, 2021, for “Device for dispensing liquid from a sterile packaging bottle”, which refers to a device for dispensing aqueous liquids through an interface membrane made partially hydrophilic and partially hydrophobic, made such that when in operation, during each operation of dispensing a measured amount of liquid, the air and liquid streams flow alternately in a capillary channel downstream of the membrane. Said interface membrane is made of a filter material that includes biocidal metal cations in its body; it also includes a porous insert permeable to both liquid and air that is arranged upstream of the membrane in the fluid path.However, this predecessor lacks a tip mechanism with a silicone seal that fits over the spout of the bottle when pierced, keeping all components sterile in the process.

[0006] Likewise, with respect to dual-function membranes, i.e., hydrophilic and hydrophobic, patent document US6565748B1, published on May 20, 2033, for “Membranes with canonically modified charge” is known, which discloses a charge-modified polymeric membrane, said membrane comprising a hydrophobic polymer, said membrane becoming hydrophilic by charge modification, said charge modification resulting from contacting said membrane with at least one polymeric wetting agent and at least one cationic charge modifying agent. However, this background simply discloses a dual-function membrane and does not include a body and a circular platform for fixing the membrane; nor does it reveal a tip mechanism communicating with the chamber created between the body and the circular platform.

[0007] Additionally, prior art devices that have a tip-opening mechanism for dropper bottles lose sterility when the bottle is broken.

[0008] Furthermore, conventional preservative-free multi-dose bottles have a shelf life of less than a year and a half (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not allow longer expiration dates for this type of packaging), since the liquids come into contact with a number of elements that could be contaminants.

[0009] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In order to solve the aforementioned problems of the state of the art, the present invention was developed which refers to a liquid dispensing device comprising a bottle with a lower portion, an intermediate portion and an upper portion, where the intermediate portion has a diameter smaller than a lower portion of the bottle, the upper portion of the bottle is threaded and has a pierceable spout;a support main body, where the support main body includes: a threaded inner surface, an annular inner protuberance arranged above the threaded inner surface, into which a radial extension of a silicone seal fits, the silicone seal (which is pierceable) has a tip-shaped cavity and is located inside the support main body, the inner upper part of the support main body includes a support main body tip with an inner channel, while the outer upper part of the support main body has a first grooved platform where a membrane is supported (dual function membrane: hydrophilic and hydrophobic), a threaded outer surface arranged below the first grooved platform;the membrane is arranged on the first grooved platform, and below a second grooved platform, the second grooved platform having a through hole and a vertically extending protuberance; wherein the first grooved platform and the second grooved platform increase the contact surface of the fluids with the membrane, wherein the membrane is partially hydrophilic and partially hydrophobic; wherein a cap with a cap thread is suitable for being screwed onto the threaded external surface of the main support body.;

[0011] In a use position, the spout of the bottle is in direct contact with the silicone seal, the tip of the main support body is arranged inside the bottle and the silicone seal is perforated.

[0012] While in a storage position, the silicone seal, the membrane, and the channels created around the dual-function membrane remain sterile and unpierced to the silicone seal, preferably, the tip of the main support body is in permanent contact with the silicone seal, pressing without piercing it.

[0013] The present invention achieves the integration of a set of relevant technical features into a single device, providing the following technical effects:

[0014] - Shelf life is increased, with up to three years of shelf life, compared to 1 to 1.5 years for conventional state-of-the-art preservative-free multi-dose dispenser bottles.

[0015] - The tip of the main body and the silicone seal, which preferably contain silver ions as a bactericide, are sterile at all times when stored. The tip is never exposed to the environment, and there is no prior art break-open mechanism with a preservative-free solution.

[0016] - In the storage position, the tip of the bottle is in permanent contact with the soft silicone seal containing silver ions as a bactericide, always keeping the external part of the bottle tip in a sterile condition.

[0017] - When piercing the silicone seal and the bottle's tip, the entire dropper dispenser remains sterile, preventing air from entering anywhere. Both piercings are performed in a single operation.

[0018] - Since the channel at the tip of the main support body is located on a side area, it can be manufactured with the piercing tip centered and made of hard plastic or other materials such as stainless steel.

[0019] - The dual function membrane, i.e. partially hydrophobic and partially hydrophilic, allows the fluids to be guided on their return path during drop dispensing, allowing the remaining liquid not expelled (which returns first) to deviate from a direct axial trajectory and be directed towards the hydrophilic part of the membrane, the air flow drawn into the bottle thus having free access to the hydrophobic material of the membrane in its central portion.

[0020] - Once the main support body is screwed onto the bottom of the bottle, it cannot be removed and remains permanently in the usable position. The silicone seal will also remain pressed against the tip of the bottle, sealing it. At the same time, the safety ring on the middle portion of the bottle will detach, providing a visual indicator that the bottle has been pierced and is in the usable position.

[0021] - The channels in the first and second grooved platforms allow return fluids to cover a larger surface area of ​​the dual-function membrane.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] The following figures illustrate some embodiments of the present invention, said figures or their description are not intended to limit in any way the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0024] Figure 1: Internal view of the proposed invention in storage position.

[0025] Figure 2: Internal view of the proposed invention in use position.

[0026] Figure 3: View of the individual components of the proposed invention.

[0027] Figure 4: View of the sealing parts before applying the ultrasonic process.

[0028] Figure 5: View of the sealing parts after application of the ultrasonic process.

[0029] Legend of the figures:

[0030] 10: Bottle

[0031] 11: Lower portion

[0032] 12: Intermediate portion

[0033] 13: Upper portion

[0034] 14: Jar Spout

[0035] 15: Mid-portion fin

[0036] 20: Main support body

[0037] 21 : Inner annular sealing protuberance 21a: Inner annular sealing protuberance before ultrasonic

[0038] 21 b: Inner annular sealing protuberance after ultrasound

[0039] 22: Threaded internal surface

[0040] 23: Threaded outer surface

[0041] 24: Main support body tip

[0042] 25: Inner tip channel

[0043] 26: First grooved platform

[0044] 27: Main body support tooth

[0045] 28: Outer annular sealing protuberance

[0046] 28a: Outer annular sealing protuberance before ultrasound

[0047] 28b: Outer annular sealing protuberance after ultrasound

[0048] 30: Silicone stamp

[0049] 31 : Radial extension of silicone seal

[0050] 32: Silicone stamp tip shaped cavity

[0051] 33: Free space

[0052] 40: Membrane

[0053] 50: Second grooved platform

[0054] 51 : Second channeled platform vertical extension protrusion

[0055] 60: Cover

[0056] 61 : Cap tooth

[0057] 62: Cap thread

[0058] 70: Safety ring

[0059] 71 : Safety ring tooth

[0060] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION (DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION)

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the silicone seal (30) is soft (5-20 Shore A hardness).

[0062] In another preferred embodiment, the tip-shaped cavity of the silicone seal (32) has a smaller diameter than the tip of the main support body, such that when the silicone seal is coupled and inserted, both elements fit together under pressure. Furthermore, this silicone seal has internal walls that fit with the external shape of the spout of the bottle, such that a pressure seal is created between the spout of the bottle and the silicone seal, in the use position.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, and in detail, the tip of the main support body (24) is formed by a cylindrical portion followed by a sharp end, where a lateral section of the sharp end has a fluid conduction channel, such that the tip responsible for piercing does not lose its sharpness, and the piercing is made easier for the user by using less force, even to being able to make said tip of a material less hard than steel, such as plastic. The fluid conduction channel located in the lateral area of ​​the tip is connected with an interior channel of the tip that leads the liquid towards the membrane.

[0064] In the use position of the present invention, the liquid conduction channel (side channel) is arranged inside the bottle. Furthermore, the tip of the main support body (24) can be made of plastic or stainless steel.

[0065] Likewise, in a preferred embodiment, the main support body (20) has in the lower part (part closest to the bottle) a safety ring (70) (annular protuberance) with teeth (71), which serve as a stop for the rotation of the safety ring. Likewise, the lid (60) has a lid thread (62) suitable for being screwed onto the threaded external surface of the main support body (23).

[0066] In another preferred embodiment, the bottle can be made of PET-G or polyethylene, polypropylene, among other similar plastics; and it can be made using blow-fill-seal technologies. In another preferred embodiment, the connection between the first grooved platform, the dual-function membrane, and the second grooved platform is via ultrasonic bonding. The silicone seal is also attached by casting the inner annular protrusion for ultrasonic sealing (21).

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate portion of the bottle (12) comprises at least two fins (15), preferably between 2 to 4 fins, where the fins (15) are arranged with a slope, that is, as the main support body is introduced, it snaps into the bottle.

[0068] In another preferred embodiment, the second grooved platform (50) has a central hole, with sloping walls, that is, the hole would have a truncated conical shape with a modifiable diameter to regulate the size of the drop according to the need.

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

[0070] Figure 1 shows the present invention in the storage position, in this position the tip of the main support body (24) is substantially close to or in contact with the silicone seal (30), with a free space (33) between said silicone seal and the upper inner portion of the main support body.

[0071] As can be seen in Figure 2, when screwing the main support body (20) onto the upper portion (13) of the bottle, the main support body (20) descends and pierces the silicone seal (30), such that the silicone seal (30) is displaced and accommodated by pressure on the free space (33) and adjusted on the spout of the bottle (14).

[0072] In figure 3 the pieces of the proposed invention are observed, where the silicone seal (30) is located inside the main support body (20), where the sealing silicone has the shape of a bulged body with a radial extension in its lower part which works as a stop when placed inside the sealing body, where when the silicone seal (30) is coupled on the main support body, a free and sterilized space (33) is maintained between the upper and internal walls of the main support body and the silicone seal (30), that is, the upper part of the sealing silicone does not initially have contact with the upper wall of the main support body, it only has contact with the tip of the main support body. In the storage position, the tip of the main support body (24) rests on the tip-shaped cavity of the silicone seal (32).In this figure 3 you can also see the safety ring (70) which is coupled by ultrasound with the lid of the bottle, this safety ring is suitable to fit over the fins (15) of the bottle, in such a way that when the bottle is pierced for the first time by applying the rotation of the pieces, said safety ring (70) is detached from the lid of the bottle, indicating that the bottle is in the position of use, and no longer of storage. The safety ring (70) includes some counterpressure teeth (71) that stop the rotation of said ring when it comes into contact with the fins (15) of the bottle, in such a way that the detachment of the safety ring is facilitated.

[0073] In figures 4 and 5 the process of joining elements by ultrasound of the proposed invention can be observed, where the outer annular sealing protuberance (28) initially has a pointed annular shape, that is, seen from a cross section to the ring, it has a triangular shape, as seen in figure 4; and the inner annular sealing protuberance (21) initially has the shape of an annular notch, that is, it protrudes in an annular manner from the interior of the main support body; both protuberances are made of the same plastic material as the main support body, and when ultrasound is applied to said protuberances, they melt and allow union with other elements; the inner annular sealing protuberance allows the fixing of the sealing silicone (3) on the main support body, with part of the molten material remaining on the radial extension of the silicone seal (31);On the other hand, the outer annular sealing protuberance (28) allows the fixing of the second grooved platform (50) on the first grooved platform (26) of the main support body.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A liquid dispensing device characterized by comprising: a bottle (10) with a lower portion (11), an intermediate portion (12) and an upper portion (13), where the upper portion (13) of the bottle is threaded and has a pierceable spout (14);a support main body (20), said support main body including: a threaded inner surface (22), an annular inner protuberance (21) disposed above the threaded inner surface (22), into which a radial extension of a silicone seal (31) fits, the silicone seal (30) has a tip-shaped cavity (32) and is located inside the support main body, the inner upper part of the support main body includes a support main body tip (24) with an inner channel (25), while the outer upper part of the support main body has a first grooved platform (26) on which a membrane (40) is supported, a threaded outer surface (23) disposed below the first grooved platform (26);the membrane (40) is arranged on the first grooved platform (26), and below a second grooved platform (50), the second grooved platform (50) has a through hole and an extension protuberance (61); wherein when the silicone seal (30) is coupled on the main support body, a free space (33) is maintained between the upper and internal walls of the main support body and the silicone seal (30); wherein the first grooved platform (26) and the second grooved platform (50) increase the contact surface of the fluids with the membrane (40), wherein the membrane (40) is partially hydrophilic and partially hydrophobic; wherein a cap (60) with a cap thread (62) is suitable to be screwed onto the threaded external surface (23) of the main support body. 2.- The liquid dispensing device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower part of the lid (60) has lid teeth (61) that serve as a stop against teeth of the main support body (27) arranged on an outer and lower annular protuberance of the main support body. 3.- The liquid dispensing device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate portion of the bottle (12) comprises at least two fins (15), where the fins (15) are arranged with a slope, that is, as the main support body is introduced, it snaps into the bottle. 4.- The liquid dispensing device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the silicone seal tip-shaped cavity (32) has a smaller diameter than the tip of the main support body (24), such that when the silicone seal (30) is coupled and introduced, both elements fit together under pressure. 5.- The liquid dispensing device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip of the main support body (24) is formed by a cylindrical portion followed by a sharp end, where a lateral section of the sharp end has a fluid conduction channel and is connected with an inner channel of the tip, since the conduction channel is located in a lateral area it contributes to avoiding the edge in the perforation. 6.- The liquid dispensing device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip of the main support body (24) is made of plastic or stainless steel. 7.- The liquid dispensing device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the silicone seal (30) is soft.

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